44 replies to this topic

[Turn]

A local critic, incidentally a guy I went to college with and reviewd films with at the campus paper, slammed QoS as having the worst action scene and named it the biggest disappointment of '08 in his year-end column that came out Friday.

He wrote of Worst Action Scene "Take your pick from the incomprehensible 'Quantum of Solace,' which also gets the "Biggest Disappointment Award".

No real explaination about why it's the biggest disappointment. He based most of his disapointment in his review of the film http://www.activeday...ies/2008/11/14/ based on his displeasure with the way the action was directed, shot and edited.

Other interesting observations in his column, he gave Iron Man "The Really Good, but not as Great as People Said It Was Award", while giving Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull "The Not as Bad as People Said It Was Award", saying "People who griped about the 'nuke the fridge' scene apparently think the appeal of the Indy series is its gritty realism. Spare me."

Personally, I found Indy to be the biggest disappointment of the year and not because of the nuke the fridge thing. More because a film that was 19 years in the making should have delivered more and didn't come near what I had hoped for. It was like watching The Phantom Menace all over again.

Lastly, this guy's awards for Best Animated Movie, Best romance, Best Science Fiction Film, Best Comedy, Movie I wanted to See Again Immediately, Movie I Eventually Saw Five Times in a Theater and Best Movie went to:



WALL-E!?

[HildebrandRarity]

Wasn't Q0S nominated for Best Action Movie recently? Or am I mistaken?

There was a main page article on it I think...so I don't think I am.

http://commanderbond.net/article/5943

It got nominated along side TDK, Indy Jones and Iron-Man...and was the only one of them that remotely had any sense of "adult" and "realism" about it.



Anyone can write anything on a blog these days.

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Haven't seen WALL-E, but I find myself agreeing with everything else. This guy knows his stuff.

[Vauxhall]

Lastly, this guy's awards for Best Animated Movie, Best romance, Best Science Fiction Film, Best Comedy, Movie I wanted to See Again Immediately, Movie I Eventually Saw Five Times in a Theater and Best Movie went to:

WALL-E!?

Hmm, while WALL·E is a fantastic movie and comfortably is in the top 5 or 10 movies of the year, I get the impression this "reviewer" may not actually have seen any of the outstanding films released in 2008, such as THE WRESTLER or THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON. I'll assume that he did see THE DARK KNIGHT and simply overlooked it for some reason.

Edit: Having studied the blog further, I retract many of the above comments. He indeed hasn't seen those movies yet, so I'll let him off. His top five of movies for the year are pretty fair, with the exception of SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE of course.

[Captain Tightpants]

A local critic, incidentally a guy I went to college with and reviewd films with at the campus paper, slammed QoS as having the worst action scene and named it the biggest disappointment of '08 in his year-end column that came out Friday.

He wrote of Worst Action Scene "Take your pick from the incomprehensible 'Quantum of Solace,' which also gets the "Biggest Disappointment Award".

No real explaination about why it's the biggest disappointment. He based most of his disapointment in his review of the film http://www.activeday...ies/2008/11/14/ based on his displeasure with the way the action was directed, shot and edited.

Other interesting observations in his column, he gave Iron Man "The Really Good, but not as Great as People Said It Was Award", while giving Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull "The Not as Bad as People Said It Was Award", saying "People who griped about the 'nuke the fridge' scene apparently think the appeal of the Indy series is its gritty realism. Spare me."

Personally, I found Indy to be the biggest disappointment of the year and not because of the nuke the fridge thing. More because a film that was 19 years in the making should have delivered more and didn't come near what I had hoped for. It was like watching The Phantom Menace all over again.

Lastly, this guy's awards for Best Animated Movie, Best romance, Best Science Fiction Film, Best Comedy, Movie I wanted to See Again Immediately, Movie I Eventually Saw Five Times in a Theater and Best Movie went to:



WALL-E!?

Yawn.

Yet another reviewer pining for the "salad days" of Bond, but failing to realise that retaining the old way of doing things would leave Bond helplessly trapped in a rut.

[Turn]

I accept that QoS is a disappointment compared with the standard of CR. I knew pretty much going in that the experience couldn't match it. But I liked QoS for what it was. It built upon being a different type of Bond film and I am grateful for it.

It does seem very strange that just two years after everybody praised CR and the new direction that many are now wanting the standard formula back. No prizes for guessing these same folks will be bored and wonder where the freshness of CR and QoS went to.

If this guy didn't like the action in QoS, what did he think of TWINE?

[Safari Suit]

Other interesting observations in his column, he gave Iron Man "The Really Good, but not as Great as People Said It Was Award", while giving Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull "The Not as Bad as People Said It Was Award", saying "People who griped about the 'nuke the fridge' scene apparently think the appeal of the Indy series is its gritty realism. Spare me."

I didn't like Indy IV but he has a point there and it's pretty funny.

Those awards he's giving out are pretty specific!

[David_M]

If this guy didn't like the action in QoS, what did he think of TWINE?

When it comes to incomprehensibly staged action scenes, Vic Armstrong did indeed set the bar incredibly low in TWINE. But QoS manages to limbo under it with inches to spare.

It's especially galling that someone actually *died* filming a PTS that ended up such a hopeless muddle. It would have been just as exciting if they'd flashed up a title card reading, "insert car chase here."

[HildebrandRarity]

It's especially galling that someone actually *died* filming a PTS ...

It would help to get your facts correct, non?

To spread lies like that is sickeningly vile.

[danielcraigisjamesbond007]

As much as I hate to admit it, I sort of agree with the reviewer. I had high expectations for QoS before the film even showed up in theatres. I defended the film's title until I was blue in the face. However, I think that the reviewer is right. The film's editing is poorly done, and I was wondering what was going on during the action scenes.
So, overall, not the worst Bond film, but not the best either...

[Matt_13]

To each his own; this thread is going to get vicious fast. All I have to say on the matter is that I thought the editing was fine and not hard to follow whatsoever. I enjoyed the action scenes far more than Casino Royale's (with the exception of the parkour chase of course) and found it more urgent than any other Bond film to date. Then again, this is just a single fans opinion. Make of it what you will.

[HildebrandRarity]

I enjoyed the action scenes far more than Casino Royale's (with the exception of the parkour chase of course) and found it more urgent than any other Bond film to date.

I agree with you entirely!

[ImTheMoneypenny]

To each his own; this thread is going to get vicious fast. All I have to say on the matter is that I thought the editing was fine and not hard to follow whatsoever. I enjoyed the action scenes far more than Casino Royale's (with the exception of the parkour chase of course) and found it more urgent than any other Bond film to date. Then again, this is just a single fans opinion. Make of it what you will.

Couldn't agree more Matt_13!

[sthgilyadgnivileht]

Agree also with Matt_13.
Probably been said before, but Bond can't please everyone all of the time with each film, and he never will IMO.

[JackWade]

Lastly, this guy's awards for Best Animated Movie, Best romance, Best Science Fiction Film, Best Comedy, Movie I wanted to See Again Immediately, Movie I Eventually Saw Five Times in a Theater and Best Movie went to:



WALL-E!?

And what's wrong with that? WALL-E is arguably one of the five best films of 2008 and would likely be a favorite for an Oscar nomination for Best Pic if there wasn't a category for animated films to be shoehorned into.

I agree with the reviewer that WALL-E was the best animated, best sci-fi, movie I wanted to see again immediately, and best movie went to. I dunno about best romance and I don't think WALL-E was the best comedy but for me, the rest are accurate.

[00Twelve]

When it comes to incomprehensibly staged action scenes, Vic Armstrong did indeed set the bar incredibly low in TWINE. But QoS manages to limbo under it with inches to spare.

You've GOT to be kidding me. Worse than TWINE? I don't mean to be trite, but I'm totally befuddled by that notion.

[Mr. Arlington Beech]

When it comes to incomprehensibly staged action scenes, Vic Armstrong did indeed set the bar incredibly low in TWINE. But QoS manages to limbo under it with inches to spare.

You've GOT to be kidding me. Worse than TWINE? I don't mean to be trite, but I'm totally befuddled by that notion.

Well, I think he's only talking about the action scenes of those movies, and I could be agree with him in that aspect. But as an entire film QOS is better than TWINE, IMHO.

[Elvenstar]

this article proves once again that anyone is a critic these days... I was disturbed by boat chase but to call all action bad would be unfair. Same about dissappiontment of 2008. For me it was Narnia. Qos is 1 of the best for me. Wall e is indeed top notcch movie.

[David_M]

You've GOT to be kidding me. Worse than TWINE? I don't mean to be trite, but I'm totally befuddled by that notion.

In TWINE, I had no idea what was going on in the ski chase with the para-glider thingees. Still don't. I also got confused with the caviar factory action. But I did at least follow the fight in the bank and the interminable Q-boat chase.

In QoS, I had no idea how many boats were after Bond in that one chase, nor how attaching an anchor (?) caused one to fly away, or how one boat ended up on top of Bond's, knocking out the girl. I was able to figure out when the chase was over, because the music changed. In the rooftop/sewer chase I frequently lost track of which man was which and while I sort of know what was going on with all that swinging around, it's only because I filled in the blanks myself. I didn't understand the fight in the hotel, but I assume Bond stabbed the guy in the neck with nail scissors or something, since he's lying there with blood coming from his neck. I wouldn't have known there were only two cars in the PTS, much less what make they were, without a handy bit of dialog from a cop talking into his radio. And so on.

Basically, I enjoyed the dialog scenes (especially Bond and M and Bond and Felix)and the location shots but this was the first time since TWINE I sat there thinking, "Please not another action scene!"

It would help to get your facts correct, non?

To spread lies like that is sickeningly vile.

Well, let's pick one, shall we? Am I incorrect or dishonest?

In this case, the former. I thought the guy died, instead (Google tells me) he was seriously injured. I apologize for the error.

It's a pet peeve of mine, however, when people are called liars, or even call themselves liars, for making an incorrect statement when they didn't know it was incorrect. By definition, one has to know the truth in order to lie.

Either way, hurt or dead, the guy was robbed, as his work...and the work of all the stuntmen on this film and the oft-injured Craig himself...was rendered incomprehensible by shaky camera work and an editing style that values flashiness over clarity. Maybe the stunt team did some awesome stuff on this film, but unless I see it in a behind-the-scenes video (hopefully shot from a tripod) I'll never know.

[007karl007]

I accept that QoS is a disappointment compared with the standard of CR. I knew pretty much going in that the experience couldn't match it. But I liked QoS for what it was. It built upon being a different type of Bond film and I am grateful for it.

It does seem very strange that just two years after everybody praised CR and the new direction that many are now wanting the standard formula back. No prizes for guessing these same folks will be bored and wonder where the freshness of CR and QoS went to.

If this guy didn't like the action in QoS, what did he think of TWINE?

I completly agree. took the words right from my mouth.it was a dissapointment to the excellent casino royale the sucky plane jump ruined the film for me HAHA
but as a bond fan i enjoyed QOS so much i went to see it numerous times.

[Mister Asterix]

Nothing like a review from a small time local reviewer to get everyone to one more time state the same opinion they have in countless threads before.

[Donovan Mayne-Nicholls]

Agree with most of it. Even the worst Bond films have had at least one memorable action scene in them. QOS is a postmodern Bond film in that it is all shape and no substance. The fact that so many forum members have heralded it as the best in the series, etc, speak of how little the look for in movies.
However, I'll always be pissed about critics liking Indy better just because they're sacred cows. Other than Raiders, the Indiana Jones films have been one disappointment after another. To say that Skull wasn't as bad as people said is incredibly cheeky. Compared to it, QOS stands as really good film. I knew IJ4 was going to be bad even before I saw it, but I thought it'd be as bad as Temple of Doom, never this bad.
I don't recall that many people bashing TWINE when it first came out, so QOS champions out there beware. In a few years' time you won't be so cocky about it, rather than that you'll feel a little embarrassed when somebody mentions what a mediocre film it was and you don't have a strong counterargument.

[Turn]

Lastly, this guy's awards for Best Animated Movie, Best romance, Best Science Fiction Film, Best Comedy, Movie I wanted to See Again Immediately, Movie I Eventually Saw Five Times in a Theater and Best Movie went to:



WALL-E!?

And what's wrong with that? WALL-E is arguably one of the five best films of 2008 and would likely be a favorite for an Oscar nomination for Best Pic if there wasn't a category for animated films to be shoehorned into.

I agree with the reviewer that WALL-E was the best animated, best sci-fi, movie I wanted to see again immediately, and best movie went to. I dunno about best romance and I don't think WALL-E was the best comedy but for me, the rest are accurate.

Five best films of 2008, fine, I can buy that. But to put it the way this reviewer does treats it like it should stand beside Citizen Kane, Gone With the Wind, The Godfather and 2001 in the real of grat films.

I had a chance to watch a preview of WALL-E and rate it for some opinion group and I thought it looked only okay, my wife and daughter felt the same way. Maybe I'll watch WALL-E someday and form my own opinion. But I have a pretty good instinct on what I will like and not and I just don't see it as being that great.

[Turn]

However, I'll always be pissed about critics liking Indy better just because they're sacred cows. Other than Raiders, the Indiana Jones films have been one disappointment after another. To say that Skull wasn't as bad as people said is incredibly cheeky. Compared to it, QOS stands as really good film. I knew IJ4 was going to be bad even before I saw it, but I thought it'd be as bad as Temple of Doom, never this bad.

I don't agree about the other Indy films, but I don't know how anybody could count Crystal Skull as anything other than a big disappointment. To take people to task about realism is one thing, but if having a character swinging on vines with monkeys that isn't Tarzan is something that took 19 years to come up with I don't know what to think.

Add to that one of the worst kept "secrets" in film history, characters who are supposed to be amusing that aren't, bickering couples who sound like old married couples, etc. The only way I'll ever watch this film again is if it comes as part of an Indy Blu-ray set some day.

[MajorB]

I agree with the reviewer about the action scenes. Particularly his comment about audience members going "Wha...? Who...?" That was me, much of the time.

I also would have enjoyed the film more if there had been more, and longer, character scenes. Particularly in the first part of the movie, everything moved so quickly that I had a hard time feeling settled into the story. Especially the Camille/Slate/Bond interaction, which was very involved, was told very quickly, and didn't make sense (if Greene bumped off the geologist himself, why would he need Slate to kill Camille?).

But I thought there was still a lot to enjoy, so I wouldn't call it THAT big a disappointment.

I'm glad some people found the action easier to follow than I did, incidentally. I suspect they're far younger than I am and have been weaned on faster-paced visual storytelling.

I must say I'm bemused that there are some who found the TWINE action scenes hard to track. I had no difficulty with them, and as I said, I'm fairly well along (56). I thought they were pretty blah, but I didn't have trouble following them.

Always fascinating to see evidence of how different we all are!

[Elvenstar]

Maybe the stunt team did some awesome stuff on this film, but unless I see it in a behind-the-scenes video (hopefully shot from a tripod) I'll never know.

Some time ago Ive read an interview with 1 lithuanian stuntman who worked on Qos and Bou*****rne films and he was quite sad about Qos sayng that in his other film (noooo Im not going to start comparing these again!) the action was amazing and their waork paid off onscreen but with Qos the editing and filming ruined all they achieved....
I dont know if it's true or not but everytime there's a talk about action in Qis I start thinking about what could have been if...

Edited by Elvenstar, 13 January 2009 - 08:39 AM.

[DR76]

If this guy didn't like QoS, he didn't like it.

I don't agree about the other Indy films, but I don't know how anybody could count Crystal Skull as anything other than a big disappointment.

Why would others have to share your taste or opinion in the film? For years, I have criticized others for not harboring the same opinion as myself on certain films. I'm gradually beginning to realize that it's a waste of time in looking down my nose at someone who does not share my taste in movies. Film and other forms of art are subjective, not some fact that is packaged and sealed.

[Judo chop]

Also not used to his full potential is Amalric (excellent in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) who should have made a great villain, but who isn’t really allowed to pose much of a threat. As written, he’s not as dangerous as a Bond villain needs to be, and that undercuts the story.

How dangerous does a Bond villain ‘need to be’? He kills the biologist. And he kills Fields, in gruesome fashion, for no good reason. What else does he need to do to meet the criteria? I get tired of reading that “Greene is underused”. I get tired of the tactic in general. It’s a cheap and easy criticism that can be done without backing. Reminds me of an exchange in AMADEUS:

Emperor Joseph II: “My dear young man, don't take it too hard. Your work is ingenious. It's quality work. And there are simply too many notes, that's all. Just cut a few and it will be perfect.”

Mozart: “Which few did you have in mind, Majesty?”

[Eurospy]

How dangerous does a Bond villain ‘need to be’? He kills the biologist. And he kills Fields, in gruesome fashion, for no good reason. What else does he need to do to meet the criteria? I get tired of reading that “Greene is underused”. I get tired of the tactic in general. It’s a cheap and easy criticism that can be done without backing. Reminds me of an exchange in AMADEUS:

Emperor Joseph II: “My dear young man, don't take it too hard. Your work is ingenious. It's quality work. And there are simply too many notes, that's all. Just cut a few and it will be perfect.”

Mozart: “Which few did you have in mind, Majesty?”

I loved the fact that Greene was shorter than everybody else (they avoided showing Renard as shorter than Bond in TWINE) and Forster seemed to make sure to show it. Also loved the fact that all he had to do was mention the organization of which HE was part of to scare Medrano in signing the paper. And when he's leaving the airport in his limo and looks at Leiter and "the other CIA bloke" and it seems like the perfect opportunity for him to say something witty but he doesn't. Discreetly dangerous, I'd call him. Very discreetly, very dangerous.

Edited by Eurospy, 13 January 2009 - 08:55 PM.

[Daddy Bond]

Here's my take:

Ironman - Excellent, just as good as people say it is.
Indy - Big let down, just as bad as many say it is.
QOS - One of the best Bond's ever. About as good as CR.
Wall E - Fantastic and endearing film except for the ridiculous and over-the-top environmental/no fat people message. (Oh, yeah, what about that guy in the UK who (along with his wife) was just refused the adoption of a boy because the man weighed to much. Whatever!)
Dark Knight - overrated, IMHO.