Latest BOND Trailer Makes Its Debut

[Angel Orona]

Usually I am quite wary of movie reimaginings/reworkings/do-overs, etc., since it seems like the "reimaginer" is unable to come up with a unique enough take on the material for it to be getting remade in the first place (Exhibits A & B:  Tim Burton's PLANET OF THE APES, Rob Zombie's HALLOWEEN). So needless to say I was pleasantly surprised by the gritty, realistic revamping of the Bond series a few years back with CASINO ROYALE. 

Now comes the first sequel QUANTUM OF SOLACE (A title I'm not nearly as averse to as most moviegoers), once again starring an asskicking Daniel Craig.  Here is a brief synopsis to the film:

QUANTUM OF SOLACE continues the high octane adventures of James Bond (DANIEL CRAIG) in CASINO ROYALE. Betrayed by Vesper, the woman he loved, 007 fights the urge to make his latest mission personal. Pursuing his determination to uncover the truth, Bond and M (JUDI DENCH) interrogate Mr White (JESPER CHRISTENSEN) who reveals the organisation which blackmailed Vesper is far more complex and dangerous than anyone had imagined.

Forensic intelligence links an MI6 traitor to a bank account in Haiti where a case of mistaken identity introduces Bond to the beautiful but feisty Camille (OLGA KURYLENKO), a woman who has her own vendetta. Camille leads Bond straight to Dominic Greene (MATHIEU AMALRIC), a ruthless business man and major force within the mysterious organisation.

On a mission that leads him to Austria, Italy and South America, Bond discovers that Greene, conspiring to take total control of one of the world’s most important natural resources, is forging a deal with the exiled General Medrano (JOAQUIN COSIO). Using his associates in the organisation, and manipulating his powerful contacts within the CIA and the British government, Greene promises to overthrow the existing regime in a Latin American country, giving the General control of the country in exchange for a seemingly barren piece of land.

In a minefield of treachery, murder and deceit, Bond allies with old friends in a battle to uncover the truth. As he gets closer to finding the man responsible for the betrayal of Vesper, 007 must keep one step ahead of the CIA, the terrorists and even M, to unravel Greene’s sinister plan and stop his organisation.

Despite being completely amped about the movie I find myself once again headed for the cinema with some apprehension.  It seems like ever since its inception began there have been rumors circulating on QUANTUM being in trouble.  A rushed production, an uncompleted script (again being written by CASINO writers Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and Paul Haggis) and directorial problems (Martin Campbell being replaced by Marc Forster [FINDING NEVERLAND, STRANGER THAN FICTION, MONSTER'S BALL]).  Still it seems like come hell or highwater Bond will be back on November 14th, 2008. 

Check out the full-length theatrical trailer which does indeed succeed in raising my hopes.  So go HERE .

BTW -- French actor Mathieu Amalric plays villain "Dominic Greene".  I've never seen any of his work but does an exceptional job in the trailer alone of bringing across his character's smug prickery ("You are both -- How do you say? -- Damaged goods"), making him an ideal Bond nemesis.



"No, the topic is not up for discussion.  Duran Duran WILL BE doing the
theme song to QUANTUM OF SOLACE . . . Any questions?"

Source: AintItCool

[Sheridan Passell]

Can I be the first to say I am NOT blown away? I think he's a very bland villain. Also how much do we have to have people walking around spouting off character assessments of one another? 'Character' should come across in peoples' action, not be spoken unrealistically by another person. It's lazy screenwriting.

Movie looks fine. Excited? Not especially.

[Tyler Lovemark]

I can't wait.  I really enjoyed Casino Royale and am really looking forward to anything Bond that stays as far away as it can from Die Another Day.

[Angel Orona]

Interesting you mention that Sheridan because when my friend (A big Bond fan) had relayed to me that Marc Forster was directing I had to scratch my head at the decision.  Why not just get back Martin Campbell who did a pretty skillful job on CASINO.  My friend pointed out that the producers apparently wanted someone who could handle the dramatic aspect while using the same 2nd unit director from CASINO to handle the action.  So what's one of the first thing Forster does upon being hired?  Why firing the 2nd unit director of course!  But I do think the trailer still looks slick and rousing enough that I'm hopeful.

As for Almaric, he's no Max Zoran . . . But then who else could be?

[Sheridan Passell]

It may have been that Martin Campbell didn't want to come back. Don't forget he made Goldeneye, a financially very successful movie, then departed. He's the guy they go to seemingly to 'relaunch' the character when it's needed.

It's amazing to me just how wholly different Goldeneye and Casino Royale are, from the way they're shot, to the sense of humour, to the sensibility in general. I would never have guessed it was the same guy behind the camera.

[Angel Orona]

I've always felt Campbell was a more than capable director and has never gotten a fair shake while Michael Bay-wannabe "video makers" (as opposed to filmmakers who are directors interested in more than just explosions and pretty pictures).  I think my friend did tell me Campbell didn't wanna come back.  But my point they should've found somebody who is capable of directing both dramatic and action films (someone like Gore Verbinski, who made the criminally underrated WEATHER MAN dramedy).

[Sheridan Passell]

I have no immediate problem with the director per se, to me the villain and the lead girl look very feeble. And when will M stop being furious with Bond?? Just sack him for God's sake.

[MissyVonDoll]

The first one really did surprise me as I wasn't expecting it to be that good, so I'm quite sure the second is going to be just as pleasant to watch   Well, it better be.

[Mahmoud El-Azzeh]

Drama, Marc Foster can handle (see Finding Neverland), but it's the action scenes that I worry about. And to be fair, I don't think that Bond girls that were already famous have fared so well in the past anyway (i.e. Denise Richards, Halle Berry, although I liked Teri Hatcher). Was Honor Blackman already really that famous when she did Goldfinger? I don't think so - but I could be wrong here.