November 18, 2008

Quantum of Solace

By Johnny Vacca

Back in the dark ages, I think it was 1953, a little known writer - Ian Fleming began penning a series of stories about a suave and sophisticated spy appropriately named James Bond. It was not until 1962 did the first motion picture appear on the big screen. The film was Dr. No and it was the genesis of the irrefutable longest running highest grossing movie franchise in history.

22 films later, and 6 Bonds later the franchise is far from growing old. Whether you are a fan of the infamous Sean Connery, or the not so famous George Lazenby, you can't deny Bond's influence on our culture, music, or box office sales. There is currently in the works a Bond: The Younger Years. You can catch those stores in comic books, but I'd suggest reading the Graphic Novels.

There have been battles over the rights to the story, which did yield 1 unofficial film starring Sean Connery. There have been radio shows, books, short-stories, comics, and video games. I'm still researching this but I wonder if there has been a musical or opera starring the tuxedo clad British spy?

It is no surprise to fans of the series that QS nabbed the top spot at the box office with a whopping $70 Million. Madagascar was a distant second with $36 Million. I've talked about the difference in dollars versus tickets sold before. Economists call it an "Inflationary Adjustment". Whatever. That is like calling the sinking ship of mortgage and real estate a market correction.

In simpler terms Pierce Brosnan held the Bond top spot with 8.1 Million Tickets sold, while Daniel Craig upped the anti by recording a record 9.8 Million tickets sold. I hope there is a trend to release not only the total number of dollars a movie brings in but the total Number of tickets sold.

Picking up where Casino Royal leaves off Bond is pent on revenge. Oh, he may say that he is motivated duty, yadda yadda yadda, but he is torn apart by the death of the women he loved, who also happens to be the women who betrayed him. I can empathize. Casino Royal introduces us to a Bond we have never known. Brought to life is the story of the beginnings of Bond. Casino Royal and QS are really a 2 part story, but the films, in my opinion are night and day.

Whereas Casino Royal is full of fantastic character development, saucy banter, and one crazy game of Texas Hold'm, QS's script was much thinner. If you were expecting car chases, explosions, car chases, foot chases, car chases, explosions, then you'll love QS. My Mom said it was the worst movie she'd seen in a long time, but thought it would be good for an 11 year old boy. Mom may be right.

Daniel Craig has not committed to doing the next film stating that he is just the actor and if they want him back, and if he is meant to do it, then time will tell. With answers like that he should have been a politician.

What I would like to see is the movie creation of Bond: The Younger Years. I had heard that Daniel Ratcliff (Harry Potter) was a candidate for the role. Even though QS broke all sorts of records it's the kids that are going to be the fans of the next generation of this Vodka Martini drinking womanizing spy from the UK. Until Next Time I'll See You At The Theatre.