I had the great pleasure of attending a screening of Quantum Of Solace, last night in New York City's AMC Lincoln Square theater. It was a capacity crowd and the lights finally dimmed 15 minutes or so later than its scheduled start time. Apparently, the Sony people (and maybe Daniel Craig himself) were running a little late. Regardless, James Bond's 22nd adventure was about to begin!

From the opening few seconds, it was obvious that this Bond movie would be like no other. This scene, like so many others, boasted some of the best cinematography of the entire series - and that's saying a lot.

I have read other Quantum reviews that had hoped for a more substantive Bond movie, but I myself have nothing but congratulations to offer the filmmakers on a job well done with Daniel Craig's second outing!

Not only is this a great Bond movie, it is an overly enjoyable action movie! We find James Bond in a plethora of chase sequences scattered throughout - all choreographed with great precision and complexity. The producers definitely were not lying when they said it would contain more action than Casino Royale! The world's favorite secret agent does it all in this one - hand-to-hand combat sequences, car and boat chases, and even an air battle!

In this, James Bond's 22nd adventure, 007 is on the hunt for his late girlfriend Vesper Lynd's killer from the previous movie, Casino Royale. The movie starts with a thrilling car chase set just after Royale's ending - and although it's initially not apparent that there is someone in his car trunk, James zigs, zags and almost flips his Aston Martin DBS around hairpin curves in the cliffs of an Italian highway. As Bond arrives at his destination (surprisingly) in one piece, he playfully quips to Mr. White that it's "time to get out" of the trunk and the opening title sequence begins. Jack White and Alicia Keys' "Another Way To Die" blares, and actually fits the moment better than I anticipated. It actually sent a chill down my spine. I am pumped for this movie!

The Plot
Without revealing too many details, Quantum Of Solace may have the most complex (yet believable) plot of any James Bond movie - and one that is totally relevant in today's world. We see the most interaction ever between two government agencies in a James Bond movie (the United States' CIA and Great Britain's MI6), and a conspiracy that keeps the viewer skeptical throughout. After one shocking scene early on, it seems as though no one can be trusted.

Bond's determination to find his lover's killer is marred only by his reckless and ruthless attitude this time around - killing in cold blood on several occasions and, although ordered to stop, continuing his ways - earning himself a "capture or kill" designation order from the CIA and MI6 alike. Not since Licence To Kill have we seen Bond practice such insubordination!

Bond travels the world in Quantum: from Port-au-Prince, Haiti to Bregenz, Austria and back again. James might have clocked the most frequent flyer miles yet for a movie, and is lucky he has friends like Felix Leiter and Mathis to help him along his treacherous path (to say the least).

The Score and More
David Arnold's masterful score shines the entire time, teasing the audience with the title theme and Monty Norman's classic. Be sure to stay after the end credits to hear a particularly cool, funky and unique riff. This may be his best Bond work yet.

Coupling the score are some clever sequences never seen in a Bond movie before - one involving a subtle Bond commentary and another a certain cultural event of the setting alongside the movie's plot. Again, without giving too much away, this movie screams unique.

It really is a skillful blend of the dark feel of Craig's first and the traditional Bond action of old. The hybrid that results is a movie that lives up to the hype - an excellent successor to Casino Royale.

More analysis to follow after I see the movie a second time - tonight at midnight with the rest of the U.S.!