Quantum of Solace Appreciation Thread- We Found a Better Place to Meet

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  • Grinderman wrote:
    To be honest, when I joined this site a couple weeks ago I was completely shocked to see how much vitriol was spewed toward Quantum of Solace. I absolutely loved the film, but I also tend to see it as Casino Royale Part II (in the same way that I also look at the Lord of the Rings trilogy as one, very long, movie instead of its individual releases).

    Sure, it’s not a “traditional”, light-hearted Bond movie and I can see why that would turn some people off (some people just find it hard to accept change). It’s one of the darkest, if not THE darkest, Bond movies (certainly the darkest since License to Kill) and probably the most “reality based”. But it was the perfect way to explore the Bond character in ways that have never been done before and I applaud the franchise for the willingness to take that risk - and for pulling it off so well.

    It’s not a film about being suave or flippant or scoring with the babes while saving the world. It’s a film about pain and revenge and, ultimately, redemption. It wears it’s emotional scars on its sleeve with a grit and honesty never before seen in Bond films. I found it more moving and intriguing than just about any other film in the Bond catalog.

    Very well said Grinderman. I agree 1000% with your views and find that while I can do QOS as a standalone, I like it much better as a companion piece to CR.



  • Posts: 533
    I must among the few who still enjoy "QUANTUM OF SOLACE" long after I first saw it. It wasn't better than "CASINO ROYALE". Then I didn't expect it to be. It's rare for a superb Bond movie to be released back-to-back. Actually, I don't think it has ever happened.

    And I am very grateful that "QUANTUM OF SOLACE" did not become another "DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER". It was a solid follow up to "CASINO ROYALE" . . . something that the 1971 movie failed to do for "ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE".
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    DRush76 wrote:
    I must among the few who still enjoy "QUANTUM OF SOLACE" long after I first saw it. It wasn't better than "CASINO ROYALE". Then I didn't expect it to be. It's rare for a superb Bond movie to be released back-to-back. Actually, I don't think it has ever happened.

    And I am very grateful that "QUANTUM OF SOLACE" did not become another "DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER". It was a solid follow up to "CASINO ROYALE" . . . something that the 1971 movie failed to do for "ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE".

    The 60s had a back to back to back run (DN, FRWL, GF, TB) IMO.
  • Posts: 5,634
    Read this! Do it now!

    actually, it's hard to argue with, some genuine humor to be had and nothing (said) that wide of the mark either.. (I realize this may be an appreciation thread, but it's late and I'm tired and it seemed the best suitable place for it as of this moment, but take a read anyway, see what you think)

    http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=quantum_of_phallus
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,357
    Read this! Do it now!

    actually, it's hard to argue with, some genuine humor to be had and nothing (said) that wide of the mark either.. (I realize this may be an appreciation thread, but it's late and I'm tired and it seemed the best suitable place for it as of this moment, but take a read anyway, see what you think)

    http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=quantum_of_phallus

    Even though I love Quantum of Solace...I LOL'd at this. =))
  • Posts: 1,492
    Grinderman wrote:
    To be honest, when I joined this site a couple weeks ago I was completely shocked to see how much vitriol was spewed toward Quantum of Solace. I absolutely loved the film, but I also tend to see it as Casino Royale Part II (in the same way that I also look at the Lord of the Rings trilogy as one, very long, movie instead of its individual releases).

    Sure, it’s not a “traditional”, light-hearted Bond movie and I can see why that would turn some people off (some people just find it hard to accept change). It’s one of the darkest, if not THE darkest, Bond movies (certainly the darkest since License to Kill) and probably the most “reality based”. But it was the perfect way to explore the Bond character in ways that have never been done before and I applaud the franchise for the willingness to take that risk - and for pulling it off so well.

    It’s not a film about being suave or flippant or scoring with the babes while saving the world. It’s a film about pain and revenge and, ultimately, redemption. It wears it’s emotional scars on its sleeve with a grit and honesty never before seen in Bond films. I found it more moving and intriguing than just about any other film in the Bond catalog.

    1000% agree with you. QoS is a little gem. I seem to get more out of it the more I watch it. Hope you stick around Ginderman.

  • edited June 2012 Posts: 11,189
    actonsteve wrote:
    Grinderman wrote:
    To be honest, when I joined this site a couple weeks ago I was completely shocked to see how much vitriol was spewed toward Quantum of Solace. I absolutely loved the film, but I also tend to see it as Casino Royale Part II (in the same way that I also look at the Lord of the Rings trilogy as one, very long, movie instead of its individual releases).

    Sure, it’s not a “traditional”, light-hearted Bond movie and I can see why that would turn some people off (some people just find it hard to accept change). It’s one of the darkest, if not THE darkest, Bond movies (certainly the darkest since License to Kill) and probably the most “reality based”. But it was the perfect way to explore the Bond character in ways that have never been done before and I applaud the franchise for the willingness to take that risk - and for pulling it off so well.

    It’s not a film about being suave or flippant or scoring with the babes while saving the world. It’s a film about pain and revenge and, ultimately, redemption. It wears it’s emotional scars on its sleeve with a grit and honesty never before seen in Bond films. I found it more moving and intriguing than just about any other film in the Bond catalog.

    1000% agree with you. QoS is a little gem. I seem to get more out of it the more I watch it. Hope you stick around Ginderman.

    I WANT THAT ;) I can be brooding and experience pain in real life (trust me, its overrated). I CAN'T be suave and I certainly can't score with babes.
  • Posts: 11,425
    Murdock wrote:
    Read this! Do it now!

    actually, it's hard to argue with, some genuine humor to be had and nothing (said) that wide of the mark either.. (I realize this may be an appreciation thread, but it's late and I'm tired and it seemed the best suitable place for it as of this moment, but take a read anyway, see what you think)

    http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=quantum_of_phallus

    Even though I love Quantum of Solace...I LOL'd at this. =))

    Great review. Very amusing.
  • Getafix wrote:
    Murdock wrote:
    Read this! Do it now!

    actually, it's hard to argue with, some genuine humor to be had and nothing (said) that wide of the mark either.. (I realize this may be an appreciation thread, but it's late and I'm tired and it seemed the best suitable place for it as of this moment, but take a read anyway, see what you think)

    http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=quantum_of_phallus

    Even though I love Quantum of Solace...I LOL'd at this. =))

    Great review. Very amusing.

    Very amusing indeed. The Bond fan in me wishes that he hadn't made up stuff to criticize but it was still very funny...

  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Read this! Do it now!

    actually, it's hard to argue with, some genuine humor to be had and nothing (said) that wide of the mark either.. (I realize this may be an appreciation thread, but it's late and I'm tired and it seemed the best suitable place for it as of this moment, but take a read anyway, see what you think)

    http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=quantum_of_phallus

    Read less than a paragraph and found it is obviously not worth my time. Absolute trash.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,357
    "Terror has a new name....Elvis!" Oh my sides were aching. :p
  • edited June 2012 Posts: 533
    The 60s had a back to back to back run (DN, FRWL, GF, TB) IMO.


    Like I said . . . there has never been a moment in the Bond franchise when they had outstanding movies back-to-back. Unlike you, I have a very LOW OPINION of "DR. NO" and "GOLDFINGER".

    For me, the closest that ever came to happening was "FOR YOUR EYES ONLY" and "OCTOPUSSY".
  • Are there really ANYONE that do not like Quantum of Solace? It is BRILLIANT, almost as good as Casino Royale. Just a pity that is was followed by the mediocre Skyfall.
  • Posts: 7,653
    Read this! Do it now!

    actually, it's hard to argue with, some genuine humor to be had and nothing (said) that wide of the mark either.. (I realize this may be an appreciation thread, but it's late and I'm tired and it seemed the best suitable place for it as of this moment, but take a read anyway, see what you think)

    http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=quantum_of_phallus

    Read less than a paragraph and found it is obviously not worth my time. Absolute trash.

    I had a look around his site and now consider his review a work of satire. He is occasionaly funny.
    And I do not mind an OTT review as most reviewers take themselves far too serious.

  • edited November 2012 Posts: 3,494
    Are there really ANYONE that do not like Quantum of Solace? It is BRILLIANT, almost as good as Casino Royale. Just a pity that is was followed by the mediocre Skyfall.

    Yes, there are plenty of people that don't like QOS here on the board. I'm not one of them, but I recognize that it is quite flawed. Too Bourne in filming style, and enough plot holes due to the unfinished script that you could drive Sanchez' tanker through. I still enjoy the film and find more value in it than most, but this film is truly the one that's mediocre in comparison to either SF or CR.
  • Posts: 59
    I cant say it reaches the heights of excellence of CR, and nowhere near the awesome Skyfall, but QoS is not some runt of the litter, it is the fastest paced Bond movie ever, not just coz of it's running time, but because it never stops from the opening chase (one of the best in the series) to that brilliant final scene with Vesper's lover...

    I think it's only drawback is it's similarity to a Bourne movie, no bad thing really considering how good Greengrass's two Bourne's were, it just seems to give it a different air than the other Bonds...

    to cut a long story short, I really have to rate Qos in my top 10 Bonds
  • I like parts of QoS.

    Craig is awesome. The PTS scene is awesome, especially the Aston Martin's engine noise. Giancarlo Giannini is fantastic, also.

    The movie has an interesting, real-world plot that could have used more time to be fleshed out. QoS has many redeeming qualities, but they get lost in the chaos.
  • The plot in QoS was very easy to follow compared to Skyfall. In fact, it was easier to follow than Casino Royale as well. In Casino Royale I had to see the film a couple of time before I understood the relationship between the different people. I still have not entirely understood why Le Chiffre would have benefitted from the terrorist act against the airplane. In this way QoS was easier to follow. Still, I think CR is even better than QoS. In Skyfall there was too much action and too little plot. But worst was the villain who was too infantile. The theme of a former Mi6 agent who had turned bad was used also in Goldeneye, but with a much better plot and a far better actor as bad guy. Skyfall had many good action scenes and have some redeeming qualities, but I really cannot understand how people can rate this movie higher than QoS. Possibly Skyfall is better than Die another day, but only possibly.
  • edited November 2012 Posts: 3,494
    LeChiffre had a lot of stock and dumped it when it was at it's best price. The terror attack was designed to drive the stock price down. He makes a killing and can then reinvest. Insider trading, illegal as all hell but a lot of WS scumbags got rich before it became so.

    I think you are watching a different film than the rest of us. SF focused way more on plot than action, the way it should be done. QOS was mindless action like most of the Brosnan films. Only Craig, the Bregenz opera house scene, Mathis, and the last half hour from when Bond found out Fields was dead up to the finish saved the movie.

    Silva infantile??? Not at all. Just unhinged but still wildly entertaining just like Orlov and Zorin to name a few who could qualify on that score. Finally, I am a big fan of Sean Bean and thought he was great as Trevalyan and in quite a few other roles, but to say he's a far better actor than Bardem? You're entitled to your opinion but to me that's one of the most ill-informed opinions I've ever heard. Unlike Berry, Bardem deserved his Oscar and I've never seen a single poor performance from him in numerous films.

  • edited November 2012 Posts: 1,310
    Quantum of Solace DID indeed have a plot.

    It was nearly 100% ineffective and even the writers didn't seem to care about it, mind you. It's a mess of a story, and through all of it, it all has to do with Bolivia and some drought. Yikes. Even the Vesper subplot takes a side seat for nearly the entire film, until the very end when you realize, "Oh yeah, Vesper...right." (That last scene was a pretty good one though, shame about what it proceeded.)

    But alas, this is the Quantum of Solace appreciation thread and while the film sits very snuggly towards the bottom of my list, I do have some nice things to say about it. Firstly, Daniel Craig is an amazing Bond. Though the script does its best to make Bond a side-player and often times an idiot, Craig rises far and above the material to give a truly fantastic performance as Bond. He gets top marks from me.

    Mathis is a great Bond ally, too, and it was a shame to see him go. His death scene is actually quite a touching one, and one of the few scenes Forester actually pulls off. (Another one would be the scene featuring an inebriated Bond and Mathis on the plane, before arriving at La Paz).

    Quantum of Solace is also a very well shot film, despite the editors' best attempts to hide that. Roberto Schafer did a very commendable job in making QOS the best looking Bond film to date (until Skyfall, of course).

    Finally, David Arnold gave it his best shot with his score. I think that QOS probably features the best Arnold Bond score, though it could've used a little more Bond theme. But that's relatively nit-picky.

    That wasn't so bad, I guess. I'll hold all my other comments for another thread, though. ;)
  • DRESSED_TO_KILLDRESSED_TO_KILL Suspended
    edited November 2012 Posts: 260
    I really don't get why so many on here dislike QoS so much. Is it because Bond doesn't make tons of corny and out of place quips like he does in SF? Is it because he doesn't have a car with lame kiddy machine guns in it? Yes QoS was nowhere as good as CR. But it sure as hell beats the living daylights out of any Roger Moore outing, DAF, YOLT , TND, and DAD and even Skyfail.

    My favorite scene definitely was when Bond gives Mr.Slate a fatal stab wound to the neck and blood gushes out of his neck onto Bond. A great gritty realistic scene that showed how Bond really is, just a licensed hitman.

    Some things in QoS did upset me, the miraculous fall out of the crashing airplane with Camille was a completely unnecessary scene .

    I felt like the whole Dominic Greene story was done quite sloppy and crossed paths with too many other subplots. The whole Camille revenge story with General Medrano felt unnecessary and out of place in so many ways as well...but all in all it had many great moments and showed Bonds darker side at times, I enjoyed seeing Bond throw Mathis in the dumpster and checking his wallet beforehand ..It showed how Bond is used to seeing people die and that he no longer holds any special attachments to anybody since vespers betrayal. But I did like Mathis, its ashame they killed him off because he brought this warm cozy feeling to the screen, his relationship with bond somewhat reminded me of bonds relationship with Kerim Bay. I also really enjoyed when Bond snuck into the opera , especially when he stealthily took down the opera guard, retrieving the ear piece then dumping the unconscious guard in the bathroom stall while walking out breaking the door handle off.

    I didn't like the scene where Bond just took out all those MI6 guards in the elevator and escapes, I thought that was a poorly written executed scene that could have been more realistically done.

    QoS is no CR, but it is better than others and is severely underrated on these forums.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,357
    I enjoyed QoS, not as much as CR and SF but it's still very good. The Opera House Scene is the best in the whole movie.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,823
    Murdock wrote:
    I enjoyed QoS, not as much as CR and SF but it's still very good. The Opera House Scene is the best in the whole movie.
    I like CR & QOS equally. I know, so sue me.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,357
    chrisisall wrote:
    Murdock wrote:
    I enjoyed QoS, not as much as CR and SF but it's still very good. The Opera House Scene is the best in the whole movie.
    I like CR & QOS equally. I know, so sue me.

    Why would I sue you? I'm not Rupert Murdoch. :p

  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,823
    LOL, there are moments in QOS that nearly squeeze a tear out of me... how, oh how can anyone hate it?
    HATING movies with Bond actors in them? That's what Highlander 2 is for.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,357
    chrisisall wrote:
    LOL, there are moments in QOS that nearly squeeze a tear out of me... how, oh how can anyone hate it?
    HATING movies with Bond actors in them? That's what Highlander 2 is for.

    I loved QoS, not as much as CR and SF though. I still enjoy it. :)
  • edited November 2012 Posts: 82
    Reinvest? You mean in the same company? I understood that he earned money from selling his shares, but not how he could earn money by the fact the prices fell. Was he planning to buy back some of the shares when the prices were at a low? Did he think the prices would increase again? This was not totally clear to me. And if so why would they increase? This was not totally clear. This is about the only negative thing I could come to think of about Casino Royale.

    Quantum of Solace mindless action??? Seems like you are confusing it with Skyfail. It had a very clear plot and the main ingredients one would expect from a Bond movie. And I loved the fact that it was a sequel to CR. CR could hardly get a better sequel and I was hoping that Skyfall would follow the excellent lead from QoS. Unfortunately it did not. Hopefully Bond24 will be better.

    Many interesting comments after this film critic: http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/14749/skyfall-easily-the-best-bond-film-ever-made/ The critic itself claims that Skyfail was the best movie, but obviously there are many that disagree. Many of them are even more negative than I am, claiming it is the worst Bond movie so far. Personally I would say that Licence to kill is the worst. Although it has a better plot than Skyfail, it is far too dark and violent.
  • edited November 2012 Posts: 3,494
    Reinvest? You mean in the same company? I understood that he earned money from selling his shares, but not how he could earn money by the fact the prices fell. Was he planning to buy back some of the shares when the prices were at a low? Did he think the prices would increase again? This was not totally clear to me. And if so why would they increase? This was not totally clear. This is about the only negative thing I could come to think of about Casino Royale.

    Quantum of Solace mindless action??? Seems like you are confusing it with Skyfall. It had a very clear plot and the main ingredients one would expect from a Bond movie. And I loved the fact that it was a sequel to CR. CR could hardly get a better sequel and I was hoping that Skyfall would follow the excellent lead from QoS. Unfortunately it did not. Hopefully Bond24 will be better.

    Many interesting comments after this film critic: http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/14749/skyfall-easily-the-best-bond-film-ever-made/ The critic itself claims that Skyfall was the best movie, but obviously there are many that disagree. Many of them are even more negative than I am, claiming it is the worst Bond movie so far. Personally I would say that Licence to kill is the worst. Although it has a better plot than Skyfall, it is far too dark and violent.

    Yes, reinvest in the same Skyfleet company. He probably bought low, then asked his broker to sell the shares when prices are as high as possible before the attack. If the attack works, he buys again low and profits again. The money he lost was all the profit he would have made when the prices went through the roof. It's a bit convoluted but that's the idea.

    No I am not confusing any Bond movie with SKYFALL. Calling the film names shows a lack of maturity, you don't have to sink to DTK's level to make a point. Makes you look like a bad copycat hitching your wagon to that joker. I fixed it for you. QOS reminds me of all the mindless action of the Brosnan era, tons of flying bullets with Bond never getting hit, yet unlike those films it is so poorly filmed and edited that many people can't follow the action. If you think Skyfall has plot holes, many of which can be explained quite easily except by those who need every scene spoon fed to their tiny brains, then explain all the QOS holes like Fields and Mathis. Like I said, I like QOS but even it's most die hard detractors here would have trouble agreeing with it being better than SF. You see, these aren't Bourne films, they are Bond films. Maybe you like QOS because it's like a Bourne film?

    Finally, the people here insisting that SF is the worst movie are far in the minority, not in the majority. It is a very small bunch flooding every thread with the same drivel over and over trying to convince everyone otherwise. Minnows pretending to be whales. A truly OBJECTIVE view will tell a different story. No, I wouldn't say SF is the best Bond film, but after 44 years and knowing the films as well as almost anyone possibly could, I prefer action to augment storyline and that's what SF does. Movies like TND, DAD, QOS work in reverse.


  • About CR, then he must have thought that the value of the shares would rise aragin at a later stage. This was not very clear. Still, CR is among my favourite Bond films. I just had to accept that somehow he must have benefitted, even though it was not very clear how.

    Do you think attacking your opponent in a discussion shows a much higher level of maturity? Actually I think QoS is a typical Bond film, it has many of the typical Bond elements. Neither CR, QoS nor SF are very similar to the Bourne-films. Actually, I do not think SF is the worst Bond movie. I think LTK is the worst one. And SF has some qualities. But it is far to predictable. It was for instance obvious from the start that M somehow would have to go and it was no big surpise that she got killed. And it was only from the point where Silva escaped that it started to get a bit interesting. I felt that the film was using action as a way of compensating for a weak plot.
  • About CR, then he must have thought that the value of the shares would rise aragin at a later stage. This was not very clear. Still, CR is among my favourite Bond films. I just had to accept that somehow he must have benefitted, even though it was not very clear how.

    Do you think attacking your opponent in a discussion shows a much higher level of maturity? Actually I think QoS is a typical Bond film, it has many of the typical Bond elements. Neither CR, QoS nor SF are very similar to the Bourne-films. Actually, I do not think SF is the worst Bond movie. I think LTK is the worst one.

    I've never got this, why do people hate LTK? You've got James Bond setting a guy on fire who then burns to a crisp, ON TOP OF THAT he then collapses next to a tanker which goes up like the fourth of July.
    I've always been a fan of the grim deaths that villains have in the Bond movies
    Even though I love Skyfall (I think it's the best Bond tbh with you), I got the knife in Silva's back was a reference to Kinkaid talking about 'doing things the old fashioned way', but I'd like one of the new Bonds to have an inventive way of doing off with the villains, it kinda makes it more interesting.

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