In 1941, a group of Jewish brothers organize the largest armed rescue of Jews during the Holocaust. Three Jewish brothers escape from Nazi-occupied Poland into the Belarussian forest, where they join Russian resistance fighters and endeavor to build a village in order to protect themselves and others in danger.

Don’t call this one an awards-season has-been just because its December wide release date was nixed by a cost-cutting Paramount; Edward Zwick’s WWII drama is still buzzing (though the volume has been turned down) and has received an Oscar-qualifying run before its post-holiday push into the mainstream. However, the chance that Daniel Craig might be the first 007 to score an Oscar nod before his License to Kill has been revoked is looking increasingly faint. Still, his toughest competition may be co-stars Bell and Schreiber. As for the film itself, while a Best Picture nomination is unlikely, more importantly, it’s bringing to light a significant and often overlooked historical event.

Rated R for violence and language.

Director: Edward Zwick
Stars: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell, George MacKay, Alexa Davalos
Studio: Paramount Vantage
Release Date: 16 January 2009 (USA)

‘Quantum of Solace’ continues the high octane adventures of James Bond from ‘Casino Royale’. Picking up literally days where the previous film left off, after being betrayed by Vesper, the woman he loved, 007 fights the urge to make his latest mission personal. Having captured Mr. White, and in pursuing his determination to uncover the truth, Bond and ‘M’ interrogate Mr. White who reveals the organisation which blackmailed Vesper to steal Bond’s casino winnings is far more complex and dangerous than anyone had imagined.

Forensic intelligence links an MI6 traitor to a bank account in Haiti where a case of mistaken identity introduces Bond to the beautiful but feisty Camille, a woman who has her own vendetta. Camille leads Bond straight to Dominic Greene, a ruthless businessman and major force within the mysterious criminal organisation known only as ‘Quantum’.

On a mission that leads him to Austria, Italy and South America, Bond discovers that Greene, conspiring to take total control of one of the world’s most important natural resources, is forging a deal with the exiled General Medrano. Using his associates in the organisation, and manipulating his powerful contacts within the CIA and the British government, Greene promises to overthrow the existing regime in Bolivia, giving General Medrano control of the country in exchange for a seemingly barren piece of land which is, however, a main source of the South American water supply. In a minefield of treachery, murder and deceit, Bond allies with old friends in a battle to uncover the truth. As he gets closer to finding the man responsible for the betrayal of Vesper, 007 must keep one step ahead of the CIA, the terrorists, and even ‘M’ herself, to unravel Greene’s sinister plan and stop Quantum from getting its way.

Is Bond losing his edge? With the Jason Bourne’s and Jason Statham’s of the world busting the roof off of Hollywood’s typical car-chasing action genre, 007 can’t really rest on his martini-sipping laurels anymore. Don’t think we didn’t notice you pulling up in a Honda rental car in Royale, Bond. The parkour stunts and blood stains on your tux were a nice touch, though. Keep it up. You know, we’ll keep coming back for more, and who knows, you might see us in a Quantum cardigan; it is autumn, after all. P.S. The reviews from the world premiere have been decidedly mixed.

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some sexual content.