Bond is back for revenge

Bond is back with his finger on the trigger.

            In the latest of the 007 films, Daniel Craig continues his role as the badass gadgetless James Bond. This time Bond isn’t just saving the world, he’s out for revenge on the people he holds responsible for the death of his love, Vesper Lynd.

            Bond uses his unconventional, bloodthirsty tactics to uncover Quantum, a worldwide organization that has infiltrated businesses and governments, even MI6.

            Some critics of the film may say that the plot was under developed, but they’re really just missing the point. “Quantum of Solace” sets the scenes for future Bond movies, when 007 will take down this evil empire. If anything, some parts of the movie went to deep into back-stories.

            Camille, the Bond girl played by Olga Kurylenko, is looking for her own revenge on the man who killed her family and left her with burn scars on her back after he lit her family home on fire. You may forget Camille’s name by the end of the movie, but you won’t forget what happened to her when her memories cripple her, turning her from a vengeful woman to a whimpering girl. It pretty much killed respect for her, and it would have been nice to see her overcome her fear of fire instead of nearly being consumed by it.

            Craig once again delivers a stellar performance of Bond — he even does most of his own stunts. Some people say that Craig will never be the Bond Pierce Brosnan was, but again, some people just do not know what they are talking about. Brosnan was a respectable Bond, but he was soft. He had too friendly of a face to truly portray a serious double-0 agent. Also, Brosnan’s Bonds relied heavily on gadgets, something Craig’s Bond has yet to use. Craig’s Bond relies on his trademark PPK and anything else he finds that will kill a person.

Chases scenes made up the majority of the thrilling parts of the movie. Car chases, boat chases, chases on foot and yes, even chases in planes added high-speed action to “Quantum of Solace.” Even the chases scene involving Camille’s Ford Ka and a bad guy on a motorcycle was a little exciting. Who knew a small hatchback could outmaneuver a bike?

Bond’s driving skills never cease to amaze, if it moves, he can drive it.

In the opening scene of “Quantum of Solace,” Bond is driving an Aston Martin DBS while being chased by an Alfa Romeo 159. The poor DBS barely survived, losing the driver side door during the chase. It doesn’t make another appearance in the film.

            Instead of an Aston Martin, Bond drives a Range Rover Sport in several other scenes.

This Bond movie even has an eco-friendly aspect. The main bad guy, Dominic Greene — who is part of Quantum — has a cover industry called Greene Planet, which seems to be promoting environmentally friendly lifestyles. Bond himself drives a hydrogen-powered Ford Edge at the end of the movie — of course he had just destroyed a compound run on hydrogen fuel cells, it was surprising to see the Edge made it out unscathed.

There is something for everyone in this Bond movie: romance, fast cars, explosions and awesome fight scenes.

One thing that sets apart the latest Bond movies from the last ones featuring Brosnan is the special effects. Brosnan’s last movies just felt fake. Computer graphics acted out some of the more challenging stunts. But Craig’s scenes feel more authentic, leaving viewers thinking about what it must be like to be 007. Craig even sustained some injuries while making the movie, including a cut on his face and a sliced finger, but it’s all part of being a badass Bond.