Quantum of Solace Review

The new James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, was released here in Korea last week - almost two weeks before it's release in North American. I assume this has to do with Asia's rampant movie pirating, and releasing it here first might cut down on this. What that means is that I am able to review the 22 Bond film before people have seen it back home!

Having seen Quantum of Solace, I really enjoyed it. The action is intense and exciting, while the story (which sometimes stumbles in Bond flicks) is quite solid and topical. The film enters new territory with some artistically shot sequences and by delving far into Bond's reaction to the events at the end of Casino Royal. (Highlight for spoilers: The woman Bond loves, Vesper, betrays him and kills herself.)

Of coarse, Casino Royal, the first film in the "reboot" of the Bond film franchise, should be seen first as Quantum is a direct sequel - where Bond does whatever it takes to capture the shadowy Organization responsible for his pain. In traditional Bond style, he globe-hops across Italy, Spain, Bolivia and Haiti. Here he meets up with Camille, a beautiful and feisty Bond Girl with her own plans for revenge.

Daniel Craig is back as 007 and he seems more comfortable in the role. How would I rank him among the past Bonds? I would place him after Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan, then Roger Moore, Dalton and Lazenby. Not to shabby.

There are a few interesting artistic moments in the film which I attribute to the director, Mark Forster. His credits include Monster's Ball (starring Halle Berry, who won an academy award!), Finding Neverland (Johnny Depp) and Stranger than Fiction (Will Farrell and Dustin Hoffman). Not you're usual action films! What Forester brings to his shots is a sense of style. I fully approve.

Besides some unconnected action sequences, Quantum of Solace is a solid and thrilling entry into the James Bond series. Check it out and tell me if you think it's as good as Casino Royal!

I'm getting a little excited here...

Whew! It's been a busy month here in Seoul-land! And there is so much to look forward to!

My roommate Steve's Mom has been visiting us for the last week which means I've been hitting the tourist attractions of Seoul hard. (Actually, Steve is doing most of the showing around - I mean, she is his mom!) Anyway, we've explored Namdaemun Market - in search of Halloween paraphernalia, and hiked Bukhansan Mountain, a respite from the urban forest (Check back soon for PHOTOS and a more in depth look at these popular Seoul spots!)

Looking to the future, life only gets more exciting - You may have noticed the poster for Seoul's first-annual ZOMBIE WALK 2008, happening this Saturday! The brainchild of my friend Bobby (and seconded by your's truely - "Let's do it!"), the Zombie Walk will celebrate all things Halloween and UnDead. We will all meet around 4pm at Ewha University (the local women-only uni) and then walk to Hongik University (Hongdae = student party central, where there are literally hundreds of bars and clubs - my usual Friday night hangout!)


Oh yeah, and we are all dressed as zombies. We expect over 40 people to join our dead-shuffle, creating an unforgetable impression on the local Korean population! (My Korean friends, by the way, think this is the most insane and crazy thing to do - as it goes against the social norms of not standing out. Do I expect the police to show up? Maybe. Will we be on the news? Maybe...hehehe) Again, photos will come soon!

Besides the z-walk, I am also looking forward to my planned trip to Tokyo the weekend after next. My good friend Taka says I can stay with him in Yokohama and I'll take the train in to see Tokyo. I am also planning to meet another friend Naoko (someone I worked with at the Lookout.)

Furthermore, besides zombies and Godzillas, I am also looking forward to Bond, James Bond. Yes, Quantum of Solace, the new Bond film (and direct sequel to Casino Royal) comes out here on November 5th!

Yup, there's alot on my plate, and I like it like that.

Oh, and readers, what is a "quantum of solace" anyway?

Bond, James Bond

I went to see Casino Royal last night at the local cinema. And it was good! But different, not at all like the past James Bond movies!

STOP READING if you don't want to any spoilers!

This movie takes Bond back to his first ever mission. (Which is a bit weird because M is still Dame Judy Dench, but there is no Q or Moneypenny.)

Anyway, it shows him as an intense no-nonsense secret agent, who is dealing with how close to let the women into his life. Some good special effects (with no stupid CGI iceberg surfing!) and some great stunts, make it a definite Bond film...but it was missing a good opening song and the standard silhouetted dancing ladies.

How times change. Less gadgets, less comedy, less Bond-quips ("Shocking"), but more reality...

At least it is not the appalling 1967 Casino Royal, staring David Niven, Peter Sellers, Orsen Wells, and Woody Allen. Please don't see that movie. See this one instead. Please.