Too bad they didn't use a band such as Oasis for the theme song.
Oh and after hearing the "singing", I'd say that's one of the worst theme songs to date...worse than Die Another Day even! At least Madonna has a decent voice.
Gosh the official song is horrible, sounds like cats getting strangled... It was better at the start when they wernt singing! FAIL! Band is always meant to be a man or woman singing in a deep serious tone... like Shirley Bassey singing Goldfinger, that kind of style. Even Chris Cornell's track was better than this. Duffy would have suited it perfectly, oh well!
Well, the film has opening in England. It received some pretty mixed reviews early on; the first few were overwhelmingly negative, but they reeked of being rushed out to be the first Quantum of Solace reviews, and all were done by tabloids stil angry that Daniel Craig doesn't wear his blue swimmers, that there's less smut this time around and that Am Winehouse didn't get the title gig ...
Anyway, I don't much care for the reviews put out by newspapers; I want to hear what the fans think. I'm a member over at MI6 Forums and Commander Bond.net, and so far, the response has been almost overwhelmingly positive. In fact, I think I've read three dud reviews from everyone who has seen it, and I expected no less from those people.
It seems that those people disappointed with the reboot concept in Casino Royale were missing the point a litte: that film was something of a transtional phase. I haven't seen it yet - still have to wait three weeks - but a lot of people seem to be thinking that to have gone from the old timeline straight into Quantum of Solace would have been a bad move, because it really is a departure from the norm. On a certain level, this seems to be the thinking-man's Bond film, because it assumes you've seen Casino Royale and that you're smart enough to work out what is happening rather than needing to be reminded every five minutes.
But even if you don't agree with that, there is one thing that stands out: all the negative reviews still take the time to praise Craig's acting ability. He seems to have proven that Casino Royale was not a one-of, but rather has taken the mantle of James Bond from Sir Sean Connery, much like Heath Ledger showing Jack Nicholson to have simply been the custodian of the role of the Joker.
I guess some people just can't or don't want to get used to this new bond era, yes the early ones were and still are amazing but at the end of the 90's it really did need rethinking and thats not a bad thing. I guess you can't please everyone because people will always see bond in different ways. I havent seen QOS but Casino Royale was good in its own unique way.
Basically Bond has turned into marmite, its gained and lost fans.
I'll be honest, I wasn't totally thrilled with Casino Royal when I first saw it. It wasn't because of DC's performance,( though I was a fan of PB and was a bit miffed when he was let go . . .) or that they decided to tell the story from the beginning. I just thought that the storyline was weak. I the theater I thought they spent waaaaay more time at the gaming tables then they needed to. (I felt like I was nodding off during most of it.) But after watching it on DVD, it grew on me. And I think that they took some of the gaming scenes out of it which helped a lot.
As the follow up to very successful reboot of a franchise, I expected QS to do two things:
Tie up loose ends
Pour on the classic Bond goodness
To that end, QS does both, and yet at the same time, does neither. From what I've read on the internet and in print, QS has received much of a contradictory view as to what it does right and what it does wrong, and to that end, I agree with most of them. QS is not an outstanding movie, but its not a terrible movie either. If anything, it serves its purpose as a Bond film... Interesting, fun to watch, and otherwise a good way to spend an evening.
Lets talk about what they got right. First and foremost, there is action. Enough to keep me satisfied, and enough to keep most of the Bond fans happy. Secondly, much to the fancy of myself, Bond has become a commentary on current politics in a way that I never could have imagined. There were so many nods and winks to so many different things, I was elated at the fact that they even acknowledged some of the things that occur. If you're at all knowledgeable in American foreign policy, you'll catch it right away...
What was wrong really comes down to one word: Bourne. The entire movie felt like a Bourne knock off. It was in the way it was shot, the way the story was told, and the way in which the producers have removed much of what was most fun about the Bond franchise... The occasional campy moment where something goes "boom" in an outrageous manner. I'm struggling to understand why, for any reason, Bond does not have the Q Branch anymore. Yes, his Aston is still fancy and fast, but the lack of some kind of weapon to come out of it other than a gun in the glove compartment is disappointing.
On the one hand I love it, on the other, I really didn't care much for it at all. I've heard a lot of complaints about the plot, I personally enjoyed it. Because its a Bond movie, you should see it. But if you're not that interested, it would be just as good in the comfort of your home on Netflix.
...And one more thing...
The Ford product placements became bothersome towards the end. Srsly.
==========
EDIT:
After Sitting On It For A Few Hours...
I'm beginning to think that I liked it more than I would have otherwise anticipated, but its still falling a little flat for me. Looking back, there most-certainly were problems (most of which I outlined up there), but there were some stellar points as well. I didn't really think much about the special effects, many of which had a level of near-future goodness that I do like seeing in these kinds of movies. Even more important, the women of the movie were breathtakingly gorgeous. Although Bond's main-squeeze is still dreadfully attractive, one of the characters on the side hits me in my weak point. Read headed bombshells. I'm still oogling over her.
Just as a passing thought:
The ending sequence in the "Eco-Hotel" was a bit silly. Could they try any harder to make the place look like a secret lair for bad guys? I kept thinking of the Cave level in Goldeneye 64 when watching it. Maybe that was a wink/nod, but it something that distracted me.
Actually, the product placement in this film is supposed to be some of the most discreet in the series. Surely it couldn't be worse than a full-screen view of a Phillips shaver box during the hotel scene in Die Another Day?
This should not be a reason to see any Bond movie that comes out. I've seen bad Bond movies, and after last night, I'd really put this one near the bottom.
I'm not complaining for the $11 that I paid, but the time wasted when I could have had way more fun with a friend...👎
As the follow up to very successful reboot of a franchise, I expected QS to do two things:
Tie up loose ends
Pour on the classic Bond goodness
To that end, QS does both, and yet at the same time, does neither. From what I've read on the internet and in print, QS has received much of a contradictory view as to what it does right and what it does wrong, and to that end, I agree with most of them. QS is not an outstanding movie, but its not a terrible movie either. If anything, it serves its purpose as a Bond film... Interesting, fun to watch, and otherwise a good way to spend an evening.
I agree it wasn't an outstanding movie but it was a good one. As for loose ends, it tied some up but it created a lot of new questions that this film didn't answer too.
Lets talk about what they got right. First and foremost, there is action. Enough to keep me satisfied, and enough to keep most of the Bond fans happy. Secondly, much to the fancy of myself, Bond has become a commentary on current politics in a way that I never could have imagined. There were so many nods and winks to so many different things, I was elated at the fact that they even acknowledged some of the things that occur. If you're at all knowledgeable in American foreign policy, you'll catch it right away...
The action was good, very good but sometimes I was feeling like there was a bit too much.
What was wrong really comes down to one word: Bourne. The entire movie felt like a Bourne knock off. It was in the way it was shot, the way the story was told, and the way in which the producers have removed much of what was most fun about the Bond franchise...
You're right, the camera work and cinematography reminded me of Bourne Ultimatum quite a bit. It wasn't all shakey cam but the general feel of the shooting and setting felt similar.
The occasional campy moment where something goes "boom" in an outrageous manner. I'm struggling to understand why, for any reason, Bond does not have the Q Branch anymore. Yes, his Aston is still fancy and fast, but the lack of some kind of weapon to come out of it other than a gun in the glove compartment is disappointing.
This I'm not too bothered about, Bond has become more realistic and a bit more serious. Having cars with machine guns never really did it for me, sure I enjoyed older bond films regardless but I'm gratefull that they have let's say matured the films in this regard.
On the one hand I love it, on the other, I really didn't care much for it at all. I've heard a lot of complaints about the plot, I personally enjoyed it. Because its a Bond movie, you should see it. But if you're not that interested, it would be just as good in the comfort of your home on Netflix.
It's definitely a big screen movie imo, it's a good film it's worth watching because the acting is good, the action and effects are good and if you've seen the first one the story carries on from that well, but you have to be ready for it to carry on pretty much from the very start. If you haven't seen the first one you'll probably be wondering what the hell is going on for the first 45 mins and you won't know who some of the characters are or why they fit into this movie the way they do.
...And one more thing...
The Ford product placements became bothersome towards the end. Srsly.
Didn't bother me, but then I didn't let them. A fair few Fords we're being driven around but they wern't doing close ups of the badges or anything stupid like the shaving scene in Die Another Day.
As for the Bond Women, I could oogle at Olga all day long.
In my opinion, Ms. Fields has to be the most-beautiful woman in a Bond movie, possibly ever. Of course that may be playing to my liking of women who have red hair...
Saw the film tonight, it wasn't bad but it was far from good. I miss the older Bond films with gadgets, crazy vehicles, guns, stupid puns, and the like. This was just lacking that sort of stuff. It even had somewhat of a deep plot too which is odd for a Bond film.
I'll put most of what I thought it spoiler tags though as to not ruin it for others.
- Seriously, water? That was the best they could come up with? What happened to nuclear weapons, lasers mounted on satellites, etc.?
- Falling out of a plane and opening a parachute a second before the ground will kill you. Not to mention a DC-3 couldn't handle like that with an engine that flamed out. I know suspension of disbelief but I just couldn't.
- Could the film really have had any more Ford product placement? I'm sorry, billionaires who try to control a countries water supply and mingles with dictators aren't going to cruise around in Ford Edge's. Are they trying to rule the world or take the kids to school?
- Why was M called mum? Did I miss something?
- What was up with the scars on the back of the girl the was working with Bond?
There were parts I liked though, there was enough action to keep me entertained although the cinematography was way to jumpy. The opening scene was full of automotive epicness as well.
This probably would have been a better Pay-Per-View for me rather then shelling out $12 to see it in the theatre.
I'll put most of what I thought it spoiler tags though as to not ruin it for others.
- Seriously, water? That was the best they could come up with? What happened to nuclear weapons, lasers mounted on satellites, etc.?
- Falling out of a plane and opening a parachute a second before the ground will kill you. Not to mention a DC-3 couldn't handle like that with an engine that flamed out. I know suspension of disbelief but I just couldn't.
- Could the film really have had any more Ford product placement? I'm sorry, billionaires who try to control a countries water supply and mingles with dictators aren't going to cruise around in Ford Edge's. Are they trying to rule the world or take the kids to school?
- Why was M called mum? Did I miss something?
- What was up with the scars on the back of the girl the was working with Bond?
- Bolivia was chosen because it has had problems with the privatisation of its water supply in the past few years. Also, fresh water is going to be incresingly important in the not-too-distant future.
- There have been reported cases of people surviving freefalls of up to 33,000 feet; a Serbian flight attendant did so when Croation terrorists bombed the flight she was on in 1972. She was in a coma for a month and has serious injuries, though ...
- Quantum of Solace has some of the lowest-key product placement of any of the films. If you want a truly bad example, watch Die Another Day (but I can't recommend it, as it is an assault on all the senses, including common): there's a full-screen shot of the box Bond's electric shaver comes in during the sequence in the Hong Kong hotel room.
- M wasn't called "mum". She was referred to as "ma'am", just as Bond did when he left her apartment in Casino Royale.
Just watched the movie, and got to say it was quite good (in a non spectacular way) I liked how they make the movie more "realistic" and all that fancy gadgets weren't really a part of the movie. But then again it exactly reminds me of Bourne..... Did a short review on my blog though, I might update the review later when I get to think straight again.....
Nope, I haven't watched it yet. I mean like I said in my blog, I really wasn't expecting to watch the movie. My brother just suggested my parents to watch the movie that night, bought the tickets and went to watch it right away after dinner. Yeah, but since I've watched it already I'm a little interested about Casino Royale now. I'll try to watch Casino Royale somehow, whether I borrow a DVD from a friend or catch the movie on HBO or something....... 👍
My Verdict: A teriffic film overall, but the 'quantum' leap they have taken to try refresh the Bond franchise may not be to everybody's tastes. QoS starts impressively enough, with 3 A's of Italy's finest screaming around Italy's largest lake in an action-packed car chase enough to make your head spin, but it soon becomes apparent that this film is far more serious than it's predecessors and thus requires a lot more attention to be able to be followed. The action is there, but in its attempt to lift Bond out of the stereotypical 80's action movie outfit, they've thrown away arguably too many traditional Bond subtleties such as Q with his gadgets, MoneyPenny and her administrative sexiness, the omnipresent introduction, "Bond, James Bond", as well as Bond's all-too-happy request for a Vodka Martini. Despite these nuances, Quantum of Solance isn't completely wrecked by this repainting of the franchise, and the revitalising cocktail of seriousness, rancor and plain coolness of Daniel Craig means that the Bond films are only getting better.
^Definitely don't miss the gadget abuse. It was way out of hand. The return to a somewhat realistic Bond (he was like this in the books), where he actually knew how to take care of his damn self, was needed, and much appreciated.
Did a short review on my blog though, I might update the review later when I get to think straight again..... 
I mean like I said in my blog, I really wasn't expecting to watch the movie. My brother just suggested my parents to watch the movie that night, bought the tickets and went to watch it right away after dinner. Yeah, but since I've watched it already I'm a little interested about Casino Royale now. I'll try to watch Casino Royale somehow, whether I borrow a DVD from a friend or catch the movie on HBO or something....... 👍
