Quantum of Solace

What's a James Bond flick without mayhem? In the case of 007's newest, there's plenty. Explosions? Lots. Chase scenes? Check. Martinis, girls, and guns? For sure, and planes, boats, and cars too. It is the last that most often piques the interest of this audience, so we'll get right to them. As does "Quantum of Solace."

You will have barely settled into your seat and chugged your first handful of popcorn as the movie opens with Bond in his Aston Martin DBS (the same model used in "Casino Royale," but painted a new, darker, and positively elegant shade of gray called Quantum Silver by Aston) being chased along the Gardesana, a beautiful stretch of road ringing Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake. In heated pursuit are unidentified baddies in a brace of black Alfa Romeo 159 sedans. At that moment, you won't know who is chasing Bond or why, but it matters little -- the action is in the action. This stage-setting chase scene lasts for about 10 heart-pumping minutes.

"Quantum's" first act is notable for several reasons. The pace is fast, but there's no computer-generated imagery, just a lot of great stunt work. This is the first Bond film that opens with a pre-credits car chase. Unlike most of Bond's previous Astons, this one doesn't do tricks. There are no rockets, on-board machine guns, oil sprayers, or ejector seat. The DBS appears box stock. That's no bad thing, as old James gives her a workout, but it is a departure from the 007 norm.

The filming of this scene was star-crossed, to say the least. A delivery driver was taking one of the DBSs to a press conference when he lost control and put it over the side, into the lake. In proper Bond-like fashion, he kicked his way out of the drowning Aston, and made it to the surface unharmed (although he was ticketed for speeding). The car was a promotional unit, not one designated for filming. There were several incidents involving the Alfas and several stunt drivers, one of whom was seriously injured.

If you haven't seen "Casino Royale" in a while, give it a play prior to taking in "Quantum." One of the new film's more interesting aspects is that it is a true sequel, picking up the story about an hour after Bond confronts the evil Mr. White at his lakeside villa in Italy. "Quantum's" chase scene ends with a humorous twist relating back to "Casino's" final moment.