Truth be told I wasn't expecting a Bond film to have this much depth, and this much unity of storytelling from character motivation and plot structure to color palette to, yes, the editing (surprised myself that I did like the vertiginous editing style in such an amount, but for me it just worked). It's a very surprising Bond film, I welcomed the lack of nostalgia but what really won me over was the unsentimental expression of sentiment (so very Fleming IMO) in Bond's story arc, also Camille's, and in scenes like with Mathis, also M. The ending floored me, wasn't at all prepared for Bond to be presented so... adult is the word that comes to mind. By GF EON had cemented Bond's more playboy persona, and it's been hugely popular ever since. QOS is the first Bond film to shed that, and instead go to the heart of Bond and tell that story found there. Loved the how they did it, different for Bond but IMHO very successfully orchestrated. Thank you, Marc Forster, for giving us that.
Great thoughts blueman, with which I agree almost entirely. I also agree about Quantum of Solace showing Bourne a thing or two, although this agenda is being pursued even more (to say the action is Bourne-like is one thing, but the character? ). I guess we are never going to find a common ground given just how polarising this film seems to be - I genuinely do not see this Bourne thing in Craig's Bond at all, others seem to only see Bourne. At least the world out there seem to be enjoying it, given the swift business it is doing.
I think that if you look on this as the darker, middle act of a trilogy, then the newly re-booted Bond is now ready to be unleashed in the 'classic' Bond style that many of you seem far more comfortable with.
Plus the action scenes are horrendous I stuggled to figure out what was going on .
Very hard indeed.
The only thing they got right in QOF:
-exotic scenes:italy,haiti,bolivia,etc
-appropiate/ great cast except for: mathis, dench and maybe even craig shouldn't be there
-music is good as always and as far as I recall far better than CR
-great intense fighting as in CR: connery style.
One thing I will say though about your assessment, and it is that to me Craig is NOT handsome enough. I say this having met him in person too. He's a very nice guy and has very nice blue eyes. But that's all there is to it as far as I'm concerned. He is not handsome by my standards. He's pretty bland.
Oh Alessandra, how can you say that? He is so the epitome of handsomeness....to me, and he is the absolute definition of a man's man....as for Pierce...well...if singing in a sequin outfit for Mama Mia, and appearing in a Loreal 'you're worth it' moisutriser advert is your definition of a man's man..well, then it must be the Italian in you ) )
And of course there are women who love Daniel Craig which is perfectly good, it would be boring if we all had the same taste. And there are women who will think he is gorgeous and super sexy and all that. Which again is great as we can't all like the same men. And even better for me as I won't have to fight them for the men I like ) )
Yep, that be me then ...his craggy looks, his depreciating and almost 'unknowingness' of his looks are also a huge appeal, unlike Pierce, who knows how good looking he is, and gives him a slight arrogance. However, having not met the man myself (unlike you) then I really can't argue that point, or come from any real knowledge, and so I trust you on the fact that he is a nice person...however, I can only go on what I see in interviews and the like, and well...he's all yours! {[]
She's worth whatever chaos she brings to the table and you know it. ~ Mark Anthony
Daniel Craig is not conventionally handsome. Although I find some shots work better than others. Stil - from someone who likes their men tall, dark and masculine, I have to admit that Craig does have It. He may not be my 'type', and he may not be conventionally handsome, but by God - is he sexy.
It's indefinable really. Even when you're thinking to yourself, "He's got a face like a bag of spanners," you're still thinking that you would, given half a chance. You definitely would. And probably once more just to make sure.
Daniel Craig is not conventionally handsome. Although I find some shots work better than others. Stil - from someone who likes their men tall, dark and masculine, I have to admit that Craig does have It. He may not be my 'type', and he may not be conventionally handsome, but by God - is he sexy.
It's indefinable really. Even when you're thinking to yourself, "He's got a face like a bag of spanners," you're still thinking that you would, given half a chance. You definitely would. And probably once more just to make sure.
I don't think I would need to give him one more 'just to make sure'....I think once would be more than enough to convince me....:D
She's worth whatever chaos she brings to the table and you know it. ~ Mark Anthony
It's the last post on page 17 of the "Reviews" thread. I had to see it a second time before writing one...
It may well be the longest post of my AJB career---articles included!---for the shortest Bond film ever {:)
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
And I know many women who would disagree, Alessandra - some very sexy women actually.
Okayyy... Is there a WTF smiley?
I find Alessandra quite sexy. )
*looks, thinks of several replies, ducks and runs instead*
Hey Loeff, where's your review???
) ) ) ) ) ) )
This really cracked me up blue ) ) ) ) And thank you Mo!! I don't think Sir Miles was implying I am not sexy (something he is perfectly entitled to think anyway )) but that some sexy women he knows really wuuuuv Daniel Craig. Right?
Lexie... indeed IT IS the Italian in me, because we only stand for style in every occasion, we are famous for it and it's not a coincidence that design-wise we're the kings of the world (both in haute couture AND in many other types of businesses, including, say, furniture design... by the way that suite in Bolivia in QoS? All with furniture and designs from B&B Italia, a furniture brand I LOVE . in fact, one of the things I DID appreciate in QoS ).
So, standing up for style in all occasions, it goes without saying that we adore Pierce. In fact, 100% of my Italian girlfriends (and it's scary, but it IS 100%) adore Pierce and don't like DC at all. Neither looks, nor style, nothing. So indeed it must be us. QoS got worse reviews here than elsewhere, and worse "word of mouth" than elsewhere. Of course our nature influences what our judgement is, that's normal.
"Are we on coms?" (if you don't know where this is from... you've missed some really good stuff! )
I don't think I would need to give him one more 'just to make sure'....I think once would be more than enough to convince me....:D
Really? Not even in the interests of science?
I'd probably even go for a best of three.
) ) ) GREAT answer! ) ) )
But I still don't find him sexy in the slightest. Sorry but average looks and "pumped up at the gym" aren't my idea of sexy. To me, Sean and Pierce have IT in spades. Even Timothy Dalton. But not Daniel Craig. It's just taste, he is just not my cup of tea, again having met him in person a well. Nice guy, nice blue eyes.. that's all I see. No charm, no sexiness. Just someone I'd have a cup of coffee with because he IS indeed nice. And that's where it would end. With Pierce instead..... he really has a way with everyone. Men, women, anything alive ) ) He's incredibly charming, good looking and stylish. And damn sexy.
What you listed Lexi is a very minor part of all that Pierce does and has done.. and well he IS a men's man.. for many reasons that I don't even want to list completely because I don't like to publicly discuss stuff that pertains his private life. You can ask my friends in the US who know him pretty well, they used to live nextdoor
"Are we on coms?" (if you don't know where this is from... you've missed some really good stuff! )
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
edited November 2008
If anyone's unsure about Alessandra's opinion of Daniel Craig's appeal, please contact her directly
) ) )
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
If anyone's unsure about Alessandra's opinion of Daniel Craig's appeal, please contact her directly
) ) )
) ) ) ) I'm sorry Loeffs ) ) ) I just answered because there were remarks about my "Italianity" influencing my judgement on Pierce and Craig. I'd say indeed it does ) )
Again.. Craig is a nice guy. And definitely a decent actor. It's not about that.. it's.... girls stuff ) )
Did you like the B&B Italia suite in QoS Loeffs?
"Are we on coms?" (if you don't know where this is from... you've missed some really good stuff! )
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
It's just for you...and it would be a tragedy if you missed it :v
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,920Chief of Staff
And thank you Mo!! I don't think Sir Miles was implying I am not sexy (something he is perfectly entitled to think anyway )) but that some sexy women he knows really wuuuuv Daniel Craig. Right?
Right.
I have no idea what you look like at all, Alessandra...but I DO know some incredibly sexy women (aren't I lucky B-) ) and they LOVE DC. Even from a man's point of view I can understand why they do.
Well I can understand why some women may see sex appeal in him, to the extent that he's a tough, built, rugged guy who's very much in control and comfortable in his own skin. But in terms of looks alone... well, lets just say when I watched Munich in theaters with my gf and pointed out Craig as "the new James Bond", she started laughing out loud in the theater.
But hey, I guess everyone's got their own preference for what tickles their prickle.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
But hey, I guess everyone's got their own preference for what tickles their prickle.
To be sure. And QoS looks to be tickling a few prickles.
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
And thank you Mo!! I don't think Sir Miles was implying I am not sexy (something he is perfectly entitled to think anyway )) but that some sexy women he knows really wuuuuv Daniel Craig. Right?
Yeah, I knew, I got it. It was my lame attempt at sarcasm! I was just wondering what the women's "sexiness" had to do with Craig's looks, or why it was surprising that sexy women like him! I guess the the perceived Craig female fan is thought to be butch and manly! )
I have just seen QoS. I'll just say a few brief things for now.
It is an excellent Bond film with a taut, unfolding plot. Right from the PTS they got right into it, no mucking about. The run time is about perfect - any longer would have been too much. Daniel Craig’s performance is brilliant.
The opera sequence is a classic. I liked the conclusion. After epic silence, a guy storms out the door to the rooftop, only for Bond to be poke a PPK at his head. Bond repeatedly asks who he works for, when he refuses, Bond knocks him off the roof onto Greene's car. He got him good. Then the sucker is shot dead by his own men.
I also enjoyed his hotel escape. I love that little moment where he kicks that guard’s leg back into the elevator. He then swaggers off to subtle Bond theme. There are many others, notably Bond after he has downed six Vesper martinis. Very Fleming.
If I had to choose a weak point - or something I didn't like as much, I suppose I would point out the dogfight and freefall. I’m not sure if the freefall is suited to a Craig film, but they pulled it off good enough.
The gun barrel was great. My packed audience thankfully remained seated. Once the dots began to move across the screen, a round of applause began. It was a great way to finish a Bond film.
I am glad how brave the Bond team are to put work out like this. I’m glad they did. They’ve come a long way. I would rather see more Bond films like QoS in the future.
Careful, Sharpshooter, a couple of those things could be classed as spoilers................
I (finally,it feels) got to see the movie last night and.............I liked it. Didn't love it, didn't hate it.........just liked it. I will go & see it again, but I feel sort of.........alright about it. I thought I'd love or hate it, most reviews I've read seem to fall VERY firmly into a Pro or Con camp, but for me it was somewhere in the middle. A good film with many avenues frustratingly unexplored.
I loved:
Craig's performance: Brilliant acting and a fantastic yet believable protagonist. It's a damn tricky balance to be that cold and brutal yet still command empathy, but he managed it in spades. Yep, he's become my favourite after Connery. And a not-TOO-distant second either.
M's larger role.
Camille - an interesting character played with a hint of real depth. A deeper, more skilled portrayal of a complete woman in that 007 world than Ms Green's Vesper IMHO.
The fight choreography. Brutal and engaging edge-of-your-seat stuff.
The Title sequence visual - a return to a classic Bond look that fit just right.
Greene as villain. Creepy and shadowy, again a believable character which added richness to the plot.
I disliked:
The jerky camera shots and odd-for-the-sake-of-it angles. Broke the 4th wall every time for me. I was reminded I was watching a movie rather than being allowed to be sucked into Bond's world for the duration. And it smacked of someone whose main MO was to try and be hip and edgy rather than to just make a good film. The chase and fight scenes were disorientating rather than engaging, despite the fight moves themselves being nothing short of excellent. The camera work, I felt, downright robbed the choreography of its rightful glory.
The theme song. I was really hoping this would grow on me, but it didn't. Without a doubt, worst ever Bond theme. Made even Madonna's sound like genius in comparison. Horrible, horrible drumming.
The shortage of good dialogue. What was there was very good, but the emphasis seemed firmly more on action than development. Came across as sort of "this happened, then this happened" as a result, i.e. more like a filmed diary entry than a great novel on screen, if you see what I mean. Much more one dimensional than I'd have liked - or than it so easily could have been.
The way the screen froze for too long right before the title sequence. Was that just in the Theatre I watched it in, or is that part of the movie? I thought it looked like far too cheap a move for a Bond film.
The way the screen froze for too long right before the title sequence. Was that just in the Theatre I watched it in, or is that part of the movie? I thought it looked like far too cheap a move for a Bond film.
No, that's the movie, I mention it in my review. Unless it's both Odeon Leicester Square! Like the end of an episode of The Sweeney.
I disliked:
The jerky camera shots and odd-for-the-sake-of-it angles. Broke the 4th wall every time for me. I was reminded I was watching a movie rather than being allowed to be sucked into Bond's world for the duration. And it smacked of someone whose main MO was to try and be hip and edgy rather than to just make a good film. The chase and fight scenes were disorientating rather than engaging, despite the fight moves themselves being nothing short of excellent. The camera work, I felt, downright robbed the choreography of its rightful glory.
Thanks royalmile, you've put into words what I was unable - I was incandescent with rage when I left QoS because of that and just ranted in my review ) )
But I still don't find him sexy in the slightest. Sorry but average looks and "pumped up at the gym" aren't my idea of sexy.
Mine neither. In fact, when I saw stills of 'That Shot with Those Shorts' from CR, I couldn't see what all the fuss was about. Basically, when a guy's coming out of the water in briefs that brief, the last thing I should be noticing is how far his ears stick out.
But .... but, but, but.....I dunno. I'm an absolute sucker for blue eyes, that's a fact. And Craig has got gorgeous eyes. But that's not normally enough to make up for the other things. And yet - I still would.
George Clooney? Nope. Doesn't do it. Pierce Brosnan? Yes, at times, but sometimes definitely not. Timothy Dalton? Any day of the week. Hugh Jackman? Morning, noon and night, seven days a week, no question about it. But Daniel Craig? Well, I have to be completely honest and say yes. Even though it goes against everything I've ever considered attractive.
Weird, eh?
But none of that has anything to do with why I like certain films over others, or certain Bonds over others. I like my Bond dark* and dangerous, simple as that. My first love is Bond, regardless of what the actor looks like.
[* that's 'dark' as in mean and moody, by the way]
To be fair, I haven't seen the movie yet, but I'm afraid that about half of the reviews in this thread reflects exactly what I feared was going to happen with the James Bond character.
I'm in a very small minority who didn't like CR. It wasn't because of the story. I was familiar with the book and actually thought the movie should've been more faithful to certain elements than it was (i.e., no baccarat, Felix Leiter not being from Texas, etc.).
The problem is I could sense the producers now had utter contempt for their iconic character (the non-Bond like score, the missing gunbarrel logo, etc.) and they wanted him to be more like Jason Bourne. I think QOS is showing that when EON does not have original Fleming material to work with, there's nothing James Bond-like about their series and they have no idea what to do anymore.
For the record, I think Timothy Dalton played the part closest to the literary character. He wasn't my favorite, but LTK ranks highly on my list. But at the risk of incurring the wrath of some, I think Pierce Brosnan even had some very Flemingesque qualities.
I just don't see this in Mr. Craig. And lest anyone forget, some of the Fleming novels have elements of fantasy in them as well. I really feel like the only way I'll be interested in James Bond again is if the franchise is now handled by a completely different creative team.
Cubby may have been catering to moviegoers by offering a Star Wars-crazed public MR, but I don't think what has happened now is any different. Hopefully when this post-9/11 decade ends, the pendulum will swing back and people's tastes will change so every movie these days doesn't have to be quite so nihilistic.
My thoughts too, rennervision. Since Mickey and Babs have taken over it seems to be more about marketing than anything else. They seem to want to play safe with the same team but chop and change directors each time - ah well.
Edit: Okay, I know that will irk some. Better to have box office hits than duds, and some will think you've got the best of both worlds now.
I was just wondering what the women's "sexiness" had to do with Craig's looks, or why it was surprising that sexy women like him! I guess the the perceived Craig female fan is thought to be butch and manly! )
Well..the way you women talk about DC some of you give the impression that it's only abnormal people that find him attractive..I'm sure that's not really anybodys intention..but it can come across as such...so..by saying "sexy women"...I'm saying some of the aren't all butch and manly
Comments
Okayyy... Is there a WTF smiley?
I find Alessandra quite sexy. )
*looks, thinks of several replies, ducks and runs instead*
Hey Loeff, where's your review???
Hello Mo, let me suggest this:
http://www.bondtoys.de/ebaybilder/WFT.jpg
ditto
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I hope you are right, but I doubt it!
Very hard indeed.
The only thing they got right in QOF:
-exotic scenes:italy,haiti,bolivia,etc
-appropiate/ great cast except for: mathis, dench and maybe even craig shouldn't be there
-music is good as always and as far as I recall far better than CR
-great intense fighting as in CR: connery style.
Oh Alessandra, how can you say that? He is so the epitome of handsomeness....to me, and he is the absolute definition of a man's man....as for Pierce...well...if singing in a sequin outfit for Mama Mia, and appearing in a Loreal 'you're worth it' moisutriser advert is your definition of a man's man..well, then it must be the Italian in you ) )
You see I would have to disagree....as I've said above.
Yep, that be me then ...his craggy looks, his depreciating and almost 'unknowingness' of his looks are also a huge appeal, unlike Pierce, who knows how good looking he is, and gives him a slight arrogance. However, having not met the man myself (unlike you) then I really can't argue that point, or come from any real knowledge, and so I trust you on the fact that he is a nice person...however, I can only go on what I see in interviews and the like, and well...he's all yours! {[]
It's indefinable really. Even when you're thinking to yourself, "He's got a face like a bag of spanners," you're still thinking that you would, given half a chance. You definitely would. And probably once more just to make sure.
I don't think I would need to give him one more 'just to make sure'....I think once would be more than enough to convince me....:D
Really? Not even in the interests of science?
I'd probably even go for a best of three.
It's the last post on page 17 of the "Reviews" thread. I had to see it a second time before writing one...
It may well be the longest post of my AJB career---articles included!---for the shortest Bond film ever {:)
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
) ) ) ) ) ) )
This really cracked me up blue ) ) ) ) And thank you Mo!! I don't think Sir Miles was implying I am not sexy (something he is perfectly entitled to think anyway )) but that some sexy women he knows really wuuuuv Daniel Craig. Right?
Lexie... indeed IT IS the Italian in me, because we only stand for style in every occasion, we are famous for it and it's not a coincidence that design-wise we're the kings of the world (both in haute couture AND in many other types of businesses, including, say, furniture design... by the way that suite in Bolivia in QoS? All with furniture and designs from B&B Italia, a furniture brand I LOVE . in fact, one of the things I DID appreciate in QoS ).
So, standing up for style in all occasions, it goes without saying that we adore Pierce. In fact, 100% of my Italian girlfriends (and it's scary, but it IS 100%) adore Pierce and don't like DC at all. Neither looks, nor style, nothing. So indeed it must be us. QoS got worse reviews here than elsewhere, and worse "word of mouth" than elsewhere. Of course our nature influences what our judgement is, that's normal.
) ) ) GREAT answer! ) ) )
But I still don't find him sexy in the slightest. Sorry but average looks and "pumped up at the gym" aren't my idea of sexy. To me, Sean and Pierce have IT in spades. Even Timothy Dalton. But not Daniel Craig. It's just taste, he is just not my cup of tea, again having met him in person a well. Nice guy, nice blue eyes.. that's all I see. No charm, no sexiness. Just someone I'd have a cup of coffee with because he IS indeed nice. And that's where it would end. With Pierce instead..... he really has a way with everyone. Men, women, anything alive ) ) He's incredibly charming, good looking and stylish. And damn sexy.
What you listed Lexi is a very minor part of all that Pierce does and has done.. and well he IS a men's man.. for many reasons that I don't even want to list completely because I don't like to publicly discuss stuff that pertains his private life. You can ask my friends in the US who know him pretty well, they used to live nextdoor
) ) )
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
) ) ) ) I'm sorry Loeffs ) ) ) I just answered because there were remarks about my "Italianity" influencing my judgement on Pierce and Craig. I'd say indeed it does ) )
Again.. Craig is a nice guy. And definitely a decent actor. It's not about that.. it's.... girls stuff ) )
Did you like the B&B Italia suite in QoS Loeffs?
I did...but then I thought all the sets, production design, etc., were splendid.
BTW, my darling, have you looked at the top of this page?
http://www.ajb007.co.uk/index.php?topic=31664&cpage=3
It's just for you...and it would be a tragedy if you missed it :v
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Right.
I have no idea what you look like at all, Alessandra...but I DO know some incredibly sexy women (aren't I lucky B-) ) and they LOVE DC. Even from a man's point of view I can understand why they do.
But hey, I guess everyone's got their own preference for what tickles their prickle.
To be sure. And QoS looks to be tickling a few prickles.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Yeah, I knew, I got it. It was my lame attempt at sarcasm! I was just wondering what the women's "sexiness" had to do with Craig's looks, or why it was surprising that sexy women like him! I guess the the perceived Craig female fan is thought to be butch and manly! )
That "blink and you miss it" camera work at the start which flicked every 2 seconds was very very offputting and generally tedious.
There didn't really appear to be a "story" behind the film as most things just sort of happened out of the blue and so randomly.
Having said that, there was lots of action however and Craig was as good as he was in Casino Royale.
My rating of Quantum of Solace........6/10.
It is an excellent Bond film with a taut, unfolding plot. Right from the PTS they got right into it, no mucking about. The run time is about perfect - any longer would have been too much. Daniel Craig’s performance is brilliant.
The opera sequence is a classic. I liked the conclusion. After epic silence, a guy storms out the door to the rooftop, only for Bond to be poke a PPK at his head. Bond repeatedly asks who he works for, when he refuses, Bond knocks him off the roof onto Greene's car. He got him good. Then the sucker is shot dead by his own men.
I also enjoyed his hotel escape. I love that little moment where he kicks that guard’s leg back into the elevator. He then swaggers off to subtle Bond theme. There are many others, notably Bond after he has downed six Vesper martinis. Very Fleming.
If I had to choose a weak point - or something I didn't like as much, I suppose I would point out the dogfight and freefall. I’m not sure if the freefall is suited to a Craig film, but they pulled it off good enough.
The gun barrel was great. My packed audience thankfully remained seated. Once the dots began to move across the screen, a round of applause began. It was a great way to finish a Bond film.
I am glad how brave the Bond team are to put work out like this. I’m glad they did. They’ve come a long way. I would rather see more Bond films like QoS in the future.
I (finally,it feels) got to see the movie last night and.............I liked it. Didn't love it, didn't hate it.........just liked it. I will go & see it again, but I feel sort of.........alright about it. I thought I'd love or hate it, most reviews I've read seem to fall VERY firmly into a Pro or Con camp, but for me it was somewhere in the middle. A good film with many avenues frustratingly unexplored.
I loved:
Craig's performance: Brilliant acting and a fantastic yet believable protagonist. It's a damn tricky balance to be that cold and brutal yet still command empathy, but he managed it in spades. Yep, he's become my favourite after Connery. And a not-TOO-distant second either.
M's larger role.
Camille - an interesting character played with a hint of real depth. A deeper, more skilled portrayal of a complete woman in that 007 world than Ms Green's Vesper IMHO.
The fight choreography. Brutal and engaging edge-of-your-seat stuff.
The Title sequence visual - a return to a classic Bond look that fit just right.
Greene as villain. Creepy and shadowy, again a believable character which added richness to the plot.
I disliked:
The jerky camera shots and odd-for-the-sake-of-it angles. Broke the 4th wall every time for me. I was reminded I was watching a movie rather than being allowed to be sucked into Bond's world for the duration. And it smacked of someone whose main MO was to try and be hip and edgy rather than to just make a good film. The chase and fight scenes were disorientating rather than engaging, despite the fight moves themselves being nothing short of excellent. The camera work, I felt, downright robbed the choreography of its rightful glory.
The theme song. I was really hoping this would grow on me, but it didn't. Without a doubt, worst ever Bond theme. Made even Madonna's sound like genius in comparison. Horrible, horrible drumming.
The shortage of good dialogue. What was there was very good, but the emphasis seemed firmly more on action than development. Came across as sort of "this happened, then this happened" as a result, i.e. more like a filmed diary entry than a great novel on screen, if you see what I mean. Much more one dimensional than I'd have liked - or than it so easily could have been.
The way the screen froze for too long right before the title sequence. Was that just in the Theatre I watched it in, or is that part of the movie? I thought it looked like far too cheap a move for a Bond film.
No, that's the movie, I mention it in my review. Unless it's both Odeon Leicester Square! Like the end of an episode of The Sweeney.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Thanks royalmile, you've put into words what I was unable - I was incandescent with rage when I left QoS because of that and just ranted in my review ) )
Mine neither. In fact, when I saw stills of 'That Shot with Those Shorts' from CR, I couldn't see what all the fuss was about. Basically, when a guy's coming out of the water in briefs that brief, the last thing I should be noticing is how far his ears stick out.
But .... but, but, but.....I dunno. I'm an absolute sucker for blue eyes, that's a fact. And Craig has got gorgeous eyes. But that's not normally enough to make up for the other things. And yet - I still would.
George Clooney? Nope. Doesn't do it. Pierce Brosnan? Yes, at times, but sometimes definitely not. Timothy Dalton? Any day of the week. Hugh Jackman? Morning, noon and night, seven days a week, no question about it. But Daniel Craig? Well, I have to be completely honest and say yes. Even though it goes against everything I've ever considered attractive.
Weird, eh?
But none of that has anything to do with why I like certain films over others, or certain Bonds over others. I like my Bond dark* and dangerous, simple as that. My first love is Bond, regardless of what the actor looks like.
[* that's 'dark' as in mean and moody, by the way]
I'm in a very small minority who didn't like CR. It wasn't because of the story. I was familiar with the book and actually thought the movie should've been more faithful to certain elements than it was (i.e., no baccarat, Felix Leiter not being from Texas, etc.).
The problem is I could sense the producers now had utter contempt for their iconic character (the non-Bond like score, the missing gunbarrel logo, etc.) and they wanted him to be more like Jason Bourne. I think QOS is showing that when EON does not have original Fleming material to work with, there's nothing James Bond-like about their series and they have no idea what to do anymore.
For the record, I think Timothy Dalton played the part closest to the literary character. He wasn't my favorite, but LTK ranks highly on my list. But at the risk of incurring the wrath of some, I think Pierce Brosnan even had some very Flemingesque qualities.
I just don't see this in Mr. Craig. And lest anyone forget, some of the Fleming novels have elements of fantasy in them as well. I really feel like the only way I'll be interested in James Bond again is if the franchise is now handled by a completely different creative team.
Cubby may have been catering to moviegoers by offering a Star Wars-crazed public MR, but I don't think what has happened now is any different. Hopefully when this post-9/11 decade ends, the pendulum will swing back and people's tastes will change so every movie these days doesn't have to be quite so nihilistic.
Edit: Okay, I know that will irk some. Better to have box office hits than duds, and some will think you've got the best of both worlds now.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Well..the way you women talk about DC some of you give the impression that it's only abnormal people that find him attractive..I'm sure that's not really anybodys intention..but it can come across as such...so..by saying "sexy women"...I'm saying some of the aren't all butch and manly