Continuing the story one hour after the end of “Casino Royale,” the new James Bond movie, “Quantum Of Solace,” is another roller-coaster ride that has thrilling action and another fine performance by Daniel Craig in the lead role.

Taking over the role in 2006 with “Casino Royale,” Craig was a Bond very different from what most people remember. He was rough around the edges, had a much tougher determination and didn’t care how a martini was made.

It was a nice change of pace from the suave, tongue-in-cheek ladies’ man made famous by Sean Connery and Roger Moore. Pierce Bronson’s portrayal was of a tougher Bond with a menace behind the sophistication.

Craig is just menacing — and tough. And in the current Bond flick, he is out for revenge. His Bond has lost a woman he fell in love with, and he wants the men responsible for her death to pay.

His determination almost causes his termination from MI6, the agency he works for and which is directed by “M,” played again tremendously by Judi Dench. She wants to believe Bond is doing his job, but she is worried that his tactics may have gone too far.

Bond and M are interrogating Mr. White — a major character from “Casino Royale” — when things begin to spin out of control and the line between the good guys and bad guys gets blurred.

Bond turns renegade to solve the latest menace, this time a group led by environmentalist Dominic Greene — played with perfect sleaziness by Matthew Amalric. It is Greene’s objective to control the world’s supply of a valuable natural source and he will go to any level to achieve his goal.

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It is Bond’s objective to stop Greene — by any means possible.

Of course there is a woman who figures into the plot. This time it is Camille Montes, played by newcomer Olga Kurylenko, who has a bit of revenge to attend to, as well.

The director of this installment is Marc Forster, who is better known for smaller, more emotional films like “Monster’s Ball,” “Stranger Than Fiction” and “Finding Neverland.”

It is an interesting choice and a gamble, but Forster gets the most out of the action. And in a strange way the director humanizes 007. Bond is not just a killing machine, even though there is a high body count, and he does share a couple of tender moments.

If action is what you like in your Bond movies, you will not be disappointed with “Quantum of Solace.” The car chase scene that opens the movie is thrilling, as is a plane sequence and several foot chases. Bond faces several hand-to-hand combat sequences, and they are not pretty.

Giancarlo Giannini as Rene Mathis and Jeffery Wright as CIA agent Felix Leiter are back from the prequel “Casino Royale” which actually tells the first story in the Bond series. Even though there were several recurring characters in the past, this latest installment is the first one to continue a particular story line. And as a sequel should, it does find resolution to earlier plot points.

There is even an homage to one of the first Bond movies that features Gemma Arterton as Strawberry Fields, who works for the British consulate in Bolivia. Believe me when I say, you will know it when you see it.

This Bond is not your father’s Bond, but he is still a fascinating character. Craig is once again outstanding.

The action is exciting and well done, and the Bond girl is beautiful and tough, as well. David Arnold’s musical score keeps the mood just right, while still playing light homage to the Bond theme, and the new song over the opening credits is another good one. Jack White and Alicia Keys perform the song called “Another Way To Die.”

QUANTUM OF SOLACE

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

Rating:4 stars out of 5

Now Playing: Wide Release

bmemberto@santamariatimes.com