James Bond is back, but he isn’t the same 007 viewers remember.

Daniel Craig returns as the beloved British Secret Service agent in “Quantum of Solace.”

The 22nd film in the franchise takes place approximately 30 minutes after “Casino Royale” ends, and wastes no time bashing up beautiful cars – that poor Aston Martin DBS just didn’t have a chance.

Trotting from exotic locale to exotic locale, “Quantum of Solace” preserves the Bond franchise’s tradition of featuring beautiful scenery. Starting in Siena, Italy, the movie links up with the end of “Casino Royale” well. The action is so intense, the result is a dizzying whirlwind of fighting that leaves the audience, well, dizzy.

The movie, ultimately, follows Bond as he seeks to quell his “inconsolable rage,” as Judi Dench’s M calls it, in the wake of the death of Vesper Lynd (Eva Green), the Bond girl who met her end in the last film.

Clutching a photo and necklace belonging to Vesper, Bond tries to go on as an MI:6 agent. As a result of his emotional turmoil, 007 becomes the deadliest of assassins, leaving behind a trail of bodies.

His body count draws the attention of the prime minister and other British officials, who want to bring him in and strip him of his credentials. M, however, still trusts Bond, and allows him to finish his mission, all the while trying to quench his thirst for revenge.

Like in all Bond movies, 007 needs a villain. Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric) is a slimy weasel of a baddie trying to diminish the world’s water supply. From hosting glamorous soirees to support his cause, to meeting business associates via earpiece at an opera house, the villain had good tools with which to become a memorable bad guy.

Greene isn’t the charismatic, three-dimensional villain found in past Bond films and is clearly no match for Bond, and it shows. Not to be picky, but he’s not even physically disfigured, a common indicator of a 007 villain.

In the end, this movie is about healing Bond as a human being. While the sly remarks and one-liners make their appearances, Bond simply isn’t up to snuff yet. He’s had his heart ripped out, stomped on and left for dead.

As a part of the Bond series, this movie ties up the ends made loose in “Casino Royale” and lets viewers know Bond will be back.

As a movie fan, this film will please with its fast-paced chases and messy fist fights. Do, however, see “Casino Royale” prior to seeing “Quantum of Solace,” to prevent being lost.

As a Bond fan, though, Bond 22 leaves something to be desired.

Bond is no longer the suave, cheeky secret agent portrayed by Sean Connery. Craig has taken the raw, gritty Bond he originated and brought him back so viewers can get to know him a little better.

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