Radio Times

Quantum of Solace is a bit like James Bond himself - gets in there, does the job, gets out again. The film is done and dusted in 106 minutes, a far more enticing prospect than the leg-crossing 140+ minutes of most action movies these days. Did they have to fill those 106 minutes with quite so many stunts, though? After the exhilarating pre-titles sequence, I was looking forward to a bit of a breather, a chance for the plot of this new adventure to develop.

But no. With barely a pause to refuel with the obligatory slug of whisky, our emotionally wounded tough guy was off on another heart-stopping chase. Soon afterwards, he was grappling with another bad sort in a bone-crunching fight. Then factor in a mini car chase, a major boat chase, a prolonged aerial attack and the climactic hotel inferno.

Now, those set-pieces certainly have their place in a Bond movie. And respect to Daniel Craig for - quite literally - throwing himself into the stunt work (hope the shoulder's better soon, Daniel).

But it would be nice if the action was a little less frenetic - half the time I couldn't make out who was hitting who. And, with the exception of the violence going on behind the scenes of Tosca (which was beautifully handled), all too often I found myself rolling my eyes and waiting for the fisticuffs to be over so we could get on with the story.

Mathieu Amalric turns in a wonderfully slimy performance as the cowardly, objectionable Dominic Greene. But am I alone in finding characters like Greene - and Le Chiffre before him - a bit, well, dull as villains? I know we're continually told that it's shady businessmen, corrupt politicians and billion-dollar multinationals who wield all the power nowadays, but in a post 9/11 world, surely there are worthier adversaries out there to fight?

Perhaps the baddies-versus-the-world plot was always going to be incidental to the tale of our hero's quest for vengeance following the death of Vesper Lynd. Some critics have complained that this element of the film reduced Bond to nothing more than a cold-eyed killer.

However, a touching scene with the dying Mathis, some spirited verbal sparring with M and the rescue of a terror-stricken Camille all gave Craig the chance to show the finer feelings lurking beneath his hardbitten exterior. And this is what made the film for me. His is a Bond all too capable of throwing the switch to deadly professional mode but, crucially, able to recognise and respond to the pain of others - even if he doesn't show that same consideration to himself.

So, with the rollercoaster ride that is Quantum of Solace over, I'm looking forward to the next film. Having laid the ghost of Vesper to rest, what will the James Bond we meet in 2010 be like? The possibilities are endless, but one thing is certain - in Daniel Craig's hands, 007 is hitting an all-time high.

**

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On the whole an enjoyable high impact thriller spectacularly staged throughout, however I do agree with the RT reviewer that that the plot development was weakened by overmuch pyrotechnics Daniel Craig's bond is a truly lethal version far grittier than we've seen before but if a grittier realism is what is aimed for a little more le carre and a little less mission impossible would be a more satisfying offering

I really wanted Quantum of Solace to work, but unfortunately it didn't - too much continueous chase action at the expense of an engaging storyline and memorable scenes (apart from the Tosca section). We need only to look at Casino Royale to see where this new film went wrong - Quantum was like the first half of Casino which was mainly action (no doubt to establish Daniel Craig's tough guy creditials in his first outing as Bond), whereas the second half of Casino, from the introdution of Vesper, followed by scenes taken from the original Ian Fleming book was much stronger and successful.

I tell the truth I actually got worried last year when I heard Michael Wilson had developed the plot for the next film (Quantum of Solace)surely he must realise that all good Bond films need a strong Fleming or similar plot.

Thought this film was brilliant, Daniel Craig is the best Bond yet. Previous Bonds and films have been full of cheesey unrealistic battles in big caves or islands. I thought this had a great story with great action and brilliant acting by all. Go see it, enjoy it for what it is and don't disect it.

The problem with this film is the story which is vague and incoherent. The Bond girl who turns up halfway through jars with the whole experiance, sticking out as a relic from earlier Bond films like Die Another Day. Bond's quest for revenge at its climax is wholly anti-climatical and unsatisfying. Daniel Craig was excellent as always and the Tosca scene was brilliant but apart from those two things, am I going to remember anything else about the film by the time it comes on TV? Probably not.

If the film had been a bit longer, to allow a story to develop, with better edited action sequences and small touches of humour along the way then this film could have been so much more.

As it is, the film was a great disappointment and I would go as far as to say it was a discredit to the James Bond "brand". I only hope they can do considerably better next time. If they want inspiration as to how a modern day action film should look like then they only have to take a glance at the Bourne films which are so much better than this. They must also never forget those little touches which make a James Bond film great.

I found it rather disappointing. Plenty of action, but very little substance to hold it together. It lacked the spark that lifts a generic action film (which this is) into a Bond movie.

Like the theme tune, the movie was instantly forgettable. I hope the next 007 movie has a bit more time and care spent on it.

The action sequences will work better on the small screen but they are edited way too fast for the cinema. Its too much to take in on a big screen and it just washes over you. 12 frame edits are fine in pop videos and are often used to disguise a lack of footage, which is a shame, because this is would not be the case in a Bond film.

Its like they wanted to outdo the Bourne films, or perhaps Casino Royale, but ended up over egging it instead of constructing tight, well choreografted action sequences.

Sorry but this filmwas brilliant, the action was cracking. This is how Bond should be for these times, hard and brutal. Yes it is the shortest bond film but it doesn't suffer because of it. 10/10 for me.