James Bond returns in a delightful twist, mere moments after the closing scene of Casino Royale, thick in the middle of a car chase. Unlike other Bond flicks that seemed disconnected to the previous film(s) or even from the style of Bond in general, Quantum of Solace proves that everything is connected. And in a Zen, or even Christian, way, Bond comes to grips with his feelings and the kind of man that he has become. Taking it a step further, Bond learns forgiveness, and proves that there's more to Ian Fleming's character than being a "blunt instrument" of Her Majesty.

There are political statements thrown around throughout the film, but those can be someone else's review. I'll stick to the black and white of Bond (in my own mind, anyway!). We're told over and over again that black and white doesn't exist, that sometimes the heroes have to join forces with the villains, that the world runs on money, power, and oil, and everything is justifiable. But Bond doesn't work that way: he's pretty clear on what's acceptable, and what's not, and the manipulation of the innocent and the weak remains unworthy. Even if evil is everywhere, a Mr. White claims, it doesn't make evil right, and Bond will always be there to stop it.

So, Bond goes off the grid, officially, in this, the twenty-second of the Bond movies, after Quantum and the cause of Vesper's death. No, he doesn't stick to the script that others have:He doesn't say, "Bond. James Bond," and he doesn't seem to care what he's drinking to dull the pain. There is a visual Goldfinger reference, and the action, violence, sex, intrigue, and choices are classic Bond. But this Bond is about character development, and the film focuses on Bond's love for Vesper, the emotions boiling over from her betrayal and death, and what it means for a man like Bond to love.

This Bond is touchy-feely, when he's not cold-cocking folks. He actually leaves villains alive to be prosecuted (sometimes), and admits his affection for Vesper, for Mathis, even M. This is not your father or your grandfather's Bond, but this is a Bond for 2008, where conscience is demanded, and blind allegiance is ridiculed (or should be).

Bond's quest is one of vengeance but his greatest lesson comes from his friend, Mathis, and through that lesson his quest becomes a mission of repentance, redemption, and, finally, forgiveness. Bond hates himself, and Vesper, for her betrayal and for his "causing" her death, but in the end, he recognizes that she loved him and that he loved her. Bond's quest, beyond destroying bad guys, rescuing Third World countries, and bedding beautiful women, is about finding himself and being real.

This Bond IS different. The critics are right. But this Bond is better, more real, and more substantial than any Bond before. Daniel Craig still won't win an Oscar, but he's proved that an old dog can learn new tricks, can grow, and become more human. And in doing so, Bond proves that there's hope and redemption for all of us, if we would only learn how to forgive.