I don't see a big deal. I hope most of you complainers noticed that the gun barrel sequence was moved in Casino Royale as well.
Was it? Oh, I never noticed. I've only seen the film twenty odd times.
Listen Jack, the gunbarrel was tweaked in CR to both highlight the fact the franchise had been rebooted and to demonstrate the origin of the sequence. Excellent. Job done.
To continue f**king about with it in QoS makes no sense. It is the one tradition EVERY single Bond film has carried to kick off the movie before and is a key signature for the franchise.
Even Sir Sean referenced it on the South Bank Show last night.
I'm getting sick to the back teeth of people saying it's no big deal. It is.
It's removing a key identifier. Bourne doesn't have any. You don't know you're watching a Bourne film until you hear a character from the series called by their name.
The gunbarrel sequence tells you immediately that you're watching a Bond film. It also acts as a warm up act to get you in the mood for the action to come. Putting it at the end of the film is like putting a warm-up act on stage after the comedian has finished his set - ergo pointless.
Now, I'm glad the producers decided to get gritty again. God knows the franchise needed it. No more invisible cars, no more tarzan calls when swinging from trees, no more telling snakes to 'hiss off.' Excellent.
But please, why dick about with the gunbarrel and Bond theme? I'll tell you why. I reckon the producers are embarrassed of Bond's history and heritage and are now solely guided by the Bourne franchise. If that's the case they should step aside and let someone who is a genuine Bond fan take over. Someone who hasn't inherited the franchise through family.
Thank you Fitzochris! I couldn't have said it better myself! Let's not start picking apart what made this series great. The reboot was desparately needed, and I hope EON keeps the grittiness going for awhile. But don't start tampering with an institution like the gun barrel just because EON and Wilson want change for changes sake! Not a good excuse to change things around.
Now, before I get flamed by others, AGAIN, let me restate that the lack of a gun barrel at the beginning of this film will not change the way I view QOS as a whole. If this movie is the classic that I hope it will be, the gun barrel will not skew my rating. But I feel something will be missing by not seeing the gun barrel at the beginning. And I don't need to see the film to make that judgement!
Most people associate the Bond theme with some dorky-tongue-in-cheek get-out. It has become over used and cliched, time for a rest and to build it back up for use in momentous moments.
As for the gunbarrel being at the end and it not fitting. Has any of you actually seen it in context yet?
No. See my post above. Why do I need to see the film to make a judgement? The gun barrel belongs at the beginning, plain and simple! Even if it does work at the end of this film, why not put it both at the beginning and the end?
Here's a better idea. If the classic gun barrel at the end signifies the Bond we all know and the end of this two film arc, then start the movie with a variation of the CR gun barrel. This will symbolize that Bond still has some maturity to gain, and at the same time signify that we are still watching a Bond film.
It's not too late to edit the film before release. All they need to do is reuse the CR gun barrel, or duplicate the QOS gun barrel at the beginning.
That's crazy. I thought they'd go back to the traditional. I would have loved to see the old Maurice Binder gun barrel with the Bond song from FRWL or GF with the guitar. THAT would have been cool.
"Some savvy filmic feng-shui sees the gunbarrel cleverly moved, replacing the over-designed tics of the Brosnan motif with a 1970's simplicity and giving the usually ignored end credits a Bansky-style bloody wall motif on which to scroll the titles."
"Some savvy filmic feng-shui sees the gunbarrel cleverly moved, replacing the over-designed tics of the Brosnan motif with a 1970's simplicity and giving the usually ignored end credits a Bansky-style bloody wall motif on which to scroll the titles."
Described like that I actually look forward to seeing them—though I still have my doubts about them being at the end.
I don't need a gun barrel logo to tell me it's a Bond movie 8-) I don't think that many people outside of fandom really care or will notice if it is or isn't there either. It's a huge stretch to claim that the lack of gunbarrel will make or break the movie and not make it stand out as a Bond film.
... well said, pal.
After waiting for 2 years and reserving tickets in advance, I will be pretty sure, that I am sitting in QoS, I don't need a gunbarrel to remind me.
And I'd prefer the lack of a gun barrel against another appearance of an invisible car in any 007 movie to come
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I don't need a gun barrel logo to tell me it's a Bond movie 8-) I don't think that many people outside of fandom really care or will notice if it is or isn't there either. It's a huge stretch to claim that the lack of gunbarrel will make or break the movie and not make it stand out as a Bond film.
... well said, pal.
After waiting for 2 years and reserving tickets in advance, I will be pretty sure, that I am sitting in QoS, I don't need a gunbarrel to remind me.
And I'd prefer the lack of a gun barrel against another appearance of an invisible car in any 007 movie to come
It's at the end, it gets a cheer, I need to see it again before passing judgement on the actual graphics (but the title graphics are awful!) general comment from everyone was that it was poor in terms of quality.
Does it work at the end? I don't think so, I don't know why it was moved, why not have the cheer for Bond at the start? It's an icon, it's been fiddled with but all we want is a decent gun barrel...
However having said all that it works fairly well in context, especially with the music over the end credits. I still want it back at the beginning though
Thanks, Si: good to hear this from someone who has seen it.
How bad are the individual title cards announcing each location? When I first read of their "uniqueness" I could not help thinking about the horrid typography in Ocean's 12.
It's at the end, it gets a cheer, I need to see it again before passing judgement on the actual graphics (but the title graphics are awful!) general comment from everyone was that it was poor in terms of quality.
Does it work at the end? I don't think so, I don't know why it was moved, why not have the cheer for Bond at the start? It's an icon, it's been fiddled with but all we want is a decent gun barrel...
However having said all that it works fairly well in context, especially with the music over the end credits. I still want it back at the beginning though
Didn't get a cheer at our showing.
Yes, the title graphics are garbage. The location announcements, a bit cartoonish and irritating. The gun barrel graphic, I'm afraid, looks like a cheap afterthought, and the rendition of the Bond theme a little tinny and empty sounding - plus it's too quick, he hardly walks on screen before he fires.
Does it work at the end? No; I'm afraid it didn't for me. Did I miss it at the beginning? Very much so.
It's at the end, it gets a cheer, I need to see it again before passing judgement on the actual graphics (but the title graphics are awful!) general comment from everyone was that it was poor in terms of quality.
Does it work at the end? I don't think so, I don't know why it was moved, why not have the cheer for Bond at the start? It's an icon, it's been fiddled with but all we want is a decent gun barrel...
However having said all that it works fairly well in context, especially with the music over the end credits. I still want it back at the beginning though
Didn't get a cheer at our showing.
Yes, the title graphics are garbage. The location announcements, a bit cartoonish and irritating. The gun barrel graphic, I'm afraid, looks like a cheap afterthought, and the rendition of the Bond theme a little tinny and empty sounding - plus it's too quick, he hardly walks on screen before he fires.
Does it work at the end? No; I'm afraid it didn't for me. Did I miss it at the beginning? Very much so.
Pretty much confirms all my fears. I'll see for myself tonight, I guess. I only hope they take on board the views of the fans and reinstate it to the beginning of the next film.
After hearing what was posted in this thread, I must say I'm bitterly disappointed. I haven't seen the film yet, so I'll reserve judgment on the film itself until I see it, but the gunbarrel at the beginning along with the Bond film is a trademark of the Bond franchise. Every Bond film should start with a gunbarrel and the theme. It's bad enough that they had to meddle with the theme to make it more "modern" and "upbeat" throughout the 80s and the 90s; to remove the sequence from the beginning of the film is sacrilege, in my opinion.
I don't know how it will work out because I haven't seen it. It may still turn out to be a good film, but the lack of a gunbarrel sequece to open the movie is very disappointing. I hated how they changed the gunbarrel in Casino Royale, although that turned out to be a pretty good film. Let's hope that Quantum of Solace will be just as good.
Oh, and can I just add that the sound of seats tipping back on themselves, people rustling up their rubbish and fumbling for jackets loses any impact the gun barrel may have at the very end of the film.
Oh, and can I just add that the sound of seats tipping back on themselves, people rustling up their rubbish and fumbling for jackets loses any impact the gun barrel may have at the very end of the film.
Agreed, it's a waste, it fundamentally is Bond and they've changed it for, from what I can see, no reason whatsoever. You can meddle with forumlas, however the gun barrel is one of the worlds most well known film introductions. Don't shy from what you have when it's so well known.
Of anything this made me the angriest and allows the comparison between Bond and Bourne, you don't know it's a Bond film until the end...
Well, having read a lot of the comments on this site about the gun barrel of quantum of solace, I thought I'd sign up and add my comments seeing as I've just seen the film.
What people are missing is that change is a good thing. Change within 40+ year, 22 film franchise is not only a good thing but actually quite necessary to keep things fresh and exciting. Lets hope the words 'stagnant' and 'Bond' are never associated with eachother. The Bond franchise has seen a brilliant and successful re-boot thanks to Casino Royale. Part of the success of Casino Royale lies with the producers creativity to mix things up a bit, particularly with the gun barrel sequence. This change in direction continues with Quantum of Solace and quite frankly, its damn refreshing to see something new and interesting being done here. I for one think the gun barrel at the end is an inspiring decision and works fantastically. The presentation of the thing is up to the same standard as the Brosnan era gun barrel and anyone who disagrees is just reading a wee bit too much into it.
Finally, I have to object about the comments regarding the graphics and labelling of the different locations Bond goes to... I felt it was done in a creative, arty way and something that gives this film a uniquness and individuality to the series. And whoever said that the title graphics of this film are awful needs to get stronger prescription glasses (I suggest specsavers, they're quite good). Seriously, I thought they were very effective and different, not your ususal swimming Bond girls that we've already seen a thousand times (yawn). The emphasis is still very much on Bond's figure and this is is no bad thing, it evokes the imgaes of the fantastic Casino Royale title sequence.
Go into seeing this film with an open mind for change within the franchise and you will not be disappointed.
What people are missing is that change is a good thing.
People are missing nothing. Change is a personal thing. Some people welcome it with open arms no matter the consequence, some treat it with trepidation (myself), while some simply can't stand it.
Don't talk for people. People talk for themselves.
Just a couple of questions to the ones who´ve seen it; how does the actual gunbarrel look like? is it the CR one or the original one used from DN till DAD? Does it have the walking dots at the beginning?
The fact that someone says he doesn´t walk too much before shooting is a good sign. Reminds me of Bob Simmons.
Just a couple of questions to the ones who´ve seen it; how does the actual gunbarrel look like? is it the CR one or the original one used from DN till DAD? Does it have the walking dots at the beginning?
The fact that someone says he doesn´t walk too much before shooting is a good sign. Reminds me of Bob Simmons.
It is the whole gunbarrel yes, white dots and everything. However i found it to zoomed in for my liking and the graphics were terrible.
I was merely voicing an opinion, no need to take it personally. And again, I disagree, the graphics are great. Just because they've updated them and refreshed the look does not mean they're awful or rubbish. Its a new twist and I fail to see how thats a bad thing...
Oh and one last thing, I'm sure that all this bad reaction to the look of this film is just typical of wanting to overly criticise something new and unfamiliar. I wouldn't be surprised if people made the same comments about how awful the Goldeneye gun barrel was when it first came out; now its generally regarded as a very impressive opening to a Bond film.
I would like to say that its been very interesting reading this board, I never knew how passionate we can all get about the finer details of this brilliant franchise. But I will say that even though I admire what they've done with the whole look of the Craig era so far, I agree with other posters that it would be nice to see the traditional opening in the next film. You gotta admit that having the gun barrel at the end of this film eases it into the next one very nicely...
Saw the film lastnight and was waiting for the famous 007 gun barrel intro and to know avail. Although you know its a bond film it realy didnt feel like it. Also the opening credits song was very poor i thought, not as catchy as previous bond film songs in the past. The action sequences were excellent but the overall film was not as nearly as good as Casino Royale.
As said elsewhere the gun barrel sequence at the end of the film was poor, it was like it was just cheaply shot in seconds.
The gunbarrel worked for me, both in its placement and the quality of the image.
It arouses a similar anticipation as the "Bond, James Bond" line did at the end of CR. I would be surprised if Bond 23 didn't have the gunbarrel at the beginning.
It struck me as Daniel Craig earning his second spur and now he's graduated from Bond school with flying colours. Like he said when asked if he will have more quips and gadgets in future films: "You have to earn them". In my opinion, he has.
Comments
Thank you Fitzochris! I couldn't have said it better myself! Let's not start picking apart what made this series great. The reboot was desparately needed, and I hope EON keeps the grittiness going for awhile. But don't start tampering with an institution like the gun barrel just because EON and Wilson want change for changes sake! Not a good excuse to change things around.
Now, before I get flamed by others, AGAIN, let me restate that the lack of a gun barrel at the beginning of this film will not change the way I view QOS as a whole. If this movie is the classic that I hope it will be, the gun barrel will not skew my rating. But I feel something will be missing by not seeing the gun barrel at the beginning. And I don't need to see the film to make that judgement!
No. See my post above. Why do I need to see the film to make a judgement? The gun barrel belongs at the beginning, plain and simple! Even if it does work at the end of this film, why not put it both at the beginning and the end?
Here's a better idea. If the classic gun barrel at the end signifies the Bond we all know and the end of this two film arc, then start the movie with a variation of the CR gun barrel. This will symbolize that Bond still has some maturity to gain, and at the same time signify that we are still watching a Bond film.
It's not too late to edit the film before release. All they need to do is reuse the CR gun barrel, or duplicate the QOS gun barrel at the beginning.
Their words: "It's probably the best one of the series but God knows why it's at the end. Doesn't make sense."
Just re-enforces my theory of needless tinkering.
You got it. Someone had the "bright" idea to end the film with the gun barrel instead of beginning it! All I can say is fix it for the DVD!
Have you seen the QoS gunbarrel?
Explained like that, it makes a little more sense. Not much, but a little more.
"Some savvy filmic feng-shui sees the gunbarrel cleverly moved, replacing the over-designed tics of the Brosnan motif with a 1970's simplicity and giving the usually ignored end credits a Bansky-style bloody wall motif on which to scroll the titles."
Described like that I actually look forward to seeing them—though I still have my doubts about them being at the end.
... well said, pal.
After waiting for 2 years and reserving tickets in advance, I will be pretty sure, that I am sitting in QoS, I don't need a gunbarrel to remind me.
And I'd prefer the lack of a gun barrel against another appearance of an invisible car in any 007 movie to come
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
What mince.
Does it work at the end? I don't think so, I don't know why it was moved, why not have the cheer for Bond at the start? It's an icon, it's been fiddled with but all we want is a decent gun barrel...
However having said all that it works fairly well in context, especially with the music over the end credits. I still want it back at the beginning though
How bad are the individual title cards announcing each location? When I first read of their "uniqueness" I could not help thinking about the horrid typography in Ocean's 12.
And whats all this about bad title cards? Did they think we'd confuse Austria and Bolivia?
Yes, the title graphics are garbage. The location announcements, a bit cartoonish and irritating. The gun barrel graphic, I'm afraid, looks like a cheap afterthought, and the rendition of the Bond theme a little tinny and empty sounding - plus it's too quick, he hardly walks on screen before he fires.
Does it work at the end? No; I'm afraid it didn't for me. Did I miss it at the beginning? Very much so.
Pretty much confirms all my fears. I'll see for myself tonight, I guess. I only hope they take on board the views of the fans and reinstate it to the beginning of the next film.
I don't know how it will work out because I haven't seen it. It may still turn out to be a good film, but the lack of a gunbarrel sequece to open the movie is very disappointing. I hated how they changed the gunbarrel in Casino Royale, although that turned out to be a pretty good film. Let's hope that Quantum of Solace will be just as good.
Agreed, it's a waste, it fundamentally is Bond and they've changed it for, from what I can see, no reason whatsoever. You can meddle with forumlas, however the gun barrel is one of the worlds most well known film introductions. Don't shy from what you have when it's so well known.
Of anything this made me the angriest and allows the comparison between Bond and Bourne, you don't know it's a Bond film until the end...
Next they'll move the MGM logo to the end...
What people are missing is that change is a good thing. Change within 40+ year, 22 film franchise is not only a good thing but actually quite necessary to keep things fresh and exciting. Lets hope the words 'stagnant' and 'Bond' are never associated with eachother. The Bond franchise has seen a brilliant and successful re-boot thanks to Casino Royale. Part of the success of Casino Royale lies with the producers creativity to mix things up a bit, particularly with the gun barrel sequence. This change in direction continues with Quantum of Solace and quite frankly, its damn refreshing to see something new and interesting being done here. I for one think the gun barrel at the end is an inspiring decision and works fantastically. The presentation of the thing is up to the same standard as the Brosnan era gun barrel and anyone who disagrees is just reading a wee bit too much into it.
Finally, I have to object about the comments regarding the graphics and labelling of the different locations Bond goes to... I felt it was done in a creative, arty way and something that gives this film a uniquness and individuality to the series. And whoever said that the title graphics of this film are awful needs to get stronger prescription glasses (I suggest specsavers, they're quite good). Seriously, I thought they were very effective and different, not your ususal swimming Bond girls that we've already seen a thousand times (yawn). The emphasis is still very much on Bond's figure and this is is no bad thing, it evokes the imgaes of the fantastic Casino Royale title sequence.
Go into seeing this film with an open mind for change within the franchise and you will not be disappointed.
Don't talk for people. People talk for themselves.
The fact that someone says he doesn´t walk too much before shooting is a good sign. Reminds me of Bob Simmons.
It is the whole gunbarrel yes, white dots and everything. However i found it to zoomed in for my liking and the graphics were terrible.
I would like to say that its been very interesting reading this board, I never knew how passionate we can all get about the finer details of this brilliant franchise. But I will say that even though I admire what they've done with the whole look of the Craig era so far, I agree with other posters that it would be nice to see the traditional opening in the next film. You gotta admit that having the gun barrel at the end of this film eases it into the next one very nicely...
As said elsewhere the gun barrel sequence at the end of the film was poor, it was like it was just cheaply shot in seconds.
It arouses a similar anticipation as the "Bond, James Bond" line did at the end of CR. I would be surprised if Bond 23 didn't have the gunbarrel at the beginning.
It struck me as Daniel Craig earning his second spur and now he's graduated from Bond school with flying colours. Like he said when asked if he will have more quips and gadgets in future films: "You have to earn them". In my opinion, he has.
PS Sorry about the mixed metaphor there.