As for SPECTRE and Quantum. Honestly, After the letdown and all the issues that Quantum Of Solace had, I don't think continuing off from that story arc is the way to go. Not many people liked that film, and going back trying to cap it off might put bad tastes in other's mouths. When Bond threw Vesper's necklace in the snow and walked away, that for me, was Bond moving on and away from Quantum. Same thing goes for SPECTRE, I could do without updating them or having Blofeld.
To be fair, Quantum was the least of the problems of the movie, which, above everything, suffered from an incomplete script; infact, one of the main problems of the movie is the fact that it ended without a complete resolution, and QoS would only benefit if Quantum were back and got a proper conclusion.
It'd be like not wanting the P99 because Bond used it in GoldenEye Reloaded and 007 Legends which were two awful videogames.
Yes the script was incomplete, but It still had an awful plotline. The resolution is pretty clear. Quantum killed Greene, Bond confronted Yusef and Bond moved on from Vesper's death and the whole Quantum Organization/Conspiracy thing. There's no real need to go back to that story arc. They had a chance, to try and make it interesting, and failed. Even with incomplete script(s) and extensive rewrites, it didn't work, because the overall plot, wasn't interesting in the slightest.
I would have to disagree. I've grown to appreciate QoS for what it is, and it's like they said a novella of a Bond film in reflection of the short story on which it was based and now that it's bookended by both Royale and Skyfall I don't feel as disappointed. I guess after Royale I was expecting another epic and the way the film kinda ends abruptly and with some loose ends, there's no debating that there are some threads deliberately left open, I left the theater feeling a little short changed, wanting more or a follow up ASAP. Basically QoS is an extended epilogue to Royale that fleshes out the threat. If Royale tackles the subject of the post-9/11 world of espionage and the world of international financing, then QoS further develops that into making Quantum essentially the dark side of globalism. I think the problem is the film isn't as clear about what Quantum's real objective or purpose is, which reflects to a certain extent how real world villains get away with what they do, because it doesn't seem or sound interesting enough and that's how shadowy cabal could hypothetically take over the world, or at least build their own covert empire/fiefdom which is what is implied and shown in both Royale and QoS, White building relationships with the LRA to get a foothold in Uganda, perhaps Le Chiffre's Skyfleet plot was part of larger insider trading scheme that Quantum was also in on, and there's the notion that they have the support from certain powerful factions in the major intelligence agencys and private security to overthrow governments in places like Haiti and Bolvia. Not to mention they had penetrated both MI6 and the treasury department and let's not forget Haines who was a close adviser to the PM. I'd say that cutting the original intended ending for QoS was actually the more realistic take. Haines would be untouchable with his connections and if they tried to bring up the whole bit about the Quantum meeting in Austria they could use the whole incident with the bodyguard as leverage against Bond/M/MI6. And of course there's still White who's probably gone deep under till the storm blows over. Realistically the ending of QoS or at least my perspective of it was that it was a draw of sorts. And this is the Bond series so there's plenty of chances for them to tie up some of these lingering issues and there are issues that could be addressed in another film.
Which brings of to Skyfall and the events of that film. I'm not the only one and others have thought the same and there are hints if you really look but there's nothing to say that Silva wasn't a witting or even unwitting proxy for Quantum/Haines to get some sort of covert revenge/retribution against M and her agency. I think it's pretty telling in QoS when M tells Tanner to be careful about who he trusts with the intel on the Opera meeting. M knows who Haines is and in a round about way you could even say there was a hint that she might have been scared. Then when Bond shows the photos to Mathis he is told to destroy them and that he obviously hasn't being "keeping secrets as long as I". As Bond also says you're judged by the strength of your enemies. I think because Greene's plot fell apart pretty quickly most are underestimating Quantum. The key to pulling off these covert actions and machinations is plausible deniability, that's key to a lot of real world ops. I think it's no coincidence that after crossing swords with Quantum, an organization with people everywhere that nobody knows exists, MI6 finds it self under attack from almost all sides, through Silva and the bureaucracy/Government and at the end Bond's biggest ally in his quest/crusade against Quantum is dead.
Either way I feel just because QoS may not have been exactly what some wanted or expected, doesn't mean there aren't those out there on the other side of the coin who either liked QoS from the beginning or have grown to appreciate the story over time and want to see some of those characters and threads revisited. Especially now since we have Skyfall, which I would be the first to say that while I enjoyed it I also feel perhaps it was a little overhyped because of the 50 anniversary, and while a good movie I would say it's almost on equal footing with QoS in terms of my enjoyment of the story but for perspective Casino Royale is still my favorite of Craig's run so far.
. Isn't PPS avaliable in .40 S&W chambering? That would solve the stopping power issue you mentioned, right?
