4 replies to this topic

[quantum of dcraig]

Having read the mixed critical reviews, I went into the theatre expecting to be disappointed. However from Marc Forster's wide shot of the seaside, I was proved wrong and found this James Bond movie to be excellent.

First, I will talk about the highlights of the film. The main highlight for me was the interplay between Daniel Craig and Judi Dench, who I feel have the BEST chemistry of any bond and M in the series history, and the welcome return of Mathis, who I felt took the film to a higher level, just like he did in Casino Royale. Obviously the action scenes were outstanding, including my personal favorite, the boat chase, which exemplified the film by being short, thrilling and entertaining. Additionally, Daniel Craig is exceptional as Bond, and Olga Kurylenko's Camille is a fantastic bond girl, along with easily being one of the best looking bond women ever.

One resounding criticism of the film that I found to be untrue was the plot. Many critics felt that the film was all action and no plot, however I found the film to have a solid plot, with so many bit charachters with their individual motives (ala Gregg Beam of the CIA) that made the film quite intertesting to follow beyond the action scenes.

Additionally, it must be said that this is a visually stunning film, with the opera scene standing out to exemplify this point. MI6's use of the computer screen to track Greene's identity was outstanding and the opera scene that followed was one of the finest in the whole series. That scene perfectly combined espionage and art to create a suspenseful, at times humourous scene that was truely of high quality. Kudos to whoever crafted that scene so well. David Arnold's score is also outstanding and his finest work accompanies the opera scene as well.

Basically, my only complaint with the film was the handling of Mathis' body-which after two viewings still makes no sense after the two men forgave eachother.

I am a first time poster here at CBN, and will proudly defend this film for years to come. Basically, I am not a fan of the Roger Moore films and find Sean Connery's last two EON films to be poor, and was ready to give up on the series after the absurd last hour that ruined Die Another Day. However, these past two films have been excellent and here's hoping BOND 23 continues along the path of charachter development, realism and espionage that have been so well created in Casino Royale, and in the excellent Quantum of Solace!

[Bradley De La Cloche]

Welcome to CBN. Glad to hear you liked the movie.

[double o ego]

Nice to know you liked the film also. However, what do you mean by Bond and Mathis forgiving each other? I don't think Mathis needed to be forgiven, he didn't do anything wronf. He however forgave Bond and told Bond, WE as in people in general need to forgive each other and in this respect he was refering to Bond forgiving Vesper.

[ImTheMoneypenny]

Welcome. Glad you liked the movie. As for Mathis there are a couple of very good threads here in the QOS forum regarding that subject which could offer you more insight.

[byline]

However, what do you mean by Bond and Mathis forgiving each other? I don't think Mathis needed to be forgiven, he didn't do anything wronf.

Actually, right before he dies, Mathis asks Bond, "Do we forgive each other?"

I think Mathis is acknowledging Bond's emotions that came with his belief that Mathis, not Vesper, was the one who betrayed him. Even though Bond subsequently discovered that Mathis was innocent, he still went through those feelings of emotional betrayal and uncertainty, which Mathis acknowledged in his comments to Bond at his villa about not being able to tell the good guys from the bad. So Mathis is basically saying that both he and Bond are wiping the slate clean, and also that Bond needs to forgive Vesper and himself.