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NEW 2021 UPDATES ON 'Quick Big Mi6 Bond Ranking Game': JOIN IN, FOLKS!

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  • Agent_99Agent_99 enjoys a spirited ride as much as the next girl
    edited April 2021 Posts: 3,179
    SomethingThatAteHim wrote: »
    Sorry fellas, I didn’t place OP last but it was #20 for me. I just find it kind of a slog if I’m being honest. The stunt work towards the end is pretty great, but this one is in that awkward sour spot of being too silly to be enjoyed as a grounded Cold War thriller, but too grounded to be enjoyed as something silly. I enjoyed it a little more on my most recent watch, enough to put it ahead of Spectre this time around, but I’d be lying if I said I saw what those who champion this film see in it.

    Very much this. I find it difficult to sit through, and I was the other fella who put it firmly at the bottom.

    While I'm no fan of MR either, I saw it on the big screen a couple of years ago and it was so much fun to watch in the company of a receptive audience. OP, not so much.
  • Slazenger7Slazenger7 Gothenburg, Sweden
    edited April 2021 Posts: 1,344
    Quantum of Solace is the biggest cinematic dissapointment I’ve ever experienced. Since I was floored by how great Casino Royale was I had extremely high expectations for the series. I absolutely hated it upon release, the plot, the characters (Camille, Dominic Greene, Elvis, Madrano) the hectic editing, the treatment of Mathis in a dumpster and for being everything that CR wasn’t. For many years it rested at the bottom of my list along with DAD.
    I wasn’t very pleased with Skyfall and Spectre either and in the light of that it has climbed a bit but not much. Mainly for the Tosca scenes which I have come to appreciate a lot actually. I currently have it at #21 and I rank it above Spectre, but that initial letdown is hard to shake off.
  • CraigMooreOHMSSCraigMooreOHMSS Dublin, Ireland
    Posts: 8,223
    Quantum Of Solace sits at 18 on my personal rankings. That puts it above Spectre, at least, and it has grown on me steadily over time. There are still some issues that will always be prominent, but the film is a long way from being the "worst Bond film by a mile" that I thought it was when I first saw it in 2008.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,219
    QOS has grown on me. I echo @Slazenger7's sentiments; this film wasn't CR² and that left me frustrated and angry in 2008. What were they thinking, giving us a film that runs barely over 90 minutes? What drugs was the editor on when he decided to fast-forward through the shots? What was with that "Bang! Bang! Bang!", Alicia? Where was Kleinman? ... Yeah, I had a ton of complaints.

    But subsequent viewings made me appreciate QOS and its superluminal narrative and visual style much more. I think Craig is really strong in this one too, and Arnold's score, though stark, is actually one of his better works in my opinion. The choice of shots, which used to be problematic for me, is now something I actually applaud.

    I had QOS at number 10, far below CR but only one spot below SP. In fact, SP and QOS constantly trade places as my number 2 and 3 of the Craig Bonds.
  • SomethingThatAteHimSomethingThatAteHim
    edited April 2021 Posts: 532
    Quantum is number 10 for me. I liked it in the theater when it came out and I I’ve liked it every subsequent time I’ve watched it as well. Its no-frills brutality recalls Licence to Kill, and its brief runtime is a breath of fresh air in a series where many entries could have used some trimming. There are obvious issues with the camerawork and editing in the action scenes, but despite that I find the action sequences to be exhilarating. As much as I like Skyfall I was pretty disappointed that at the time that it completely jettisoned the style of Casino and Quantum. I even think the villain is pretty underrated too; his performance is chillingly unhinged and his plot is a good one.

    And despite its brief run time and plethora of action, the movie finds plenty of wonderful character moments throughout. And for a movie that was apparently being written on the spot by non-writers, there’s a lot of very good dialogue! I love all the scenes of Bond and Matthis together in particular.
  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    Posts: 14,619
    #16 on my list. SF gets a lot of praise for its cinematography, but I always thought QOS' cinematography was more creative and used more interesting camera angles. These days, the only niggles for me are the short length and that bloody boat anchor! "And I have a pest."
  • Mathis1Mathis1
    Posts: 7,520
    QBranch wrote: »
    #16 on my list. SF gets a lot of praise for its cinematography, but I always thought QOS' cinematography was more creative and used more interesting camera angles. These days, the only niggles for me are the short length and that bloody boat anchor! "And I have a pest."

    Always thought the cinematography in QoS was better than SF. SF has a couple of stunning shots, but most of it I find rather flat and bleached out (the pts!)
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Top five Bond. Best post-6os film.
  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    Posts: 14,619
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    QBranch wrote: »
    #16 on my list. SF gets a lot of praise for its cinematography, but I always thought QOS' cinematography was more creative and used more interesting camera angles. These days, the only niggles for me are the short length and that bloody boat anchor! "And I have a pest."

    Always thought the cinematography in QoS was better than SF. SF has a couple of stunning shots, but most of it I find rather flat and bleached out (the pts!)
    Some seem to think the epitome of great cinematography is wide shots and symmetry, but there's more to it than that. Here we have cameras mounted onto bonnet edges that shake when stopping in a tunnel; a top-down view of Mathis in a dumpster transitioning into Bond and Camille driving through the desert; a quick look at a dog on a roof; a car crashing over the cliff, rolling half out of frame, Tanner's search of all the Dominic Greenes out there displayed across Bond's windscreen. Clever stuff.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,985
    QoS is usually #3 or #4 for me. Vastly underrated and disgustingly good, I think the culmination of the pros outweigh the cons, most of which don't bother me to begin with. It's my favorite installment of the Craig era and the easiest, most entertaining one to rewatch, I'd say. And yes, the cinematography is sublime. The film really, really does it for me. Not too many films I've left a theatrical viewing of that blown away and amazed, instantly ready to go back in and watch it again. I saw it five times in theaters, worth every penny.
  • jake24jake24 Sitting at your desk, kissing your lover, eating supper with your familyModerator
    edited April 2021 Posts: 10,592
    I love QOS for pretty much all the reasons mentioned, though personally it is simultaneously a frustrating watch because of how much better it could have been. Keep the story, the characters, the action, and score but I would have liked to see an additional 15-20 more minutes of character/plot progression (given how fast paced it already is I don’t think it would even impact the narrative except for the better). I never cared for how easily Fields and Mathis were disposed without much to do. I can easily overlook the slightly disjointed narrative and editing after repeated viewings but I’ve always found those aspects to be the most detrimental to an otherwise solid Bond film. I think some subtle changes in post-production would have made it more appealing to audiences and fans. Nevertheless it is great to see this film starting to shake off the “worst Bond film ever” title as there are many superb highlights throughout.
  • Mathis1Mathis1
    Posts: 7,520
    Agree that QOS biggest flaw is that its too short!!
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    edited April 2021 Posts: 7,162
    I'm also a QOS defender. I think Craig is excellent, so are Kurylenko and Arterton, Mathis is one of 007's finest allies, the dialogue is great, the score Arnold's best and the cinematography is richer than anything in the Mendes films.

    Personally, as a lover of Franco-Italian cinema, I really like the arty stuff too, such as the location cards, the fancy camera work, and the mixture of vagueness and subtlety that makes this one so unique.

    If there is one gripe, it's Amalric. A fine actor, but terribly underwritten. The boat chase isn't the best ever either.

    Having said that, I'm definitely in the pro-QOS camp.
  • goldenswissroyalegoldenswissroyale Switzerland
    Posts: 4,487
    I see it like @jake24. I would love QoS more when the movie would have a few extra minutes, especially for more sceen time for Mathis and Fields. And there are beautiful locations which I would like to see a bit longer. It's great that this movie doesn't try to be as long as the other Craig ones but 5 to 10 minutes more would be appreciated.
    QoS is definitely never boring, not a second.
    And I love the location cards.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    edited April 2021 Posts: 7,162
    About that poster @Mathis1, it was described as an unused one. Not sure if that's true, but I hadn't seen it yet and I liked it :)

    @goldenswissroyale Nice to see I'm not alone on the location title cards.
  • pachazopachazo Make Your Choice
    edited April 2021 Posts: 7,314
    Playing catch-up here, I'm glad to see MR finish higher than expected, but was hoping for a better outcome with OP.

    As for QoS, I know I'm on a fan site when it finishes this high and I love it! It's a top ten for me. Have been enthralled since opening night and I'm glad that it seems to be gaining new levels of appreciation every year.

    It's not without its faults and I do understand why some take issue with it, but the positives far outweigh any niggles I might find. Craig, first and foremost, gives an outstanding performance. The fight scenes, score, cinematography are all top notch. I love the style, character moments and the clever little editing touches.

    Regarding the length, I don't disagree that some additional time to focus on plot and characters would strengthen the film, but the short runtime is refreshing (especially in the Craig era) and is yet another unique feature to love about this fantastic Bond film. Someone once described it as an adrenaline rush and I quite agree.

    QoS is not well regarded outside the fandom. Heck, not even with some within. But its defenders are a passionate bunch and I'm always happy to read the positive remarks on here.
  • goldenswissroyalegoldenswissroyale Switzerland
    Posts: 4,487
    Birdleson wrote: »
    So, I guess it would have to be either FYEO or LTK next. Unless I'm overlooking something obvious.
    These are the most realistic options. Not sure where SF and LALD will land. My bet is on LTK for the next one.


  • Mathis1Mathis1
    edited April 2021 Posts: 7,520
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    About that poster @Mathis1, it was described as an unused one. Not sure if that's true, but I hadn't seen it yet and I liked it :)

    @goldenswissroyale Nice to see I'm not alone on the location title cards.

    I did see that poster before. It was in a newspaper ad for the movie when it came out (those ones that run a one line review with)
    Regarding the boat chase, Empire magazine included a Bond booklet in one of their issues, and it had brief interviews with some of the Directors, and Forster stated that it was the one set piece he wasn't happy with!
    And I love the use of the location cards too, particularly the London one!
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 7,162
    Well, tomorrow we're down to the upper half. Actually number 12.5 is, but I feel generous,so number 13 can be upper half too.

    An overview of the films still in the running:

    - Dr. No
    - From Russia with Love
    - Goldfinger
    - Thunderball
    - On Her Majesty's Secret Service
    - Live and Let Die
    - The Spy Who Loved Me
    - For Your Eyes Only
    - The Living Daylights
    - Licence to Kill
    - GoldenEye
    - Casino Royale
    - Skyfall

    To be continued...
  • Some_Kind_Of_HeroSome_Kind_Of_Hero
    Posts: 6,844
    Octopussy was definitely legit as far as original Bond scripts go. Though, controversially perhaps, I think a few others that have been knocked out already had some of the best original scripts (or at least stories) as well. I'm also realizing that I've placed five of those knocked out already higher than anyone else here.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 7,162
    Today we're getting started with the first entry that made it, more or less, into our top half.

    STARRING
    Roger Moore as James Bond 007

    WITH
    Carole Bouquet, Julian Glover, Topol & Lynn-Holly Johnson

    FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

    MUSIC BY Bill Conti
    DIRECTED BY John Glen

    tumblr_owax52kbRX1tgh17uo8_1280.jpg

    FYEO's best finish was 6th, which it managed on three occasions. It also secured three 8th, three 9th and two 10th places, giving it 11 top 10 spots.

    With 9 more top 15 finishes and almost everything else away from the bottom 5, FYEO appears to be well-appreciated. One member did rank it 24th, which turns out to be its lowest score by a fair stretch.

    Rog's fifth outing is also the highest rated entry that did not feature in anyone's top 5.

    FYEO secured 146 points in total.
  • BennyBenny Shaken not stirredAdministrator, Moderator
    Posts: 15,152
    I’m one of the minority that places QOS lower than it achieved here. 23rd on my list. As with all Bond films I don’t hate it. But it doesn’t work for me on the whole. As a direct follow up to CR it has too many plot holes for my liking. Along with a poor script, “I can’t find the umm stationary. Will you help me look?”
    And an uninspired villains plot. I don’t think the Bolivian water supply matches that of Goldfinger contaminating the US gold supply with an atomic bomb.
    I’d rather a little more time were put into QOS and it could’ve been a decent film. One thing that does work for me is Daniel Craig. He’s been solid throughout his tenure.
  • Mathis1Mathis1
    Posts: 7,520
    Have always been fond of FYEO! It has a weak villain, but it is well made, with some great action scenes, the car chase and the ski set piece in particular. Highpoints are the pts (love the opener at Tracy grave) up to the pick up of Blofeld, the raid on the warehouse, and the keel hauling sequence. Melina is an unusual Bond girl, and Topol is is one of the most memorable allies!
    Its 40th anniversary this year. Must watch it soon.
  • Max_The_ParrotMax_The_Parrot ATAC to St Cyril’s
    Posts: 2,426
    Poor Roger, all hopes now rest on Spy and Die!
    I’ve no idea who's rating Thunderball so high!
    (It’s a rhyming couplet) *giggle*
  • Slazenger7Slazenger7 Gothenburg, Sweden
    Posts: 1,344
    A bit surprised to see FYEO already. I thought that one was a very popular entry. The competition is getting tougher for sure, but before License to Kill and Golden Eye, really? It’s my second favorite Roger-movie and my favorite from the 80’s, #8th place overall.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,219
    I had FYEO at #8. It's definitely a very good Bond film for me. But I can see it being an "acquired taste". The comedy may not sit well with everybody, and it's one of the more toned-down films in terms of action and spectacle. That said, the ski + bobsled sequence is one of the most kinetic chases in the series IMO. Conti's score had to grow on me too. I hated it when I first heard it aeons ago. But now, it's sitting fine in this film. And Moore is excellent here, I think.
  • pachazopachazo Make Your Choice
    Posts: 7,314
    Oh no, FYEO already? I guess I'm one of it's biggest advocates, ranking it at 6th. It's one of Roger's best performances for sure.

    I actually think the score works well throughout most of the film, with a few exceptions, but I can understand how it's not for everyone. The humor let's you know it's still a Moore film but perhaps it's tonally jarring at times. That never bothered me either. There's a lot to love here. Even a delicatessen in stainless steel.
  • Slazenger7Slazenger7 Gothenburg, Sweden
    Posts: 1,344
    I like Contis score but the movie would of course be even better with a solid Barry-score. Sheena Eastons theme however is one of my absolute favorites in the series.
  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    Posts: 14,619
    Usually at 10th spot for me. This time? 9th. I love everything here, including what others usually pick apart: the PTS comedy, music, underwater scenes. This is one of those Bond films that slows down noticeably at the finale, but at least there is some real 'tension' during the rock climb.
  • zebrafishzebrafish <°)))< in Octopussy's garden in the shade
    Posts: 4,343
    Max_The_Parrot wrote: »
    Poor Roger, all hopes now rest on Spy and Die!
    I’ve no idea who's rating Thunderball so high!
    (It’s a rhyming couplet) *giggle*

    As a matter of fact, I had TB just behind FYEO.

    FYEO is a fun movie, but it does have lengths. I cannot stand the unnecessary ice skater storyline, both Bibi and her trainer are out of place here, and so is the attack with hockey sticks.
    On the other hand, what is not to love about the terrific ski chase, the unusual climbing sequence, the fun car chase (if a 2CV qualifies as a car), the beautiful settings and a slighty too old Moore in top form?
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