REEL CRITIC:

Films based on comic book heroes or famous fictional characters ebb and flow like the tide. Despite enormous popularity, or perhaps because of it, film franchises tend to roll along for two or three movies then degenerate into bloated, unentertaining and ultimately unprofitable disasters.

This was certainly true of the James Bond franchise which ground to a halt after Pierce Brosnan’s tenure in the title role ended in “Die Another Day” in 2002. To revive Bond as a viable entity, the filmmakers and MGM decided to get back to basics in 2006.

Setting up a prequel of sorts, filmmakers used the first Bond novel, written by creator Ian Fleming (“Casino Royale”), as source material. The studio then awarded little known Daniel Craig the role of 007, making him the sixth actor to play the role in a major motion picture. “Casino Royale” proved to be a huge success and effectively returned Bond to commercial viability. The second 007 film starring Craig, “Quantum of Solace,” is now in theaters.

“Quantum of Solace” is the first true James Bond sequel. The action begins just hours after “Casino Royale” ended. Bond is pursued in a harrowing car chase by machine-gun-wielding assailants. Once he escapes, he reveals he has been carrying the wounded Mr. White in the car’s trunk, whom he shot in the leg in the final scene of “Casino Royale.” White is taken to a secluded location where Bond and M (Judi Dench) question him about the mysterious organization Quantum. White escapes with the help of M’s traitorous bodyguard who is killed by Bond after a chase through Siena, Italy.

M and her higher ups in MI6 are concerned Bond may be out of control regarding this case.

His lover, Vesper Lynd, died while trying to protect Bond and he has taken no time to sort out her motives or his feelings.

M is concerned the mission has become a personal vendetta for Bond and his effectiveness is compromised by his emotions and rage.

Bond follows the trail, which leads to Haiti where he poses as an assassin for hire. Bond finds out Quantum is involved in a planned Bolivian coup through one of its operatives, Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric).

Bond blows his cover when he rescues Greene’s girlfriend, Camille (Olga Kurylenko), from General Medrano (Joaquín Cosio), the leader of the Bolivian coup.

Eventually the true nature of Greene’s plot is revealed. The convoluted plot is basically a device to stage one bravura action scene after another. Admittedly, the action scenes are spectacular and first rate.

The numerous chases, shootouts and immense pyrotechnics are riveting and the raison d’être for any Bond movie.

Craig is arguably the best Bond ever, or at least the best since Sean Connery originated the role.

Craig displays a dark side of Bond that is more interesting than the glib playboy parodied by Mike Myers in “Austin Powers.” Craig has the physicality to be truly intimidating and his baleful countenance is effectively chilling.

One believes he is fully capable of initiating the action shown in the film.

“Quantum of Solace” is a worthy edition of the Bond series though not the best. The film delivers exactly what Bond fans expect: nearly two hours of fantastic action, exotic locations, beautiful women and menacing villains. Those that have enjoyed the series will be pleased, but the film is probably not enough of a departure to garner any new fans.

VAN NOVACK is the assistant vice president of institutional research and assessment at Cal State Long Beach and lives in Huntington Beach with his wife, Elizabeth.