Quantum of Solace Reviews

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  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Listing to "Another Way To Die", the best way is with closed ears ! :))
    ( It's not that bad really ;) )
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    Listing to "Another Way To Die", the best way is with closed ears ! :))
    ( It's not that bad really ;) )

    Better than "All Time High", if you ask me!
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
    Listing to "Another Way To Die", the best way is with closed ears ! :))
    ( It's not that bad really ;) )

    Better than "All Time High", if you ask me!
    More agreement. -{
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • Ens007Ens007 EnglandPosts: 863MI6 Agent
    It gets better every time I watch it.

    Found the theme song catchy and pretty decent.
    Love the opening car chase and the edgy camera work - brings a realism to what is happening IMO.

    My only slight "niggle" would be that I would like to have seen more of Greene and had his character developed a little bit more ... however that's merely splitting at hairs and as such didn't detract in any way from my enjoyment of it when I 1st saw it, let alone after the umpteenth viewing!
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I agree Greene was under used, he had potential. -{
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Ens007Ens007 EnglandPosts: 863MI6 Agent
    I agree Greene was under used, he had potential. -{

    He certainly had serious potential ... he had that look in his eyes, along with certain mannerisms!
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Yes, his story about breaking the fingers of a piano student. Left
    You in no doubt he was a little unhinged :)) I would have loved to
    See more of him -{
    Sadly with the writers strike, I think we got the best they could do
    At the time, shame. Good actor playing a good villain, could have
    Been great. {[]
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Ens007Ens007 EnglandPosts: 863MI6 Agent
    Absolutely agree TP! -{
  • Absolutely_CartAbsolutely_Cart NJ/NYC, United StatesPosts: 1,740MI6 Agent
    Some additional observations about Quantum of Solace:

    The Name of the Movie

    Quantum of Solace means "amount of comfort", which doesn't really go with the theme of the film much. I know some are critical about the name, since it was just made up last-minute. They could have chosen "Another Way to Die", from the song, and it would fit more at home. But at the same time, a lot of the Bond titles sound too similar to each other ; they're either a catch-phrase (about time or death) or the name of the villain. Quantum of Solace is a unique name, I'll give them that.

    The Pacing

    The film ended in a flash, but considering how much Casino Royale set up, there was no need for a lengthy introduction of any kind. The pacing is fluid and the movie never slows down. At the same time, some of the action scenes were heavily edited and constant change in camera angles doesn't let the viewer get a good sense of the whole area/locale as a whole, but rather just where the gun is, where Bond is and where the cars are. The opening scene disoriented me a bit. There's a way to build a sense of speed and adrenaline rush but not this way. Compared to Casino Royale and Skyfall's amazing openers, QoS' opening fails hard.

    The Villain

    Greene was a totally normal human being, corrupt with power. No funny idiosyncrasies. No scars on his face. A new story for 007 meant the potential to take James Bond out of the Cold War mentality. The older movies represented the political paradigms of their time ; The west being a force of absolute good and Russia being a force of absolute evil. In QoS, the story goes well beyond just being a revenge story for Bond. Nobody is a hero. The communists, right-wing rebels, American defense agencies, British defense agencies and numerous different private entities all have their share of corruption in this movie.

    Dark Gritty Realism

    Many of the Bond movies have been comic-book-ish and tongue in cheek. Bond, in other movies, kills for his job, but his main drive is leisure and style. In this movie, Bond is a cold-blooded killer, with one of the highest death tallies, suiting Craig well. Quantum of Solace takes itself seriously and tries to tackle on a lot of political issues. In some ways, it could be some political wish-fulfillment for liberal environmentalists. The young idealist in me did resonate with some of it, but maybe 007 isn't the best film franchise for this. Or, on the other hand, it might be a good change of pace. Not all Bond films have to follow the "girls, martinis and gadgets" mantra, so I praise QoS for challenging the formula a bit. Do I want more Bond movies to be a political soap opera? No, but that's what also makes QoS unique.

    Oil and Water vs. Gold

    QoS is in many ways is a reaction to Goldfinger. Goldfinger paints his killed victims in gold. In this movie, Greene kills his victims by drowning them in oil. In the 21st century, oil is the new gold. While Goldfinger hoards gold to manipulate the hard-money market, Greene's ambitions of cornering water were even scarier. We think in terms of gun control and how a society without guns would be totally submissive to a dictator. What about our water supply? Clean water is a necessity of life and without it, one would die in just a few days. I hear lots of people say "All Bond needed to do was report Greene to the Latin American Commerce commission and be done". It made me laugh, but at the same time, the implication of the movies go deep. Since corruption in QoS is ubiquitous, who's to say Bolivia was the only country in trouble?
  • Asp9mmAsp9mm Over the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,483MI6 Agent
    Quantum of Solace was an Ian Fleming - Bond story. It wasn't a name made up last minute.
    ..................Asp9mmSIG-1-2.jpg...............
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    edited November 2014
    Asp9mm wrote:
    Quantum of Solace was an Ian Fleming - Bond story. It wasn't a name made up last minute.

    Right. And I also believe the title refers to the small modicum of comfort Bond was seeking by getting to the bottom of, and perhaps avenging, Vesper's death.
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Great title -{ just a pity M didn't ask Bond something like ....
    " I hope you at least received a Quantum of Solace ?" ;)
    But that's only a minor point.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 26,417Chief of Staff
    Asp9mm wrote:
    Quantum of Solace was an Ian Fleming - Bond story. It wasn't a name made up last minute.

    Right. And I also believe the title refers to the small modicum of comfort Bond was seeking by getting to the bottom of, and perhaps advenging, Vesper's death.

    Thank you for pointing that out...I often feel that this is overlooked by some when they complain about the title...at least I know there is another on here with common sense - and taste -{ :D
    YNWA 97
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    Sir Miles wrote:
    at least I know there is another on here with common sense - and taste

    A high compliment coming from you, Sir Miles. If only I knew how to spell "avenging"!
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 26,417Chief of Staff
    Sir Miles wrote:
    at least I know there is another on here with common sense - and taste

    A high compliment coming from you, Sir Miles. If only I knew how to spell "avenging"!

    Not really...I have very low taste :))
    YNWA 97
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    Sir Miles wrote:
    Sir Miles wrote:
    at least I know there is another on here with common sense - and taste

    A high compliment coming from you, Sir Miles. If only I knew how to spell "avenging"!

    Not really...I have very low taste :))

    I'm crushed! :# :))
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • Absolutely_CartAbsolutely_Cart NJ/NYC, United StatesPosts: 1,740MI6 Agent
    I meant to say that the director chose the title Quantum of Solace - not that he invented it.

    It was derived from a quote in one of Fleming's books, like some of you said above, but the title itself was chosen last minute when the director was in a hurry. Quantum of Solace wasn't derived from any of Fleming's works.

    Plus the phrase "quantum of solace" isn't really relevant to the story. Unlike Skyfall, which was an original story with an original title But QOS does sound cool!
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    It's the title of one of Fleming's stories ! 8-)
    Can't be a more authentic Title than one from
    Him. ;)
    Read For Your Eyes Only, you'll find it in there.
    http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Your_Eyes_Only_(short_story_collection)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Absolutely_CartAbsolutely_Cart NJ/NYC, United StatesPosts: 1,740MI6 Agent
    But the title only. Not the story itself.

    What exactly does "quantum of solace" have to do with latin american politics, utility monopolies and a revenge story?
  • Absolutely_CartAbsolutely_Cart NJ/NYC, United StatesPosts: 1,740MI6 Agent
    I think my other points are more important.

    I'll quote the essential bits.

    "The older movies represented the political paradigms of their time ; The west being a force of absolute good and Russia being a force of absolute evil. In QoS, ... Nobody is a hero. ... all have their share of corruption in this movie."

    "Many of the Bond movies have been comic-book-ish and tongue in cheek. ... In this movie, Bond is a cold-blooded killer."

    "Quantum of Solace takes itself seriously and tries to tackle on a lot of political issues. In some ways, it could be some political wish-fulfillment for liberal environmentalists."

    "Not all Bond films have to follow the "girls, martinis and gadgets" mantra ... that's what also makes QoS unique."

    "QoS is in many ways is a reaction to Goldfinger. In the 21st century, oil is the new gold. "

    " the implication of the movies go deep. Since corruption in QoS is ubiquitous, who's to say Bolivia was the only country in trouble?"
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    You seem to have your mind made up, so discussion from me
    Would be pointless. :# as for using the title and not the story.
    Have you read The Spy Who Loved Me ?
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff
    Absolutely_Cart, you have to remember that you're on a James Bond site frequented by people who know a lot about James Bond- the books, the films, etc- some of whom have been involved in the Bond world.
    Making such a basic mistake as not recognising a Fleming title dents your credibility, which causes people to attach less weight to any other points you might make. Compounding that error (post 558) doesn't help.
    As a new member, you have to walk a while before you run. Pay more attention to what others are telling you- especially advice from moderators.
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    Sir Miles wrote:

    ...I have very low taste :))

    Yep! :D
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 26,417Chief of Staff
    Higgins wrote:
    Sir Miles wrote:

    ...I have very low taste :))

    Yep! :D

    Still don't like your trainers though :p

    :D
    YNWA 97
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 26,417Chief of Staff
    I meant to say that the director chose the title Quantum of Solace - not that he invented it.

    I don't think he did...but if you have any proof of that I'd love to see it -{
    YNWA 97
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
    I've a theory: people that dislike QOS do so because no DB5. It was in CR & SF and everyone loves them.... ?:)
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • DutchfingerDutchfinger Holland With LovePosts: 1,240MI6 Agent
    chrisisall wrote:
    I've a theory: people that dislike QOS do so because no DB5. It was in CR & SF and everyone loves them.... ?:)

    Intresting theory, complete nonsense of course :)) - Quantum of Solace needed a lot more than a DB5 to become even a descent Bond movie.. (it is a start though :P )
    Better known as DutchBondFan on YouTube. My 007 movie reviews: Recapping 007
    YouTube channel Support my channel on Patreon Twitter Facebook fanpage
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
    Intresting theory, complete nonsense of course :))
    Nonsense is my specialty! :))
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I think many of us can vouch for that ! ;) :p :))
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    edited December 2014
    chrisisall wrote:
    I've a theory: people that dislike QOS do so because no DB5.

    maybe you ask Blackleiter if he dislikes QoS, Dr. No, FRWL,YOLT and DAF for that reason :p :p :p
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
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