73 - Quantum of Solace

    Bond picks up where Casino Royale left off, investigating the organization behind Vesper's manipulation.  After an MI6 employee turns out to be under their control, Bond starts an investigation.  He deals with an environmental philanthropist who uses that role as a cover for a scheme to control water supplies in Bolivia.
    While I still like Quantum of Solace quite a bit, I have some problems with it.  The biggest problem is still the opening chase, which is edited in a way that makes it incomprehensible.  It's terrible.  The action sequences get progressively better throughout the movie, but the direction of them is a pain to watch.
    The editing is really fast, but part of what makes the sequences poor is the angles they are shot from.  I paid special attention to these, and I noticed that he sticks to shots that are primarily 1 - shot fairly close, and 2 - shot from a level height.  There aren't many (or any?) shots that are slightly above, and from a reasonable distance.  This makes it really difficult to put the actions into context.
    There are still some sequences that I really love.  The opera scene is great.  And Bond's return to the hotel.  And I actually like the plot more upon re-viewing the picture.  The villain, Greene, is a nerdy-type guy, but he actually plays a villain well.  Not quite up to the Philip Seymour Hoffman level from Mission: Impossible 3, but his assured manner is really pretty compelling.
    And this time through, I finally felt like Bond had a more solid character arc.  He achieves a measure of peace, but it's clear that his betrayal and the death of Vesper really shaped him.  This movie also set up Skyfall very well, with the development of his relationship with M.