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!
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."
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?
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.
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 -{
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!
"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?"
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."
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.
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 )
Comments
( It's not that bad really
Better than "All Time High", if you ask me!
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
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!
He certainly had serious potential ... he had that look in his eyes, along with certain mannerisms!
You in no doubt he was a little unhinged
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. {[]
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?
AJB007 Favorite Film Rankings
Pros and Cons Compendium (50 Years)
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.
" I hope you at least received a Quantum of Solace ?"
But that's only a minor point.
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 -{
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!
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!
AJB007 Favorite Film Rankings
Pros and Cons Compendium (50 Years)
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)
What exactly does "quantum of solace" have to do with latin american politics, utility monopolies and a revenge story?
AJB007 Favorite Film Rankings
Pros and Cons Compendium (50 Years)
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?"
AJB007 Favorite Film Rankings
Pros and Cons Compendium (50 Years)
Would be pointless.
Have you read The Spy Who Loved Me ?
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.
Yep!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Still don't like your trainers though
I don't think he did...but if you have any proof of that I'd love to see it -{
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Intresting theory, complete nonsense of course
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#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
maybe you ask Blackleiter if he dislikes QoS, Dr. No, FRWL,YOLT and DAF for that reason
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!