Nontheless, the main problem that I got with LTK is its heavy eighties style- unlike the rest of the Bond movies of that decade-. The vulgarity of that fad, with the role models of Miami Vice or Die Hard or almost every american action movie of that time, seems so inappropriate as inspiration for the characteristic elegance of Bond.
I've been hearing the LTK-Miami Vice comparisons for quite some time now. I still don't get the comparison. Sure, Latino drug lord, a "cop" bent on revenge, portions set in Florida and a couple of pastels but that's it. If anything LTK has LESS style than Miami Vice did during its heyday. I don't see any stunning cinematography or stylized direction in LTK. There's no music that totally underscores the mood a la Phil Collins' "In The Air Tonight." It's pure John Glen and EON "coasting" on the screen.
I loved LTK when it came out in '89. I saw it three times in the theaters & I still think the pre-credit sequence, transitioning into Gladys Knight's "Licence to Kill" still send chills down the spine. 20 years later, I can see the films weaknesses and I find that some parts of the action sequences are contrived (gee, that pile of rocks really disguised that ramp that Dalton will use to tilt the oil tanker). I also see where Dalton didn't connect with mainstream audiences. My older cousin who grew up on the series wondered if Dalton was even British!
As for QOS, I enjoy the film and give it credit for not being CR, Part 2. I have my problems with the film's pacing and with the editing, which is more akin to a Michael Bay flick than Greengrass' Bourne sequels.
I have a nitpick. People complain that Bond's pursuit of Mitchell is another free running sequence. It's not. I don't see Craig/Bond moving with the grace, efficiency and dexterity of Foucan/Molaka. At best, Bond has taken what he's learned from CR and tried to be inventive in closing the distance between himself and Mitchell.
As for the QOS plot being "thin," I'd say Bond's motive is a rather simple one: He's really trying to find Mr. White and learn more about Quantum. The trail lead to Greene. Once Greene had told him about Quantum, he focused on Yusuf. Sure, there's a lot that transpires during Bond's journey but the Point A to Point B is straightforward. There's no directive from M in her office, like most Bond films. It's go get Slate and see what he knows.
I thoroughly enjoyed both films. They are by no means perfect but enjoyable. I'm eager to see where the series goes next.