179 replies to this topic

[volante]

My own opinion is that the opening Aston chase, the Siena foot chase, the Opera scene and the finale are astonishingly good.

In addition, the cinematography is excellent.

Lastly, Craig is so outstanding that he delivers his lines as if they were instant classics.

Quantum is the only James Bond film during which I don't hit the fast>forward button - either out of sheer boredom or simply not being able to stand the childishness of what's up on screen.

Quite an achievement.

It's definitely an Adult and Cerebral 007 film.

Totally agree, where has this thread been hiding.


QOS Rocks

[HildebrandRarity]

Quantum is the only James Bond film during which I don't hit the fast>forward button - either out of sheer boredom or simply not being able to stand the childishness of what's up on screen.

I'd never hit the FF button even once because you'd miss half of the film.

[volante]

Quantum is the only James Bond film during which I don't hit the fast>forward button - either out of sheer boredom or simply not being able to stand the childishness of what's up on screen.

I'd never hit the FF button even once because you'd miss half of the film.

Play thr opening sequence in slow mo
Its AMAZING

Edited by volante, 08 January 2010 - 08:36 PM.

[Bucky]

not the best bond film ever for me but it is very much up there behind only on her majesty's secret service and from russia with love. it is probably my most played bluray however.

[BryanHerbert]

Quantum of Solace is definitely not the best bond movie ever, it lacks so much to be considered the "Best" bond movie. Casino Royale would be considered one of the best because it helped the franchise a ton, but no way is it the best.

[volante]

Quantum of Solace is definitely not the best bond movie ever, it lacks so much to be considered the "Best" bond movie. Casino Royale would be considered one of the best because it helped the franchise a ton, but no way is it the best.

If it didn't push the franshise along, and reach new fans; what would we talk about?

[BryanHerbert]

Casino Royale help the franchise a lot, i didn't mean to come out and say the Quantum of Solace truly sucked, which it didn't . I thought it was alright but it could of been way better. I felt it really didn't do anything for the franchise.

[HildebrandRarity]

I have seen it on Blu-ray withing the past few days and it is a total treat.

I don't want to trash any other Bond movie - because I love them all - but, unlike Casino Royale, Quantum moves along thumpingly well and nothing needs to be cut out.

There I was...looking for a place to go to the bathroom...or get a drink...but I did'nt budge from my sofa. It was gripping, extremely well-paced stuff.

Casino Royale, From Russia With Love, Thunderball, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The Spy Who Loved Me...none of them is as captivating and immersive. I love them all - just like Peking Duck or Russian Caviar - but they can't keep me glued to the screen like Quantum does...right the way through. Non Stop!

Craig is totally the Bomb delivering lines as if it were Shakespeare. And he's a total physical tour de force, especially during the Siena foot chase set against The Palio.

Sebastian Fourcan is NOT an actor...and it showed. The 'free running' stuff in Royale looks very 'staged' and too choreographed. The foot chase from Quantum, however, seems completely 'organic' and plausable/real.

Anyway, Horses For Courses.

I thought i'd change my mind over 1 yr on from my final theatrical viewing...but I haven't.

If anything, I place it firmly as Number 1...for too many reasons.

[Dr.Fell]

I don't want to trash any other Bond movie - because I love them all - but, unlike Casino Royale, Quantum moves along thumpingly well and nothing needs to be cut out.

Actually everything looks cut out in Quantum, everything from the action to the dialogue. It's like there was a whole film and most of it ended up on the cutting room floor.

Sebastian Fourcan is NOT an actor...and it showed. The 'free running' stuff in Royale looks very 'staged' and too choreographed. The foot chase from Quantum, however, seems completely 'organic' and plausable/real.

We have to differ and what looks "real" in film. The foot chase in Quantum was just as staged and choreographed but it's shot and cut badly.

Edited by Dr.Fell, 11 January 2010 - 05:19 PM.

[Safari Suit]

Yeah, I don't really think Fourcan's acting talent (or lack thereof) prevents his scenes in CR from looking "real". No doubt the assortment of stunt doubles who "played" Bond/Jaws etc. in the 70s had little dramatic talent, but the stunts were certainly real.

[Skudor]

I have seen it on Blu-ray withing the past few days and it is a total treat.

I don't want to trash any other Bond movie - because I love them all - but, unlike Casino Royale, Quantum moves along thumpingly well and nothing needs to be cut out.

There I was...looking for a place to go to the bathroom...or get a drink...but I did'nt budge from my sofa. It was gripping, extremely well-paced stuff.

Casino Royale, From Russia With Love, Thunderball, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The Spy Who Loved Me...none of them is as captivating and immersive. I love them all - just like Peking Duck or Russian Caviar - but they can't keep me glued to the screen like Quantum does...right the way through. Non Stop!

Craig is totally the Bomb delivering lines as if it were Shakespeare. And he's a total physical tour de force, especially during the Siena foot chase set against The Palio.

Sebastian Fourcan is NOT an actor...and it showed. The 'free running' stuff in Royale looks very 'staged' and too choreographed. The foot chase from Quantum, however, seems completely 'organic' and plausable/real.

Anyway, Horses For Courses.

I thought i'd change my mind over 1 yr on from my final theatrical viewing...but I haven't.

If anything, I place it firmly as Number 1...for too many reasons.

For excellent reasons. It's a top notch Bond film.

[Bucky]

i agree on the free running chase. in casino royale it just felt more forced in order to show off but the chase in quantum of solace just seemed to fit.

[Double-Oh Agent]

Here we go again, another way to put down another Bond film (in this case the excellent Casino Royale) in order to prop up Quantum Of Solace.

I just had to comment about Hildebrand Rarity's previous post.

"Sebastian Foucan is not an actor and it showed." What the hell? He acted perfectly fine. There wasn't anything wrong with his performance. He didn't act any better or worse than Glenn Foster did as Craig Mitchell in QOS and, by the way, Foster is not an actor either--he's a stuntman. Both men did what was required of them and did a very respectable job.

Regarding the free running stuff in Casino Royale looking "very staged and too choreographed" particularly when compared to the "completely organic and plausible/real" foot chase in QOS, all I can say is that is a total crock. The free running stuff looked incredible. It was fantastic stuff among the best stunts of the series. QOS's foot chase on the other hand pales in comparison as it is virtually impossible to visually decipher what is going on in the tunnels thanks to the super-quick editing, and is only slightly better on the rooftops of Siena. The only part of the chase that really works and is visually comprehensible is when Bond and Mitchell battle high above the floor of the museum. (Sorry, off the top of my head I can't remember what the building is supposed to be.)

Hildebrand, you might think that the free running looked "too staged" but I completely disagree. It wasn't any more staged than the foot chase in QOS was. All stunts are planned. They have to be for safety's sake, but Casino Royale's chase was thoroughly enjoyable and looked fantastic and was much better than QOS's chase although QOS's high-wire climax was terrific. However, getting back to the point, Foucan is just so skilled at doing that free running stuff that he makes it look easy. That is what he does and gets paid to do (and why EON hired him). What he did in the film isn't any different than what he does the rest of the year outside of the Bond universe. Shoot, he invented the sport. And as for Bond crashing through the drywall, I have seen clips of a couple of guys actually doing that in real life, so that is not an impossible feat or stagey either in my opinion. Bond needed a shortcut to keep up with Mollaka so he took the most direct route--and looked cool doing it too.

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

Here we go again, another way to put down another Bond film (in this case the excellent Casino Royale) in order to prop up Quantum Of Solace.

I just had to comment about Hildebrand Rarity's previous post.

"Sebastian Foucan is not an actor and it showed." What the hell? He acted perfectly fine. There wasn't anything wrong with his performance. He didn't act any better or worse than Glenn Foster did as Craig Mitchell in QOS and, by the way, Foster is not an actor either--he's a stuntman. Both men did what was required of them and did a very respectable job.

Regarding the free running stuff in Casino Royale looking "very staged and too choreographed" particularly when compared to the "completely organic and plausible/real" foot chase in QOS, all I can say is that is a total crock. The free running stuff looked incredible. It was fantastic stuff among the best stunts of the series. QOS's foot chase on the other hand pales in comparison as it is virtually impossible to visually decipher what is going on in the tunnels thanks to the super-quick editing, and is only slightly better on the rooftops of Siena. The only part of the chase that really works and is visually comprehendable is when Bond and Mitchell battle high above the floor of the museum. (Sorry, off the top of my head I can't remember what the building is supposed to be.)

Hildebrand, you might think that the free running looked "too staged" but I completely disagree. It wasn't any more staged than the foot chase in QOS was. All stunts are planned. They have to be for safety's sake, but Casino Royale's chase was thoroughly enjoyable and looked fantastic and was much better than QOS's chase although QOS's high-wire climax was terrific. However, getting back to the point, Foucan is just so skilled at doing that free running stuff that he makes it look easy. That is what he does and gets paid to do (and why EON hired him). What he did in the film isn't any different than what he does the rest of the year outside of the Bond universe. Shoot, he invented the sport. And as for Bond crashing through the drywall, I have seen clips of a couple of guys actually doing that in real life, so that is not an impossible feat or stagey either in my opinion. Bond needed a shortcut to keep up with Mollaka so he took the most direct route--and looked cool doing it too.

[chrisno1]

My own opinion is that the opening Aston chase, the Siena foot chase, the Opera scene and the finale are astonishingly good.

In addition, the cinematography is excellent.

Lastly, Craig is so outstanding that he delivers his lines as if they were instant classics.

Quantum is the only James Bond film during which I don't hit the fast>forward button - either out of sheer boredom or simply not being able to stand the childishness of what's up on screen.

Quite an achievement.

It's definitely an Adult and Cerebral 007 film.

Hi HildebrandRarity,
As you were so kind to read my review, just thought I'd give you a tuppence worth.
I think your full review was excellent and while I didn't agree with much of it, I can see you clearly know your Bond and your movies. You gave a lot of thought to the film and its subtext, which, if I am completely honest, I really can't be bothered with.
So it's interesting you consider QOS adult and cerebral, as if this justifies the multi-layered plot and swift intercutting of both sound and film editing. I don't really see either of those as a necessary requirement of a Bond film. Indeed when I left the cinema with my Dad, I asked him "Did you understand what was going on?" and I remember he said "Not really. It was too fast and too loud." Frankly I agreed with him.
I have subsequently seen QOS more than once, but the initial impression still sticks with me.
I'm not convinced about the perfomances. Craig's okay, no better no worse than anyone else, but to me he seems removed from the action, an automaton walking through it. Your praise of Olga Kurylenko seemed rather OTT. Her stern facade makes her as remote as Craig. It's rather fitting they don't end up in bed. They have other things to worry about.
I didn't think there was a single classic line in the whole film. I found it a very dry piece. The instances of humour you pointed out didn't make me laugh. I was generally bemused.
I'll give you marks for mentioning the photography. It's probably the film's biggest redeeming feature.
Having said all that, have you reviewed the other Bond films?
I'd be quite interested to read them if you have.
Always good to braoden the mind!

[HildebrandRarity]

Thanks, chrisno 1.



I saw From Russia With Love, Goldfinger and The Spy Who Loved Me on the big screen at a "James Bond Retr007spective" a year ago at an 80 year old cinema...so you may want to dig up the 'review' of FRWL and TSWLM somewhere in the Connery and Moore sections around these forums.

Cheers.

[Attempting Re-entry]

I don't think a Bond movie (or perhaps any movie) has ever jumped up so much in my estimation between first and second viewings.

Watched it with my kids upon release - hated it. Re-watched it at the weekend on DVD on my lonesome - absolutely loved it. Everything about it (save for, perhaps, the rapid jump-cuts at times) seemed perfect. Great movie.

Edited by Attempting Re-entry, 16 March 2010 - 11:15 AM.

[volante]

I don't think a Bond movie (or perhaps any movie) has ever jumped up so much in my estimation between first and second viewings.

Watched it with my kids upon release - hated it. Re-watched it at the weekend on DVD on my lonesome - absolutely loved it. Everything about it (save for, perhaps, the rapid jump-cuts at times) seemed perfect. Great movie.

It's really great to see how opinions are changing on QOS. Like a new piece of music it grows on you.

[BrozFan]

I always liked the film from the first, second, third, and fourth viewings (cinema) - nothing has changed since.

Whilst there are other Bond films with I have more affection for, there are some days when, despite its flaws, I do think Quantum of Solace may well be the best of the lot...

I don't wish to kick Casino Royale to 'big-up' Quantum, but the more I watch the two, the more CR seems the stodgier, hammier, and overally much 'safer' outing, as great as it is.

Edited by BrozFan, 16 March 2010 - 11:09 PM.

[Lachesis]

I don't think a Bond movie (or perhaps any movie) has ever jumped up so much in my estimation between first and second viewings.

Watched it with my kids upon release - hated it. Re-watched it at the weekend on DVD on my lonesome - absolutely loved it. Everything about it (save for, perhaps, the rapid jump-cuts at times) seemed perfect. Great movie.

It's really great to see how opinions are changing on QOS. Like a new piece of music it grows on you.

CR does suffer from being a bit overlong which does impact when you watch it repeatedly.

Conversely on first viewing I considered QoS a fairly average entry Bond but having watched it for a third time its the only one I would be happy to never see again - abysmal....but it takes all sorts eh ^^.

[Pete]

QoS the best Bond film ever? As much as I liked it, the best Bond film by miles was FRWL.

[Daddy Bond]

QoS the best Bond film ever? As much as I liked it, the best Bond film by miles was FRWL.

Well, I suppose everyone has their favorite Bond movie. I respect your opinion on FRWL. For me, my favorite is TSWLM, however, QOS is a VERY, VERY CLOSE SECOND. In fact, they are so different, I'm almost willing (at this point) to say I have two #1 favorite Bond films.

[jaguar007]

, I'm almost willing (at this point) to say I have two #1 favorite Bond films.

I feel the same way. I have trouble deciding between FRWL and CR.

[Lachesis]

, I'm almost willing (at this point) to say I have two #1 favorite Bond films.

I feel the same way. I have trouble deciding between FRWL and CR.

Likewise this is the case for me with FRWL and OHMSS, I tend to consider FRWL the best film while OHMSS is my favourite if that makes sense.

[Guy Haines]

I've been a bit critical of QoS on this site - mainly because of the editing of the action scenes (and I know I'm not alone in that!)

But I'm not making this contribution to attack the movie. It is in my personal top ten, because it has many other positive qualities. It has Daniel Craig continuing his convincing portrayal of James Bond, and a generally good supporting cast all round. It continued the CR story - it really had no choice in that! - and retained a link with the Fleming source material by taking a thread from CR-the book - Vesper's "kidnapped" boyfriend - and stretching it further. Also, and I don't think I've seen this mentioned on the site so far, it has "our side" conveniently doing deals with "the opposition". This is something that might seem uncomfortable to fans and audiences used the clear cut, as opposed to shades of grey, but Fleming himself acknowledged it in the novel "Thunderball", when M mentions that MI6 had done deals with "some independent outfit" in Europe - namely SPECTRE.

The villain's plot I've also criticised elsewhere, but thinking about it, Dominic Greene could have been attempting to corner the market in anything - oil, water, gold, anything, for this wasn't what the film was really about. It was not so much a "James Bond" film as a film about James Bond, and his search for answers to the questions left at the end of CR, and his continuing development as a double O agent.

Plus it has the scene in Bregenz at the opera house that, for me, is pure old fashioned Bond - the tux (borrowed!), the high life, the villains discussing their plans, Bond disrupting the whole cosy cabal, and a gunfight - before we are back at headquarters with M giving Bond a talking to by mobile. Good stuff!

[jamie00007]

I just watched it for the fifth or so time. Every time I see it I love it more. Its starting to become one of my favorite Bond films. It has its problems, but theres just so many great moments throughout.

One thing I noted when watching this time is the absolutely beautiful cinematography. I think the movie is highly under-valued in this regard. Just really stunning location shooting. Some of it looks so great I'd love to get a print of it and hang it on my wall. The aerial shot of Bond in the boat on the way to Mathis's villa for example. One of the most picturesque shots in the whole series. Or the opening pan over Lake Garda ending in the middle of a car chase. The opera scene. And any of the scenes in the Atacama desert. And it makes such a difference after the last 15 years or so where everything has felt like it was just filmed at Pinewood.

[DominicGreene]

I just watched it for the fifth or so time. Every time I see it I love it more. Its starting to become one of my favorite Bond films. It has its problems, but theres just so many great moments throughout.

One thing I noted when watching this time is the absolutely beautiful cinematography. I think the movie is highly under-valued in this regard. Just really stunning location shooting. Some of it looks so great I'd love to get a print of it and hang it on my wall. The aerial shot of Bond in the boat on the way to Mathis's villa for example. One of the most picturesque shots in the whole series. Or the opening pan over Lake Garda ending in the middle of a car chase. The opera scene. And any of the scenes in the Atacama desert. And it makes such a difference after the last 15 years or so where everything has felt like it was just filmed at Pinewood.

The problem is after watching a better movie (maybe a few days or weeks apart) it seems not as good as it was before. Maybe because I've watched it 7 times, (4 times in 4 days!) it got boring to me?

[Professor Dent]

I just watched Casino Royale & Quantum of Solace back to back the other night. Hadn't seen either one since last summer. Casino Royale has really become one of my favorite Bond movies & I've warmed significantly to Quantum of Solace. The short run time helps because it's just a quick watch when you don't have a lot of time. Some of the best scenes are the opening car chase, the opera sequence, the conversation between Bond & Camille in the riverbed, & the scene in Yusef's apartment at the end. Not sure it will ever be one of my favorites but it has many redeeming qualities.

One thing I noted when watching this time is the absolutely beautiful cinematography. I think the movie is highly under-valued in this regard. Just really stunning location shooting. Some of it looks so great I'd love to get a print of it and hang it on my wall. The aerial shot of Bond in the boat on the way to Mathis's villa for example. One of the most picturesque shots in the whole series. Or the opening pan over Lake Garda ending in the middle of a car chase. The opera scene. And any of the scenes in the Atacama desert. And it makes such a difference after the last 15 years or so where everything has felt like it was just filmed at Pinewood.

I agree that it is nice to see a move from Pinewood. They went to some very nice locations but I don't think Forster capitalized enough on them. The shot of Bond in the boat heading to Mathis' villa is a great shot. By comparison, I think of the shot of Mr. White driving to his house at the end of Casino Royale. There is a sweeping shot of the car driving down the driveway where you can see the house & the lake which really capitalizes on the location. There isn't enough of that in Quantum of Solace. With such a short run time, I'd guess these are the shots that were just left out or ended up on the cutting room floor.

[Pierce - Daniel]

foreverything youvre said QOS is a great film. The directing, the actoring and the visuals are spot on. But the film does lack in overall plot structure, and the action shouldn't speak louder than the plot ever. Look at YOLT, it has great action, but little plot and QOS falls in the same hole of trying to create a plot around the action seqeunces. There is no plot drive for the boat chase or plane chase, but there still there. Why does Bond feel the need to save Camille then leave her. Who was chasing Bond in the plane, did Greene organize it? The film has gaping plot holes, I really love QOS but I think its errors ae just as clear as its successes.

[jamie00007]

I dont think it had too little plot, its plot just isnt clearly defined. It takes a different approach than most Bond films and has very little exposition, making the viewer a fly-on-the-wall watching Bond go about his business as opposed to being told a story. I thought that approach worked quite well as the film was more about the character of James Bond than the actual story.

Why does Bond feel the need to save Camille then leave her. Who was chasing Bond in the plane, did Greene organize it? The film has gaping plot holes, I really love QOS but I think its errors ae just as clear as its successes.

I dont think those are plot holes (I think QoS is one of the most hole-free movies of the series), they just arent clearly explained in the film. But they are explainable. Why did he rescue Camille and leave her? I think he did it for no other reason than plain old chivalry. We know Bond has a thing for the damsel in distress. He knew she was to be killed from earlier events, he witnessed her being taken captive by Medrano and he saved her. I dont think theres anything more to it than that, other than shaking the villains cages. And he left her because he was following Greene.
As for the plane, as Bond says earlier about paying guy who rented the plane to them "He'll make more when he sells us out". It makes sense that in such a remote location Greene would have someone at the local airfield to keep him informed of comings and goings around his operation which hes trying to keep secret, especially as its viewable from the air. He has Medrano's military and the Bolivian police at his disposal. Once the guy at the airfield informed Greene that two people matching Bond and Camilles description hired a plane and were snooping around it wouldnt have taken much for him to rustle up a couple of fighters to take them down.