QoS DVD Review

Loeffelholz

Watch AJB's front page for my upcoming review of the two-disc Quantum of Solace DVD...I have received my reviewer's copy in the mail today, via armed courier,* and will be devouring its contents over the next three days or so...

Differing opinions will naturally be most welcome

Stay tuned! :007)

* Actually, it was a UPS delivery guy...but the 'armed courier' thing sure sounded cool, didn't it? B-)

Sweepy the Cat

I heard that the special features weren't all that special but better than CR's.

How come you got an early copy anyway?

Do you work for a magazine or something?

Loeffelholz

Sweepy the Cat wrote:

I heard that the special features weren't all that special but better than CR's.

Just looking at the box, I'd have to agree with that---although at least the initial CR release had the complete 'Bond Girls Are Forever' documentary, which was a pretty good value.

Sweepy the Cat wrote:

How come you got an early copy anyway?

Do you work for a magazine or something?

Well, it's kind of like what Barbel said in the Quartermaster thread---it's Top Secret. If I told you, I'd have to kill you )

7289

Someone who has made over 6,000 posts AND has the "Quartermaster" title deserves some consideration.

I'm a tad jealous though, but can hang on until next week.

Looking forward to the review!!!!

{[]

Sweepy the Cat

7289 wrote:

Someone who has made over 6,000 posts AND has the "Quartermaster" title deserves some consideration.

Didn't mean it in a bad way, just wondering why he get's an early copy that's all

7289

I guess you could say Loeff's connected!!!

Loeffelholz

7289 wrote:

I guess you could say Loeff's connected!!!

Nah, not hardly ;%

I was in the right place at the right time, that's all. And I work cheap!

danjaq_0ff

Got my copy yesterday, the sound and picture is stunning. :007)

TonyDP

Not trying to steal Loeffs' thunder or anything like that (looking forward to reading your review, BTW), but there is a review of the BluRay version over at highdefdigest.com.

So for anyone contemplating the hi-def edition (which is what I'll be getting), the article does go into a bit of detail about the sound and picture quality.

Quantum of Solace BluRay Review at HDD

Loeffelholz

TonyDP wrote:

Not trying to steal Loeffs' thunder or anything like that

Riiiiight :v

Well...I'm not reviewing the Blu-ray, anyway. I'm not that 'uptown' just yet

i expect u2 die

Loeffelholz wrote:

Well...I'm not reviewing the Blu-ray, anyway. I'm not that 'uptown' just yet

Me neither. Luckily the DVD cover is nicer :v

TonyDP

i expect u2 die wrote:

Loeffelholz wrote:

Well...I'm not reviewing the Blu-ray, anyway. I'm not that 'uptown' just yet

Me neither. Luckily the DVD cover is nicer :v

To create a riff on a famous saying, "never judge a BluRay by its cover".

Seriously though, BluRay movies and players aren't nearly as expensive as they once were; for example, the QoS 2-Disc DVD is selling for $22.99 on Amazon.com; the QoS BluRay is only $3 more.

taity

I have to say - I am pretty peeved at the lack of features that were included on the DVD. In Australia they just released the single edition and the Blu Ray - I was left thinking "what the ****." Its annoying when movies that are from the 60s get a much more thorough DVD release than one from today.

Agent Wade

It would seem like our pals at Eon are stocking up their features for another ploy to release a Collector's Edition a month before Bond 23 just as they did last time with CR before QOS. I can't say I enjoy having to wait the extra time, but I will for the sake of getting a commentary track.

Loeffelholz

Agent Wade wrote:

It would seem like our pals at Eon are stocking up their features for another ploy to release a Collector's Edition a month before Bond 23 just as they did last time with CR before QOS. I can't say I enjoy having to wait the extra time, but I will for the sake of getting a commentary track.

I'm with you 100%, Jack. In fact, that's a salient point in my review...although I must confess I would have purchased this version anyway, because I'm an addict in need of a fix ;%

My review has been written, but I think it's been slightly delayed because of enhancements to the site...coming soon!

emtiem

Review copies got sent out ages ago- they don't come out the week of the release! I'd like to see Empire magazine printing their magazine in four days flat!

I must admit that I didn't even bother pre-ordering it. It's just such a lack-lustre film And the extras look pretty insulting, to tell you the truth.

Loeffelholz

emtiem wrote:

Review copies got sent out ages ago- they don't come out the week of the release!

Apparently, some do get sent out the week prior...although these clearly go to 'lesser' reviewers ) Too funny...

SiCo

Read Loeffelholz thoughts on the Quantum of Solace DVD review. He sums it up nicely, sorry for the slight delay on my part, I hope you enjoy it.

My pre-ordered copy arrived on my door step yesterday which is always nice.

Empire has nothing over us, we can turn a review round in 4 days!

walther p99

which version do you guys prefer? bul-ray or dvd? ive never gotten a blu ray before but i might make qos my first.

Nightshooter

walther p99 wrote:

which version do you guys prefer? bul-ray or dvd? ive never gotten a blu ray before but i might make qos my first.

you need a blu-ray player, you know... :v

Alan_more

walther p99 wrote:

which version do you guys prefer? bul-ray or dvd? ive never gotten a blu ray before but i might make qos my first.

Will do same as CR: Get the DVD first cause my PC likes it and WP99 too, then the blu-ray when the collector's edition is released.

LOO7K OUT

Is it my imagination or are there a couple of extra shots in the car and boat chases?

I had the dodgy Oscars copy since December and have been watching that. But I got the DVD on Thursday and the Blu ray today and it seems there's more footage - just a couple of seconds - but it's easier to see what's happening? Particularly in the boat chase with the hook.

Duncan

Thunderpussy

Having watch the boat chase a few times in the cinema,I have to say even with the DVD I still can't see what Bond does to flip the boat over.
I've read the explaination that after throwing the hook Bond turns a 180 which pulls the boat over,But I still can't see it.
Would anyone send me a PM if they have the the facts on this just how is it done? it would be much appreciated.

walther p99

Nightshooter wrote:

walther p99 wrote:

which version do you guys prefer? bul-ray or dvd? ive never gotten a blu ray before but i might make qos my first.

you need a blu-ray player, you know... :v

thankfully my laptop has one built-in, if it didnt i wouldnt even think about getting a blu-ray )

hackett

Excellent review Mark. Thanks for the insight.
Unlike other members my Oscars copy was very good.
But at 08.00 this morning I just had to buy the 2 disc special.
I was disappointed by the lack of features on disc 2 (most footage was already shown on British TV)but understand that the 3 disc special will carry the full monty.

Still (it's my seventh viewing) I am totally comfortable with the pace of the film.
I believe the humour is bang up to date and the updates from the early Bond films takes the franchise to new heights.
Roll on Bond 23

Golrush007

Nice work, Loeff. Still trying to find a 2 disc edition myself. So far I've only been able to find the single disc edition. I saw an ad claiming that one of the local music store chains is selling a 2 disc edition(Exclusive to Musica the ad claims) so hopefully I'll get my hands on it soon.

It's annoying that I'm buying the DVD knowing that it's really only a placeholder until the all singing and dancing version comes out at Bond 23 time, but so be it.

Loeffelholz

hackett wrote:

Still (it's my seventh viewing) I am totally comfortable with the pace of the film.
I believe the humour is bang up to date and the updates from the early Bond films takes the franchise to new heights.
Roll on Bond 23

I completely agree about the pace of the film; I didn't mind it myself, but I can completely understand and see how it tends to alienate a segment of the audience. While I would have loved to have seen a moment here or there 'breathe' a bit more (for lack of a better expression), I understand that the film, like Bond himself, was on a mission.

I agree about the humour---I should have put a paragraph in there about that!---which I found to be absolutely spot-on. The "teachers on sabbatical who've just won the lottery" line, Mathis in the first scene with Fields ("I think she has handcuffs." "You hope so," Bond retorts)...great stuff, and character-based, rather than the broad, Dinner Theatre Bond^TM to which the series has occasionally descended.

A great point! {[]

darenhat

Well-reviewed, Loeff! It's interesting to hear how the hand-held style holds up in the smaller format. While you do say some may not take to the film's style, you've certainly encapsulated the director's POV into a good assesment regarding the film's reasoning. Sad to hear about the lack of features. My personal opinion is that for such a departure from the Bond franchise, this DVD would be the one that most benefits from in-depth documentaries of the film.

Loeffelholz

I appreciate that a lot, DH, since I know all too well that you weren't particularly fond of the picture What I find fascinating---and frustrating, in equal measure---about artists like Forster is their unlimited capacity to confound expectations. I admire his work, and his effort...but I'm also glad to hear he isn't interested in doing the next one

Golrush007

Here is my review of the DVD, copied over from my blog.

The DVD release of Quantum of Solace has hit the shelves this week, and here are some thoughts about it – I will not go over the plot of the film, but merely comment on various aspects of the DVD.

The film has been released in both single disc and 2 disc DVD editions. Here in South Africa, the 2 disc DVD would appear to be exclusively available at Musica stores, while all others are only stocking the 1 disc release. Disc 1 (in both versions) includes the film itself and a music video, plus two trailers. The picture and sound quality would appear to be up to standard, and the menus are quite nifty, incorporating the MI6 computer interface design seen in the film. Somewhat disappointing is the low level of animation in the menus, especially the scene selections.

The 2 disc release, by Bond standards, is still somewhat bare-bones. For starters, it lacks an audio commentary, which is a staple of all the previous Bond films’ DVD releases. However, like Casino Royale, whose initial DVD release also didn’t include commentary, Quantum will most likely be re-released in a deluxe edition when the next Bond film comes out.

The documentary features on the DVD are an adequate, but not really in depth look at the production. These featurettes are very promotional in style, and offer only a glimpse of the making of the film. Compared to the making-of material on the Lord of the Rings 4 disc sets for instance, these featurettes pale in comparison. The best feature in my view is perhaps the Crew Files – short snippets concerning over 30 members of the crew, which give an idea of their functions on the production. As a film student, and someone who is very interested in how films are put together, this is the most interesting feature, as it encompasses a wide range of issues concerning the making of the film.

As a DVD set, the 2-disc special edition of Quantum of Solace is a little disappointing, but you can be pretty sure that a souped-up version is waiting a couple of years down the line. Still, the primary reason for buying the DVD is to watch the film, and it is great to be able to enjoy the latest Bond offering from the comfort of your favourite sofa.

Moonraker 5

emtiem wrote:

I must admit that I didn't even bother pre-ordering it. It's just such a lack-lustre film And the extras look pretty insulting, to tell you the truth.

Well, I got it for "completist" sake, and it sat on my coffee table for 4 days before I decided I was bored enough to rip off the celophane.

On second viewing, with the luxury of rewinding it to try and make some sense out of the bits I thought I had missed (I hadn't), I have to say I disliked it even more. Though I passed it as a decent enough action film on first viewing, I'm now of the opinion that it's just a really crap film, period.