Solace

So, being dutifully brought up on Sean Connery's Bond (along with trout fishing and science fiction, something I shared early with my journalist father), it's been gratifying to see Daniel Craig bring the cool back to the James Bond films, which it lost when Mr. Connery hung up his dinner jacket and toupee. Craig's Bond is more Steve McQueen than Connery, but, what the hell, if you like Connery, you're bound to like McQueen because, well, he was if anything, cooler than Bond. (Some could make the case that Steve McQueen was as cool as one can possibly get, without being John Coltrane, but arguing about such things is rather, uh, less than cool.)


To cut to the chase scene: Quantum of Solace has many of them, and they're extraordinarily good, and Craig is great, his Bond is the smartest guy in the room, and the quips are spare and droll, a welcome antidote to the jokey Bond films of the 70s. The story's not quite as rich as Casino Royale, but the film's still among the best in the series. Which is saying something out of 22 films, six of which were made by actor who owned the role like a king.

In short, it's a great ride, you completely forget whatever's bothering you for a few hours, and, afterwards, there's a little snap in your stride, and your eyes feel ever-so-slightly hooded as you fire up the car.

But don't peel out. You don't need to. Consequently, it would be uncool. Wouldn't it?