151 replies to this topic

[doublenoughtspy]

What I liked: Bond's singular focus. The PPK is back. Gemma Arterton can use her 12 magic fingers on me anytime. Product placement toned down from CR. The action, though too choppily edited, was well done. Homages to Goldfinger, The Great Escape & TSWLM were cool.

The title song: awful.

The title sequence: pedestrian at best. Kleinman needs to be brought back.

The teaser: Beginning aerial shot over water reminded me of NSNA. Choppy editing ruined the sequence.

I disliked that Bond spent as much time killing his own people (Mitchell the MI6 agent, Special Branch agent) as he did the main villains. We've had a decade of Bond films with traitors – can we give it a rest for a film or two?

I disliked that the romance quotient was practically zero. I understand this is a revenge film, but come on.

Tossing Mathis' body in a dumpster? Lame. Oooh "Mathis" isn't really his name – it's a code name. Score one for Tamahori's code name theory.

The villains were weak. Dominic Greene. Believable but a pint-sized Roman Palanski clone does not shiver me timbers. I understand they are setting up Quantum – but without defining Greene's role (mid management, upper management, grunt?) – it's hard to gauge Bond's progress in destroying the organization. General Medrano seemed to be more menacing, but in a cardboard way.

Vesper's boyfriend: An agent seeking redemption/and or penance ends the film by tracking down someone at a Moscow apartment. Borrow from Bourne much? Oh God, here we go – igniting the Bond/Bourne war. I put this in because while you’d have to blind to not notice the Bourne influence in the action scenes, here was a parallel in a dramatic scene. BTW - is waiting in the dark for someone going to become CraigBond's signature?

Gun Barrel: At the end? Why? Craig was practically running, just as he did throughout the film. To quote L&LD "relax Jim!"

Judi Dench's M gives Bernard Lee a run for his money in the "I'll pop up anywhere" sweepstakes. It doesn't fit with Eon's new reality based effort. "Hey, I'll interrogate a suspect. Hey, I'll search a traitor’s apartment. Hey, I'll go to Moscow to grab Vesper's boyfriend." Um, don't you have an organization to run?

Speaking of M – a Tanner that is ten years younger than Bond? Sigh.

I concur with other reviewers. This is simply a well-dressed action movie that happens to involve a character named James Bond. It fails as a revenge film because we don't even see Greene's or Yusseff's death.

James Bond is an aspirational, wish fulfillment character. And there were precious few times in QOS that I wanted to be the guy up on that screen.

For those of you that enjoyed the film, I'm happy for you. I'll end my very short review by quoting my girlfriend's even shorter one after we saw the film.

"Well, that sucked."

[DamnCoffee]

I concur with other reviewers. This is simply a well-dressed action movie that happens to involve a character named James Bond. It fails as a revenge film because we don't even see Greene's or Yusseff's death.

Yusseff didn't die.

[doublenoughtspy]

I'm well aware that he didn't. I'm complaining that it neither happened in the story nor was it shown.

Would Bond allowing Blofeld to live in the novel YOLT have made it better?

No - we got a catharsis when Bond strangled him.

[Safari Suit]

Well I loved the title, but I was a bit surprised to see it was the work of the esteemed doublenoughtspy!

[DamnCoffee]

Would Bond allowing Blofeld to live in the novel YOLT have made it better?

Well, maybe it would. But Quantum of Solace is not a revenge movie. Bond's quantum of solace is for him not Vesper.

[dee-bee-five]

For those of you that enjoyed the film, I'm happy for you."

Thank-you. I did. A hell of a lot.

Oh, and I'll give you my 70 year old mother's short assessment after she saw it on Sunday: "That was brilliant!"

All subjective, of course.

[doublenoughtspy]

For those of you that enjoyed the film, I'm happy for you."

Thank-you. I did. A hell of a lot.

Oh, and I'll give you my 70 year old mother's short assessment after she saw it on Sunday: "That was brilliant!"

All subjective, of course.

Definitely. As the first reviews came in, a few people commented that it would be a very polarizing film.

That appears to be the case, in spades.

[dee-bee-five]

For those of you that enjoyed the film, I'm happy for you."

Thank-you. I did. A hell of a lot.

Oh, and I'll give you my 70 year old mother's short assessment after she saw it on Sunday: "That was brilliant!"

All subjective, of course.

Definitely. As the first reviews came in, a few people commented that it would be a very polarizing film.

Yes, I was one of them. And I wrote in my review that I can understand why some fans wouldn't enjoy it.

However, for me, it easily ranks alongside my two favourite entries - OHMSS and Casino Royale. Not only do I think it's the most stylish of the series, but I think it's the best-directed, one of the best-written and I love the characterisation. What I love most about it, though, is the way it makes me work as a viewer because so much of it is in the subtext.

[bondrules]

If anything, part of this movie's legacy will be its abundance of polarized opinions.

[JimmyBond]

I'm well aware that he didn't. I'm complaining that it neither happened in the story nor was it shown.

Would Bond allowing Blofeld to live in the novel YOLT have made it better?

No - we got a catharsis when Bond strangled him.

Sounds to me like you missed the point of the film. The point is not for Bond to kill him, the point is for Bond to realize that killing him isnt going to make any difference in the grand scheme of things. Therefore he grew as a character.

It's ok you missed that, you're not used to something as simple as character development in a Bond film.

[HH007]

For those of you that enjoyed the film, I'm happy for you."

Thank-you. I did. A hell of a lot.

Oh, and I'll give you my 70 year old mother's short assessment after she saw it on Sunday: "That was brilliant!"

All subjective, of course.

Definitely. As the first reviews came in, a few people commented that it would be a very polarizing film.

Yes, I was one of them. And I wrote in my review that I can understand why some fans wouldn't enjoy it.

However, for me, it easily ranks alongside my two favourite entries - OHMSS and Casino Royale. Not only do I think it's the most stylish of the series, but I think it's the best-directed, one of the best-written and I love the characterisation. What I love most about it, though, is the way it makes me work as a viewer because so much of it is in the subtext.

You know, the fact that this film has people so split has really aroused my curiosity. "It's brilliant!" "It sucks!" "Brilliant!" "Sucks!" "Brilliant/sucks/brilliant/sucks/brilliant/sucks!" People are afraid all this controversy will hurt the film's box office, but it just makes me want to see it even more. Is it midnight yet?

I'm well aware that he didn't. I'm complaining that it neither happened in the story nor was it shown.

Would Bond allowing Blofeld to live in the novel YOLT have made it better?

No - we got a catharsis when Bond strangled him.

Sounds to me like you missed the point of the film. The point is not for Bond to kill him, the point is for Bond to realize that killing him isnt going to make any difference in the grand scheme of things. Therefore he grew as a character.

It's ok you missed that, you're not used to something as simple as character development in a Bond film.

Character development???!!! Didn't we get enough of that nonsense in CASINO ROYALE??? My God, they are truly ruining the franchise!

[Bondian]

I agree with everything you've said, DNS.

[Bond Bug]

Sounds to me like you missed the point of the film. The point is not for Bond to kill him, the point is for Bond to realize that killing him isnt going to make any difference in the grand scheme of things. Therefore he grew as a character.

It's ok you missed that, you're not used to something as simple as character development in a Bond film.

When you feel you have to explain what the point of the movie was, you should know that you also provide the proof that there is something very wrong WITH THE MOVIE.

[sorking]

Is the use of a particular type of gun REALLY the second most important positive aspect of a movie?!

Also: Mathis is his real name AND his code name.

Also: It's not a revenge film. Welcome to 'the point'.

[Bondian]

You know I love you all. But do we need to jump on everyone who has a different opinion of the film?

I'm seeing almost identical replies here as another members reviews.

Maybe we should have one thread whereby we can all express our opinions?

[Se7en]

It's okay guys we all can have our own opinions.

[The Dove]

At least we know that Quantum of Solace is going to be a very successful film box office numbers wise..

[JimmyBond]

Sounds to me like you missed the point of the film. The point is not for Bond to kill him, the point is for Bond to realize that killing him isnt going to make any difference in the grand scheme of things. Therefore he grew as a character.

It's ok you missed that, you're not used to something as simple as character development in a Bond film.

When you feel you have to explain what the point of the movie was, you should know that you also provide the proof that there is something very wrong WITH THE MOVIE.

I havent even seen the film and I know what the point is. I wonder what that says about YOU.

[HildebrandRarity]

It fails as a revenge film because we don't even see Greene's or Yusseff's death.

I'm led to believe that Quantum is NOT a revenge film. That it's about Bond finding some solace, peace...and him turning from thug to looking at "the big picture" wherein Yusef can be used/interrogated in order to acquire further leads into Quantum.

Am I wrong?

I'm seeing the movie for the first time at midnight...I could be wrong in my assumption.

Charles?

[Loomis]

Excellent stuff, DNS. A coupla questions:

Is this, in your book, the worst Bond film?

Has CASINO ROYALE (which I understand you liked well enough but weren't particularly wild about) gone up in your estimation now that you've been underwhelmed by QUANTUM OF SOLACE?

Have you ever been as disappointed by Bond before? (Assuming that you were disappointed, of course, for I suspect that your expectations of QoS were not especially high.)

[doublenoughtspy]

Sounds to me like you missed the point of the film. The point is not for Bond to kill him, the point is for Bond to realize that killing him isnt going to make any difference in the grand scheme of things. Therefore he grew as a character.

It's ok you missed that, you're not used to something as simple as character development in a Bond film.

Call me kooky - I enjoy seeing James Bond punish bad people for being bad.

I understand the point they were trying to make. It wasn't the one I would have filmed.

I also don't think it really "helps Bond grow as a character" or whatever. Bond doesn't relish killing, I know that.

Bond has not killed before - TLD comes to mind - for the greater good.

"Ooh, I can't wait to see the next Bond film where he lets everyone live!"

That will rock! Oh wait, I'm thinking of the next Driving Miss Daisy film.

I suppose this will flow into a "any thug can kill", "Bond isn't Rambo" style debate.

But I much rather would have preferred that Bond strangle that SOB with his Algerian love knot, and not have killed the innocent Special Branch Agent - rather than vice versa.

Yes, yes I know - it's meant to show that sometimes innocents die, and Bond realizes that killing isn't everything.

Perhaps Bond realizes that Quantum will come after the boyfriend just like they did with Le Chiffre and Greene, and that the paranoia and wait for the bullet will be worse than the bullet itself.

[HH007]

Sounds to me like you missed the point of the film. The point is not for Bond to kill him, the point is for Bond to realize that killing him isnt going to make any difference in the grand scheme of things. Therefore he grew as a character.

It's ok you missed that, you're not used to something as simple as character development in a Bond film.

When you feel you have to explain what the point of the movie was, you should know that you also provide the proof that there is something very wrong WITH THE MOVIE.

Not when some people don't bother to think about, or refuse to see the point.

[JimmyBond]

Call me kooky - I enjoy seeing James Bond punish bad people for being bad.

You make a good case, but I'm sorry. I just can't agree with this sentence right here. My enjoyment from Bond film's is not about watching Bond punishing people, it's about the glamour, the girls, and the action (and in the recent Bond films, the relatively deeper storylines).

If I want to see people being punished I'll stick with the Saw films (of which I do enjoy).

[Mister E]

Call me kooky - I enjoy seeing James Bond punish bad people for being bad.

You make a good case, but I'm sorry. I just can't agree with this sentence right here. My enjoyment from Bond film's is not about watching Bond punishing people, it's about the glamour, the girls, and the action (and in the recent Bond films, the relatively deeper storylines).

If I want to see people being punished I'll stick with the Saw films (of which I do enjoy).

I secound that JB. Who cares if Bond punishes the bad guy ? The bad guys in Bond films are meant to be "love to hate" types. You aren't really concerned if they are brought to justice.

[doublenoughtspy]

Excellent stuff, DNS. A coupla questions:

Is this, in your book, the worst Bond film?

Too early to tell. I'd almost put it off with NSNA / CR 67 - existing in an alternate universe for right now. More viewings & time will help me figure out where it sits.

Has CASINO ROYALE (which I understand you liked well enough but weren't particularly wild about) gone up in your estimation now that you've been underwhelmed by QUANTUM OF SOLACE?

Yes it has.

Have you ever been as disappointed by Bond before? (Assuming that you were disappointed, of course, for I suspect that your expectations of QoS were not especially high.)

I was really disapointed with LTK, and had mild disappointments with TND and DAD.

[Loomis]

Has CASINO ROYALE (which I understand you liked well enough but weren't particularly wild about) gone up in your estimation now that you've been underwhelmed by QUANTUM OF SOLACE?

Yes it has.

Well, that's something, at least.

[doublenoughtspy]

Is the use of a particular type of gun REALLY the second most important positive aspect of a movie?!

Sorking, I've handled and archived the letter where the real Major Boothroyd suggested to Fleming that James Bond be armed with the Walther PPK.

I own the Walther PPK used by George Lazenby as James Bond in OHMSS.

You may not care what gun he carries.

But trust me, I am allowed to care.

We ran a story on the front page of CBn about the return of the weapon. To some people, it is a big deal.

And that list was off the top of my head, not numerically ranked by importance.

Also: It's not a revenge film. Welcome to 'the point'.

Yea, the whole reason Bond got involved was because of his passion for the poor people of Bolivia, rather than tracking down those responsible for Vesper's death.

My bad.

[sorking]

Sounds to me like you missed the point of the film. The point is not for Bond to kill him, the point is for Bond to realize that killing him isnt going to make any difference in the grand scheme of things. Therefore he grew as a character.

It's ok you missed that, you're not used to something as simple as character development in a Bond film.

When you feel you have to explain what the point of the movie was, you should know that you also provide the proof that there is something very wrong WITH THE MOVIE.

So if someone loses track of the characters in The Godfather, we should blame the film? Get some sense. Was that point really so utterly complicated?!

Call me kooky - I enjoy seeing James Bond punish bad people for being bad.

Punishment is totally different from assassination. So - you like watching him kill bad people.

I also don't think it really "helps Bond grow as a character" or whatever. Bond doesn't relish killing, I know that.

But you relish him killing? Interesting...

But I much rather would have preferred that Bond strangle that SOB with his Algerian love knot, and not have killed the innocent Special Branch Agent - rather than vice versa.

Innocent in as much as he a) attempted to kill Bond for overhearing a Quantum conversation, and he was WORKING WITH QUANTUM.

[tim partridge]

Excellent review!

I'd love to hear your thoughts on those MK12 fancy font location titles.

What did you think of the production design and overall visual direction?

[JeffWest]

deleted.

Edited by JeffWest, 13 November 2008 - 08:25 PM.