Despite the fact that it won't open in the United States until November 14, "Quantum of Solace" is already hitting the bull’s eye around the world. The new James Bond film enjoyed a record opening weekend in Britain, earning $25 million at the box office, according to Sony Pictures Entertainment. Although the film received some not entirely encouraging reviews, industry experts predicted “Quantum of Solace” would outperform “Casino Royale,” which was a huge success, earning $594 million in global ticket sales.

Quantum opened on Friday in London and Paris, and there was a reason. MGM and Sony were obviously scared that a highly negative reaction in the U.S. would diminish its initial impact in the rest of the world. Moreover, Sony's international distribution topper, Mark Zucker, noted that the picture benefits by coming into a market that hasn't seen an action film with mass appeal in several months.  

All in all, Sony let it do its work and hit the jackpot with rave reviews and nearly $600 million in global box office. In France, "Quantum of Solace" added another $10.6 million, the market's best-ever Bond debut, beating out "Casino Royale." And in Sweden, the film's $2.7 million take was the fourth biggest launch ever.

In "Quantum of Solace," British super spy Bond (Daniel Craig) is on a mission across South America and Europe to stop an eco-terrorist from controlling precious natural resources, and he wants to learn why the woman of his dreams in "Casino Royale" betrayed him. Having been disappointed by Vesper, the woman he loved, 007 fights the urge to make his latest mission personal. Pursuing his determination to uncover the truth, Bond and M interrogate Mr. White who reveals the organization which blackmailed Vesper 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 (Olga Kurylenko), a woman who has her own vendetta. Camille leads Bond straight to Dominic Greene, a ruthless business man and major force within the mysterious organization, Quantum. That’s the first part of what really happens, though.

The secondary cast works well, especially Judi Dench as M and Mathieu Amalric as well; he looks right at Mr. Green, the new villain. The film is the 22nd official entry in the James Bond film series and it is directed by Marc Forster, of “Monster's Ball” and “Finding Neverland” fame.

In other words, Quantum's result means James Bond has toppled Harry Potter from the "biggest opener" summit: the fourth Potter flick “Goblet of Fire” previously held the record. With “Quantum of Solace” providing powerful competition, films already in the market suffered significant drops, including titles addressing contrasting audience segments such as “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.”

Craig told SKY: "The lucky thing is we're doing a very direct sequel and the idea of vengeance that comes into it is really everybody else's idea. They think he's gone off, gone off course, and he's not. He's a loose cannon, his emotions have taken over.”