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Comments
I agree, it will be a real shame if we don't see the return of such a beautiful talented actress.
I personally would love to see another 'operative' of Quantum, like Dr. No and Largo for SPECTRE, and perhaps see White again just very short, not giving away much about the Quantum organisation.
Well... an inch anyway.
;)
Quite a superficial reason to boot her.
To be honest I heard enough of her in Batman Arkham City.
Don't get me wrong, I like her a lot (she's great on Castle), you just don't want to see her standing next to Craig....
As long as she doesn't have the "bowl" haircut this time, I wouldn't care. It's how she measures up lying next to Craig that I'm more interested in :P
There was a lot of cheating and wasting of characters in QOS as I've mentioned.
So bad.... B-)
I'll always be a jinx to you.
(so true ...)
Bond 3.5 out of 5 In his final outing, Brosnan was ill served by the script and main Bond girl, and yet ... he is more than competent as Bond, portraying him with real grit in the PTS and continuing through the film as confident, smooth, and determined. Not as compelling, suave, or dynamic as his Bond in TND (my favorite of his portrayals of Bond), Brosnan nevertheless still holds the screen and though not his strongest film, I cannot fault him below a 3.5 for here he is more than average for me still (especially strong first half of this film).
Women 2.5 out of 5 And here the ratings in categories start to plummet. I do feel this film was hurt by Halle's portrayal of Jinx, but I also fault the script and probably the director. She is not the first awful main Bond girl (yes I'm talking about you Tanya Roberts and Denise Richards) and one guesses that she tried her best with such lines as, "Yo mama," "Oh, I think I got the thrust of it," and "Are you always this frisky?" "I'm sooooooo good," - all cringeworthy indeed. She seemed to be going for lighthearted, super confident, and an "I'm too sexy for my bikini" attitude.
Oh where is Michelle Yeoh when you need her? Or Carey Lowell? Sigh ... Anyway, the attractive "manager's special" that is served up to Bond in the hotel ("Peaceful Fountains of Desire") is just okay and brief. The young and gorgeous Rosamund Pike as Miranda Frost, who turns out to be a baddie, lifts this score to a wobbly 2.5. She is very lovely, like a stereotypical English rose. Also chilly but so beautiful (which fits her name) - and she fences with real zest. Just a weak supply of Bond women overall. Jinx did jinx this movie. There - I had to say it.
Villains 2 out of 5 Gustav Graves, a slimy self-made gazillionaire who has the smarmiest smile I have ever seen on screen - yet is strangely not very menacing. He seems like a rich kid with toys and a little boy's temper to match (witness the fencing scene). Zao looks brutal and is played with stoic coldness, but also not extremely menacing. Would have been better if we had seen some sadistic torturing from him or Graves; Zao at least had the look for that, but not much comes of his character overall. I did like the diamonds in his face; that was unique, but just how much can that help a film? Exactly. Mr. Kil (yes, let's kill the scriptwriters for this one, too) was underwhelming to put it mildly. An anniversary film deserved a great villain or two and this movie is a huge let down.
Action - 2.5 out of 5 After a fine beginning showing Bond being caught and tortured after a decent chase scene, this film unravels slowly, the action lacking punch and what's the word? Oh yes, excitement. Now I know it's a Bond film and we can stretch reality here as action escapist entertainment, but honestly this film did two unforgivable things: bored me (laser torture that wasn't really exciting, laser in space - how original, invisible car is hard to see ... uh huh) and embarrassed me (bad, bad CGI parasailing tsunami! Cringe!).
I couldn't get low enough in my seat by the end of this film. The best part, besides the opener, is the sword fight, which I enjoy every time I watch this movie. Not that I watch it often, but I do like this entire sequence for sure and Brosnan was very fine in it.
Humor 1.5 out of 5 Oh please. I cannot even repeat how endlessly unfunny the lines were. This was 95% miss, not hit, in the humor department. I - possibly in the minority at least on this forum - enjoyed Samantha's Moneypenny, including her virtual encounter with Bond. It was maybe only the second genuine laugh I had in the film (and the audience enjoyed it, I remember) - along with the line, "He beat your time, boss" matched to Graves' reaction to that. (Again, for 95% of this film, re writers and director: hang 'em)
Sadism - 3 out of 5 The torture scenes in the beginning, with Bond being stung repeatedly by scorpions and water torture, etc. were oh yes, quite sadistic. But, well, that's about it. The laser scenes were sadistic I guess, yes. I can't come up with much here. 3 only due to the opening North Korean torture scenes.
Music - 2 out of 5 I abhor Madonna's song. I remember reading at the time DAD came out that Elton John said it was "crap." I so agree; I cannot listen to it and actually turn off the sound during that sequence. The score during scenes was definitely better, yet I don't find anything outstanding except for the nice music when Bond was in Cuba.
Locations - 3.5 out of 5 Not bad at all. Cuba was nicely portrayed, the Korea and Hong Kong areas looked gritty and good, Iceland and London sparkled.
Gadgets - 3 out of 5 A goodish display of gadgets. I especially liked the high frequency ring that shatters glass and the underwater breathing device. He also had the Aston (invisible and all that), and the jet pack from Thunderball was on show. However, that was a bit jarring to me (I flashed back to Sean at that moment). But I know they wanted to bring back some things as DAD was an anniversary film, so I didn't mind overall.
Supporting Cast - 2.5 out of 5 I felt it was all pretty much average or less so; ho hum, and not much for Judi's M to do (the little she did was fine), just not enough meat here. The one standout was Emilio Echevarría as Raul, Bond's Cuban ally. He was wonderful and the film could have used a LOT more of him. Also, Kenneth Tsang's General Moon was quite good. Others ... For Q - well I think Cleese was okay because I have always enjoyed him, and here he is playing as expected. Moneypenny - I like Samantha's take on Moneypenny as I have said. The rest melded together rather forgettably. Maybe Madsen wasn't so much forgettable as annoying: I always want to either a) slap his face or b) kick his backside really hard, pretty much in whatever film I have seen him in. Forget the rest.
OVERALL - I have stated somewhere in an earlier review (I think TWINE) that DAD was DOA. But it wasn't, was it? It did great box office. I am sure because it was riding the crest of a wave, a wave that built from GE and continued surging, although faltering. But DAD did crash out on the beach with this outing. I remember feeling let down, put out. Still loved Pierce, but what the heck was all of that I just watched? And, for the first time, rather embarrassed to be a Bond fan, something I could hardly fathom. I can only guess that Pierce felt a bit of the same when he saw the final film.
It had some moments I enjoyed - the action, capture, and torture at the beginning was gritty and well done; the sword fight was great fun and excellently acted and filmed; Cuba was momentarily interesting due to a solid performance by Emilio Echevarría and lovely location; and that's truly about it.
Unfulfilled. That's the word I want. Unfulfilled promise, especially as a Bond anniversary film and, as it turns out, Pierce's last Bond movie. Yes, this film will always be a jinx for Brosnan, and for me as a Bond fan. Time for a change, and yes the times they were a changin' - although we had a bit of a wait until we got Casino Royale and a new Bond. Pierce had four Bond movies; the first two being great. The last two going from not so good to very bad indeed. Timothy, a wonderful and really great Bond, had only two. I so wish Pierce had one more very good film to go out on. But at least he had two more than Dalton, and his first two shine brightly for me still. Onward to a startlingly new Bond movie (and a review I will much more enjoy writing) ...
Just curious as to where the rest of the panel has gone regarding QOS reviews, thought I'd see some by now.
One thing though, I think even the pre-title chase has a lot of weakpoints. The diving off of the hovercraft-but-still-on-it, the flamethrowers used just to set the bush on fire, the shooting by hand of landmines... it's too much, to easy and too many easy bangs.
And I want to add that for me, every actor brings something new and unique to their portrayal of Bond. I do enjoy some of each Bond, with Lazenby the only exception for me (at times ok, other times just nope, I didn't get him as Bond). So I feel that I have a nice smorgasbord to look back and enjoy - a little spice of Sean, a smidgen of Roger, a dollop of Timothy, a frosting of Pierce, and a nice apertif with Daniel. Not bad, not bad at all. ;)
I am excited to review CR soon, but it will be another couple of days, fellow agents.
Other then that I fully agree on the Bonds, even Lazers I always enjoy. Pierce I've come to dislike far more than is fair, but that's as I said because of Craig's following him up and outshining him. In due time I'll enjoy his films more again.
Really looking foreward to your review of CR, and to those of your fellow originals. Thing is, these reviews are far more balanced and supported, or should say explained, then those we finally find on this and other sites.
1. Goldfinger- 4.23
2. From Russia With Love- 4.20
3. The Living Daylights- 4.12
4. Thunderball- 4.10
5. Licence To Kill- 4.06
6. The Spy Who Loved Me- 4.05
7. On Her Majesty's Secret Service- 4.00
8. You Only Live Twice- 3.92
9. For Your Eyes Only- 3.90
10. Live And Let Die- 3.83
11. Octopussy- 3.73
12. GoldenEye (5/6 reviews)- 3.68
13. Dr. No- 3.62
14. Tomorrow Never Dies (5/6 reviews)- 3.52
15. A View To A Kill- 3.28
16. The Man With The Golden Gun- 3.13
17. The World Is Not Enough (5/6 reviews)- 3.08
18. Diamonds Are Forever- 3.02
19. Moonraker- 2.97
20. Die Another Day (5/6 reviews)- 2.68
Below is the updated list, and hopefully next week Casino Royale will make it 21 films. Just need one more review to get it on the board-
BROSNAN ERA- No votes from Kerim
CASINO ROYALE- No votes from OHMSS, 4EverBonded, and Kerim
QUANTUM OF SOLACE- Just me (so far)
At this point, I don't see us doing Skyfall until we at least have majority votes for CR and QOS, so it will have to wait awhile yet. I've made contact with a fellow original who comments and occasionally reviews the odd film here in this thread, and he says he'd be willing to take up the slack for Kerim in the Brosnan and Craig eras if need be. I appreciate this gesture very much, and if it comes to that, I'll let everyone know.
That's it for now. As always, I look forward to more thoughtful and well written reviews to come. Have a great weekend everyone!
Bond 5.0 Craig stepped into some big shoes and established his Bond early
Women 5.0 The women are tops. Vesper, Solange, and LeChiffe's mistress
Villains 5-0 Mr. White, LeChiffe, Obanno...a good gallery of rogues
Humor 5.0
Action 4-0
Sadism 4.0
Music 3-0
Locations 5.0
Gadgets 5.0 well utilized and contributes to the plot not just to thrill audiences.
Supporting cast 5.0
Total = 46out of 50 so 4.6
CASINO ROYALE is a damned good film. Craig establishes his Bond early on. Not since Sean Connery has any Bond actor done this. It took Moore 3 films to hit his stride.
The women are beautiful and they all contribute to the film. The music is so so, the humor is well timed and in good taste. Did you catch the MGW cameo?
Everyone was up for this one and EON did a good job and made a wise choice in this film. there are some action set pieces but for the most part the film concentrates on psychological thrills versus the action extravaganzas.
CR placed first in the MI6 survey as the Best Bond film.
BOND- 4. Another solid performance from Daniel, but a confused and confusing script means he's working hard for it.
WOMEN- 4. Both the Bond girl and sacrificial lamb are damn fine ladies - but again DC's Bond ends the film alone!
VILLAINS- 3. Oh dear, after the great collection of villains in CR, the one in QoS (apart from the excellent Mr White), are a fairly lacklustre and forgettable bunch. And what's with Elvis, surely if you going to wear a wig it would be one that wouldn't make you look a total dick?!.
HUMOR- 2. A grim film with not much humour.
ACTION-4. Plenty of action, but half the time you can't make out what the blood hell is happening. I remember hearing a quote from BB at the time of filming to say there was more action in QoS than CR, and my initial thought was there was plenty of action in CR and a story too, I was just wondering if the story was going to be forgotten…
I find a lot of the action just seems to be put in because they had no story, and the jerky camera fast editing style is not something I a fan of. And how the bloody hell does that boat flip?
SADISM- 4. Apart from the god-awful title sequence and Jack's hideous theme song, most of the sadism comes from Gen Medrano, about the only hiss-able villain in the whole film. A real nasty piece of work.
MUSIC- 4. (see Sir Henry's review). Probably my favourite part of the film!
LOCATIONS-3. Grim, mostly, I felt this film really lacked the glamour of previous entries. And so many, half the time I don't know where we are - and that's with the help of titles!
GADGETS- 1. Nothing of note.
SUPPORTING CAST- 3. Some good support, though Felix is given very little to do (and GW looks quite pissed off at that!).
OVERALL SCORE AND RECOLLECTIONS- 31. Not a total loss, but still a missed opportunity. I love the Bourne films, but Bourne is Bourne and Bond is Bond and never the twain should meet. Let this be a lesson. It is a film I can watch, but I still don't know wtf is going on, Greene is forgettable villain, and someone who would expect to cry if he got a slap!
There are somethings that I hate about this film and the worst crime is the killing off of Mathis, why kill off such a great character played by such a excellent actor? And they way he was dealt with I though out of character for Bond (maybe I'm wrong), a scene that is almost as horrific as the Bond/Moneypenny virtual love scene from DAD!
So many questions, why does Bond rescue Camille and then leave her? Why doesn't he say what really happened to the special branch guy when accused of shooting him point blank?
Was DK not available to do the titles? these are among the worst in the series, and Jack's awful song is only slightly better than Madonna's ear-shattering effort!
Not a favourite but still better than some of the 70s/80s output, could have been a good film were it not for the writers' strike and a director who wanted to get the four elements into his film. The final scene is good and ties it in with CR quite neatly, though I still have trouble with the opening. At the end of CR Bond looks smart and well rested, yet this film starts minutes/hours after the end of CR and Bond looks like shit. And where did the bad guys come from?
And another thing, although this is the shortest entry in the series, it actually feels longer that CR and Skyfall - which I put down to editing and pace, the films that bookend this entry both being edited by the great Stuart Baird.
Thankfully Skyfall is coming…
So true. Thank God that Casino Royale came about, and restored my Bondian fandom.
*note this isn't a tirade against Brosnan, just the general direction the series was heading...
Yes, considerably.
BOND- 4.5 out of 5 I can only agree with what others have said in this thread about Daniel Craig. Not every film goer was skeptical from the start, but I admit to having doubts. I remember telling my best friend, "He doesn't look like my James Bond!" in a rather hurt tone, like I had been betrayed (yes, picture a pout). Yet I forced myself, before I saw CR, to think it through - because I wanted to go see a Bond movie with an open mind; I wanted to allow myself to enjoy it, or not, on its own merits. I had only seen Craig in the Lara Croft movie, that was it - yet I remembered liking him. I had not yet seen him in any other work. (So who IS this guy?!) So I shifted my anxiety from his looks (which I liked, once I got over him not looking like a traditional Bond) to his acting - of which I knew practically nothing. So I took a deep breath and went to see this film out of sheer love and devotion to the character and the film series, hoping for a good movie (after the huge letdown that was Pierce's swan song). So I went to see it, by myself like a clandestine rendezvous, sitting low in my seat.
Let's just say I have never been so pleasantly surprised, immediately reassured, enthralled, entertained, excited, and persuaded by any actor in any role so quickly.
From the opening scenes of 007's first (told in jarring flashbacks) and second kills, I knew: Bond was back. A different time in Bond's life (the beginnings of him as a 00, raw, learning the ropes, rough-edged and impulsive) - but this most assuredly was James Bond. Totally believable. Self assured and able to improvise doesn't even begin to describe this Bond. I stopped seeing Daniel Craig the actor and was watching JAMES BOND for this entire film. As this was Craig's first time stepping into that role, I cannot give him higher accolades than that.
WOMEN- 5 out of 5 I cannot remember any Bond girl being played before by such a gifted and compelling actress as Eva Green. (Closest would surely be Diana Rigg in OHMSS.) She is honestly the perfect Vesper - in no way a caricature or overdone, she is movingly quite real. Many layers and nuances. Great, great casting choice. You just knew that whoever played Vesper held the 2nd most important key to this film (after Bond) - whether the movie would end up being poor/good/great/awesome. Her chemistry with Craig is palpable, grows believably, and has the depth and full emotions of love, not just sexual attraction. Standing ovation to whoever made the final decision to cast her. Not an easy role by any means.
The sultry, simmering Solange was very well played by Caterina Murino. And thankfully, like all of this movie, her time with Bond was not ruined by stupid one-liners or OTT humor. She just did a slow burn, along with Bond. Nicely played, and I like how their scenes were not rushed.
VILLAINS- 4 out 5 Ahhh, le freak say Chic. LeChiffre that is, the main villain. This villain is rather subtle at first, seems not so big on the block somehow, and also doesn't look powerful or so menacing. But ... his utter ruthlessness and sadism come to the fore big time, not only for allowing his girlfriend to get her arm cut off without saying a peep (that it didn't happen was not due to him), but also of course the quite realistic torture of Bond (I'm a woman and I still crossed my legs watching that scene). The eye weeping blood was a little creepy but it was his true colors coming through that made him so despicable.
Then we have a bunch of believably nasty people, all well acted: Dimitrios - what a loser; an arrogant and cruel jerk of the highest order ... Obanno - eager to chop anybody's limbs or head off and a participant in a very memorable scene: the stairwell fight with Bond while Vesper tries to flee ahead of them ... the scum Dryden who is the traitor at the beginning of the film (handily dispatched by Bond on his second kill) ... and a few assorted others including the elusive Mr. White, whom Vesper gives up to Bond via text message (and who then goes for a long trunk ride with Bond, right into the next film). A full assortment, all very well done indeed.
HUMOR- 4 out of 5 This film is very well written, I must say. The dialogue is natural, flows, and at times really sparkles. There is charm and wit throughout - especially with M's exasperated complaints about Bond, and of course the repartee between Vesper and Bond, beginning with the truly wonderful first meeting on the train scene; it really shines. Lots of warmth, challenge, and sizzle - sexy and fun. Nothing OTT in this film; the humor is just right in my opinion.
ACTION- 4.5 out of 5 The action in CR is top notch, in my opinion. Some fans may have wanted more big explosive set pieces, but the action fit the story, moved the story along, and really delivered impact. Quite outstanding: the entire opening sequence showing Bond's first two kills, done in stark black and white and muted tones; the freerunning chase (got to be one of the best ever on film); and the stairwell fight, which was so realistic and brutal and frightening, just one of my favorite fight scenes ever (particularly effective with Vesper in the lead, trying to open locked stairwell doors and barely escaping harm herself).
Which, by the way, led to one of my favorite scenes (and I feel one of the best acted, ranking as high as in any Bond film): the shower scene with Vesper in shock, sitting still in her evening gown and letting the shower rain over her like sadness and despair that won't go away, the blood she still sees on her hands, and Bond comforting her, almost wordlessly. Simply beautiful and said so much, that scene.
The action did change and slow in the second half. Quoting SirHenry: ... the film takes on the tense feel of an old time spy thriller much of 2nd half. I agree and this was all to the film's benefit. At the end, with the sinking house in Venice, I wasn't bothered by it or excited - I was too caught up in the story and the sadness of how Vesper chose to die (threw away the key). That still affects me, those final moments. I knew it had to be different from the novel (because that would have made for a boring scene - cinematically, it just wouldn't cut it). Very appropriate and memorable action in CR.
SADISM- 5 out of 5 Oh, please. See my remarks about LeChiffre and Obanno. Nuff said. Full marks for sadism in this film.
MUSIC- 4 out of 5 Lovely, appropriate, lush at times, and lots of subtlety. I do like the main theme song a lot. It rocks! And so fits this particular story, doesn't it? I especially love Vesper's theme - it is haunting, beautiful, wistful, and yet somehow does not make me sad (quite an accomplishment).
LOCATIONS - 5 out of 5 Gorgeous locations, splendid backdrops, sparkling array of natural beauty and in a nice variety of countries - all so in tune with the story and quite memorable. Besides England, I now want to live in Italy, I really do. Lake Como especially - or Umbria, Sienna. Quoting NicNac: Prague, Uganda, Bahamas, Madagascar, Miami, Montenegro, Lake Como, Venice. I mean WOOF!
And I second his WOOf!
GADGETS - 3 out of 5 Not a full basket of goodies, but an Aston that does have a handy defibrillator (or do they all come with that these days? I wouldn't know...) - which, quite coincidentally, just happens to be in the right place at the right time (as Bond staggers from the casino, literally dying) to save Bond's life. The Q Branch (but no Q in this one) seem to have the right premonitions at times, don't they? (As does Vesper, who follows him out and thankfully attaches the wire correctly in time.)
I guess with an agent who can think on his feet, change his plans or actions in a heartbeat, and do freerunning and brutal hand-to-hand combat fighting like this Bond, a lot of gadgets aren't needed.
SUPPORTING CAST- 5 out of 5 Stellar cast. No Q or Moneypenny in this one, but we get a rich assortment:
Casino Royale offers Judi Dench in brilliant form as M. Exasperated with her new 00 agent, pushing him, not sugar coating anything, doubting his judgment at times, and yet still believing in him. She had some great lines and delivered them superbly.
A new, and for me improved, Felix Leiter in Jeffry Wright. I really enjoyed him. He was solid, smart, and had his own style and wit. I like him a lot and want him back in the next Bond film. And it was refreshing to see an American played NOT as a raucous, backslapping, loud, aggressive, cocky, pushy guy. This Leiter is cool, laidback even, subtly calculating, sharp, and there is a real solid feeling of warmth and respect between him and Bond.
And one of the best supporting characters ever, René Mathis played superbly by Giancarlo Giannini. May I just say that I love this actor's face? He lets everything play across it; so watchable, always. Mathis, for me, does harken back to Kerim Bey (FRWL) and Columbo (FYEO) - not as an imitation, mind you. Mathis is smooth and relaxed, warm, brimming with a lifetime's experience, and more than just a help to Bond. Giancarlo's chemistry with Daniel Craig is so strong and real, you could just sense the camaraderie and bonding (no pun intended) between them to be real. What a great character, and I only wish we had him in at least one more Bond film. (*slap!* - that's me slapping EON, and all guilty parties, for killing him off in QOS.)
OVERALL - What can I say? This Bond film was a stunner, one I ( and many) had been waiting for, for a long time. It didn't just explode on the screen, because that sounds like a huge action film. It stood tall, right from the beginning. And it just tore off all the wrappings that had enveloped Bond films for the past four decades - just peeled them off, layer by layer, starting right with the stark, in your face PTS: it said - This is the real deal. This is Bond. James Bond. I absolutely loved the way this movie was different, yet more real to me as Bond than nearly any other film.
Special note: This film was also wonderfully written, filmed, paced, and edited ... demonstrating again how crucial those skills and elements are to make a fine movie.
As for Daniel Craig, I could go on and on ... suffice to say yes, he is a very fine actor, and for me, totally believable as Bond. And his performance is growing. I am very excited to see the next Bond film - and the biggest reason for that is Daniel Craig.
How can I put my personal, visceral reaction? He didn't take anything away from the other Bond actors I have loved and still love. He was his own man, his own Bond right from the beginning. How cool is that? So yeah, I'm a believer. Honestly, Daniel Craig had me at, "I know where you keep your gun."
To sum up: Did I like Casino Royale and the new Bond, Daniel Craig?
Yes, considerably.
FINALLY, another QOS review other than mine :)
I see you had some questions you were asking yourself, please allow me to try and explain some of it. First, I am surprised you didn't get how the boat flipped, I can follow the boat chase much easier than the PTS car chase and Bond/Mitchell swinging around making me dizzy in the chapel undergoing renovations. Although I love the CGI stunt when they go crashing through the glass top of the chapel, at least I think it looks like CGI. If so, this is an example of CGI being put to GOOD USE. Anyway, when the Medrano henchman boat piles on top of Bond's, he clearly throws his anchor into theirs and takes off. When the anchor line goes taut, it flips the villain boat up into the air and out of action. A very simple matter all in all, at least in my case, it seems a little less flash cut than the other scenes I mentioned.
Agreed that the action seems like filler for lack of completed script at times. Still beats the scenes in DAD, which move slow enough to allow maximum groaning.
Mathis' death I gave my very best explanation for. Call me an apologist if you will for some of the film's many shortcomings, but I don't find the scene as distasteful as others do. But I can't argue with those who feel that Mathis deserved better.
I think Bond left Camille after the boat chase for the simple reason he's always stated- he works better alone. I always liked when Wai Lin hit him with his own line there 11 years earlier and that's what came to mind for me. The part with Bond not telling M he didn't shoot the Special Branch bodyguard, now that I found incomprehensible, it's like they were committed to turning M against him and weren't too concerned how they did it. Shoddy writing there.
Yes, I just need two more QOS reviews and it will be time to start with Skyfall. Your points by the way added up to 32 rather than 31 ;)
re the boat flip - I see the anchor, but if the boat flips because Bond speeds off, then why doesn't he tow the boat in the harbour? or did the anchor rope break with the strength of the jerk?! Anyway whatever the explanation I still find it a bit odd.
And when are we going to see DC's Bond ending the film with the girl? preferably in a boat which seems to be a classic ending for Bond.
@ Lancaster- I totally feel you about DC having his main babe at the end, I can only hope. To be honest, after the last 3 films I'm still guessing which cliches they are keeping/bringing back and which ones they've discarded for the moment. I thought we'd get the gun barrel and girl for SF so it shows what I know about what's going on. And with a gay man in Logan writing the newest script, it's very hard to say at this point what's in his head when it comes to the tried and true heterosexual cliches. We got a small taste of his thoughts when we met Silva and saw the psychological homoerotic game he was playing- I PRAY this is a one-off kind of thing, this sort of focus does not belong in a Bond film on a regular basis.
@ 4Ever- as I've come to expect, a thoroughly detailed, insightful, and humorous review. I really can't add anything other than the above compliments at the moment, but rest assured I will if something springs to mind.
Looking forward to more QOS reviews to discuss, as you've all read Lancaster and I have had good conversation and additional thoughts about the movie's pros and cons. Hopefully it will help the rest of our panel with theirs :)