24 replies to this topic

[Harmsway]

Premiere - Quantum of Solace Review

****/****

Forget all the lukewarm reviews you've already read and the British press' collective whining over the fact that this Bond's got too much action, because Quantum of Solace is the finest installment in the storied franchise's 22-film history. Spring boarding from his art house pedigree and using his love for classic Bond titles From Russia With Love and Goldfinger as inspiration, director Marc Forster has crafted a stylish 007 adventure that's both brutal and light on its feet.

Much like Daniel Craig's chiseled frame (you know, the one that sent ladies swooning when it emerged from the blue Caribbean in the last flick), Quantum of Solace is a Bond film trimmed of all the fat the series has accumulated over its 40+ year run. As everyone knows by now, Bond's latest adventure is — for the first time ever in the typically formulaic franchise — a direct continuation of its predecessor, Casino Royale. But where the latter was a dramatically (and in some cases sluggishly) paced love story, Quantum is a corker that fires on all cylinders as Bond tracks down the baddies behind the death of his ladylove Vesper in Casino Royale.

Bond breathlessly trots across multiple continents and hemispheres as he hunts down the people behind Quantum, a slimy, shape-shifting organization whose hobbies include destabilizing governments, supporting dictators, exploiting natural resources, and getting in bed with the CIA and MI6. Daniel Craig — who seems even more comfortable in the tux this time 'round — plays the ideal Bond for this day and age, both brooding and charming and not afraid to go rogue against a faceless enemy, seemingly helmed by the deliciously slimy Dominic Greene (played to scumbag perfection by Mathieu Amalric).

However, just because Quantum is stripped down and streamlined doesn't mean Forster's skimped on the essential Bondian elements, namely wit, sophistication, and style. Paul Haggis' tight, almost minimalist script still gives enough room for sharp banter between mom-like M and her prodigal 00-son, while Forster peppers set pieces with a retro-futuristic look harking back to the days of Ken Adam. In addition, Olga Kurylenko is fiery hot as the vengeful Camille, a former Bolivian agent who acts more as Bond's accomplice than his bedroom partner. But for all its fine-tuned precision and expertly timed twists, sexy style, and jaw-dropping action sequences, it's Daniel Craig's blue-eyed Bond that steals Quantum's show. Forget his pumped up pecs and closely cropped blond locks; his ability to play a remorseless assassin one moment and a suave, tongue-in-cheek British agent the next is what makes him the best 007 since Connery swaggered onto the screen in the 1960s.

Though critics have complained about Quantum's frantic pace and lack of a definitive resolution, it's important to remember that this is both a revenge film and a dark middle act to what seems to be a 007 trilogy — a prospect that already has us licking our chops for the 23rd installment in the series. Quantum, thanks to a deft blend of exotic escapism and bare-bones modernism, is more than strong enough to be judged on its own. In fact, it's the perfect Bond film.

— James Jung

[Mister E]

Quantum of Solace is a Bond film trimmed of all the fat the series has accumulated over its 40+ year run.

This is exactly what QOS sounds like it has done. Great review overall.

[MattofSteel]

Perfect Bond film is an exaggeration, and I don't agree about it being "all" about revenge - but otherwise this is a surprisingly accurate review, far as I'm concerned.

[HH007]

Yet another encouraging review!

[avl]

Good review. Minimalist struck a chord with me in particular

[SecretAgentFan]

A rare critic who really got the film and did not resort to the usual badmouthing.

[dee-bee-five]

QoS is not perfect, nor should it be. Nothing in life should ever be perfect. But QoS is a very fine entry in the Bond canon; in my opinion, one of the very finest.

[Craig is 007]

Perfect Bond film is an exaggeration, and I don't agree about it being "all" about revenge - but otherwise this is a surprisingly accurate review, far as I'm concerned.

Is it? I think it is the most perfect Bond film yet

[Col. Sun]

I have a very strong feeling the American audiences are going to really like QOS.

I'll say now, with some confidence, that it will be the biggest US Bond ever!

[double o ego]

If the guy thinks it perfect, then to him it is. Just as others think it's a pile of donkey turd. As for the perfect Bond film, that title is still held by, FRWL imo. QoS is my 3rd favourite Bond film, it's bloody good. Here's hoping the american audience aren't so tight-butted like some of my British brethren.

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

If you want the perfect Bond film, you have to travel back in time 13 years in order to get close.

[Emma]

If the guy thinks it perfect, then to him it is. Just as others think it's a pile of donkey turd.

I agree. It irritates me to no end when you express a view of liking/disliking a film and someone tries to tell you that you don't understand it or get it. I find it nothing but overzealous fan boy thinking.

[Emma]

Perfect Bond film is an exaggeration, and I don't agree about it being "all" about revenge - but otherwise this is a surprisingly accurate review, far as I'm concerned.

I have a serious problem with the notion of this film being about revenge on Vesper's death (espcially taking into account the scene in Russia). If anything it's revenge on Bond. His behaviour is much along the lines of a cuckolded husband who wants to lash out at the world. I just found it very immature.

And I think in all that's what bothers me about this film the most. Bond has no character. He had honour and intergrity in CR, it's all gone in QOS. Now in QOS he's just an a/hole, Everything in the film is 'poor me'. I just found it a huge turn off.

[DR76]

Off all of you who are claiming that this review is great, how many of you have actually seen the film?

And I think in all that's what bothers me about this film the most. Bond has no character. He had honour and intergrity in CR, it's all gone in QOS. Now in QOS he's just an a/hole, Everything in the film is 'poor me'. I just found it a huge turn off.

The reason Bond is acting like an a/hole is that he IS angry and hurt over Vesper's death and he wants to lash out. He is acting like a human being.

Edited by DR76, 14 November 2008 - 03:41 PM.

[avl]

Off all of you who are claiming that this review is great, how many of you have actually seen the film?

Me, for a start

[DR76]

Off all of you who are claiming that this review is great, how many of you have actually seen the film?

Me, for a start

Then you have a right to be happy with the PREMIERE review. What about those who have not seen the movie yet?

[avl]

Off all of you who are claiming that this review is great, how many of you have actually seen the film?

And I think in all that's what bothers me about this film the most. Bond has no character. He had honour and intergrity in CR, it's all gone in QOS. Now in QOS he's just an a/hole, Everything in the film is 'poor me'. I just found it a huge turn off.

The reason Bond is acting like an a/hole is that he IS angry and hurt over Vesper's death and he wants to lash out. He is acting like a human being.

Exactly. He is also feeling guilty. He's a mess inside, and is channeling all that emotion into his search for answers. And yes, I do think Craig shows us this in his subtle performance, which is as far away from "emotionless terminator" as one could get. But the minimalist (to quote the review which is the subject of this thread) approach of the film means that this theme does not hit you over the head.

[Emma]

Off all of you who are claiming that this review is great, how many of you have actually seen the film?

And I think in all that's what bothers me about this film the most. Bond has no character. He had honour and intergrity in CR, it's all gone in QOS. Now in QOS he's just an a/hole, Everything in the film is 'poor me'. I just found it a huge turn off.

The reason Bond is acting like an a/hole is that he IS angry and hurt over Vesper's death and he wants to lash out. He is acting like a human being.

I find it hard to believe that when he seems to emphasize repeatedly that 'she betrayed me'. That and the fact that when he finally confronts Vesper's fiance he doesn't seem to be too annoyed. Bond's actions in this film seem to have nothing to do with Vesper. It's just his injured male pride. I thought Craig's Bond was a better man than that. Camille seemed to show more honour for her family, in going after the man who raped and killed her mother and sister than Bond did.

[CM007]

I have a very strong feeling the American audiences are going to really like QOS.

I'll say now, with some confidence, that it will be the biggest US Bond ever!

I agree.This movie is gonna beat Thunderball-you heard it here folks

Off all of you who are claiming that this review is great, how many of you have actually seen the film?

And I think in all that's what bothers me about this film the most. Bond has no character. He had honour and intergrity in CR, it's all gone in QOS. Now in QOS he's just an a/hole, Everything in the film is 'poor me'. I just found it a huge turn off.

The reason Bond is acting like an a/hole is that he IS angry and hurt over Vesper's death and he wants to lash out. He is acting like a human being.

Exactly. He is also feeling guilty. He's a mess inside, and is channeling all that emotion into his search for answers. And yes, I do think Craig shows us this in his subtle performance, which is as far away from "emotionless terminator" as one could get. But the minimalist (to quote the review which is the subject of this thread) approach of the film means that this theme does not hit you over the head.

BS....I think Bond was hurt more by what happened to Felix in LTK and didn´t turn into a raging Terminator ala Craig in QOS.

[JimmyBond]

If you want the perfect Bond film, you have to travel back in time 13 years in order to get close.

I just spit the coke I was drinking all over my keyboard! Thanks for the laugh

[avl]

BS....I think Bond was hurt more by what happened to Felix in LTK and didn´t turn into a raging Terminator ala Craig in QOS.

So you think Bond was more pissed at his friend getting chewed up than seeing the woman he loved betray him and then kill herself in front of him while he was powerless to stop her...

I dont think we are going to agree...

And anyway Dalton was chanelling righteous anger, Craig is more confused and off balance...

[DanMan]

Went to the midnight showing last night. Here in Brooklyn when an audience likes a movie, they're not afraid to show it, and they were going wild for QOS. I really think QOS is gonna' do great here in the states.

[dee-bee-five]

I have a very strong feeling the American audiences are going to really like QOS.

I'll say now, with some confidence, that it will be the biggest US Bond ever!

I agree.This movie is gonna beat Thunderball-you heard it here folks

Off all of you who are claiming that this review is great, how many of you have actually seen the film?

And I think in all that's what bothers me about this film the most. Bond has no character. He had honour and intergrity in CR, it's all gone in QOS. Now in QOS he's just an a/hole, Everything in the film is 'poor me'. I just found it a huge turn off.

The reason Bond is acting like an a/hole is that he IS angry and hurt over Vesper's death and he wants to lash out. He is acting like a human being.

Exactly. He is also feeling guilty. He's a mess inside, and is channeling all that emotion into his search for answers. And yes, I do think Craig shows us this in his subtle performance, which is as far away from "emotionless terminator" as one could get. But the minimalist (to quote the review which is the subject of this thread) approach of the film means that this theme does not hit you over the head.

BS....I think Bond was hurt more by what happened to Felix in LTK and didn´t turn into a raging Terminator ala Craig in QOS.

Even if we were to accept that nonsense, chronologically Dalton-Bond comes a long way after Craig-Bond. Craig-Bond is still coming to terms with how death can strike friends/lovers and adjusting his reaction to it (as he does at the end of QoS when he doesn't kill Greene).I understand, though, how QoS's story arc, full of subtext and nuance, is beyond the grasp of some.

[marktmurphy]

Gosh, this chap is easily impressed, isn't he?

I understand, though, how QoS's story arc, full of subtext and nuance, is beyond the grasp of some.

Emperor's New Clothes is an overused phrase on internet forums but it seems fairly applicable here.
Now, any chance you can stand up for the film without accusing everyone else of being too stupid to appreciate it? Has it occured to you that the reverse might be true? That you may be too stupid to tell whether it's good or not? Not that I'm saying that you are, just that when you start throwing that sort of talk about you leave yourself open to a big dose.

[Publius]

If you want the perfect Bond film, you have to travel back in time 13 years in order to get close.

You have the secret copy of Goldeneye with Dalton as Bond?