To quote Higgins' favourite actor: I got the message (bursts balloon) 8-) .
Right: (rolls up sleeves) it's nothing to do with age. It's not the right song, that's all. James Bond music does evolve but it does have to fulfill its function. I love YKMN, and that does its job particularly well (it was, for want of a better word, Bondian: it fitted the times, it fitted the story, and its melody could be used within the film in various contexts). AWTD doesn't meet those criteria.
An old fart view would be to yearn for the days of ATH or LTK but Bond films don't have to have lush, highly-orchestrated ballads to start them off on the right foot- take YKMN, AVTAK, TLD, LALD for example. Those were appropriate and contemporary while being far from, say, NDIB or MR.
It's tricky to define the exact qualities which make a good Bond song: for the sake of argument let's say that DAF hits the spot while TMWTGG doesn't yet they're both by the same composer and lyricist (both with excellent Bond track records, puns not intended) and in the same time period. The music that was popular at the time didn't have too much of an influence on the Bond songs, which have been cited as existing in their own world outside of whatever's going on- that isn't strictly true, of course, but has some accuracy: Adele's successful SF song could be described as "retro" or simply Bondian.
I think that you are over-analyzing it.
A song should have a melody and not sound like 2 cats getting their balls removed while being awake 8-)
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
The cons for me are:
- The theme tune; Alicia Keys' vocal might have been all right on her own but with Jack White, it just sounds harsh and clashes. A Bond song needs either a male or female voice, not both, and certainly not ones that don't go together.
- how they used Strawberry Fields. Gemma Arteton is a good actress but she's wasted here. Fields isn't allowed to have a personality, she's just fodder and jumps into bed with Bond in a matter of seconds. (I love the Goldfinger reference though)
- some of the stunts look a bit cartoony (particularly when characters are falling)
Despite this, I think the film is underrated and unfairly overshadowed by the writers' strike. It follows on nicely from Casino Royale and opens up a new direction, with Quantum replacing Spectre. The theme of government corruption works really well, with the Bolivian corruption and even the British Foreign Secretary. No wonder Bond doesn't know who to trust. I really like Camille and how Bond sees that her predicament matches his. It feels like there's something reminiscent of License to Kill.
I liked Rory Kinnear as Tanner and thought Judi Dench was on top form as M. The relationship between M and Bond is really moving; in general, I find it one of the most moving Bond films, particularly the ending. Its lack of slickness adds to its charm in my opinion- and despite the lack of slickness, Bond's arc is clear and effectively handled. As a film, it might not be as good as Casino Royale but it adds extra layers to Bond and pushes his story to the next level.
I rewatched it today; I quite enjoyed it first time round but this time around I've developed more of an appreciation for it. I think Skyfall tries to do some of the things Quantum of Solace does (M as surrogate mother to Bond, woman scarred by abuse, Bond as one step away from a breakdown, Bond in a modern political climate) but in a way that feels more manipulative and trite.
Well done for this post. And QoS does improve over time...
1. For Your Eyes Only 2. The Living Daylights 3 From Russia with Love 4. Casino Royale 5. OHMSS 6. Skyfall
I'm not a big fan of this film. Casino Royale is my favourite film of all time, not just Bond film but I found this to be a little disappointing. It all seemed too rushed to me. The best scene in the film was at the end between Bond, Yusef and the Canadian agent. There was some great acting and real tension in that scene. Saying that I prefer QOS it to Skyfall.
A song should have a melody and not sound like 2 cats getting their balls removed while being awake 8-)
) ) ) That's it, in a... nutshell?
You are all philistines :v
QoS is the third best movie in the entire series... -{
Its a belting brilliant film, one of the best in the series definitely.
The opening scene is exceptionally exciting, the opera scene is pure Bond, the plane battle is great, the script is good, the scene where Bond attempts to assassinate Green in the Atacama desert complex with the music is brilliant, a great film.
The opera scene is pure Bond, the scene where Bond attempts to assassinate Green in the Atacama desert complex with the music is brilliant, a great film.
Two great scenes, and two genuine laughs from me at the one liners there.
Its a belting brilliant film, one of the best in the series definitely.
The opening scene is exceptionally exciting, the opera scene is pure Bond, the plane battle is great, the script is good, the scene where Bond attempts to assassinate Green in the Atacama desert complex with the music is brilliant, a great film.
CONS....NONE.
Some small points I'd change:
(1) Gunbarrel at the beginning. I'm a traditionalist.
Its a belting brilliant film, one of the best in the series definitely.
The opening scene is exceptionally exciting, the opera scene is pure Bond, the plane battle is great, the script is good, the scene where Bond attempts to assassinate Green in the Atacama desert complex with the music is brilliant, a great film.
CONS....NONE.
Some small points I'd change:
(1) Gunbarrel at the beginning. I'm a traditionalist.
-Camille has good chemistry with Craig's Bond.
-Camille has an interesting backstory.
-The plot is alright, at least it's understandable.
-Some solid action.
-Arguably Craig's best performance as Bond. He significantly improves from his CR performance.
-Mathis is well-played here.
-The themes of revenge and overcoming loss are generally covered well enough to make an impression.
Cons:
-The camera work limits the impact of the action sequences. Cut way too quickly.
-Dominic Greene is an unmemorable villain. Not intimidating/menacing enough.
-Elvis is a crap henchman.
-The incomplete script is noticeable, as parts in the movie clearly look underdeveloped.
-The title cards are too overdone (generally speaking). They should have been simple as per usual in Bond films.
I do like QoS despite it's flaws, and give it an 8/10.
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Yeah, the song isn't one of my faves. Not my least fave though, that's prob either "For Your Eyes Only" or "Die Another Day".
I'd prob even put "Moonraker" below it, such a boring song.
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Much like Casino did, it took some time for Quantum of Solace to grow on me. While it hasn't achieved the same level of greatness for me as Craig's first film did, I do like it more than I did. There are some really confusing parts in it for me, probably from what has been said here, the lack of expanding on the ideas in this movie. Number one for me is the opera scene, especially when the sound goes off and the shoot out begins, this whole sequence just really doesn't make any sense to me at all, beyond Bond identifying those in question.
As for another question that was asked on here about Casino Royale's theme song, You know My Name and how it is Bondian? I didn't know how it was either until a lyric video of the song I found on Youtube, in which a commenter spelled it out in a way that I had never thought about. It's from M's perspective.....I'll post the video and you make the judgment based on this.
The comment was made by someone named GamerofFate, they made the comment nine months ago, but it is still near the top and has several responses. I like this explanation for this song! Even if it isn't official, it certainly fits.
1, GE 2, CR 3, SF 4, TWINE 5, Spectre 6, TMWTGG 7, DAD 8, LALD 9, AVTAK 10, LTK 11, Octopussy 12, Moonraker 13, TLD 14, GF 15, QOS 16, Tomorrow 17, FYEO 18. TSWLM Not seen much: Dr. No, Russia, Thunderball, Twice, Majesty.
1: Brosnan 2: Craig 3: Moore 4: Dalton 5: Connery and 6: Lazenby
QoS is my second... CR is my first... Skyfall hits way lower (just so it's not a Craig thing ) )
And I love AWTD, but then I liked Madonna's track too ;%
I guess that even Craig 007 fans can't have an exact agreement.
Yay for diversity :007) .
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Comments
I think that you are over-analyzing it.
A song should have a melody and not sound like 2 cats getting their balls removed while being awake 8-)
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Well done for this post. And QoS does improve over time...
Which I assume would sound pleasant, because of all the ketamine injected in their little bodies.
AWTD would be a horrible theme song for any other Bond movie but works great for this one.
AJB007 Favorite Film Rankings
Pros and Cons Compendium (50 Years)
Horrible song for a horrible movie?
Editing
Direction
Script
Boring characters
Music
The ending could have been a pro but by then who could give a flying ****?
Pros
Opera scene.
Mathis.
QOS is the nadir of the entire series the only one that is basically unwatchable - I cannot ever see myself viewing it again.
You are all philistines :v
QoS is the third best movie in the entire series... -{
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
No...third best... -{
Yes, best turd
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Its a belting brilliant film, one of the best in the series definitely.
The opening scene is exceptionally exciting, the opera scene is pure Bond, the plane battle is great, the script is good, the scene where Bond attempts to assassinate Green in the Atacama desert complex with the music is brilliant, a great film.
CONS....NONE.
Two great scenes, and two genuine laughs from me at the one liners there.
Some small points I'd change:
(1) Gunbarrel at the beginning. I'm a traditionalist.
(2) AWTD. I'd much have preferred https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAHu_ZKWcCQ
(3) Less frantic editing in the first few action sequences.
(4) A different actor as Dominic.
Those aside, it's brilliant IMHO.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
-Camille has good chemistry with Craig's Bond.
-Camille has an interesting backstory.
-The plot is alright, at least it's understandable.
-Some solid action.
-Arguably Craig's best performance as Bond. He significantly improves from his CR performance.
-Mathis is well-played here.
-The themes of revenge and overcoming loss are generally covered well enough to make an impression.
Cons:
-The camera work limits the impact of the action sequences. Cut way too quickly.
-Dominic Greene is an unmemorable villain. Not intimidating/menacing enough.
-Elvis is a crap henchman.
-The incomplete script is noticeable, as parts in the movie clearly look underdeveloped.
-The title cards are too overdone (generally speaking). They should have been simple as per usual in Bond films.
I do like QoS despite it's flaws, and give it an 8/10.
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Yeah, the song isn't one of my faves. Not my least fave though, that's prob either "For Your Eyes Only" or "Die Another Day".
I'd prob even put "Moonraker" below it, such a boring song.
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
As for another question that was asked on here about Casino Royale's theme song, You know My Name and how it is Bondian? I didn't know how it was either until a lyric video of the song I found on Youtube, in which a commenter spelled it out in a way that I had never thought about. It's from M's perspective.....I'll post the video and you make the judgment based on this.
https://youtu.be/tUXjWeWuVSk
The comment was made by someone named GamerofFate, they made the comment nine months ago, but it is still near the top and has several responses. I like this explanation for this song! Even if it isn't official, it certainly fits.
1: Brosnan 2: Craig 3: Moore 4: Dalton 5: Connery and 6: Lazenby
You noticed ? :007)
since buying my 42mm PO ,QOS is now my 3rd fave fim
Lovely watch - QoS is my 3rd fave film too -{
And I love AWTD, but then I liked Madonna's track too ;%
I guess that even Craig 007 fans can't have an exact agreement.
Yay for diversity :007) .
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later