6 replies to this topic

[Lazenby]

I agree with some of the previous posts in that I did not want Quantum to be great in the same way as Casino, I just wanted it to be great in a different way. I was all for a great and classic revenge movie, but what I got was a mediocre chase movie. The reason the Bourne movies work is because you are following the movie's story and the chase/action scenes are in the context of that story, not feeling out of place. I did not want Quantum to be Bourne, and was disappointed that Forster attempted to film the action in the same way, but I did want it to have scenes of substance. Royal was great to me not because of the love story, or action, but because of the understated moments like the black-and-white beginning, the scenes with M in her apartment, the shower scene with vesper, and the balcony scene with vesper. It was these understated moments in the movie that made the action that much better and more compelling. I feel that if Quantum took advantage of opportunities to enhance the story, i.e. interrogation scene with M, enhanced story/dialog with Mathis and Felix, and a more compelling cerebral confrontation with the villain that the action scenes would have great. I’m curious to hear your opinions.

[Loomis]

I agree.

[Bondian]

I agree.

[Mr_Wint]

I agree.

[Judo chop]

I partially agree, but mostly don't agree.

[Double-Oh Agent]

I agree for the most part, but I will also add that the framing and editing of the action scenes needed to be a lot better as well (i.e. pulling back on the framing and slowing down the cuts). Shoot, improving on those two things alone would have helped the action scenes immensely.

[Jet Set Willy]

Something must have gone wrong in the edit suites, because so many people are picking up on the overall editing of the film - fans here and other Bond websites, and critics themselves.

We also heard Forster moaning about lack of time to edit. If ever a film needed to be recut for DVD, now's the time. I can't recall any other film in recent memory suffering from this particular problem.

I don't think the main bulk of the editing problem lies within the action sequences themselves either (although to some this has been an issue), as I get the feeling they were intended to be cut that way - Bourne style.

No, the main problem is the lack of coherent, flowing storytelling throughout. I really get the impression we were seeing half a film here - an unfinished job, with vital, linking scenes being dropped at the last minute to emphasise the `watching a speeding bullet' concept (was this just a convenient cover-up excuse by Forster in the end, due to running out of time)?