As it goes with Bond films over the series and years, I've often found and experienced that some of them fall into three places amongst fans.
- You love it from start to finish and it's just bloody great for you.
- You like parts and enjoy it, but not as a whole.
- You feel a bit anti-climatic about it and feel a bit let down.
Sometimes there is no middle ground. This appears, based on members here reviews, to be the case with Quantum of Solace.
Now, that being stated....
BLOODY WELL DONE AND I LOVED IT!
It worked for me. For those that it didn't, that's fine and the last thing I want to do is imply that those that are on the other side of the fence are too Thick or just didn't "get it" etc. That's not cool. Everyone has their own take.
So, on we go.
I felt this was the perfect fourth and fifth act to follow up with Casino Royale.
In a way, I'll "reverse engineer" my take on it.
The ending gunbarrel: Quick, great punctuation to the film and telling us all that THIS Bond is going to be back and become the 007 we all know and love now that he's found his "solace".
The final bit in Russia is smooth and Craig, PPK in hand, with that pose and stare is JAMES
ING BOND. The last bit with M and "I never left" followed by his dropping of Vespers necklace in the snow is lovely and - no kidding (for me) - almost left me a little misty eyed. Much like Vesper's death. It's done. She's gone from his life...and life goes on. It will for him.Final battle in the desert hotel - Great action piece. Camille and Bond make a strong duo and and her battle with the general vs. Bond and Greene having at it cross cut amidst the fire and mayhem was impressive. How Dan and Olga pulled that off without getting turned extra crispy for real is beyond me. Their escape is wonderful, but also intense with the notion that rather than be burned alive, their both willing to go out and her leaving it in Bond's hands. "Make it quick."
Dumping Greene in the desert. - Brilliant. Also, leaving him with a can of oil - payback for Fields - gave a great moment of "Yeah...You earned that you bastard".
The parting between Bond and Camille was well done as she's very much left with the same emotion as Bond had at the end of Casino Royale. The quick kiss and then she's gone.
Bond cut off from MI6 - Well, we've seen it before. The death of Fields (loved the Goldfinger homage) as she is covered in what has been called "black gold".
Bond's escape and fight in the elevator was wonderfully brutal and fast. I love his sharp, fast stroll across the hotels atrium and then running into M. The fact that M ackowledges that he's on to something is great. We finally see she's taking a bit of a shine to this rough around the edges Double-O as he is a fine operative and has great instincts.Bolivia - Beautiful locale. The fundraising party is great and Camille is gorgeous. The iconic shot of her and Bond in the desert evokes memories of "The Spy Who Loved Me" and the air battle is well done. I loved the free-fall sequence. Again, quick but well done.
Fields - Simply adorable IMO. She's great and the fact that she's terribly ashamed of her action and being seduced by Bond slightly reminds one of Patricia Fearing in Thunderball. Of course, the funny part being that after she confesses her guilt, they both jump right back into bed.
Mathis - The talk at his villa is very much what was left out of Casino Royale from the novel where they both discuss the nature of their work and good and evil. Again a nice nod to the book this all sprang from.
The arrival in Bolivia is some of the best humour to be had.
Fields: I'm to put you on a plane back to London.
Bond: Does that include my friend Mathis?
Fields: I'm sorry, I don't know you.
Bond: You see that, you're gone a little while and already forgotten.
Mathis: You only say that to be cruel.
Laughed my butt off on that one.
Now, sadly, Mathis' death. That's a heartbreaker. The fact that Bond - this rough, heartless bastard, takes the time to hold a dying friend and offer some small talk is actually pretty touching. Sorry to see him go. Liked having him around.
Felix - His bits in the background are great and his meeting with Bond in the bar are something straight out of what I remember from Fleming. Direct, on the job, and you sense a great deal of respect and trust between the two. I would hope to see more of them working together in the future. Wright has really made his incarnation of Felix his own.
The opera - Hitchcotchian indeed. Reminded me of North By Northwest and the auction. The final action was good. Once Bond made his presence known (wonderfully done - "Can I say something?" ) the effect of "roaches scattering once the lights have been turned on on" makes it work and now Bond has a few of the faces of Quantum. Cool set and mysterious tone. Bond lifting a tux and a Quantum gift bag is simple yet stylish.
Boat chase - Well done again. For all the Steve McQueen nods Craig has gotten, the motorcycle bits are going to haunt him for years to come....But in a good way. The chase was electrifying and having Dan and Olga right in the middle of it really sold it. Hat's off to the second unit.
Rooftop Chase - A betrayal. An inside man. The gallery rope bits. WOW! Well staged and done and frenetic energy. Ending with the last desperate bit of who can get to their gun first and that amazing shot of Craig swinging about and bringing up the PPK. ROCK ON!
Mister White - Creepy, wounded and menacing. Also, the single Quantum member (that we know of) to not scatter during the opera. We'll be seeing him again.
The car chase - Full throtle and full tilt! Great, great, great kick off. Intense and in your face. Although I have to wonder if MI6 will be issuing 007 yet another Aston Martin. He doesn't seem to be able to keep them in "pristine condition" once he gets behind the wheel.
Side notes: Opening credits and overall score - Say what you will about the song, but it wasn't half bad and the score and hints of the Bond theme were well placed and just added to the mix.
Well, there you have it. Agree, disagree, whatever....
But that's my take. As I finish typing this up, I'm debating catching another showing just by myself later tonight.
As for opening night, my evening ended up well with 00-7 of us decking ourselves out and dining at my favorite local Italian restaurant in the company of two good chaps and four lovely ladies.
Bond was back....and he will be again.
Cheers all.
From Los Angeles with love,
Bryce (003)
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