Quantum of Solace 3-23-09

[Windows V]

I loved this movie for the same reason many hate it - it is nothing like Casino Royale. You know how Kill Bill was? Volume 1 all action, Volume 2 much more story and character, both good on their own but fantastic together?

That's the same here, only "Volume 1", CR, was the story/character one, and "Volume 2", QoS, was the action one. QoS is merely good on its own but when you watch them back to back (I watched CR before heading out to see QoS in theatres) it's awesome.

What to criticise? All action isn't a bad thing, but you get the sense that the director wanted to one-up Paul Greengrass's crazy camera work in his Bourne action scenes... even the set pieces are similar. Compare the opening rooftop chase to the Tangiers chase in The Bourne Ultimatum, for instance. That's not so much of a bad thing, unless you're the kind who threw up after watching Supremacy/Ultimatum. Action-wise, QoS more than matches the Bourne trilogy.

Story-wise, CR and QoS aren't nearly as connected as KB vol 1 and 2, but you can definitely tell it's a sequel. The way QoS ends kind of sets this up for a trilogy.

Provided it gets a good PQ rating, I'll be picking this up as well as The World is Not Enough and Goldeneye. After that is Tomorrow Never Dies when it comes out, and I'll be happy. The rest of the Bond movies can rot in junkyards for all I care.

[Anti-SD]

Will definitley be getting this, quite enjoyed it actually. A treat for action fans but probably a disappointment for real Bond Fans though.

[Gremal]

Actually I thought there was quite a bit of character development in QoS. The relationships between Bond and both Felix and M are more fully developed by the end of the movie in a way that Casino Royale didn't achieve. Also, we continue to see Bond defying orders from his superiors and being justified in doing so. It sets the stage for later in his career when M is willing to give him more resources and leeway.

[davcole]

Originally Posted by Jaguar007

Give it a second chance. The movie improves significantallly on the second viewing. I know many people who were long time BOnd fans who did not like it at all the first time. You get taken back by the editing of the action scenes. The second time you are more prepared for the quick cuts and while those still annoy me, I was able to really enjoy the storyline much more. I have now seen it 4 times and I enjoy it more each viewing.

I think there was a great movie filmed, but the editing of the action and the fast pacing in the first 1/2 hour really brought the movie down.

100% agree!

I got to watch it a second time this weekend and I enjoyed it more than initial visit. I gathered more of the plot and the politics involved in the storyline.

While it's not as good as Casino Royale, it's certainly a top-tiered Bond film.

[ahearst]

Didn't care for QOS much. First reason is that if you didn't see Casino Royale, you wouldn't have known who Vesper was, or any of the characters from the previous film, or why they were in the sequel, except for M. Second, the action/fight sequences were filmed way too close up; you couldn't tell who was punching who. Thirdly, not a lot of plot. The film segued from action plot point to action plot point from beginning to end without taking time to develop the new characters and make you care about them one way or another. Frankly, I became bored with the film about 3/4 of the way through. I figured the QOS director was trying to mimic the film style of the Bourne movies, particularly the latter two, but he fell short. Way short.

Casino Royale is definitely the superior film. I wish that director had been retained to direct QOS.

[hal9000]

I'm definately buying Quamtum the day it hits shelves. This was certainely the best Bond film since Pierce came aboard (with the sole exeption of Casino Royale, quite obviously).

[cathexist]

Yep...timed with the next 6 of the collection releases.

[JimSD]

I'll definitely be getting QoS. I didn't care for the editing of the action sequences very much, but aside from that I thought it was a good movie. I too thought the character development was good, but I think that will ultimately be determined by how Bond evolves in the next movie. I thought they really nailed the ending of the movie.

[Kaiju]

I will definitely be getting this. It wasn't as good as CR as most people have been saying, but hey it was a great action film.

[KenThompson]

They should have stuck with the formula that got Casino Royale the acolades. The hand held cameras render fights to quickly and a blurry mess. Why a hour and a half, there has never been a Bond more this short before and one last thing, the theme song sucked. Despite the nitpicks I will still pick this movie up as its still Bond ,and I have them all.

[Booyahs the name]

See i was holding off on seeing this movie in theaters because i figured just like Casino Royal the PQ and AQ were amazing.. And seeing it in the theater just won't cut compared to my HT

[cajmoyper]

Not that I didn't like it but I never thought I would say this...there might have been too much action. That is to say not enough story development. I'm still going to buy it though. That first car chase where they shamefully beat up on that DBs is worth the price of admission.

[Spymaster]

Originally Posted by ahearst

Casino Royale is definitely the superior film. I wish that director had been retained to direct QOS.

Well of course Casino Royale is better. It was based on an Ian Fleming novel. A novel which is hailed as one of the greatest spy novels of all time. Sure they changed bits of it but the core - even some of the actual scenes and dialogue - is absolutely perfectly reproduced.

There was no way - ever - that Quantum Of Solace would be as good. No way. To expect it would be is, well, quite foolish IMHO.

Accept Quantum for what it is. A revenge thriller with more in common with Licence To Kill than Casino Royale. Although, unlike Licence To Kill, it substitutes a traditional plot for a more introspective look at what revenge it, and how it affects people on a deeper level. It's not altogether successful - action DOES overwhelm the ideas - but it's a brave effort to do something different and I loved it.

It definitely IS a Bond movie!

This is a no-brain day 1 purchase for me. Can't wait!

[borninusa]

I thought it was a good movie. If you watch it...best to watch them both since QOS continues from Casino.

Put them together, and you have one kick ass flick

[sfmarine]

I'll pick it up eventually...but it was a huge letdown.

[DealsR4theDevil]

Originally Posted by ahearst

the action/fight sequences were filmed way too close up; you couldn't tell who was punching who.

agreed, this was done with transformers as well and its the main reason i didn't enjoy that movie either.

Originally Posted by ahearst

Casino Royale is definitely the superior film. I wish that director had been retained to direct QOS.

I didn't even know it was a new director. All in all Quantum of Solace is not gonna join my collection. I usually don't mind excessive action but this movie felt like it was nothing but action.

[Spitfrnd]

Originally Posted by DealsR4theDevil

agreed, this was done with transformers as well and its the main reason i didn't enjoy that movie either.
...
I didn't even know it was a new director. All in all Quantum of Solace is not gonna join my collection. I usually don't mind excessive action but this movie felt like it was nothing but action.

That sadly, as you note, you can't even see.

[masoud90]

Day one purchase for me as well. Loved it.

[DRS]

Day 1 for sure. Easily in my top 5 Bond movies. One of the more grown up entries in the franchises history...

[tilapiah6]

Can't wait! This movie will look amazing on Blu.