WEEKEND PIC Nov 28 - 30, 2008

Your Guide To The Weekend Movies

NEW This Week:

a) BOLT (animated comedy with John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman and Mark Walton) Rated * * * (out of 4): This entertaining canine road-trip movie should put Walt Disney Pictures back in the running for Top Dog in the animation stakes, instead of Underdog. (Reviewed below)

b) TWILIGHT (love story with Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Ashley Greene, Nikki Reed and Jackson Rathbone) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): This long-awaited chick-flick is expected to replace the Harry Potter franchise, with its popular book appeal. But the attraction seems limited to young girls. (Reviewed below).

c) LAKEVIEW TERRACE (drama with Samuel L. Jackson (pictured), Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington) Rating * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): Starts off as an engaging drama about a nasty neighbour but goes downhill with a loud and dumb ending.

STILL Going Strong:

1. QUANTUM OF SOLACE (Bond film with Daniel Craig and Olga Kurylenko, pictured above, Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, Gemma Arterton, Mathieu Amalric and Olga Kurylenko) Rated * * * (out of 4): Director Marc Forster takes the Bond franchise closer to the Bourne films in this sequel to 'Casino Royale'. Many of the 007 traditions are discarded for a shorter and more functional action film. (Reviewed below).

2. MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA (animated comedy voiced by Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith and Sacha Baron Cohen) Rated * * * (out of 4): It's not new but an improved sequel on the exploits of a bunch of zoo animals 'let loose' inbto the wild. Hearty laughs and shakin' music. (Reviewed below)

3. HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR (with Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu) Rating: * * * (3 stars): Fans of this pop culture musical series will not be disappointed with this sequel that comes with an extra topping of everything, including the cheesiness. But hey, it's good clean family fun, okay?

4. IGOR (animated comedy with voices of John Cusack, Steve Buscemi, Jennifer Coolidge, John Cleese and Jay Leno) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): It looks like someone is trying to copy Tim Burton's creations with this tale about an 'Igor' (mad scientist sidekick) who becomes the mad Frankenstein himself. (Reviewed below)

5. QUARANTINE (sci-fi thriller with Jennifer Carpenter, Steve Harris, Jay Hernandez, Johnathon Schaech and Columbus Short) Rated * * 1/2 (out of 4): Shot with a hand-held camera, this 'documentary-TV' story can be nauseating for those who suffer from motion sickness. A lot like 'Cloverfield'. (Reviewed below)

BOLT: Now There's Hope For Disney

BOLT (animated adventure comedy)
Voices: John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman, Mark Walton, Malcolm McDowell, James Lipton and Greg Germann
Directors: Byron Howard and Chris Williams
Time: 96 mins
Rating: * * * (out of 4)

Penny (voice of Miley Cyrus) and Bolt (John Travolta)

PREAMBLE: After being beaten at the box-office by Pixar's 'Wall-E', 'Finding Nemo' and 'Ratatouille', there's now hope for the underdog. 'Bolt' is the first animated Disney film made after John Lasseter of Pixar took over Walt Disney Pictures. It was originally conceived by the guys at Disney animation studios but rewritten after Lasseter took over, giving it "the best of both worlds". As it turns out, 'Bolt' is frisky, funny and creative enough to win over kids and adults alike.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT? Bolt (voiced by John Travolta) is a canine action star of a popular TV series that has his own name. Since puppyhood, Bolt spends his day defending his 'person' Penny (Miley Cyrus of 'Hannah Montana' series) from all sorts of villains with his 'superpowers' like heat vision, karate-chops, and super bark. Of course, these are all studio effects but who can blame him if he thinks that he really has those superpowers?

One day, however, Bolt finds himself accidentally shipped to New York City. From there, he must make his 'Homeward Bound' odyssey to California and soothe the worried Penny. Taking a street cat named Mittens (Susie Essman) as his prisoner, Bolt is forced to confront a world where his powers are non-existent. Teaming up with an admirer, Rhino the hamster (Mark Walton), the trio trek across the country, with Mittens teaching Bolt the realities of life as a nor dog.

WHAT'S COOL & WHAT'S NOT: The plot of 'Bolt' looks derivative: it is a doggie-version of 'The Truman Show' combined with 'Homeward Bound' and other road trip cliches. However, it is energetic fun with a bit of wit and quite a few laughs. Travolta breathes life and naivety into the canine protagonist while Cyrus provides a familiar, children-friendly voice for Penny.

The show stealers are the pigeons (who are the equivalent of the Penguins in 'Madagascar') and the amusingly manic Rhino who gets the best lines and gags. Remember to stay back for the Cyrus-Travolta duet, "I Thought I Lost You," at the end credits.

THE LOWDOWN: Try to catch 'Bolt' in its 3-D version at selected cineplexes. The 3-D effects are quite easy on the eyes.

Twilight Tops US Weekend B-O

AS expected, 'Twilight' sank its teeth deep into the US box-office this pre-Thanksgiving weekend, hitting No 1 with US$69.9 million at about 6,000 screens States-side.

Meanwhile, 'Quantum of Solace' (at the No 2 spot) fell 60 per cent to US$26.7 million in its second US weekend. Over 10 days since it opened, the 007 film grossed US$108.8 million.

According to Box-officemojo, Walt Disney Pictures' 'Bolt' dashed into the No 3 spot with US$26.2 million at around 6,200 screens, "a solid start considering it's the type of picture that fares well over Thanksgiving and the fact that movies with similar subject matter, like 'Underdog' and 'Firehouse Dog', have packed much less bite".

'Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa' lost ground in its third weekend, taking US$15.7 million at the No 4 spot while 'Role Models' grossed US$7.3 million for a US$48.1 million total in 17 days. The rest of the Top 10:

No. 6, 'Changeling', made US$2.6 million (total US$31.6 in 5th week);

No. 7, 'High School Musical 3: Senior Year' made USS$2.0mil (total US$86.8 in 5th week);

No. 8, 'The Boy In Striped Pajamas', US$1.6mil, (total US$2.6 in 3rd week);

No. 9, 'Zack And Miri Make A Porno' - US$1.6mil (total US$29.2 in 4th week);

No. 10, 'The Secret Life Of Bees' - US$1.2mil (total US$35.6 in 6th week).

TWILIGHT: Mainly A Fan Flick

TWILIGHT (love story)
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Ashley Greene, Nikki Reed, Jackson Rathbone, Kellan Lutz, Peter Fascinelli and Cam Gigandet
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Time: 122 mins
Rating: * * 1/2 (out of 4)

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson

PREAMBLE: First, a little quiz. What happens when vampires go vegetarian? Answer: They hunt for animal blood instead! Seriously, if he really exists, Count Dracula should sue the pants off the makers of this movie for using vampires as eye candy and a gimmick to lure young girls to the cinema. He may also want to send a lawyer's letter to novelist Stephenie Meyer, seeking damages for her 'misrepresentation' of the vampire characteristics, making them totally unvampirelike, sans fangs, sans thirst for human blood (they have cultivated a taste for animal plasma) and not being afraid of the cross, garlic and the sun.

Count D should claim big money from Meyer because after reading her hugely popular novels (the first of which this movie is based), no teenage girl is going to shrink away from vampires any more. Imagine what that would do to his reputation!

WHAT IS IT ABOUT? Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) moves from Phoenix to the small Washington State town of Forks in the middle of her junior year. There she meets and falls for the local high school hottie, Edward (Robert Pattinson) who looks like a cross between James Dean and Brendan Fraser. The pale-looking Edward is not like the other guys. He is a vampire. And he advises Bella to stay away from him because he does not know if he can control himself.

Of course, that makes the love-stricken lass even more determined - and when she finds out the truth, she still refuses to stay away. Nice. Love blooms. Edward and his family are the 'vegans' of their 'species' but not the other blood-suckers who treat Bella as fair game...

PLUSES & MISSES: Basically, this is a high school love story about desire and abstinence, etc., and vampires are just the 'bling-bling' that accessorises it. Meyers' chick lit rewrites the vampire rule book and gives them all sorts of powers. And some of them can be rather ridiculous. The legions of 'Twilight' fans (mostly girls) may not feel it, but the love story takes a long time to develop and we have to endure bad dialogue and occasional bad acting, especially from Pattinson, who must have been chosen for his looks than his talent.

Indeed, 'Twilight' has that low-budget made-for-TV look (what with its relatively unknown cast) and if you are looking for steamy sensuality, this one is not just tame and preachy, it is also anaemic.

THE LOWDOWN: If you have not read the book, there's really no need to take a look.

WEEKEND PIC - Nov 21 - 23, 2008

Your Guide To The Weekend Movies

NEW This Week:

a) QUARANTINE (sci-fi thriller with Jennifer Carpenter, Steve Harris, Jay Hernandez, Johnathon Schaech and Columbus Short) Rated * * 1/2 (out of 4): Shot with a hand-held camera, this 'documentary-TV' story can be nauseating for those who suffer from motion sickness. A lot like 'Cloverfield'. (Review & pic below)



b) IGOR (animated comedy with voices of John Cusack, Steve Buscemi, Jennifer Coolidge, John Cleese and Jay Leno) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): It looks like someone is trying to copy Tim Burton's creations with this tale about an 'Igor' (scientist sidekick) who becomes the mad Frankenstein himself. (Reviewed below)

STILL Going Strong:

1. QUANTUM OF SOLACE (Bond film with Daniel Craig and Olga Kurylenko, pictured above, Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, Gemma Arterton, Mathieu Amalric and Olga Kurylenko) Rated * * * (3 stars): Director Marc Forster takes the Bond franchise closer to the Bourne films in this sequel to 'Casino Royale'. Many of the 007 traditions are discarded for a shorter and more functional action film. (Reviewed below).

2. MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA (animated comedy voiced by Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith and Sacha Baron Cohen) Rated * * * (out of 4): The story is not new but the film is an improved sequel on the exploits of a bunch of zoo animals 'let loose' into the wild. Hearty laughs and butt-shakin' music. (Reviewed below)

3. HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR (with Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu) Rating: * * * (3 stars): Fans of this pop culture musical series will not be disappointed with this sequel that comes with an extra topping of everything, including the cheesiness. But hey, it's good clean family fun, okay?

4. BANGKOK DANGEROUS (crime thriller with Nicolas Cage, Shahkrit Yamnarm, Charlie Young and Nirattisai Kaljareuk) Rated * * (2 stars): In trying to adapt their script for Holywood, the Pang Brothers have discarded the most interesting aspect of their original movie - its relentlessly seamy side. Here, only darkness prevails. (Reviewed below).

5. THE COFFIN (Thai horror with Karen Mok, Ananda Everingham, Napakapapa Nakaprasitte, Andrew Lim and Florence Vanida) Rated * * 1/2 (out of 4): This one seems to be the Halloween flick for Malaysians in the absence of any contenders from Hollywood. It is about a strange Thai ritual of lying in coffins to ward off bad luck. Not scary but claustrophobic. (Reviewed below)

IGOR: It's So Tim Burtonish

IGOR (animated comedy)
Voice cast: John Cusack, Steve Buscemi, Jennifer Coolidge, John Cleese and Jay Leno
Director: Tony Leondis
Time: 86 mins
Rating: * * 1/2 (out of 4)

Igor and Eva

WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL? Remember the Frankenstein story where Igor, the hunchback lab assistant, gets to do all the dirty work but none of the glory? Well, this movie is about one 'Igor' who is not content to be just a sidekick. He has dreams of becoming a mad scientist himself!

Yeah, it is very 'Tim Burtonish' and the graphics have the feel of 'Corpse Bride' and 'Nightmare Before Christmas' but not their dark, macabre tone. In other words, it is quite safe for children but a bit weak for the Halloween-party crowd.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT? In an imaginary land called Malaria, the creation of evil monsters is encouraged by King Malbert (voice of Jay Leno). Every year, the mad scientists, with the help of their subservient Igors, prepare for the annual science contest to show off their accomplishments. The winning design is then used by Malbert to blackmail the rest of the world into filling the kingdom's coffers.

This year, the scheming Schadenfreude (Eddie Izzard) and his shape-shifting girlfriend, Jaclyn (Jennifer Coolidge) are ready to take home the gold again. When Igor (John Cusack) finds his master Dr Glickenstein (John Cleese) undone by his own stupidity, he comes up with a special offering: a humongous disfigured monster named Eva (Molly Shannon). However, Igor is shocked to find that Eva is a kindly soul who wants to become an actress - and not the nefarious monster that she is meant to be.

HITS & MISSES: Basically, 'Igor' is a one-joke spoof about hunchbacked sidekicks. Director Anthony Leondis (of 'Lilo And Stitch 2'), provides a few moments of macabre mischief for us to enjoy before letting mediocrity set in. He tries too hard to ape previous morbid comedies and not focusing on the problems at hand. However, it is blessed with a great vocal cast. Cusack provides the suitable human frustration to the title role, while his companions, Brain (Sean Hayes) and Scamper (Steve Buscemi), get the laughs.

Expectedly, British veterans Cleese and Izzard see their roles as a licence go way over-the-top as mad scientists Dr Glickenstein and Dr Schadenfreude. Christian Slater plays Schadenfreude's Igor, while Saturday Night Live's Molly Shannon seems to be having a great time bringing the Broadway-bound Eva to life.

THE LOWDOWN: Not in the league of 'Wall-E' but just watchable.

QUARANTINE: Nauseating Horror Remake

QUARANTINE (sci-fi thriller)
Cast: Jennifer Carpenter, Steve Harris, Jay Hernandez, Johnathon Schaech and Columbus Short
Director: John Erick Dowdle
Time: 88 mins
Rating: * * 1/2 (out of 4)

WARNING: If you had sat through 'Cloverfield' without feeling nauseated by the jerky hand-held camera movements, you will probably enjoy the same sort of 'thrills' in 'Quarantine'. However, if you are prone to motion sickness, avoid this film or take a sea-sick pill two hours before catching this movie.



WHAT IS IT ABOUT? 'Quarantine' is an English-language remake of the 2007 Spanish horror film [Rec] (as in 'Record') by directors Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza. It is about TV news reporter Angela Vidal (Jennifer Carpenter, pictured) and her cameraman (Steve Harris as Scott) being assigned to do an in-depth feature on the night shift at a Los Angeles Fire Station.

When a routine 911 call takes them to a small apartment building, they find police officers already on the scene. They soon learn that a woman in the building has been infected by some unknown malady. After a few of the residents are viciously attacked, they try to escape, only to find that the building has been quarantined. Their phones, Internet, and cell phone access have been cut-off, and officials are not relaying information to those locked inside. When the quarantine is finally lifted, the only evidence of what took place is the news crew's videotape.

PLUSES & MISSES: I have not seen the Spanish original but I have read that it was morbidly scary enough to win over some critics in Europe, hence the reason for this movie, I presume. This remake stars a cute and cool Jennifer Carpenter whose playful demeanour serves to disarm us early in the movie. Like a news pro, she manages to keep our attention and sympathy throughout the movie. Jay Hernandez also offers another 'cool guy turns crazy under pressure' perf while the minor cast are passable but not memorable.

If you are into more gory stuff of the same variety, then wait for 'George Romero's Diary Of The Dead' which opens next week (Nov 27).

THE LOWDOWN: Violate this 'Quarantine' order at your own risk!

ALL THE BUZZ OVER 'TWILIGHT'

The relatively unknown cast of 'Twilight'

SINCE I am in the US, I might as well post something about the happenings here. Well, every now and then a movie grabs the attention of the youths here and later spreads all over the world.

At the end of last year, it was 'Cloverfield', with buzz generated by its strange trailer. This end-of-year season, it is 'Twilight', a movie based on the best-selling novel by Stephenie Meyer. What's so special about the novel? It is said to bring a new slant to the classic vampire tale, and lots of fans have been excited about its trailers - comparing them with the book. Many web sites even ran a countdown to the opening of the movie!

The movie is scheduled to open in the US on Nov 21 - and on Nov 27 in Malaysia.

'Twilight' is the story of 17-year-old Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) who moves to the small town of Forks, Washington, to live with her father. She is drawn to Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), a pale and mysterious classmate who seems determined to push her away.

However, when he comes clean about his family being vampires, Bella is not deterred in any way. Things come to a head when Edward's enemy comes to town and sets his sights on Bella.

It cinema trailer has been showing on TV stations in the US - but I don't find it all that impressive. It is a young people's flick and that should give it a kick start into the box-office charts.

WEEKEND PIC: Nov 14 - 16, 2008

Your Guide To The Weekend Movies

NEW This Week:

a) MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA (animated comedy voiced by Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith and Sacha Baron Cohen) Rated * * * (out of 4): It's not new but an improved sequel on the exploits of a bunch of zoo animals 'let loose' inbto the wild. Hearty laughs and butt-shakin' music. (Reviewed below)

STILL Going Strong:

1. QUANTUM OF SOLACE (Bond film with Daniel Craig and Olga Kurylenko, pictured above, Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, Gemma Arterton, Mathieu Amalric and Olga Kurylenko) Rated * * * (out of 4): Director Marc Forster takes the Bond franchise closer to the Bourne films in this sequel to 'Casino Royale'. Many of the 007 traditions are discarded for a shorter and more functional action film. (Reviewed below).

2. TROPIC THUNDER (comedy with Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black and Nick Nolte) Rating * * * 1/2 (3.5 stars): This spoof on Hollywood actors and mega-dollar productions is both funny and inspired. And just watch how Downey Jr steals the show...

3. HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR (with Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu) Rating: * * * (3 stars): Fans of this pop culture musical series will not be disappointed with this sequel that comes with an extra topping of everything, including the cheesiness. But hey, it's good clean family fun, okay?

4. BANGKOK DANGEROUS (crime thriller with Nicolas Cage, Shahkrit Yamnarm, Charlie Young and Nirattisai Kaljareuk) Rated * * (2 stars): In trying to adapt their script for Holywood, the Pang Brothers have discarded the most interesting aspect of their original movie - its relentlessly seamy side. Here, only darkness prevails. (Reviewed below).

5. THE COFFIN (Thai horror with Karen Mok, Ananda Everingham, Napakapapa Nakaprasitte, Andrew Lim and Florence Vanida) Rated * * 1/2 (out of 4): This one seems to be the Halloween flick for Malaysians in the absence of any contenders from Hollywood. It is about a strange Thai ritual of lying in coffins to ward off bad luck. Not scary but claustrophobic. (Reviewed below)

6. MAX PAYNE (crime thriller with Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Beau Bridges, Ludacris, Chris O'Donnell, Amaury Nolasco, and Olga Kurylenko) Rated * * 1/2 (out of 4): It's brooding, dark and wet; it is technically well done and has the requisite action and distractions - but this videogame-adaptation lacks heart and audience involvement. (Reviewed below)

MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA - It's Wild & Wacky

MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA (animated comedy)
Voice cast: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, Andy Richter and Bernie Mac
Directors: Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath
Time: 89 mins
Rating: * * * (out of 4)



THE BIG DEAL: The film-makers seem to have done their homework for this sequel, offering more of the same in terms of plotting, but piling up on the laughs, comedy and the fun. In short, it is a vast improvement on the 2005 original.

THE SKINNY: Alex the lion (voice of Ben Stiller), Marty the zebra (Chris Rock), Melman the giraffe (David Schwimmer) and Gloria the hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith), King Julien (Sacha Baron Cohen), Maurice and the penguins find themselves in Africa where they encounter species of their own kind for the first time. While discovering their roots, they also discover the differences between the concrete jungle and the heart of Africa.

Despite long-lost relatives, romantic rivals and scheming hunters, Africa seems like a great place - but they miss their Central Park home. They find a crashed World War Two plane, tape it up together and let the penguins fly them home...

PLUSES & MISSES: There are many pluses. Directors Darnell and McGrath have taken their favourite animal crackers (the Penguins, Chimps and King Julien) and pushed their wackiness levels right up to 'almost madness'. They seem to have fun with the 'camerawork', zooming around on its roller-coaster dips and swoops - and occasionally slowing down to 'smell the flowers' of Africa's landscapes. And then they have done a remix of the franchise's popular musical hit 'Move It, Move It'. These are nice touches.

Another nice touch is the movie's central message about animals of different species co-operating with one another and living in harmony. This kinda gels with the 'Obama fever' that gripped the US last week. We can only hope it spreads throughout the world.

THE LOWDOWN: A foot-tapping Escapist treat 4 the Family.

WEEKEND PIC Nov 7 - 9, 2008

Your Guide To The Weekend Movies

1. QUANTUM OF SOLACE (Bond film with Daniel Craig and Olga Kurylenko, pictured above, Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, Gemma Arterton, Mathieu Amalric and Olga Kurylenko) Rated * * * (out of 4): Director Marc Forster takes the Bond franchise closer to the Bourne films in this sequel to 'Casino Royale'. Many of the 007 traditions are discarded for a shorter and more functional action film. (Reviewed below).

2. TROPIC THUNDER (comedy with Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black and Nick Nolte) Rating * * * 1/2 (3.5 stars): This spoof on Hollywood actors and mega-dollar productions is both funny and inspired. And just watch how Downey Jr steals the show...

3. HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR (with Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu) Rating: * * * (3 stars): Fans of this pop culture musical series will not be disappointed with this sequel that comes with an extra topping of everything, including the cheesiness. But hey, it's good clean family fun, okay?

4. BANGKOK DANGEROUS (crime thriller with Nicolas Cage, Shahkrit Yamnarm, Charlie Young and Nirattisai Kaljareuk) Rated * * (2 stars): In trying to adapt their script for Holywood, the Pang Brothers have discarded the most interesting aspect of their original movie - its relentlessly seamy side. Here, only darkness prevails. (Reviewed below).

5. THE COFFIN (Thai horror with Karen Mok, Ananda Everingham, Napakapapa Nakaprasitte, Andrew Lim and Florence Vanida) Rated * * 1/2 (out of 4): This one seems to be the Halloween flick for Malaysians in the absence of any contenders from Hollywood. It is about a strange Thai ritual of lying in coffins to ward off bad luck. Not scary but claustrophobic. (Reviewed below)

6. MY BEST FRIEND'S GIRL (romantic comedy with Kate Hudson, Dan Cook, Alec Baldwin and Lizzy Caplan) Rated * * (2 stars): Dan Cook did not do so well in 'Good Luck Chuck' and and here he proves that he may be the rabble-rousing comedian but not the rom-com hero. In short, he's okay as an asshole but not the hero. (Reviewed below)

7. MAX PAYNE (crime thriller with Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Beau Bridges, Ludacris, Chris O'Donnell, Amaury Nolasco, and Olga Kurylenko) Rated * * 1/2 (out of 4): It's brooding, dark and wet; it is technically well done and has the requisite action and distractions - but this videogame-adaptation lacks heart and audience involvement. (Reviewed below)

QUANTUM OF SOLACE: More Bourne Than Bond

QUANTUM OF SOLACE (007 thriller)
Cast: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, Gemma Arterton, Mathieu Amalric, Olga Kurylenko and Paul Haggis
Director: Marc Forster
Time: 105 mins
Rating: * * * (out of 4)

Daniel Craig and Gemma Arterton

PREAMBLE: Just as we had expected, James Bond is going the way or Jason Bourne - with its tough unrelenting action and stunts, and less of its wit, humour and the 007 Brit tradition. 'Quantum of Solace' is the first of the 22 Bond movies where the plot continues from the last instalment, giving it a rare sense of purpose and grounding the franchise in modern-day reality.

This instalment discards the usual Bond one-liners, the travelogue sequences, and the Q and Moneypenny gags. It is also the shortest film yet, clocking in at only 105 minutes.

THE SKINNY: 'Quantum Of Solace' hits the ground running as it takes off right from the end of 'Casino Royale', the last Bond movie starring Daniel Craig. After the death of his girlfriend, Vesper Lynd, Bond mixes duty with revenge as he hunts down the shadowy group that blackmailed Lynd into betraying him. A link to a Haiti bank account leads Agent 007 to Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric) chief villain and ruthless tycoon.

Greene plans to destabilise a South American regime, install a dictator, General Medrano (Joaquin Cosio), and take control of the biggest source of fresh water in the world. This sounds more like a plot from 'Get Smart' or 'Austin Powers' than from Ian Fleming's books but then who are we to complain?

HITS & MISSES: Director Marc Forster seems very eager to get from one action sequence to the next, taking no time for espionage antics. Admittedly, I miss the fabulous Bond gadgets and eye candy girls that coloured the previous instalments. Still, Gemma Arterton’s sexy Agent Field and Olga Kurylenko’s slender-but-tough beauty, Camille, are no slouches either. They definitely work for their salary. Craig, unlike Matt Damon's Bourne, is too deadpan and business-like to get us to cheer for him although that's the intended character-development in 'Q of S'.

"When you can’t tell your friends from your enemies it’s time to go,” MI6 boss M (Judi Dench) admonishes. Yes, part of the old Bond seems to have been gone for good as the line between friends and enemies blurs. Bond fans may need time to get used to this, though.

THE LOWDOWN: A functional sequel to 'Casino Royale' but not very Bondlike.