28 replies to this topic

[Daddy Bond]

OK. This thread is not a review of the film. I have done this elsewhere (as have many of you). This is a place to point out the many moments of brilliance that make up Quantum of Solace.

Something interesting is happening with Quantum that I haven't seen happen to many films.

For once, most, not all, of its critics seem to be dissing this movie because they, well, didn't pay attention. I'm sorry, I don't mean to be insulting, but somehow, many great elements of this movie seem to have been missed by about 20-40% of the viewing audience.

I, frankly, think this is because the movie engages the attentive viewer on a subtle and nuanced level that many people are going to miss if they are not expecting that in a Bond movie (or what they think is going to be mainly an action movie). It's not that these brilliant moments aren't there. On the contrary, there are there repeatedly - great moments are throughout the movie, on so many different levels, but they are so intricately woven into the fabric of the film that you can't approach the film with the typical Bond movie mindset - namely, escapist fun. Oh, I had GREAT fun, but it wasn't just for some of the best action scenes I've seen in a while, it was because I was so impressed by the unfolding of these various brilliant moments in the film. I was thinking that I hadn't seen such subtleties in a film since some of the older classics. I think many missed these moments because, honestly, they weren't expecting it, and they weren't looking for it, and so, they missed it and it passed them by.

That's why many of us who thought the film was fantastic keep saying, "Go back and see it again".

So, I designed this thread where we, who really liked this film, can point out these great moments that people seemed to have missed.

For example:

People are somehow MISSING the Bond elements - well, point out those moments here.
People are MISSING the fantastic character developement and emotion - well, show them what they are missing in this thread.
People are MISSING the humor - well, point out the brilliant humor.
People think the movie is all about shaky cam - here is a place to point out that great shot (or shots) that prove them wrong.
People think there is little great dialogue - well, here's the place to point out that great scene.

Perhaps if we could each just list one or two points with each post rather than a long laundry lists of items to show the naysayers all of the great moments in this exceptional Bond film.

OK, I'll start. Here's one element of brilliance that I really enjoyed...

Bond holding Matthis in his arms as he dies and the words that Matthis speaks about forgiving one another. Man, I got choked up. What a great scene. Here's one of those moments where you have great character development, meaningful dialogue, NO action, and a still camera with almost no edits telling a touching and key part of this story, of Bond and of Matthis. It communicates volumes about Bond, about Matthis, about the sacrifices that they are both making and have made for their country and the world in fighting against those who would harm others. How can you not think this was a great moment? I mean, when's the last time anyone here can remember Bond holding a dying man in his arms as they exchanged parting words with each other?

Please, this thread is for those great moments that you want to point out these great moments...

So have at it...the Bond moments, the humor, the drama, the character developement, the great scenes...

Let 'em have it, boys and girls...

[Mr. Blofeld]

I'm a little embarrassed to tell that I was the only one in my theatre to laugh at the "lottery" comment by Bond in the Bolivian hotel; it's a great moment, but I felt pretty alone, there...

[Skudor]

The very short fight in the lift. Brilliant.

Bond’s escape from the hotel, smooth.

The first class martinis, classic literary Bond. It felt like air-travel could be as exciting as Fleming makes it feel in Thrilling Cities.

The whole Opera sequence – this is the kind of stuff that will be remembered by most for a long time. Classic cinema.

[jaguar007]

QoS does have the typical Bond formula in it, it is just filmed and edited so differently than people are used to that they miss it (that is a good thing).

-We had the pre-title sequence followed by the opening credits.
-Bond meets girl
-Bond meets secondary girl and they sleep together and secondary girl dies.
-Bond is in some situation that calls for him to dress in a tux
-Bond meets the villain in a social high class situation
-Bond and villain battle it out in villain's lair.

Of course the big difference is that Bond does not sleep with the main girl at the end.

Oh, and I absolutely loved the scene where Bond escapes from the MI6 agents in the hotel. Classic smooth Bond.

[Daddy Bond]

How about when Bond and Camille are huddled together during the hotel fire. It looks as if there is no way out and that they are going to burn to death. Just previously, out on the hillside, before they went into the hotel, when Camille was cleaning her gun, Bond had talked to her about killing someone.

The language he used on the hill regarding killing someone, is very similar to the languaged used in the burning hotel room, as they are huddled together, he has a gun in his hand, she doesn't want to experience the pain of dying in a fire (after all her family had been murdered, raped, and their house burned when she was a child).

For a moment it REALLY looked like Bond was going to shoot her to keep her from suffering though the pain of death by fire. By Camille's words, I think she was expecting the same thing. I, thought, "Oh, man, he's about to shoot her in the head!" And then, Bang, he shoots a fuel cell and blows a hole in the hotel wall and they escape.

Brilliant. They brought together her fear of fire, it seemed like she would meat a firey end, after all these years of remembering how her mother and sister had died, how she was seeking revenge against the General, how she was now going to die, and Bond was goint to do a mercy killing. Very tense moment, very deep emotionally. And yes, it did have hints of Bond and Vesper in the shower in CR.

QoS does have the typical Bond formula in it, it is just filmed and edited so differently than people are used to that they miss it (that is a good thing).

-We had the pre-title sequence followed by the opening credits.
-Bond meets girl
-Bond meets secondary girl and they sleep together and secondary girl dies.
-Bond is in some situation that calls for him to dress in a tux
-Bond meets the villain in a social high class situation
-Bond and villain battle it out in villain's lair.

Of course the big difference is that Bond does not sleep with the main girl at the end.

Oh, and I absolutely loved the scene where Bond escapes from the MI6 agents in the hotel. Classic smooth Bond.

Indeed, and they play the Bond theme at this time as well.

[bondrules]

For once, most, not all, of its critics seem to be dissing this movie because they, well, didn't pay attention. I'm sorry, I don't mean to be insulting, but somehow, many great elements of this movie seem to have been missed by about 20-40% of the viewing audience.

Absolutely. My wife hated QoS, she had many valid points for doing so, but 90% of those came from the fact that she missed a lot of the things that were going on.

She missed lines of dialogue, silent and spoken, that left her confused around the story, leaving her to think that she was just watching mindless action. I was too busy paying attention to explain to her what was going on at the time. I know that once we get the DVD (and if I can get her to watch it again), she'll come around, just like many others will.

[Leon]

There are many good little bits and bobs to choose from, but also many little character traits written for Bond that are either odd or rather slap-dash.

I think the main reason for the criticism is the obvious attempt at forcing a multi-faceted plot that has many unresolved tangents. These can be filled in by a Bond fan with an imagination but regular audiences don't have that luxury.

The other main critisism I found more to be the editing style. I don't need to go into details there.

Furthermore things such as the villain are a big source of critisism from people I know and some reviews. I feel Amalric did a good job with what he had, but agree that the character Dominic Greene is unnecessarily dull in both name and nature. General Medrano was much more evil and drew my attention at the end away from Greene.

As I have said before, I do feel this whole song and dance made about the villain blending in is just a lazy way out of writing an interesting villain...the name doesn't have to be silly just interesting, as with the character. Dominic Greene had a little moan about how he doesn't like people talking behind his back, everyone has to deal with this get over it. Looking at his character it's not much of a James Bond villain really, and the whole film relies on the idea of Quantum to hold the interest surrounding the villain, and General Medrano distracts from the main villain also (this makes it worse actually). The best character to compare Greene to would be Emilio Largo, and just do that, how many great, sinister scenes did he have? Loads. He confronts Bond at the casino and at Palmera, exchanging witty banter. He traps Bond in his shark pool etc, all great Bond villain scenes. Dominic Greene seems to be just there and never really being much of a villain other than having a bit of a meeting with at an opera in Bregenz.

That's another odd thing, why do Quantum meet in a public place of any kind? Surely it would be much safer, cheaper and also more practical for them to have a collection of secret safe houses where they can fully control who's going in and out etc. It's a cool scene sure but it makes no sense, especially as the producers have made such a big deal about making the story's less for-the-sake-of-it and more solid.

I felt that there were a lot of things in Quantum of Solace that were just for the sake of it and not cleverly written in.

[Daddy Bond]

There are many good little bits and bobs to choose from, but also many little character traits written for Bond that are either odd or rather slap-dash.

I think the main reason for the criticism is the obvious attempt at forcing a multi-faceted plot that has many unresolved tangents. These can be filled in by a Bond fan with an imagination but regular audiences don't have that luxury.

The other main critisism I found more to be the editing style. I don't need to go into details there.

Furthermore things such as the villain are a big source of critisism from people I know and some reviews. I feel Amalric did a good job with what he had, but agree that the character Dominic Greene is unnecessarily dull in both name and nature. General Medrano was much more evil and drew my attention at the end away from Greene.

As I have said before, I do feel this whole song and dance made about the villain blending in is just a lazy way out of writing an interesting villain...the name doesn't have to be silly just interesting, as with the character. Dominic Greene had a little moan about how he doesn't like people talking behind his back, everyone has to deal with this get over it. Looking at his character it's not much of a James Bond villain really, and the whole film relies on the idea of Quantum to hold the interest surrounding the villain, and General Medrano distracts from the main villain also (this makes it worse actually). The best character to compare Greene to would be Emilio Largo, and just do that, how many great, sinister scenes did he have? Loads. He confronts Bond at the casino and at Palmera, exchanging witty banter. He traps Bond in his shark pool etc, all great Bond villain scenes. Dominic Greene seems to be just there and never really being much of a villain other than having a bit of a meeting with at an opera in Bregenz.

That's another odd thing, why do Quantum meet in a public place of any kind? Surely it would be much safer, cheaper and also more practical for them to have a collection of secret safe houses where they can fully control who's going in and out etc. It's a cool scene sure but it makes no sense, especially as the producers have made such a big deal about making the story's less for-the-sake-of-it and more solid.

I felt that there were a lot of things in Quantum of Solace that were just for the sake of it and not cleverly written in.

Um, no offense, but this thread is designed for brilliant moments in Quantum. So, if we could get back to the subject at hand.

And by the way, it should be obvious that if all these people met in a secret place, considering who they are, it would draw LOADS of attention from various govt. agencies, which is what they didn't want to do. The LAST place people would expect such a meeting is at the opera, in this way. Anyway, back to the theme of the thread...

[sharpshooter]

I think the PTS is one of the very best.

Bond shooting that guy off the cliff with the machine gun is splendid. I love it. How it crashes on the rocks so violently, and the camera lingers on the wreckage.

This film is filled to the brim with great moments.

[Leon]

it should be obvious that if all these people met in a secret place, considering who they are, it would draw LOADS of attention from various govt. agencies

Not if it's a secret...Bond found it easy enough to follow one of their people in and get himself one of their secret earpieces.

Sorry but I made that post in response to your statement that most criticism of the movie comes from people not paying attention and realising that actually it's amazing.

I completely dissagree. I enjoyed the film, but it's riddled with holes and oddities that deserve critisism.

[bondrules]

The more we talk about QoS, the more I like it, the more I appreciate it. That's counting that I had already given this movie a 9/10, and placed it at the top of my ranking, alongside CR, as one single story/movie.

It's the smartest Bond movie ever. That's a fact.

[Mr. Blofeld]

Did anyone else realize that, not only was the burning hotel/"one shot" Camille scene a fiery echo of the shower scene in Casino Royale, but it also displays the opposite side of Royale's climax? Fire and Water.

[Daddy Bond]

Another brilliant moment is with Bond and Matthis on the plane. Bond is downing drinks, he hasn't slept, M has cut him off, he's thinking about Vesper...

Matthis offers him something to help him...

Very interesting dialogue. Another dramatic moment without quick edits that people seem to have missed.

Did anyone else realize that, not only was the burning hotel/"one shot" Camille scene a fiery echo of the shower scene in Casino Royale, but it also displays the opposite side of Royale's climax? Fire and Water.

Interresting. Good point.

To Leon: And no, the movie wasn't riddled with problems.

Back to topic...

[Daddy Bond]

A funny moment was when Bond told M that he didn't think the corrupt MI6 agent smoked as she held the ashtray she had given him for a present.

Very funny indeed.

[Craig is 007]

The opening sequence took my breath away. I loved Craig being rather "calm" when a police car comes rolling down the hill, barely hitting his Aston Martin.

Bond running after Mitchell over the rooftops in Siena, and inside the art gallery.

The fight between Mr. Slate and Bond in room 325. Brutal and fast. Reminded me of the train fight in From Russia With Love.

A brilliant moment is at the bar in La Paz. The look on Gregory Beams face after Bond escapes through the buliding and jumping from one terrace to another.

Another shot in the film, that really shows Daniel Craig's brilliant acting talent, is when he sees Fields, drowned in oil on the bed. He is shocked, and at the same time angry and sad.

The elevator fight, were he beats the **** out of three MI6-agents wearing handcuffs, and makes the smoothest escape in film history.

The plane sequence was tense. The shot were Bond and Camille falls into the sink hole, and the plane explodes in the background before the parachute opens (just in time, brilliant!).

The grand finale at the Perla De Las Dunas. I especially liked the shot were Camille swings down from the roof. The gun fight in the parking garage, and the fight between Greene and Bond. The moment were Bond and Camille are trapped in the fire, and she repeats what Bond had said to her earlier.

Quantum Of Solace is brilliant! Period.

[BoogieBond]

The opening sequence took my breath away. I loved Craig being rather "calm" when a police car comes rolling down the hill, barely hitting his Aston Martin.

Yes, I really liked the opening few shots of the PTS, the zoom over the ocean, intercut with Bond's car inside the tunnel. And the Car rolling down the hill in the PTS and Bonds coolness in his reaction is a great shot.

Edited by BoogieBond, 17 November 2008 - 10:35 PM.

[Daddy Bond]

Another minor little bit. Regardless of how exciting you thought the boat chase was, did anyone notice the look on Craig's face after it was all over, very Bondian indeed.

Also, I thought it was fairly funny (although more reminiscent of a Moore joke), when Bond handed Camille to the man on the dock and said that she was sea sick.

The opening sequence took my breath away. I loved Craig being rather "calm" when a police car comes rolling down the hill, barely hitting his Aston Martin.

Yes, I really liked the opening few shots of the PTS, the zoom over the ocean, intercut with Bond's car inside the tunnel. And the Car rolling down the hill in the PTS and and Bond coolness in his reaction is a great shot.

How about where that villain's car goes head on with the truck? Very painful looking!!!

[Bonita]

I read this and it just makes me want to see the film again...

Great moment when Camille asks Bond if he, too, lost someone. Craig plays that scene perfectly. No acting, just being.

Brilliant.

Check out my review of QoS:

http://debrief.comma...showtopic=51624

Keep dancing...

[SolidWaffle]

True, after watching it more I love the PTS more and more. It brings back memories of the pretty much independent PTS' of GE, TND, TB, and GF.

Also, Daniel Craig is very talented as Bond.

Love the thought of CR's Water and QOS's Fire. That's cool.

Now here's something to gnaw on: You know how people are confused as to why Bond helps Camille for the boat chase? It reminds me of the old Bond films, where he will follow his instincts and save the girl, no matter the danger.

[blueman]

I'll chime in with some nice villain moments:

Greene asking Medrano to dump Camille overboard when he's done with her, that struck me as very Bond-villain.

Greene wanting his driver to shoot the guy that fell on his car at the opera, very Bondi-villain but nicely played by Almaric I thought, you get the sense of what disturbs him, he's nasty little guy.

Greene bumping Camille almost through the stone railing at his fund-raising party before Bond shows up, very Bond-villainy to cut right to the chase himself. Also Greene's cutting remarks to Bond are some of the nasty- evilly lines ever uttered against Bond in the series, cut right to Bond's heart with those, something most Bond villains are never written to do much less pull off so creepily.

Greene threatening Medrano like he's an ant he can step on anytime he wants, very Bond-villain - and Medrano ain't no slouch, love that he's such a vicious effing animal, easily the best side-villain ever (although not hard to be that as most are really really bad/dumb/boring/why is this person even in the film?, like).

Greene showing his rat-like qualities during the fire scenes, then exploding at Bond in the big fight and really whipping into Bond, few Bond villains have shown that level of IMO Fleming-like, reptilian evil-nastiness. And then Bond leaving him in the desert with a bottle of motor oil, classic.

Not to mention how wonderfully inverted Quantum is: a secret organization that meets in public (Fleming would love that IMO), and unlike SPECTRE they don't call up extorting money or they'll drop a bomb on a city - they buy up utilities, install a friendly puppet dictator, and make money off the city. That's just effing brilliant! Love SPECTRE for it's classically criminal acts, but this new Quantum group is IMO it's match for turning the whole bad guy/spy thing on it's ear in these modern times. Great fit for this Bond story, an uber-villain like Goldfinger wouldn't have fit as well IMO, Greene was suitably bad yet also a behind-the-scenes type, a good extension of how this film worked so well on the subtle things while blasting the viewer out of his/her seat with the action.

Random evilly thoughts.

[sharpshooter]

The subtitles were interesting. They could have been just white, but they were yellow. I think I like the move.

[Elvenstar]

Its impossible to enumerate all brilliant moments of Qos. I want the DVD sooooooo bad!

Some moments I remember

Green coming to the hotel with an apple and talking to Medrano (Reminded me of Barbossa from POTC trilogy.)

Silent moments like room fight in Haiti, moment in Yusef's apartment at the end, end of boat chase, end of rope fight.

Look on Olga's face when she first sees Medrano sailing to Greene, menacing and insatiable

Bond kissing Field's back of course Such wonderfully electrifying erotic scene. OMG why is it SO SHORT! I wanted more flesh

Bond taking Vesper's photo during the interrogation. Then missing her on the plane in this wonderful scene with Mathis. My heart was bleeding with his. Just wanted to run and comfort him saying something like "She loved you, dear! Stop torturing yourself" I think it's officially the girls' fav scene from Qos.

Another moving scene in the cave when he takes Camille by the hand and they then go through the desert. It's even more moving with Arnold track "Camille's story" and intercut with Bolivia water scenes. And ending with an image of a fading bus. And btw how often was Bond shown taking a bus in Bond history ?!!!! And I loved that Cam is carrying her shoes (Great she managed to keep them during the freefall )

Another moment with Fields in her probably 1st luxury hotel room. The look on her face is priceless! I just loved Gemma!

And of course Bond and M trust scene! "Its MY agent and I trust HIM!"
The look on Judy's face (she was about to cry!) when she just ordered to capture her best but rogue agent is SO spot on! And than Dan's face expression when he says something like "Who ordered this?" is screaming "Give me f****ing last chance!!!!! My name's Bond! James Bond!!!!" LOOK IN MY EYES!

Maybe tomorrow I'll remember more but Qos is just filled with tiny masterpieces so it has all the chances to give topics of discussion for years to come. IMO

Edited by Elvenstar, 18 November 2008 - 02:28 PM.

[mario007]

I have to say one of my favorite moment happens in the rooftop chase. The moment bond starts slipping as the tiles come loose ... it just looked so dangerous ... a real moment of OMG! What does bond do ... jump into a nearby balcony to avoid falling to his death! Brilliant!!! I love this movie!!!!

[dennisbolt]

The Opera scene was classic Bond: tux, crowd scene, espionage, great music and editing and a chase at end. At first the setup seemed silly, but yeah all these high profile people meeting in one place would be funny if not for opera.

LaPaz hotel checkin: Producer cameo in seedy hotel... Like in CR, Bond makes no bones about his cover "Teachers winning lottery"!. Fields "handcuff" line. Otherwise Feilds is such a minor character, and not used enough. Trench coat is so Austin Powers!

Haiti scenes had the feel of License to Kill in a good way. Plus there always seem to be private yachts in the Bond Movies.

PTS reminded me of Living Daylights, with Police jeeps chasing Bond on cliffsides.

This film felt very Dalton, but with better supporting elements. Dual vilians, gritty feel, South America, spunky Camille was like Lupe Lamora etc.

I like how M was integral the whole movie. Loved Tanner (hope he stays on instead of the other M assistant from CR). Thought the CIA chef was a typical Bond stereotype of an American Buffoon.

More Virgin Atlantic, and great martini shots.

Loved the Mathis interactions and villa in Italy scenes-reminded me of Cuba in DAD. Sad to see Mathic die-he might have bee good for another film or two.

[Ravenstone]

Oooo....I loved how Bond threw the mobile phone to one side after M's "Try not to kill every possible lead".

I loved the light way he went over the balustrade to avoid the other agents.

The way he disposed of the agents in the lift, then casually kicked the leg out of the way.

M's "I don't give a what the Americans say, he's my agent and I trust him." I seriously felt like cheering both times I saw that.

Bond's "I never left" at the end. Another cheer

I don't understand the distress that the disposal of Mathis' body seems to attract. It struck me as perfectly understandable in all the circumstances. In fact, had it been any different, it would have jarred. Because Bond really doesn't strike me as the sentimental type.

[James Blond]

Great thread.
I love the way the camera cuts between the action and the opera as Greene's goons chase Bond through the kitchen in slow motion.
Another great scene is where Bond escapes the MI6 men in the elevator and walks right into M. After she tells him they have a "capture or kill" order on him, how he casually hops the railing and walks along the edge of the balcony to escape.
Also as was previously mentioned the scene with Bond & Camille in the fire. I thought she did a fantastic job of acting. The whole movie she was a tough and no nonsense character, then confronted with the fire she convied true fear about burning alive. The look of fear in her eyes was more powerful than any words. That was a classic scene.

[ImTheMoneypenny]

Brilliant moments, so many have named all the great ones! So let me think. . . Okay a great moment was when Bond kissed Camille before they part ways. As I said in my review it was an honest human moment. Then when they pulled away and she smiled at him, it was almost sad like Vesper's last smile to Bond. That moment made me want to see Camille come back in the future and I don't usually feel that way about Bond girls.

Also when confronting Yusef, Bond is talking to Corrine and his tone is firm but bordering on sympathetic. Also as I said elsewhere any other movie perhaps would have used more violence and shouting. These scenes were quiet but no less intense.

[Ravenstone]

Oh yes, that bit in the Opera house where Greene and his henchpersons walk down the stairs as Bond is from the other stairs, and they stand and stare at each other.

[Lazenby]

How about when Bond and Camille are huddled together during the hotel fire. It looks as if there is no way out and that they are going to burn to death. Just previously, out on the hillside, before they went into the hotel, when Camille was cleaning her gun, Bond had talked to her about killing someone.

The language he used on the hill regarding killing someone, is very similar to the languaged used in the burning hotel room, as they are huddled together, he has a gun in his hand, she doesn't want to experience the pain of dying in a fire (after all her family had been murdered, raped, and their house burned when she was a child).

For a moment it REALLY looked like Bond was going to shoot her to keep her from suffering though the pain of death by fire. By Camille's words, I think she was expecting the same thing. I, thought, "Oh, man, he's about to shoot her in the head!" And then, Bang, he shoots a fuel cell and blows a hole in the hotel wall and they escape.

Brilliant. They brought together her fear of fire, it seemed like she would meat a firey end, after all these years of remembering how her mother and sister had died, how she was seeking revenge against the General, how she was now going to die, and Bond was goint to do a mercy killing. Very tense moment, very deep emotionally. And yes, it did have hints of Bond and Vesper in the shower in CR.

QoS does have the typical Bond formula in it, it is just filmed and edited so differently than people are used to that they miss it (that is a good thing).

-We had the pre-title sequence followed by the opening credits.
-Bond meets girl
-Bond meets secondary girl and they sleep together and secondary girl dies.
-Bond is in some situation that calls for him to dress in a tux
-Bond meets the villain in a social high class situation
-Bond and villain battle it out in villain's lair.

Of course the big difference is that Bond does not sleep with the main girl at the end.

Oh, and I absolutely loved the scene where Bond escapes from the MI6 agents in the hotel. Classic smooth Bond.

Indeed, and they play the Bond theme at this time as well.

I honestly thought Bond was going to kill her. Edge of your seat excitement.