17 replies to this topic

[Romolo]

An unusual and brave Bond film.

The experience left me about 70% less happy. I feel depressed and tearful.

I changed my Quantum desktop wallpaper for something else and ‘am considering taking down the poster in my office.

I really wanted to love this film, don’t get me wrong. I’ve been a hard-core Bond fan for over twenty years – and I’ve never felt this gutted. Even after seeing DAD.

Luckily I didn’t manage to get a ticket to one of the press shows, otherwise I might have thought twice about standing in the freezing cold last Wednesday outside the premiere.

The editing during the action sequences was too fast, not giving time to see what’s going on.

The main title sequence had too much of Craig walking around firing his gun. The sand effects, although will look good on your blu-ray player, seem to only be there to show off high definition.

I really like the title song, but the edit in the film is rubbish.

One of the only saving graces is Craig’s performance.

The music, although I think the most Barry-esque of Arnold’s scores, left me wanting to hear the Bond theme – where was it.

It had more in common with the Bourne films. The action and stunts, although tremendous, were badly shot.

I blame the producers for not keeping a close enough eye on their director – Marc Forster. Let’s hope that Craig will not be made the scapegoat.

Will this be the end of Bond? I doubt it, especially after breaking first day recolds. What’s going to happen when word of mouth spreads though?

Cubby always said to put the money on the screen – where is it. He also said don’t screw it up. I’m afraid they have.

I kept looking at my watch throughout the films and left before the end credits had finished – something I haven’t done for years and never for a Bond movie.

I hope I’m wrong and have misjudged this film. I’ll go and see it again next week, just to prove to myself that I wasn’t having an off day.

James Bond plays an important part in my life. It will take more than one poor film to stop me being a fan. Let’s hope Eon get it right next time.

[sharpshooter]

Sorry, but leaving before the end credits just isn't right for a Bond fan. Judging from reviews by other CBn members, that's where some of the best moments of the film take place.

[Bond Bug]

Sorry, but leaving before the end credits just isn't right for a Bond fan. Judging from reviews by other CBn members, that's where some of the best moments of the film take place.

Before the end credits had ended, not before the end credits started.

This movie sucked big time IMO and lots of fans are saying so, please don't attack them for saying so.

[sharpshooter]

This movie sucked big time IMO and lots of fans are saying so

On the contrary, lots of fans are saying the complete opposite to you.

[DamnCoffee]

This movie sucked big time IMO and lots of fans are saying so

On the contrary, lots of fans are saying the complete opposite to you.

I agree with Sharphooter.

Oh and what the hell is up with random members, who most of us have never heard of, joining and bashing the movie.

[Zorin Industries]

This movie sucked big time IMO and lots of fans are saying so

On the contrary, lots of fans are saying the complete opposite to you.

I agree with Sharphooter.

Oh and what the hell is up with random members, who most of us have never heard of, joining and bashing the movie.

Yes. I noticed that. Are the CBN doormen at the cinema right now watching SOLACE? All are welcome though. Just be more welcoming in your initial posts folks.

[DamnCoffee]

Perhaps Stamper is getting his friends to join.

[Jim]

Please be welcoming, even if you disagree.

Thank you.

[rogermoore74]

I'm new here and having been a Bond fan since '89 with Dalton's LTK and then discovering the older Bonds through Connery and Moore right up to Brosnan and now Craig - I'm in no way here to bash QoS... I was simply drawn to the initial forum title of 'an unusual and brave bond film'...

On that proclamation, I agree. It is indeed an unusual and brave film and although I don't agree with most critics stating it was a letdown, I did come out of the screening with a strange feeling in my stomach. This was definitely not the 007 I was used to and had grown up with. The group I went to see the film with hated it (bar my wife) and felt it was one of the worst in the series. I didn't have that definite feeling - mine was mixed. I couldn't decide what I felt to be honest.

The pro's were plentiful: Craig now owns the role and although I had reservations before CR and to be true, right up to the release of QoS - his performance was excellent. Brooding, with no remorse and totally removed - his Bond is the stuff of Fleming, and I also really appreciate his subtle stabs at gentleness that slowly humanised him as the movie went on. He has totally won me over. The addition of Mathis was great and Leiter is wonderfully portrayed by Jeffrey Wright in this outing. The standout car chase at the beginning was wonderfully handled and Bond's line to Mr White was pure deadpan and a great lead into the movie. Being honest, Daniel Craig really saves this movie - his pitch perfect portrayal as 007 is incredible and you really want to follow him through the film. He's a great 007.

The cons did come, though: Camile seemed to be inaffective and just ''there'' and the villain didn't warrant that much attention - he was all euro slime and obvious, like from a 'transporter' sequel or something. I much preferred LeChifre from CR (even his eye was at first dubious, but the way it was handled was great). However, the biggest problem for me was Marc Forster's direction. It was lightweight and uninspired - it was if he inbued the film with a sense of arrogance that 'he was above the material' and that shone through with the movie. Martin Campbell really should be the only guy to do these movies as he shown with 'Goldeneye' and CR, that he truly understands the genre; with the look, the tone and the pacing all nailed down - his touch for me was sorely missed and I really hope Eon address that for Bond 23. The hiring of Dan Bradley as 2nd unit also took me out of the film - I'm not really a fan of Bourne (all that quick editing jut annoys me and takes me out of the film, not pull me in), but I did feel that Eon had tried to emulate that formula for this, which as a Bond fan - annoyed me. The action sequences in CR were perfect: The free running, the airport sequence, the stairway brawl were all stunning - for me, Alexander Witt did a great 2nd unit job and again (as with Campbell), was sorely missed by myself - I guess what I mean is, the elegance in the action of Bond seemed to have gone with the hiring of the Bourne people...

All in all, an unusual and brave bond film which will take fans a lot longer to get used to. Repeat viewings will obviously make up my mine further, but at the moment - I'm stuck in the middle of the road not really knowing if this is the right way to develop the story after CR. I guess, after that excellent introduction to Daniel as Bond - it must have been very hard to top it - but, I would have hoped that visually and stylistically Eon had kept Campbells' understanding for Bond alive for this sequel. At the moment and to sum up (as I have babbled on for too long now), I feel Eon have let an intriguing story falter and like previous Bond actors, fall short of their excellent leading man...

[ACE]

Romolo is obviously conflicted in his assessment. A number of people I know who are open-minded, non-traditionlist, non-oldthink Bond fans do not like this movie. A few unlikely horses have fallen at the fence. That is the way of things: at the end of the day it is all about personal taste and our subjective interpretation of art. I remember feeling like Romolo feels after seeing The World Is Not Enough - however for the malady I suffer from - Bondmania - in some ways it was like seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I still remain afflicted - Die Another Day was just the fix I needed! I like your open-minded appreciation of the bravery of the film although understand that you don't want brave: you want Bond! Sorry you didn't enjoy the film Romolo.

[Bureau Of Weapons]

This movie sucked big time IMO and lots of fans are saying so

On the contrary, lots of fans are saying the complete opposite to you.

I agree with Sharphooter.

Oh and what the hell is up with random members, who most of us have never heard of, joining and bashing the movie.

Well hey some of us are long time lurkers who are only compelled to post when we feel we have something to contribute. QOS is a great film that has been done such a disservice by the earlier reviewers and I'm only to glad to wade in and put the picture straight!

[ACE]

Goodnight James Bond

http://uk.youtube.co...h?v=E_Dl9Q4jCPg

We met as soul mates
In Leicester Square then
Thought we’ll love it,
We’d always care then
And we burned bright
And fanned the flames
And we were so gung ho
To follow that name

Enthusiastic
As tameless foxes
We sought the plastic
In numbered boxes
And we bought fast
Everything on sight
Our bags were heavy
But our wallets were light

When there was no new film
We just had to cope
They sent us Bondage
Was it enough? Nope
You were in deep
You shopped on sight
And should own a big chunk, by Christ
Of Eon you might!

We had the cameras
To shoot the premiere
We heard the soundtrack
Waiting for them there
And it was dark
So dark at night
And we held on to each other
Like brother to brother
As long as the stars stopped they’d write
And we got autographs together
Yes, we all had a laugh together
Yes, all in Leicester Square together

Remember good times
Forget the haters
Their wasted childhood
All the Bond slaters
They lasted long
Put up a fight
But what’s the point if it’s a thing you don’t like?

You had the world
In the palm
Of your hand
Now, it’s all gone
And the night
Seemed to last as long as six hours
In Leicester Square when
Its cold and it’s dark
For premieres then.

And you burned bright
You fanned the fame
You hummed the James Bond theme
Waited for the limousines
For filmmakers you loved and now blame
And we would all go down together
We said we'd get photographs together
Yes we would have a laugh together

[JimmyBond]

Tad curious here. Isnt your title at odds with the tone of your review? The title would seem to suggest you enjoyed the film.

[Pete]

I think the thing with Qos is it isn't and never will be a stand alone movie, it's the end of Casino Royale. For years people complained that DAF never carried on from where OHMSS left off it left OHMSS as the Bond film that doesn't fit in with the series until the opening of FYEO. QoS gives us that closure. I can't comment on it's more of a Bourne film as I've only seen part of TBU as I fell asleep watching it in the cinema, it bored me that much. QoS didn't do that for me, it drew me in and I felt it leads us to the Bond character that we know so well. This is the second outing of a restructured Bond. We were told at the begining of Casino Royale that we were going back to the begining of Bond, well we have and I would think the next one will be more like what we are used to. I just hope that it will be more like FRWL than TMWTGG or DAD.

[Roebuck]

This movie sucked big time IMO and lots of fans are saying so

On the contrary, lots of fans are saying the complete opposite to you.

I agree with Sharphooter.

Oh and what the hell is up with random members, who most of us have never heard of, joining and bashing the movie.

If you’re pleasing everybody you’re probably doing something wrong.
If you’re pleasing nobody you’re definitely doing something wrong.
If opinion is divided and people are actually talking about what you’ve done…well you just might be on to something.

[Kristian]

This movie sucked big time IMO and lots of fans are saying so

On the contrary, lots of fans are saying the complete opposite to you.

I agree with Sharphooter.

Oh and what the hell is up with random members, who most of us have never heard of, joining and bashing the movie.

If you’re pleasing everybody you’re probably doing something wrong.
If you’re pleasing nobody you’re definitely doing something wrong.
If opinion is divided and people are actually talking about what you’ve done…well you just might be on to something.

Only hardcore Bond fans (and even just a segment of those) mind nontraditional style in Bond films.

The audience demographic that makes Bond films a hit are not hardcore Bond fans - they're just action fans. And that segment right now prefers lightning cut edits in the Bourne Mold. Which QOS mirrors.

They, not us, will make this film a huge hit, raking in huge box office. That, at the end, of the day is what matters. That will ensure that new Bond movies get made.

I think QOS is rattling cages and good on it for doing so. QOS will help the series, not hurt it.

[jaguar007]

Only hardcore Bond fans (and even just a segment of those) mind nontraditional style in Bond films.

The audience demographic that makes Bond films a hit are not hardcore Bond fans - they're just action fans. And that segment right now prefers lightning cut edits in the Bourne Mold. Which QOS mirrors.

They, not us, will make this film a huge hit, raking in huge box office. That, at the end, of the day is what matters. That will ensure that new Bond movies get made.

I think QOS is rattling cages and good on it for doing so. QOS will help the series, not hurt it.

Good point. Like Casino Royale, I think most (most, not all) of the negative comments come from people who miss the formulistic Bond movie. Most negative reviews I have read, the reviewer usually talkes about the missing humor, Q, Bond line etc.

[jaguar007]

On that proclamation, I agree. It is indeed an unusual and brave film and although I don't agree with most critics stating it was a letdown, I did come out of the screening with a strange feeling in my stomach. This was definitely not the 007 I was used to and had grown up with. The group I went to see the film with hated it (bar my wife) and felt it was one of the worst in the series. I didn't have that definite feeling - mine was mixed. I couldn't decide what I felt to be honest.

That is exactly how I felt after seeing THe Dark Knight. For the first time, I am really curious as to how well I will like a BOnd movie. I can't wait until November 14th.