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Some Respect for Quantum of Solace EDIT: Discussion Moved

JWESTBROOKJWESTBROOK
edited September 2011 in Bond Movies Posts: 5,745
This discussion has been moved, pending closure :)

Go here and lets talk! -
http://www.mi6community.com/index.php?p=/discussion/comment/23249#Comment_23249
*Flag me if this has already been done

To start off, let me throw out some basic information about myself:
I'm 17, live on the East Coast of the US, and the first James Bond movie I ever saw <b>in theaters</b> was Die Another Day. Thank you for your condolences. I was a bit younger then, and simply saw it as "awesome," but now, having grown up a bit, with an EXTREME passion for film and film-making no doubt, I would like to nod to, what is in my opinion, one of the better Bonds throughout the series:

Quantum of Solace.

I've noticed throughout multiple film reviews, and many threads on this forum, there is a strong dislike or uneasiness towards Daniel Craig's second outing as Bond. I, myself, have shot it down in the past as well. But I am creating this discussion to make a simple point: QoS is a very good film.

All Bond movies, with all their unique characteristics, are critiqued in two different ways. The first being as a Bond film, the second as a standalone film.

As a Bond film, Quantum lacks some of the more "trademarked" details of the Bond franchise, as well as its predecessor Casino Royale. Characters like Q and MP, the perfect theme song moment, with theme attached of course, gadgets, and over the top villains. The films also manage to stay relatively distant from Bond's bosses, and the storylines follow a Bond-on-his-own type situation (sort of). However it still holds the Bond name well, what with the action, the acting, the scenery and locations, and of course, the women. As a Bond film, yes it is lacking, and I would give it a 3/5 stars as far as Bond films go. It still is VERY entertaining, has a brilliant plot (what with a evil organization bribing countries for their most valuable resource *SPOILER* water), mesmerizing action, and Craig still carries the Bond "mojo" relatively obviously, though it is unfortunately lacking in this reboot overall.

Now to look at QoS in its second light, a standalone film. While the movie is the 22nd in a (obviously) long line of films, and is a sequel to Craig's first Bond, Casino Royale, it can still be viewed separately from all others. You get flashbacks of Vesper's *SPOILER* death and story line nods to help you stay in the know. Where Quantum comes into its true beauty is the action. Oh, what an action movie it is. A great plot with great locations for Bond to tear through, and great lead (Craig, of course) and for the most part (some bad cgi aside) some VERY good stunt work and action sequences. Quantum was created to compete with modern action and spy movies of the modern times, like Bourne and Hunt. And it knocks them out of the park. Bourne, constantly confused and always in sudden, almost McGiver - like, situations, throws some quick hits and only has about one major car chase a movie. Yet, still has a lacking plot that, besides the first one, is just a stretch of.. well.. the first one.
Quantum comes in with a fresh(ish) storyline, focusing around Greene. The opening car chase is one of the best (imo) in cinema history of recent date, which I will be glad to defend if anyone dares challenge, along with tense action scenes, a relatively good boat chase, a good flight chase (besides the ending of it), and still carries a sense of style and smoothness that all other (non-Bond) films lack. Instead of offering pockets of action in order to fit in story line, QoS is able to incorporate them together, creating a non-stop action movie that is still plot-focused. The action makes sense, and is more offense rather than the defense you see with Bond's competing Hollywood goons. Overall, as a standalone film, I'd give QoS a good 4/5, lacking with some bad effects and iffy moments that drag down any great film.

It may not be all Bond, but it definitely beats Bourne and Hunt.

-Justin Westbrook

Writer's Note- thanks for reading, if you actually managed to finish :) sound off below, for or against, and please, GET SPECIFIC!

Comments

  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    I already started this thread a while back @JWESTBROOK. Repost and I'd love to talk QoS over. I HATED it for not being CR, but after I realized it could never be, I got closer to it. I now think of it as a little gem. A scratched gem, yes, but it still shines when put on display. Great cinematography and fantastic acting by Craig and a strong supporting cast. I can feel the heat in the scenes at the desert. The action chained the plot, and I enjoy it thoroughly even though it can't top CR(my favorite). I too will defend it to the death. Anyway, here's the link to the thread. Hopefully our new posts will spark new interest in getting other members talking about the beauty of QoS again. I love how the thread turned out because there are so many positive remarks there. I think there is more love than hate for QoS, and some don't want to admit just how good it is. Come join us!

    Thanks

    http://www.mi6community.com/index.php?p=/discussion/comment/23249#Comment_23249
  • Baltimore_007Baltimore_007
    Posts: 5,634
    no sense in letting this go to waste

    It's always tough to comment on this particular Bond entry, as stated before, only saw it the once on it's initial release, and all I know is that I was largely frustrated with what I had seen, disappointed even, and have had no real desire to watch it again.

    From what I can recall the opening involved a mad car chase around the Italian hills and not much else, fast and furious but not much substance, others have criticized this particular Bond teaser

    The girl (Arterton) offered little if I recall and was only on screen for a short time, the second that followed later on (Bolivian agent) also offered nothing too memorable (or at least I don't remember it, either way)

    Lead villian was not up too much, involved in some environmental issues to cover some more sinister objectives (or something)

    Some have brought to attention any ambiguity over the Mathis character, who'se side was he really on etc.

    I just generally feel it was a case of weak characters all round, too much quantity rather than quality, lame plot, and some have argued it has a stupid film title above all else.

    all said, not some peoples favorite Bond 'adventure'








  • JWESTBROOKJWESTBROOK
    Posts: 5,745
    Thank you for your post, @Baltimore_007. I would appreciate it if you moved it to the original discussion, in order to keep the forum as tidy as possible :)

    THIS DISCUSSION HAS BEEN MOVED TO:
    http://www.mi6community.com/index.php?p=/discussion/comment/23249#Comment_23249

    Please join us in continuing what is and could still be a great talk :)
  • Baltimore_007Baltimore_007
    Posts: 5,634
    I'm all for a tidy forum but I've had my say on the issue, I feel there's no need to say anything further on QOS, at least for the present time

    admin can shut this down if they wish when the time arises, but that's about it from me

  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    no sense in letting this go to waste

    It's always tough to comment on this particular Bond entry, as stated before, only saw it the once on it's initial release, and all I know is that I was largely frustrated with what I had seen, disappointed even, and have had no real desire to watch it again.

    From what I can recall the opening involved a mad car chase around the Italian hills and not much else, fast and furious but not much substance, others have criticized this particular Bond teaser

    The girl (Arterton) offered little if I recall and was only on screen for a short time, the second that followed later on (Bolivian agent) also offered nothing too memorable (or at least I don't remember it, either way)

    Lead villian was not up too much, involved in some environmental issues to cover some more sinister objectives (or something)

    Some have brought to attention any ambiguity over the Mathis character, who'se side was he really on etc.

    I just generally feel it was a case of weak characters all round, too much quantity rather than quality, lame plot, and some have argued it has a stupid film title above all else.

    all said, not some peoples favorite Bond 'adventure'
    Sounds like someone needs to rewatch!
  • JWESTBROOKJWESTBROOK
    Posts: 5,745


    Sounds like someone needs to rewatch!
    I second this motion!
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    edited September 2011 Posts: 13,978
    Thanks @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 for the link. Please continue in the thread linked to in 0Bradys post.
This discussion has been closed.