5 replies to this topic

[001carus]

I just got back from my first viewing of Quantum of Solace down here in Australia. I'm not really sure where to begin. The film is, without a doubt, magnificent and deserves a lot more praise from the critics than it's currently receiving. The film has a beautiful drive behind it - it never feels tired or out of ideas. You're constantly on the edge of your seat and one barely has a chance to breathe.

I loved Casino Royale. I hold it as my highest ranked Bond movie, and one of my top ten favourite movies of all time. I've watched it countless times, and I simply love sitting down and soaking up the grandness on show. Quantum of Solace stands right there next to Casino Royale, offering a completely different approach in terms of story delivery and directing. Upon first viewing, I wouldn't hold it as highly as I do Casino Royale, but this is in no way a bad thing. I certainly wasn't dissapointed by QoS, nor did I have low expectations. It was simply fantastic.

Let's get onto the movie. The film starts off with a bang. A car chase that's surely the most appropriate way to start the film. Once again, the film is never trying to be Casino Royale, with this grand spectacle opening contrasting sharply against the bleak beginning to its predecessor. After this is over, the beautiful titles kick in, and they simply looked stunning. I didn't think one could really top CRs, but I really think QoS did a great job. They were beautiful.

The first half of the movie is incredibly top heavy on action, and while the action is given out in short, sharp bursts, the dialogue is cut roughly for the action to be hurtled in. This does cut into the pacing quite a bit in this first section, but things soon settle down throughout. Eventually, we really get inside the mind of QoS' flawed Bond, who is clearly a changed man from the one we saw last time, and any one beforehand. He's a ruthless, cold, assassin.

This ruthless Bond is, amazingly, a joy to see onscreen, largely due to Daniel Craig's perfect delivery of his lines. He pulled it off brilliantly, and had another actor stepped into Bond's shoes, I'm not sure he would have been nearly as likable. While we're on the subject of characters, I was surprised by the authenticity of Camille - a fabulous Bond girl. She was strong and sassy, and while her revenge storyline was somewhat cliched, her character was a far cry from crap like Jinx. She was also acted well by Olga Kerylenko.

The most unnecessary and largely unimpressive moments of the film were the numerous MI6 computers with the incredible touch technology featured. What is this Minority Report? Didn't we just reboot the series back to realism in a 2008 setting? Did they just spend all the Casino Royale winnings on these incredible interfaces? They sort of take one out of the moment and are a largely unnecessary addition to a brilliant and realistic film.

The action is stunning. Each set piece is wonderfully shot (minus the frustrating shaky cam, and yes, it was there!) and didn't drag. Brief and brisk action that never got tiring. Bond's ruthlessness truly shows throughout, and the action feels so much more hard hitting than it did prior. It feels like Bond is out for more than just doing his job this time around.

I think the largest flaw of the film is, while the style is certainly there, and handed to us in droves, it never feels like a Bond film in the same way Casino Royale did. Upon my first viewing of CR, I could feel that Dr. No touch - that FRWL touch to it. It felt authentic, sometimes even felt like the 60s, and while QoS certainly felt like a Bond film, it felt grounded in the new millenium, despite Forsters attempts at harking back to the 60s.

My review is getting long so I'd better cap off. After my first viewing of Quantum of Solace, I can safely say it's one of my favourite Bond films, and quite possibly one of my favourite films period. It captures an essence, style, power, and emotion that little other films have. Infact, I'd say this film may well be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to emotion. Bond is just generating heat, anger, and depression without ever truly showing it. An amazing performance by Craig, possibly a better job than his work on CR. I loved the harks to Goldfinger, and while there are small jarring errors such as the top heavy action, the film flows beautifully, and feels longer than it is. Forster has done a great job, and Quantum of Solace is simply a work of art that rises above "a mere action flick." I'm not sure how critics saw a "bland" or "boring" film, but rest assured, Quantum of Solace is a brilliant piece of work that can proudly stand side by side with Casino Royale. Simply put, Bond hasn't been this great since the 60s.

[ImTheMoneypenny]

This ruthless Bond is, amazingly, a joy to see onscreen, largely due to Daniel Craig's perfect delivery of his lines. He pulled it off brilliantly, and had another actor stepped into Bond's shoes, I'm not sure he would have been nearly as likable. While we're on the subject of characters, I was surprised by the authenticity of Camille - a fabulous Bond girl. She was strong and sassy, and while her revenge storyline was somewhat cliched, her character was a far cry from crap like Jinx. She was also acted well by Olga Kerylenko.

I totally agree with you here. Craig and Olga did a fantastic job.

I'm happy you liked it. QOS and CR make a wonderful pair, don't they? Definitely check QOS out again. This is a film that just keeps getting better.

[avl]

I'm not sure how critics saw a "bland" or "boring" film, but rest assured, Quantum of Solace is a brilliant piece of work that can proudly stand side by side with Casino Royale. Simply put, Bond hasn't been this great since the 60s.

Amen, brother

[HildebrandRarity]

It's about time it 'hit' Australia!

I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.

[sharpshooter]

Good review, 001carus. I saw QoS today for the second time, and I just love it. A modern Bond triumph.

[maibaum]

I think Forster harks back to the 70s more than to the 60s, but he does it not consequently. I think the plot with Greene owning the whole water resources of a country could have been right out of the Moore era (and there are several clear references to the Moore Bonds). The Hotel in the desert in that seventies design with Ken Adams influences stands in for the villains hide out.
Of course I'm happy Bond remained down to earth. But this (and other points) for me makes the film seem unfinished.

Edited by maibaum, 21 November 2008 - 02:57 PM.