89 replies to this topic

[Publius]

I actually can't remember, but was there a period like this before Casino Royale?

Yes. It did get a lot of raves (probably more than the "not such a shocking new direction anymore" QoS will), but many of the positive reviews only raved about a few aspects (usually Craig), complained about the rest (often the lack of "traditional" elements), and then barely gave the movie their stamp of approval.

I wouldn't say it was spoiler free. I read the opening bit and found out way more about the story than I really wanted to know.

Agreed. It's probably free of major spoilers, but I'm being picky about this. Sorry ACE, I'm sure it's a great read, and I'll definitely check back after I see QoS.

[kneelbeforezod]

I didn't mention the word "fans". Oh - actually - yes I did. Sorry. Its a generic term as much as it is one of insult (!). The fans can be you, me or the man on the street - who, right now, is wondering about booking a babysitter so he and the wife can catch the new James Bond film at the cinema. Whether ANAL IT NEWS or IGN AGAIN don't like it is irrelevant to them. And that's all that matters to the series fortitude and the cinematic future of James Bond.

Well that's true.

But isn't there a little part of you that's disappointed more people aren't shouting their love for this film from the rooftops? Maybe I'm panic-buying...

*checks over shoulder, discreetly types www.analitnews.com into browser*

[dodge]

I actually can't remember, but was there a period like this before Casino Royale?

Yes. It did get a lot of raves (probably more than the "not such a shocking new direction anymore" QoS will), but many of the positive reviews only raved about a few aspects (usually Craig), complained about the rest (often the lack of "traditional" elements), and then barely gave the movie their stamp of approval.

I wouldn't say it was spoiler free. I read the opening bit and found out way more about the story than I really wanted to know.

Agreed. It's probably free of major spoilers, but I'm being picky about this. Sorry ACE, I'm sure it's a great read, and I'll definitely check back after I see QoS.

How wise you are. I believe ACE practices what Byron called "The Spoiler's Art."

[kneelbeforezod]

I actually can't remember, but was there a period like this before Casino Royale?

Yes. It did get a lot of raves (probably more than the "not such a shocking new direction anymore" QoS will), but many of the positive reviews only raved about a few aspects (usually Craig), complained about the rest (often the lack of "traditional" elements), and then barely gave the movie their stamp of approval.

Yes I guess that's true, I seem to have selectively filtered that out. It certainly never came near Dark Knight levels of acclaim, and yet, over time, Casino Royale has come to be regarded as something of a classic.

[Publius]

But isn't there a little part of you that's disappointed more people aren't shouting their love for this film from the rooftops? Maybe I'm panic-buying...

Speaking for myself, I'd be worried if everybody liked it. I prefer my Bond films to be a little darker and more raw, and that just isn't what gets universal acclamation when it comes to Bond films. I wouldn't be surprised if his name was changed and many people suddenly liked the film better. Too many expectations going in.

[Zorin Industries]

I didn't mention the word "fans". Oh - actually - yes I did. Sorry. Its a generic term as much as it is one of insult (!). The fans can be you, me or the man on the street - who, right now, is wondering about booking a babysitter so he and the wife can catch the new James Bond film at the cinema. Whether ANAL IT NEWS or IGN AGAIN don't like it is irrelevant to them. And that's all that matters to the series fortitude and the cinematic future of James Bond.

Well that's true.

But isn't there a little part of you that's disappointed more people aren't shouting their love for this film from the rooftops? Maybe I'm panic-buying...

*checks over shoulder, discreetly types www.analitnews.com into browser*

I wouldn't recommend that if you are on a work computer!!

What the critics think doesn't affect what I think. I've worked on a project that is currently getting good and bad press in the UK. It doesn't detract from the product we've put out or indeed denigrate the efforts of everyone responsible. We made the show we wanted to.

Regarding SOLACE, what's worse (and I don't mean Ace here at all!) - someone that reviews it and criticizes it along the lines of "it's far too dark and hardly lets you catch up with the darkly hued plot and solemn characterisation" or someone that loves it in the press along the lines of "if you like fast cars and good action, this popcorn raising actioner is right up there with XXX and CHARLIES ANGELS : FULL THROTTLE. You will not be disappointed. In fact, I'd insist you have a seatbelt in the theater. This film rocks.....!"

I'd actually want to believe the first reviewer more - and he or she is the one that doesn't like the film. It's all about context. And watching it for yourself is the best context going.

[kneelbeforezod]

But isn't there a little part of you that's disappointed more people aren't shouting their love for this film from the rooftops? Maybe I'm panic-buying...

Speaking for myself, I'd be worried if everybody liked it. I prefer my Bond films to be a little darker and more raw, and that just isn't what gets universal acclamation when it comes to Bond films. I wouldn't be surprised if his name was changed and many people suddenly liked the film better. Too many expectations going in.

You're spot on about expectations. When I'm excited about a film, I have a tendency to obsess over the reviews, and it can't be doing me any good

I think I need help

[Jim]

Sorry to put you to the bother - well, if we can't be anal about the new Bond, who can?

The members of your subscription-fee fan club?

Thank you for the extremely detailed review, but are they getting it for free as well? I wouldn't want them to feel that they are at some sort of disadvantage or that CBn is pulling a fast one on them.

[kneelbeforezod]

Regarding SOLACE, what's worse (and I don't mean Ace here at all!) - someone that reviews it and criticizes it along the lines of "it's far too dark and hardly lets you catch up with the darkly hued plot and solemn characterisation" or someone that loves it in the press along the lines of "if you like fast cars and good action, this popcorn raising actioner is right up there with XXX and CHARLIES ANGELS : FULL THROTTLE. You will not be disappointed. In fact, I'd insist you have a seatbelt in the theater. This film rocks.....!"

I'd actually want to believe the first reviewer more - and he or she is the one that doesn't like the film. It's all about context. And watching it for yourself is the best context going.

Yes, wise words.

To be fair to myself, I don't let reviews tell me what to think. The largely positive critical reception to Indy 4 didn't stop me from hating that... but what I seem to do is obsess over reviews to try and work out if I'm going to like it, before I've seen it!

Which really is, the more I think about it, beyond pointless

[bondrules]

Is QoS a movie that can stand on its own, or does it require prior CR viewing?

[Publius]

Which really is, the more I think about it, beyond pointless

It's perfectly logical to me. Nobody likes feeling let down, everybody likes feeling pleasantly surprised. Thus, many of us latch onto the worst reviews for something we're looking forward to so we can prepare for the worst. That said, you're right that it's unhealthy.

[Zorin Industries]

MAGNUM OF SOLACE....?

The Selleck's in it? I thought that chest hair wasn't all Dame Judi's....

[Publius]

MAGNUM OF SOLACE....?

Hopefully it's a Dirty Harry reference.

[bondrules]

MAGNUM OF SOLACE....?

Hopefully it's a Dirty Harry reference.

Or one to DC's gun

[Zorin Industries]

MAGNUM OF SOLACE....?

Hopefully it's a Dirty Harry reference.

Or one to DC's gun

Or the ice-cream Ace bought in the interval?

[bondrules]

MAGNUM OF SOLACE....?

Hopefully it's a Dirty Harry reference.

Or one to DC's gun

Or the ice-cream Ace bought in the interval?

LMAO!

[Loomis]

- What are your favourite things about QoS? What surprised you most? Anything you disliked or felt could have been done better?

Read the review.

I've read it twice. But I can't see much frankness concerning anything you dislike or feel could have been done better, and neither do you confess to being surprised by anything. Not sure that you nail down your favourite things about QoS, either. Hence my questions.

Reading between the lines, though, I do get the feeling that you might have welcomed more developed villains. There may be one or two other small, vaguely-worded gripes in there, in which you hint subtly at possible points of very minor concern with all the directness of a Japanese diplomat, but trying to spot them is like looking for tiny needles of slight discontent in a haystack of wild praise.

[HildebrandRarity]

Face it. They've ed it up! They could - by most accounts - have had a little more character development on a few fronts...but decided to deliver a 1 h 38 min action flick with 8 minutes worth of MK12 titles and credits work thrown in.

Nice work.

They knew that CR would be the benchmark. Not TWINE, not LTK, not TMWTGG.

Would it have really hurt to have some added character work or dialogue in Q0S?

I don't think so. But hey, as Zorin would put it: "Its as long or as short as it needs to be to tell the story efficiently".

Efficiently for the 13 year olds who'll be there every Saturday afternoon. Like a McDonalds hamburger.

What about the rest of us who want to also enjoy a glass or two of fine wine and savour it over a civilized, well prepared meal?

[Jim]

Face it. They've ed it up! They could - by most accounts - have had a little more character development on a few fronts...but decided to deliver a 1 h 38 min action flick with 8 minutes worth of MK12 titles and credits work thrown in.

Nice work.

They knew that CR would be the benchmark. Not TWINE, not LTK, not TMWTGG.

Would it have really hurt to have some added character work or dialogue in Q0S?

I don't think so. But hey, as Zorin would put it: "Its as long or as short as it needs to be to tell the story efficiently".

Efficiently for the 13 year olds who'll be there every Saturday afternoon. Like a McDonalds hamburger.

What about the rest of us who want to also enjoy a glass or two of fine wine and savour it over a civilized, well prepared meal?

Are you going to do this in every thread, or only the ones that I can avoid?

Do tell.

[Zorin Industries]

Face it. They've ed it up! They could - by most accounts - have had a little more character development on a few fronts...but decided to deliver a 1 h 38 min action flick with 8 minutes worth of MK12 titles and credits work thrown in.

Nice work.

They knew that CR would be the benchmark. Not TWINE, not LTK, not TMWTGG.

Would it have really hurt to have some added character work or dialogue in Q0S?

I don't think so. But hey, as Zorin would put it: "Its as long or as short as it needs to be to tell the story efficiently".

Efficiently for the 13 year olds who'll be there every Saturday afternoon. Like a McDonalds hamburger.

What about the rest of us who want to also enjoy a glass or two of fine wine and savour it over a civilized, well prepared meal?

Your table is ready by the kitchens sir...

HAVE YOU SEEN THE CHUFFING FILM?!

When you have, then have these views by all means. And it's not best to use a para-phrased quote of mine to attack my opinions, but which actually underline the reason I said them in the first place.

Moses did not come down from the Beverly Hills to say "thou must ensure everyth Bond film must clock in at 126 of the earth's minutes", that "if thou film is shorter than two hours it will be made purely for the benefit of the children" and that "scaling down the action does not imply less character work"....

For the record, the following films.....

DR STRANGELOVE
PSYCHO
ONE THE WATERFRONT
KING KONG (1933)
SUNSET BOULEVARD
SINGIN IN THE RAIN
HIGH NOON
THE GRADUATE
MEAN STREETS
FARGO
HALF NELSON
CLOVERFIELD

are all under 106 minutes..

[Judo chop]

Thanks ACE. Good stuff. No further questions.

This advice no doubt comes in a couple pages too late, but for those who really don't want details, just skip the first paragraph of ACE's review that outlines the film's movements. I caught a couple sentences, realized where he was going and fastforwarded into the forest of Forster's family trees.

And pay no attention to that wacko Hildebrand up there. He's not really that big of a shipdit; he just likes to pretend he's one. (Which I suppose makes him no less one... only one for a different reason.) But I think we can still love him.

[Trident]

I think a lot would be achieved if the people intent on slamming 'Quantum Of Solace' could at least bring up the dignity to watch the film before littering the world with their prejudiced bash-the--out-of-Craig-Forster-EON crusade.

In about two weeks most of them can do all the dissing they ever wanted to. But right now isn't it still a tiny little bit, er, prematurely?

[Jim]

I think a lot would be achieved if the people intent on slamming 'Quantum Of Solace' could at least bring up the dignity to watch the film before littering the world with their prejudiced bash-the--out-of-Craig-Forster-EON crusade.

I fear that you may find that this would be the most that they could do, and probably well beyond it. I fear that you may be asking them to stretch themselves too far.

[HildebrandRarity]

Fine. I'll wait my four weeks.

[Trident]

I think a lot would be achieved if the people intent on slamming 'Quantum Of Solace' could at least bring up the dignity to watch the film before littering the world with their prejudiced bash-the--out-of-Craig-Forster-EON crusade.

I fear that you may find that this would be the most that they could do, and probably well beyond it. I fear that you may be asking them to stretch themselves too far.

Gradually, slowly, but unavoidably, I'm arriving at this very conclusion. It's really fascinating what unlimited opportunities the internet opened such inclined characters. I wonder what ever these people would do without it?

[Zorin Industries]

I think a lot would be achieved if the people intent on slamming 'Quantum Of Solace' could at least bring up the dignity to watch the film before littering the world with their prejudiced bash-the--out-of-Craig-Forster-EON crusade.

I fear that you may find that this would be the most that they could do, and probably well beyond it. I fear that you may be asking them to stretch themselves too far.

Gradually, slowly, but unavoidably, I'm arriving at this very conclusion. It's really fascinating what unlimited opportunities the internet opend such inclined characters. I wonder what ever these people would do without it?

Argue with antique sellers about McClory interviews in old copies of PHOTOPLAY magazine (sorry, that's one for the Brits).

[Matt_13]

Wow, excellent review!

[Trident]

Gradually, slowly, but unavoidably, I'm arriving at this very conclusion. It's really fascinating what unlimited opportunities the internet opend such inclined characters. I wonder what ever these people would do without it?

Argue with antique sellers about McClory interviews in old copies of PHOTOPLAY magazine (sorry, that's one for the Brits).

Well, that antiques dealer would certainly have lots of fun. Almost (but not quite) as much as we have right now...

[Tuxedo]

I think a lot would be achieved if the people intent on slamming 'Quantum Of Solace' could at least bring up the dignity to watch the film before littering the world with their prejudiced bash-the--out-of-Craig-Forster-EON crusade.

I fear that you may find that this would be the most that they could do, and probably well beyond it. I fear that you may be asking them to stretch themselves too far.

No need to watch Quantum Of Solace. It´s all said. Let´s focus on Bond 23...

... or Bond 24. They say Bond 23 isn´t that good.

I´m going to join the Jim Stewart fan club.

[BoogieBond]

Thanks for that Ace. Those erudite and articulate comments are most welcome. Sounds as though you enjoyed the film. I am highly anticipating the free-fall sequence now, as you described it very enticingly.
Great stuff