Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang; the official James Bond Thread - Page 6 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

evilbeefchan · 11-15-2008, 02:45 AM

I REALLY liked this movie! Aside from the Bourne-ish "shaky action camera," I felt this continues the development of the "blunt instrument" into the suave super-spy that we've expected Bond to be. If you liked Casino Royale, you will like this movie. This is where I'm coming from: I loved Connery and Lazenby, couldn't stop laughing at Moore and sorta liked Dalton. I only liked Brosnan in Goldeneye, and have loved Craig so far. Gadgets are fun, but they shouldn't take over the movie. My picture of Bond is probably way different than yours, so take this recommendation with half a measure of Kina Lillet. Spoiler: Despite hating cheesy gadgets, I LOVED the Minority Reportish table/desk application gizmo. The nod to Goldfinger was a nice suprise, too. BTW, HATED the Jack White/Alicia Keyes song.

Willravel · 11-15-2008, 09:40 AM

Yes the theme song was absolutely abominable. In the refrain, Keys and White sing the same note over and over, and each time they sing it, it's off key! "You Know My Name", from Casino Royale, wasn't spectacular, but it wasn't bad. "Another Way to Die", from QoS, actually hurt the movie it was so bad. It's reason enough to install a mute button in movie theaters.

RetroGunslinger · 11-15-2008, 10:23 AM

I was pleasantly surprised by the film. I went in with low expectations, but besides the Bourne-style shaky cam and the theme song, I liked it. Would I prefer a complete return to the old days of Bond? Sure. But the way the film ended, it seemed to be telling us Bond was back, and that left me pumped.

Also, I keep hearing people thought the villain was crap. I liked Dominic Greene! His plan wasn't very outlandish, but he seemed suitably psychotic, and that last fight scene at the hotel thingamajig really stood out for me.

I'd give it a 7/10. Not the best Bond by any means and it still hasn't quite gotten back to the Bond we love, but I can appreciate the producers taking time to give a solid origin story.

Redjake · 11-15-2008, 01:27 PM

5/10. This movie completely reverted back to the characteristics of the previous films that nearly drove it into the ground - boring villains, lack of emotion, and inability to grab the audience. I was bored throughout the entire movie, even during most of the action scenes.

And they took away the grit from the first movie. They polished something that didn't need to be polished. The action scenes were so shakey they were unwatchable, the plot landed Bond in so many new areas that you wondered if he had the ability to teleport, and the overall feel of the film was a neutrality that disturbed me way worse than a flat-out horrible movie would.

Daniel Craig was still amazing as Bond, but the rest of the movie fell flat from the first scene. It just didn't grip the audience. Didn't hear a peep from anyone in the entire theater throughout the entire film, and everyone just sort of stood up and left when it was over, not caring. The film was on autopilot.

SecretMethod70 · 11-16-2008, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willravel

Yes the theme song was absolutely abominable. In the refrain, Keys and White sing the same note over and over, and each time they sing it, it's off key! "You Know My Name", from Casino Royale, wasn't spectacular, but it wasn't bad. "Another Way to Die", from QoS, actually hurt the movie it was so bad. It's reason enough to install a mute button in movie theaters.

I originally thought it was the worst Bond credits song ever, but then I was reminded of the time Ah-Ha did the opening credits! Either way, the opening credits sucked and I was disappointed.

io9 has a harsh, but not off-base, review: Quantum Of Solace Review: Quantum Of So What?

I thought the movie was entertaining, but they did a terrible job of explaining Greene's plan/motivations and how Quantum fits into it all.

I think will's earlier post, about how this movie should be seen as the second act of Casino Royale, is accurate, but that brings me to my biggest complaint...

One of the things I absolutely loved about Casino Royale is that I could feel Bond becoming Bond throughout the entire movie - and the soundtrack mirrored that. The Bond theme is hinted at with increasing length and clarity throughout the film, until the end where a cold, suave James Bond shoots a guy and says "I'm Bond. James Bond." and then: full Bond theme! I felt chills at the end of Casino Royale and thoroughly excited to see the future with Daniel Craig as this character.

Then QoS comes along and it's like that never happened. Casino Royale unsubtly showed us that Bond had become Bond, and QoS said "oh wait, one sec, we've got another action story to tell before Bond gets the class you expect from him! The stuff with Strawberry Fields was the best in the movie, because it's when I felt Bond was most like the character he's supposed to have become in Casino Royale. Overall, though, I felt Bond was more Bond in Casino Royale than Quantum of Solace!

When they finally bothered with the Bond theme during the closing credits, it felt abrupt and totally out of place, because that theme didn't fit the character I had just watched.

Anyway, it was an entertaining movie, and I think it deserves to be seen and enjoyed. I'm just disappointed because Casino Royale was so great, and was headed in such a clear direction, and I feel like QoS entirely ignored that!

On the plus side: Gemma Aterton was hot!

Willravel · 11-16-2008, 12:28 PM

You have to expand on the idea of CR and QoS being two parts of the same story. In order to develop the character we all know and love, it was necessary not only for Bond to go through what he did in CR, but also what he goes through in QoS. The death of Vesper leaves him fractured in a way that prevents him from breaking the Bond barrier.

After QoS Spoiler: Bond has closure on Vesper (forgiving her posthumously and capturing her ex) and is armed with intelligence on Quantum from Greene. He's further matured in preparation for the road ahead; a road that requires the James Bond of yesteryear in order to take down Quantum.

At least that's my take.

SecretMethod70 · 11-16-2008, 12:36 PM

I don't disagree will. My problem is mainly that Casino Royale so blatantly promised Bond for the next film, and we didn't get that. In fact, we got less Bond than CR even had.

Spoiler: Regarding the intelligence on Quantum, they should have shown some of that as a teaser for the next film. I feel like the "evil plan" and especially the ending were very anti-climactic in QoS

Willravel · 11-16-2008, 12:54 PM

Based on reviews of QoS, I have a strong suspicion our prayers will be answered in the next one. If that's not the case, it will be a shame.

dirtyrascal7 · 11-17-2008, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willravel

You have to expand on the idea of CR and QoS being two parts of the same story. In order to develop the character we all know and love, it was necessary not only for Bond to go through what he did in CR, but also what he goes through in QoS. The death of Vesper leaves him fractured in a way that prevents him from breaking the Bond barrier.

After QoS Spoiler: Bond has closure on Vesper (forgiving her posthumously and capturing her ex) and is armed with intelligence on Quantum from Greene. He's further matured in preparation for the road ahead; a road that requires the James Bond of yesteryear in order to take down Quantum.

At least that's my take.

Well said. I wish more people would recognize that this is what's going on... rather than claiming they're trying to turn Bond into Jason Bourne or The Transporter.

m0rpheus · 04-20-2010, 04:15 PM

Boo-urns. Just read this on aintitcool.

BOND 23 On Indefinite Hold!! -- Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news.

Vaultboy · 04-25-2010, 10:41 PM

I watched QoS a day after watching Liam Neeson being better than Bond and Bourne in Taken. He was almost Seagalesque in his ability to avoid getting hurt. I marvelled at his ability to track down his daughter so effortlessly - He made Creasy look like a amateur (edit: which was a bad thing, since Man on Fire was terrific).

Taken was an entertaining watch, but the suspension of disbelief it required from me made me appreciate QoS so much more - apart from the unsophisticated violence, seeing Bond struggle with - and get on top of his emotional baggage was worth the watch for me, and I definitely felt a sense of progression from CR.

11-15-2008, 10:23 AM	#203 (permalink)
RetroGunslinger eats puppies and shits rainbows Location: An Area of Space Occupied by a Population, SC, USA	I was pleasantly surprised by the film. I went in with low expectations, but besides the Bourne-style shaky cam and the theme song, I liked it. Would I prefer a complete return to the old days of Bond? Sure. But the way the film ended, it seemed to be telling us Bond was back, and that left me pumped. Also, I keep hearing people thought the villain was crap. I liked Dominic Greene! His plan wasn't very outlandish, but he seemed suitably psychotic, and that last fight scene at the hotel thingamajig really stood out for me. I'd give it a 7/10. Not the best Bond by any means and it still hasn't quite gotten back to the Bond we love, but I can appreciate the producers taking time to give a solid origin story. __________________ It's a rare pleasure in this world to get your mind fucked. Usually it's just foreplay. M.B. Keene

11-15-2008, 01:27 PM	#204 (permalink)
Redjake I'm a family man - I run a family business. Location: Wilson, NC	5/10. This movie completely reverted back to the characteristics of the previous films that nearly drove it into the ground - boring villains, lack of emotion, and inability to grab the audience. I was bored throughout the entire movie, even during most of the action scenes. And they took away the grit from the first movie. They polished something that didn't need to be polished. The action scenes were so shakey they were unwatchable, the plot landed Bond in so many new areas that you wondered if he had the ability to teleport, and the overall feel of the film was a neutrality that disturbed me way worse than a flat-out horrible movie would. Daniel Craig was still amazing as Bond, but the rest of the movie fell flat from the first scene. It just didn't grip the audience. Didn't hear a peep from anyone in the entire theater throughout the entire film, and everyone just sort of stood up and left when it was over, not caring. The film was on autopilot. __________________ Off the record, on the q.t., and very hush-hush.

11-16-2008, 12:36 PM	#207 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	I don't disagree will. My problem is mainly that Casino Royale so blatantly promised Bond for the next film, and we didn't get that. In fact, we got less Bond than CR even had. Spoiler: Regarding the intelligence on Quantum, they should have shown some of that as a teaser for the next film. I feel like the "evil plan" and especially the ending were very anti-climactic in QoS __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling Last edited by SecretMethod70; 11-16-2008 at 12:39 PM..

04-20-2010, 04:15 PM	#210 (permalink)
m0rpheus bad craziness Location: Guelph, Ontario	Boo-urns. Just read this on aintitcool. BOND 23 On Indefinite Hold!! -- Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. __________________ "it never got weird enough for me." - Hunter S. Thompson

04-25-2010, 10:41 PM	#211 (permalink)
Vaultboy Addict Location: Third World	I watched QoS a day after watching Liam Neeson being better than Bond and Bourne in Taken. He was almost Seagalesque in his ability to avoid getting hurt. I marvelled at his ability to track down his daughter so effortlessly - He made Creasy look like a amateur (edit: which was a bad thing, since Man on Fire was terrific). Taken was an entertaining watch, but the suspension of disbelief it required from me made me appreciate QoS so much more - apart from the unsophisticated violence, seeing Bond struggle with - and get on top of his emotional baggage was worth the watch for me, and I definitely felt a sense of progression from CR. __________________ "Failing tastes of bile and dog vomit. Pity any man that gets used to that taste."

11-15-2008, 02:45 AM	#201 (permalink)
evilbeefchan Addict Location: Alhambra, CA	I REALLY liked this movie! Aside from the Bourne-ish "shaky action camera," I felt this continues the development of the "blunt instrument" into the suave super-spy that we've expected Bond to be. If you liked Casino Royale, you will like this movie. This is where I'm coming from: I loved Connery and Lazenby, couldn't stop laughing at Moore and sorta liked Dalton. I only liked Brosnan in Goldeneye, and have loved Craig so far. Gadgets are fun, but they shouldn't take over the movie. My picture of Bond is probably way different than yours, so take this recommendation with half a measure of Kina Lillet. Spoiler: Despite hating cheesy gadgets, I LOVED the Minority Reportish table/desk application gizmo. The nod to Goldfinger was a nice suprise, too. BTW, HATED the Jack White/Alicia Keyes song.

11-15-2008, 09:40 AM	#202 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Yes the theme song was absolutely abominable. In the refrain, Keys and White sing the same note over and over, and each time they sing it, it's off key! "You Know My Name", from Casino Royale, wasn't spectacular, but it wasn't bad. "Another Way to Die", from QoS, actually hurt the movie it was so bad. It's reason enough to install a mute button in movie theaters.

11-16-2008, 12:28 PM	#206 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	You have to expand on the idea of CR and QoS being two parts of the same story. In order to develop the character we all know and love, it was necessary not only for Bond to go through what he did in CR, but also what he goes through in QoS. The death of Vesper leaves him fractured in a way that prevents him from breaking the Bond barrier. After QoS Spoiler: Bond has closure on Vesper (forgiving her posthumously and capturing her ex) and is armed with intelligence on Quantum from Greene. He's further matured in preparation for the road ahead; a road that requires the James Bond of yesteryear in order to take down Quantum. At least that's my take.

11-16-2008, 12:54 PM	#208 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Based on reviews of QoS, I have a strong suspicion our prayers will be answered in the next one. If that's not the case, it will be a shame.