104 replies to this topic

[CaptainPower]

I always felt that the construction scene in Casino Royale dragged. Quantum of Solace' was better, due to the fact that it was short and snappy. I think I loved the Siena chase more because more innocent lives were at stake, I love it when Bond is in a situation involving normal people, it adds to the danger.

I thought the CHOP CHOP CHOP editing of the Siena chase took away from it, tbh. At times I actually found it quite hard to see what was going on. Maybe it's just me though.

Edited by CaptainPower, 01 November 2008 - 10:02 PM.

[DamnCoffee]

I always felt that the construction scene in Casino Royale dragged. Quantum of Solace' was better, due to the fact that it was short and snappy. I think I loved the Siena chase more because more innocent lives were at stake, I love it when Bond is in a situation involving normal people, it adds to the danger.

I thought the CHOP CHOP CHOP editing of the chase took away from it, tbh. At times I found it quite hard to see what was actually going on. Maybe it's just me though.

I can see where you're coming from with that comment, especially the chase through the sewers, I felt it could of been handled better, but, it is what it is... and it's bloody amazing!

[Peckinpah1976]

Just came back from my first viewing of Quantum of Solace and I just don't see what all the fuss is about?

Quantum of Solace is NOT a 'major dissapointment' and it is NOT an Action fest!

I cannot be bothered to right a review at the moment, so I'm just gonna write up some things that I liked...

1. Quantum of Solace is not an Action fest, not one bit. Yeah sure there is action scenes, but it is NOT one after another like previously reported.

2. The 'shakey cam' is not as bad as some people have been saying, I could tell what was going on, as could many people in the cinema. It's only really used in the car chase and the siena chase.

3. The dialogue scenes are brilliant. and there is a fair few.

4. The cinematography is utterly breathtaking.

5. For the first time in a Bond film, I was actually close to tears. Anyone who says that Craig doesn't do vulnerable and emotional in this movie is talking rubbish. Bond and Mathis' final scene is heartbreaking. Bond was on the verge of tears, he was holding Mathis in his arms in the middle of the road. Craig and Giannani were brilliant in that scene, absoloutly magnificent.

Bond: (Holding Mathis) Is Mathis a codename?
Mathis: Yes.
Bond: It's not a very good one is it?

Mathis: James, don't leave me, please don't leave me. Stay with me, please.

It was so emotional, and right at the end Bond forgives Mathis, and he passes away in his arms.

The other scene was shows Craigs' brilliant acting ability is when he finds Fields. God, that guy can do angry!

6. Greene had limited screentime, which I actually agree with. 'Quantum' is supposed to be a shadowy organisation, so it kinda makes sense.

7. The plot is NOT confusing at all. I don't know where this has came from in the reviews, I surely understood it, so did my friend, who hadn't even seen Casino Royale, but heard about it.

8. Quantum of Solace is one of the best, if not the best James Bond movie. I wouldn't think that it would top Casino Royale, but I think it has.

Bond is bloody back!

10/10


If anyone has any questions, I'll be happy to answer them.

Thanks for that; you've just saved me an hour writing my own thoughts about the film!

Maybe it's because (despite Craig being entirely brilliant) I found CR very slightly over-rated; but I thought QOS was a terrific movie and I'll probably see it again at the cinema (something I never do).

There really must be two films being shown under this title at the moment; because the one I saw this afternoon bore little resemblance to the one that Mark Kermode, Graham Rye et al have been ranting about.

[DamnCoffee]

Oh, and Quantum of Solace WAS NOT Bourne-like in the least. I could find nothing at all that resembled Bourne.

[sorking]

Just returned from my 4th viewing and visually, musically and emotionally it gets richer each time. One question though - why does Bond ask if Mathis is a codename and conclude that it's not a very good one? Feel like I'm being thick.

http://debrief.comma...p...st&p=946311

[Ravenstone]

Thank God for that, I thought I was going insane.

You know when you think you know something, but lots of things you're reading are telling you the opposite, and you start to think, "Are we talking about the same thing?". That's me, that is.

I thought the film was excellent. Much better than CR, which I found took me 2-3 viewings to really appreciate. Some of CR I loved; some I hated - I needed to watch it a few times to work it out. This one, I couldn't find a thing to complain about. I loved it. Which is why we turned around and went straight back in again for a second viewing, despite the irritating black line down in the lower left hand side of the screen.

I thought the plot was great. I really don't understand anyone who didn't get it. Okay, it wasn't laid on with a trowel, but it doesn't have to be. I liked that it was mentioned and moved on. It was refreshing to not be treated like an idiot that needs the plot mentioned over and over again. I didn't find the action 'bang-bang-bang' as reviews suggested. Even the soundtrack, which I'd expected to find bad, was surprisingly good.

Other than that, I think I agree with whoever said that there must be two films out called QOS. That, or High School Musical III has been wrongly titled on some cases. That's the only explanation I can find. When someone says, "I didn't like Bond's singing on that song..." then we'll know I'm right.

[Invincible1958]

Just returned from my 4th viewing and visually, musically and emotionally it gets richer each time.

Thank you very much. I felt the same, and I only saw it twice so far. But even on the second viewing it was so much stronger than on the first.
I just came back from London, so I have to wait 'til wednesday when the movie starts in Germany.
Will be interesting to see how the dubbed version will work.

One question though - why does Bond ask if Mathis is a codename?

I was asking that myself, too. I hope this doesn't mean that they will start to pretend that in the end James Bond is also only a code name. I can see that discussion coming up again

[Quantumofsolace007]

and a few about the title

1. did it fit the film?

2. Does Quantum work as the orgnizations name?

3. Is the full titled metioned in the film?

[Ravenstone]

Quantum is a name like any other. A rose by any other name would still smell

It fits. It doesn't really have to say anything.

As for full title, I assume it's just Quantum. It doesn't really have to stand for anything, does it? SPECTRE was always quite a laboured acronym, if I'm honest. And Smersh isn't an acronym at all. So why shouldn't it just be Quantum?

[shadytreewejustdoredyouract]

Just returned from my 4th viewing and visually, musically and emotionally it gets richer each time. One question though - why does Bond ask if Mathis is a codename and conclude that it's not a very good one? Feel like I'm being thick.

http://debrief.comma...p...st&p=946311

Thanks.

[Scamp]

Quantum, read other people's posts BEFORE jumping in! If YOU read Zorin's review and ALL THE NEGATIVE comments people made WITHOUT seeing the film, then read my positve comments on Zorin's review thread plus Graham Rye's negative review thread you will understand the relevance of my comment! And yes I have read all the positive comments by other people now that they HAVE seen the film and am pleased that I am in the majority!

[MkB]

3. Is the full titled metioned in the film?

Just Quantum, as the name of the organisation. I don't think "solace" is even voiced out during the film (even not in connection with the word "Quantum"), and I suppose it is for the best.

[CaptainPower]

Other than that, I think I agree with whoever said that there must be two films out called QOS. That, or High School Musical III has been wrongly titled on some cases. That's the only explanation I can find. When someone says, "I didn't like Bond's singing on that song..." then we'll know I'm right.

I thought Bond's singing was splendid, actually.

[sharpshooter]

A very gushing review, glad you liked it. I like how you say it could be one of the very best and the most under-rated. I hope I have the same experience as you did. (Though Mharkin did call KOTCS the best Indy film after seeing it)

[JimmyBond]

Question (just as well I post it here).

I heard there is a slow motion shoot out, as this is something that's not the norm for a Bond film I'm quite curious to hear more about it. No huge spoilers mind you but a little more than just "there's a slow motion shoot out."

[AndyMUFC]

I thought it was great too, definitely better than a fair few of the Bond films. I'm loving the Craig era at the moment, I just hope EON continue to make films like the last two.

[Quantumofsolace007]

Quantum, read other people's posts BEFORE jumping in! If YOU read Zorin's review and ALL THE NEGATIVE comments people made WITHOUT seeing the film, then read my positve comments on Zorin's review thread plus Graham Rye's negative review thread you will understand the relevance of my comment! And yes I have read all the positive comments by other people now that they HAVE seen the film and am pleased that I am in the majority!

I'm sorry if my points had been asked / metioned before.

[sorking]

Question (just as well I post it here).

I heard there is a slow motion shoot out, as this is something that's not the norm for a Bond film I'm quite curious to hear more about it. No huge spoilers mind you but a little more than just "there's a slow motion shoot out."

There is a gun-firing 'fleeing' sequence that is intercut with goings-on elsewhere and accompanied with music. Some have found this ill-fitting for a Bond film where staying on the character is generally the norm for audiences. Myself, I consider it welcome and interesting sequence with style and flair - something we have room for when there are so many of the 'regular' set-pieces elsewhere.

[ACE]

Nice points, Mharkin007!

[Vauxhall]

how was the last scene in moscow?

Spoiler

Not in Moscow In Kazan, actually (Tatarstan, about 400 miles East of Moscow).
And it's a bloody good scene!

Yup, I liked that it was changed to somewhere more obscure in the end.

[DamnCoffee]

Question (just as well I post it here).

I heard there is a slow motion shoot out, as this is something that's not the norm for a Bond film I'm quite curious to hear more about it. No huge spoilers mind you but a little more than just "there's a slow motion shoot out."

It wasn't actualy slow motion. Well it was, but not SLOW motion, It was only slowed down a tad. It was very artistic.

[Captain Tightpants]

Was that the one in the trailers of Greene covering his face in the explosion?

[DamnCoffee]

I was reffering to the Opera Sequence.

[Vauxhall]

Yes, there were two instances of slow-motion being used: the gunfight at the opera house and the explosion at the Perla de las Dunas.

[DamnCoffee]

The sound drops were very interesting. There is some moments where we had no SFX at all. Just music, it was very effective.

[SecretAgentFan]

Thank you, Mharkin. Very enlightening, especially if one considers all the negativity that has greeted the film. Just as many complained that the score does not feature the Bond theme enough - there are lots of things that have been said about QOS which are simply not true! Your assessment of the film makes me feel very good about the reception of the film. Maybe the group of naysayers will finally be outnumbered by those who really look at the film without the wish to hate it.

Looking forward to see the film when it is released on Thursday, here in Germany.

[sharpshooter]

Yes, there were two instances of slow-motion being used: the gunfight at the opera house and the explosion at the Perla de las Dunas.

I love the sound of that. There's some artistic flair going on.

[DamnCoffee]

Thank you, Mharkin. Very enlightening, especially if one considers all the negativity that has greeted the film. Just as many complained that the score does not feature the Bond theme enough - there are lots of things that have been said about QOS which are simply not true! Your assessment of the film makes me feel very good about the reception of the film. Maybe the group of naysayers will finally be outnumbered by those who really look at the film without the wish to hate it.

Looking forward to see the film when it is released on Thursday, here in Germany.

Even now, I cannot think of any areas of Improvement for the movie. It's a brilliant film. The short run time aids it greatly.

[Bureau Of Weapons]

To go back to the OP. On Friday I had wondered why the film had received such negative criticism. Today, after a third viewing, I no longer even want to waste time trying to understand why others didn't like it.

Loved it the first viewing, realised I had enjoyed it more than CR after the second viewing and today I almost certainly now regard it as a better film than CR.

I only found the editing a problem in the pre-title sequence car chase but other than that I found the direction to be superb.

Didn't have a problem with the plot either. Bond is merely after information about Vesper's motivation to betray him and to learn more about Quantum. At no point is Bond even interested in bringing the organisation down in this film nor even killing Greene.

Edited by Bureau Of Weapons, 02 November 2008 - 02:39 PM.

[bendertherobot]

I had to register, as a long time reader, just to say thank you to the OP. Never before have I been so compelled to speak and the original post here encapsulates everything I wanted to say.

Before I saw QOS I was worried. But many of the negatives always looked like positives. Yet what I was told to expect turned out to be untrue. I got a film that actually felt like it was longer and not in a bad way. The only criticism I can take from any review I've read is the shaky cam in the first set piece. But WHAT a set piece. And how bravely shot.

This is a film shot through with emotion, humour and resonance. It stands as a companion piece to CR but also stands alone.

I would say that, for me, this is James Bond at his absolute best. I didn't think they could top CR, didn't expect it to and part of me wonders whether I can say it but, I think this is my favourite Bond film full stop. And my favourite Bond by a country mile.

Thank you Daniel Craig and thank you Marc Foster.