104 replies to this topic

[DamnCoffee]

A few notes on Bond and Camille....

James Bond:
Daniel Craig is really on form, more than he was in Casino Royale. He is a very strong and emotional actor. His work in Quantum of Solace for me, showed that he has firmly established himself as James Bond. He has a perfect balance of ruthlessness and humour in Quantum of Solace and I would very much love to see this more in his future movies.


Camille:
A really strong female lead, played by a beautiful and very talented actress. Olga is magnificent and is not an all round action woman, which sets her apart from the likes of Halle Berry and Michelle Yeoh. She has her own vendetta, and it was great to see her get her Quantum of Solace aswell as Bond.

[Bureau Of Weapons]

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.

Can't agree more and it is great to finally read someone who's got something positive to say about Foster. QOS has now made made my top 5 alongside OHMSS, TLD, LTK and CR, pretty good and similar bedfellows I'd say.

[bendertherobot]

Can't agree more and it is great to finally read someone who's got something positive to say about Foster. QOS has now made made my top 5 alongside OHMSS, TLD, LTK and CR, pretty good and similar bedfellows I'd say.

Yep, agree with that. On the subject of Foster, I can't believe that Campbell would have made "Bond coming down the stairs and seeing Greene," "The Mathis scene," or "Canadian Agent whispered thankyou" scene any better. In fact those scenes are absolute screen gems in my view. So thought provoking. And it's not as if they are all there were. Wondeful film in my view. Up there with CR, and I already had that as one my favourite films, not just Bond films, ever.

[Bureau Of Weapons]

On the subject of Foster, I can't believe that Campbell would have made "Bond coming down the stairs and seeing Greene," "The Mathis scene," or "Canadian Agent whispered thankyou" scene any better.

They are great little scenes aren't they. I can't imagine another Bond actor being able to pull off the sense of threat and nuisance that Craig does in the "Bond coming down the stairs and seeing Greene" moment either.

The "Canadian Agent whispered thankyou" is also great. A good example of Foster's expert use of dialogue economy in this film (interpreted by too many as an underwritten script). Quite touching in that this character has been spared from a potentially similar fate as Vesper. Bond has saved this woman in the manner he couldn't for Vesper.

[Skudor]

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.

I too can't be bothered writing a lengthy review. I can only say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a great Bond film!

It IS different though. Because it's a sequel, a true sequel, it doesn't always feel like a Bond film in the traditional sense. Bond is truly on a revenge mission of his own and it shows throughout - therefore the film centers on him in a way that Bond films normally don't.

I won't give it 10/10 because I thought there were some flaws, but I'll happily grant 9/10.

PS - I didn't like that gun barrel much, nor it's place in the film. It really doesn't matter though.

On the subject of Foster, I can't believe that Campbell would have made "Bond coming down the stairs and seeing Greene," "The Mathis scene," or "Canadian Agent whispered thankyou" scene any better.

They are great little scenes aren't they. I can't imagine another Bond actor being able to pull off the sense of threat and nuisance that Craig does in the "Bond coming down the stairs and seeing Greene" moment either.

The "Canadian Agent whispered thankyou" is also great. A good example of Foster's expert use of dialogue economy in this film (interpreted by too many as an underwritten script). Quite touching in that this character has been spared from a potentially similar fate as Vesper. Bond has saved this woman in the manner he couldn't for Vesper.

I loved that little touch - the whisper. Great stuff. The look on Bond's face!

[DamnCoffee]

"A whisper of love, A whisper of hate."

A truly magnificent Bond film, I cannot wait to see it again on friday. Just on my own, without any friends with me, just me.

[Greene217]

agreed, well done, i wish we could all send a letter to forster and all involved to tell them to ignore the reviews and say that there are those who appreciate the underated brilliance of this film. OHMSS for the modern age.

WEll done to the greatest bond girl ever, olga kurylenko as camille, that scene at the end,

Spoiler

were she finallly gets her vengeance but is terrified at it and asks bond to make that ''one shot'' count to avoid the flames.

who would have thoght her previous film was hitman. another piece of underated brilliance, anoiingly few reviews mentioned her performance to great length.

Also, this is by no means a revenge movie, features more bondish music than i anticipated (that little music during bonds escape from mi6 operatives had my pulse beating, at that moment it became clear, craig is bond.) and also contains some of the best performances seen in any film, not just bond, and of course Greene is deliciously slimy and insane(love his crazy scream at the end).

While reviews said quantum was not threatening, this is not true and if bond, m and mi6 know nothing of quantum, why should we? personally I found the organisation scary, considering that at the party many wore the Q badge. they are every where and do not stand out ina crowd like the villains of spectre.

Only thing I am upset with, no forster for the next one, how will they folow his wonderful and unique style? will mk12 return? is it the end for sutle, beautiful moments of the canadians whisper, ''thank you'' and bonds first face off with greene? An incredibele and ultimately beautiful film, one of the first questions when it started, why Marc Forster? watch the film. thats why.

[dee-bee-five]

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.

Can't agree more and it is great to finally read someone who's got something positive to say about Foster.

Well, I agree. But at the risk of blowing my own trumpet I did write that QoS is possibly the best-directed Bond of all in my review "Quantum of Brilliance" on Friday. I think Forster has done a remarkable job with this film.

[solace]

If anyone has any questions, don't be afraid to ask.

God, the film in immense. Judging by the reviews, I think this will probably be the most underrated Bond film of the entire series.

I cant wait to see it now. I wont actually be able to go see till after the 15th nov due to unavoidable circumstances but after reading your earlier post I'm counting the days.

[DamnCoffee]

Something else I noticed is that they are seriously concentrating on the Bond and M relationship. Which is fantastic. There is a nice scene where M is told something like.... "Renne Mathis has been found dead, along with two other police officers, no eyewittness accounts can prove otherwise, but it looks as if Bond has struck again"... or something along those lines. It's a great little scene and Judi is perfect.

Another kick I got was the fact that M gave Bond this whole backstory on who Fields was, telling Bond that she was innocent and worked in an office and she was only sent to bring Bond back. And because of Bonds "irrisitable charm" she's winded up dead. I love it as M says something like.. "How many is that now? They'll do anything for you, won't they, James?" obviously reffering to Vesper, Solange and all of the woman that Bond has bedded and who have winded up dead.

[mario007]

One thing that has me worried is the action sequenses ... I hated the Bourne Supremacy ... I was seated in the second row at the theater and got motion sickness 1/2 into the movie ... no joke! I did not even see it on DVD because I was really scared of the movie!

With the reviews saying scary stuff about the choppy editing and shakey cam shots ... I am worried about QOS. From the little previews I have see of the car chase and the rooftop chase looks very exciting and not as bad as the Bourne Suremacy chases ... those of you who have seen the movie can you please tell me ... if the previews are a good indication of the sequences or do they get a lot worse and unwatchable? Thanks!

P.S I have to wait till Nov 14 to watch QOS!

Edited by mario007, 03 November 2008 - 04:57 PM.

[DamnCoffee]

The shakey Cam stuff is a load of bollocks and has been blown right outta proportion. It's only really used in the PTS and Sienna Chase, and even then It isn't as bad... I can make out what was going on, as could everyone else in the cinema.

[avl]

The shakey Cam stuff is a load of bollocks and has been blown right outta proportion. It's only really used in the PTS and Sienna Chase, and even then It isn't as bad... I can make out what was going on, as could everyone else in the cinema.

Yes I agree, it is no way as shaky as Bourne. It was very quick, but always clear

[mario007]

Thanks for calming my fears Mharkin007 and AVL ... as fans who has seen the film ... do you guys think there are some negetive reviews in the media because they were expecting CR2? If QOS came before CR would they have hailed it as a masterpeice in your opinion?

Edited by mario007, 03 November 2008 - 05:22 PM.

[DamnCoffee]

To be honest, the negative reviews have baffled me. I can see nothing wrong with the movie, it was fast, brutal, entertaining and just darn right awesome.

[mario007]

Thanks for the responses Mharkin007 ... looking forward to QOS! My favorite bond film is TLD if QOS comes close I will be very satisfied! I thought CR needed more action and the love story was dull! But Danny made me care about what happenned in the movie ... bring on QOS!

[Zorin Industries]

Thanks for calming my fears Mharkin007 and AVL ... as fans who has seen the film ... do you guys think there are some negetive reviews in the media because they were expecting CR2? If QOS came before CR would they have hailed it as a masterpeice in your opinion?

The press (or at least the British press) have long scorned Bond films. It is easy to knock something that cannot be knocked. The critics are often sniffy with Bond films. But that was a tiny bit less so with CASINO ROYALE. The British press always mock Bond for being formulaic but now knock it (not that all of them are though) because it is not formulaic enough!

[avl]

Thanks for the responses Mharkin007 ... looking forward to QOS! My favorite bond film is TLD if QOS comes close I will be very satisfied! I thought CR needed more action and the love story was dull! But Danny made me care about what happenned in the movie ... bring on QOS!

LOL - then you will love it!

Among the critics the reaction is pretty predictable I think. Basically they don't like Bond, never have, and are generally frustrated that it is still going. But they couldn't ignore the step change in quality with CR. Now they have to have another angle to bash with - so now they seem to be mourning the very cliche elements that a Bond film "should have" that they used to rail against ! (and I see Zorin has made pretty much the smae point )

I'm a little bemused by why some fans are so negative about it - and can only say that for me despite its fast pace it is the opposite of a shallow action-fest, and that it is the most stylish Bond since the 60s!

Edited by avl, 03 November 2008 - 05:49 PM.

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

My views:

Quantum of Solace is very much an action fest...but this is hardly a bad thing in a Bond movie. Goldeneye is an action fest and is my favourite Bond film, so I don't see reviewers using the term 'action fest' as a criticism. However, I would have to complain that the knife fight with Slate, the brief car chase and boat chase are far too close together and make little sense in such close proximity. This was really my only gripe about the movie. Well...that and the car chase - I couldn't actually tell what was happening thanks to that ing shakey cam. It really angered me, because it was so obviously Bourne influenced. I wish Forster had grown some balls and ignored the calls for Bourne being used as a foundation for action. Bond was here before Bourne and will still be here when he leaves.

But anyway, I agree with Mharkin007 that Quantum Of Solace IS NOT as bad as was originally made out in the reviews. It has a very well developed storyline with some very emotional scenes. One of my favourite scenes is the Bond and Mathis on the plane scene, where Bond is very much at his most reflecting moment, and it really gives the viewer time to appreciate his true motive for finding Greene.

I was a big fan of the locations, very well thought up and befitting of the Bond movies. I also believe that there was not one single moment in the film where an actor/actress acted poorly. DC hit it on the nose as we all knew he would. Judi Dench was brilliant as always, as was Giancarlo Giannini, Jesper Christensen and Jeffrey Wright. I thought Mathieu Amalric also got the sinister element of Greene just right, and both Bond girls were much less plastic and bimboish than I anticipated, which is of course a good thing!

I suppose that the plot would be confusing for the less educated members of the audience (not meaning to sound patronising), but it is a much more developed plot than previous Bonds, with the exception of maybe Casino Royale and The World Is Not Enough.

Quantum of Solace is definitely not the best Bond film and definitely not better than Casino Royale, but I would probably place it in my Bond Top 5, although I think I'd have to see it agaion before I pass final judgement. But I totally hark back to Harkin (see what I did there?!) and agree that there was a big fuss about a small thing.

[SPOTTER]

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.

It's not only you buddy. I found it extremely hard to get into the action sequences because everything was moving too fast. How can you be with an action scene and really believe in it when the editing is like that. Dissapointing result.

[mario007]

Thanks AVL and ZorinIndustries for your responses. Glad you guys like the film ... Nov 14th can't come soon enough.

ITS NOT FAIR ... the press is hurting the franchise. I hope QOS builds on the success of CR. I had some of my friends psyched up about QOS ... but some recent negetive reviews have them worried. They told me this weekend that they heard it's not as good as CR on TV (BBC). Hope they will go with me to see it ... if not, I will still go and enjoy the film!

[dee-bee-five]

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.

It's not only you buddy. I found it extremely hard to get into the action sequences because everything was moving too fast. How can you be with an action scene and really believe in it when the editing is like that.

Well, I had no problems. And I'm a short-sighted, middle-aged git...

[Alfred Blacking]

ITS NOT FAIR ... the press is hurting the franchise. I hope QOS builds on the success of CR. I had some of my friends psyched up about QOS ... but some recent negetive reviews have them worried. They told me this weekend that they heard it's not as good as CR on TV (BBC). Hope they will go with me to see it ... if not, I will still go and enjoy the film!

Hmmm, I suspect that the press will argue that they are being perfectly fair (unless you're referring to not being able to see it yet), and that Marc Forster has already done the hurting. And I don't think that we can blame the BBC for saying it how they see it (and how almost half of people on this forum see it as well). Nevertheless, it doesn't seem to be putting too many people off.

[Zorin Industries]

Thanks AVL and ZorinIndustries for your responses. Glad you guys like the film ... Nov 14th can't come soon enough.

ITS NOT FAIR ... the press is hurting the franchise.

No. Don't panic. They are not hurting it. I would say some fans shortsighted kneejerk responses are hurting the cause of fandom but that is always going to be a fickle mistress anyway.

[Leon]

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.

It's not only you buddy. I found it extremely hard to get into the action sequences because everything was moving too fast. How can you be with an action scene and really believe in it when the editing is like that.

Well, I had no problems. And I'm a short-sighted, middle-aged git...

I could see what was happening fine, it wasn't the bad kind of quick editing to me. Whatit did do however was make me have to pay attention kind of as you would if you were in that frantic situation yourself.

Some people find it hard to concentrate for any amount of time in a film. That's not an insult at all, it's merely a fact.

Personally I thought the action was breathtakingly shot and cut.

[DamnCoffee]

I was bored this afternoon. So I wrote up a few notes about the movie for my media coursework...

Bond's vulnerablily in Quantum of Solace:

Mathis' Death.
- Held onto his friend, untill he died
- Mathis asked him to forgive Vesper and himself.


Mathis = accused of being a traitor in Casino Royale and tortured and imprissoned. Bond goes to him in Quantum of Solace asking him for help ("Oddly right now you're the only person I think I can trust")


Bond comtemplates Double Suicide - Burning Building.
- Bond lost Vesper, he feels that it is his duty to save Camille since he was unable to save Vesper.
- Put himself in the same danger to save her.
- Cradles Camille, protects her.


Bond / Camille final scene.
- kissed her, wasn't over Vesper, showed Bond effection.
- "I wish I could set you free, but your prison is in there!"
- Awkward silence between pair in the car.
- Closes eyes and remembers, never had any affection since Vesper, Camille strokes his face, Bond struggling whether to kiss Camille, he does. Vespers hold over him is lifted. Caved into her evections eventually, but pulled away.


"You Lost Somebody"
- Bond apologises for stopping Camille get her revenge on Medrano - as he knows how it feels like.

[Painted Gold]

I totally agree with the thread title! The reviews and negativity meant I was expecting it to be far worse than it was.
I loved that M berates Bond for getting another woman killed. You tell him M!
I did not really get that last Yusef scene though and certainly don't seem to have been 'moved' by it like some of the people posting here. I did cry like a baby in the Mathis scene though, but more cos of Gianni's performance than Craig's.

[MI6 Lisbon Branch]

May i join? After 2 screenings and some reflection .. yep .. it is now oficially my favourite James Bond Movie (together with OHMSS). Brilliant is the word i find more suitable for QOS. all the best from Portugal!!

[Painted Gold]

I love the appreciation that OHMSS gets at these forums. When I tell most people that is my fave Bond film they just laugh at me!

[wattenscheid09]

Saw it yesterday. Great movie. Fast, great locations, emotion and humour.

Craig IS Bond as only early Connery ever was. Honestly, I'm having a hard time imagining anyone taking over the mantle from Craig.

Of course, in a few years there'll be a backlash and Bond will be all suave, eyebrow-lifting, Martini-slurping playboy again, but for now - when is the next one shooting?