Quantum of Satisfaction
Charmed & Dangerous
Posts: 7,358MI6 Agent
I've been thinking about this for a while, and Halcon posted something a few days back which along the line of my thoughts.
I think my enjoyment of films is all about how satisfying they are, and the Bond films are a perfect example. There's just something about some films which is independent of the plot, or the actors playing the roles, or their locations. I think, although it's only a gut feeling, that a satisfying Bond film:
- has a strong opening
- exposes Bond to increasing jeopardy during the film
- the villain poses a genuine threat to Bond, and has a strong physical presence
- the film reaches a crescendo and has a suspenseful and robust climax.
So QoS, for me, started brilliantly but neither the villain nor ending were satisfying. Thunderball, Golfinger, OHMSS, TSWLM and FYEO conversely were hugely satisfying. Many of the others were moderately satisfying but were missing something, usually a lack of suspense and jeopardy (eg TWINE or AVTAK) or a strong villain (TND, TLD or LTK).
Skyfall despite its faults, had a genuinely suspenseful ending which I thought made up for everything else. I think it's the ending more than anything that makes the difference between a satisfying film and one I feel just missed the mark. Which is why I often watch the first third, or half, of some Bond films over and over, but never watch the end.
Anyone else share this or is it just me being weird?
I think my enjoyment of films is all about how satisfying they are, and the Bond films are a perfect example. There's just something about some films which is independent of the plot, or the actors playing the roles, or their locations. I think, although it's only a gut feeling, that a satisfying Bond film:
- has a strong opening
- exposes Bond to increasing jeopardy during the film
- the villain poses a genuine threat to Bond, and has a strong physical presence
- the film reaches a crescendo and has a suspenseful and robust climax.
So QoS, for me, started brilliantly but neither the villain nor ending were satisfying. Thunderball, Golfinger, OHMSS, TSWLM and FYEO conversely were hugely satisfying. Many of the others were moderately satisfying but were missing something, usually a lack of suspense and jeopardy (eg TWINE or AVTAK) or a strong villain (TND, TLD or LTK).
Skyfall despite its faults, had a genuinely suspenseful ending which I thought made up for everything else. I think it's the ending more than anything that makes the difference between a satisfying film and one I feel just missed the mark. Which is why I often watch the first third, or half, of some Bond films over and over, but never watch the end.
Anyone else share this or is it just me being weird?
"How was your lamb?" "Skewered. One sympathises."
Comments
While I can agree with your first two points, I have to strongly disagree with your last point...I think the ending is VERY satisfying...it ties up the two movies beautifully and gives us the finished version of DC's Bond.... -{
A better, more relaxed Interpretation of Bond More
in keeping with what I think Bond should Be. -{ :007)
I'm not convinced he was 're-booted' at all in Skyfall...SIS is...but not Bond...
( You didn't notice, not having all that shaky camera action )
Is he ? Where ?
Hey...I like shaky camera action B-)
But the scenes with Yusef Kadeira (if his name is spelled like that) and Bond's subsequent exchange with M were good and did, ummm, round off the continuation of CR nicely.
He's in Most of the scenes Daniel Craig is in
IMHO, a much more, Rounded performance.
The swagger in the walk, the smirk as he says some
sly line to Monepenny.
As opposed to the Cold Killer of QOS. I know every fan
of QOS is going to say "That's how he's in the novels ".
But these are the movies, I want Bond to enjoy himself,
fire the odd flipant remark, and sure Kill when he needs to.
It is Odd that I can have CR as my Number two Film ( No Poo jokes, please )
and Skyfall as Number Three ( Given that I wouldn't Be DCraigs biggest fan )
Yet poor old QOS is right at the bottom, just above NSNA.
I think we are still waiting for DC's finished version. Skyfall sets it up nicely and I hope this is where 24 goes. I am hoping for a Bond as tough as nails, but capable of enjoying the rare fruits as respite in his "tough life" I long to see his evident enjoyment in the high speed pursuit of a glamourous women, maybe taking pleasure in a fine wine or two in between cracking heads. I think Daniel could do a fine job of this if that's the choice that is made.
I am....as long as its not you behind me