Re-Watch it, it's actually really good - Quantum of Solace (2008) Discussion

[–] prskalica 8 years ago

I have and it holds up much, much better than I expected. So quick-paced to the point of being relentless, brutal and even emotional at points. Probably the most un-Bond Bond movie ever made, but that's what makes it memorable IMHO.

Of course, it's not without its flaws (the villain is so-so, editing is too tight in some action sequences), but I have no problems with calling it one of the better modern Bond movies.

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[–] henrikvinther 8 years ago

Really great comment! Super honest and unbiased, a rarety on these boards :D
Not sure if I would agree that it's the most un-Bond Bond movie, I can name three that feel less like Bond movies to me: Die Another Day, Skyfall and Spectre, compared to those I think QoS is structured more similarly to the classic Bond movies.

that'll be the day

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[–] Stanley_Kubrick_2 8 years ago

Because we waited 2 years for this sequel and it didn't deliver the goods. It was one of the biggest let-downs in cinema history for me, worse than Alien 3. All they had to do was have Bond kill the Yusef at the end! And the producers couldn't even pull a simple revenge story off. Where is the Solace? The biggest mistake was not using Martin Campbell to direct.

You're right, the more you watch Quantum the better it gets but it still doesn't work as well as it should. It has some fantastic scenes but it will always be a let down for me.

I wonder if they did film an alternate ending? From what I have read, the production was a nightmare.

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[–] armenianmovieman 8 years ago

Because by the end of the film Bond gets closure and doesn't kill him because he realizes that all he causes on his mission of vengeance is death. "sounds like you lost another one!" And with this line it clicks for Bond and he spared Greene and Yusef.

The film is much prettier than Cadino or Skyfall: obviously Skyfall cinematography is a league of its own but the production design and warm settings are stunning and super classy. As Bond films should be.

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[–] ffnogoodnik 8 years ago

Because by the end of the film Bond gets closure and doesn't kill him because he realizes that all he causes on his mission of vengeance is death. "sounds like you lost another one!" And with this line it clicks for Bond and he spared Greene and Yusef.

I felt he spared Greene because he knew Greene was a dead man anyway so get some info from him (info that apparently would be ignore by the time SPECTRE came around).

I also felt he spared Yusef because when he kissed Camille in the car and she pulled back he realized that her killing the General did nothing for her. She was still a mess. This made him come to the conclusion that he will not get over Vesper by killing Yusef.

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[–] Suntory_Times 8 years ago

They did, originally it ended with Bond finding and killing Mr White. I prefer the ending they went with.

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[–] dogma867 8 years ago

its actually not

/thread

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[–] RolloTomassi_53 8 years ago

I just saw this film tonight for the first time since I saw it in the theater. At that time, I shared the popular consensus. Tonight, I realized something I can't believe I'd never understood until now: There is no such thing a bad Daniel Craig Bond film. Each has at least one component that sets it ahead of the others. Quantum has the best title sequence (though the best song goes to Adele), the best pacing, and a few remarkable action sequences. I had totally forgot about the opening rope swinging fight scene. Skyfall feels the most like, well, you'd expect a Bond film to feel, if that makes any sense, the best villain, and the best sense of constant pressure throughout- even though I'd argue it's essentially a remake of The World is Not Enough for the first half and a bloody Home Alone for the last. Spectre I haven't really had time to digest yet, but I loved the bare bones, nearly gadget-less, From Russia With Love feel (and not just because of the incredible, music free, primal, train fight scene), the gorgeous, spitfire leading lady, and the great sense of closure. Casino Royale is just the most well-made of the lot, due in large to its flawless transition from the old era to the new. I could watch the first 20 minutes of that scene on loop for days- if I didn't know I'd just end up watching the whole thing.

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[–] wallacesawyer 8 years ago

I never hated it, but it probably is my least favorite of the Eon Bond franchise. I even find CASINO ROYALE (2006) good, but overrated. I didn't warm up to Daniel Craig until SKYFALL.

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[–] m-slovak79 8 years ago

it's the clear weak link in a otherwise pretty strong set of Bond movies from Craig...

1.Skyfall (2012) - 8.5-9/10
2.Casino Royale (2006)
3.Spectre (2015) - 7.5-8/10 (this may improve on a re-watch though as i only seen it once so far)
4.Quantum of Solace (2008) - 6/10 (a mild thumbs up)

one thing's for sure... QoS clearly has the worst camerawork of the Craig era as i don't even think that's up for debate at all.

in fact, i re-watched all of the Craig Bond era movies (besides Spectre since it's not out in video yet) very recently to.

p.s. Skyfall and Casino Royale are within my Top 51 movies and Spectre would be within my Top 162 movies.

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[–] RolloTomassi_53 8 years ago

What exactly about Skyfall makes it the best? I'm not trying to be combative or contrarian, I'm genuinely curious. Is it the performances? Or is it the fact that it followed Quantum and lived up to the "make or break" pressure? I'm with the Matts from the James Bonding podcast: as a lifelong fan who's seen all the films multiple times, I'd put Spectre above Skyfall. It was an exciting step in a new direction (the only weak link I could find was that Waltz' motivation was a bit thin, but he'll be back), whereas Skyfall was an homage in a lot of ways. Again, absolutely nothing wrong with that, It's just subjectivity.

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[–] Crazygreen1127 8 years ago

Skyfall is my least favorite of Craig's films. Its not that it isnt a well made.film, but I found it dull.

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[–] lizandrich 8 years ago

Re-watched it last night as there have been a lot of 'give it another chance' comments, especially after 'SPECTRE'.
I don't think it's a well told story. It has good scenes in it, (the DC-3, Mathis) but not too much else.

Strawberry Fields sole purpose was to die, which I think was a mistake.

The whole film feels rushed and when you think about it, water supply in Bolivia isn't really a huge concern to the SIS.

It's way down my list of Bond films. FRWL and Skyfall probably being my 1-2.

QoS really had potential and handled differently might have been a good sequel to Casino Royale. It did tie up loose ends, admittedly.

The elephant in the room for me was the inability to use 'SPECTRE' as a name. It's stated in 'SPECTRE' (the film) that Quantum is an arm of Spectre. This is obviously inserted to explain Quantum as an entity. I found it helped whilst watching 'QoS' just to replace 'Quantum' with 'Spectre'. Dominic Greene being one of Blofeld's lieutenants.

She's a man, it's a sled, he's dead already.

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[–] monstermayhem32 8 years ago

I think had quantum of solace had more time to develop with a longer running time, it could have been great film but certainl aspects felt rushed. I wish Felix had a larger role and more of me white.

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[–] RolloTomassi_53 8 years ago

I think the film had two problems from the get-go that were out of the creative brain trust's control. First, there were legal issues with the "SPECTRE" name that went all the way back to FRWL. Second, there were some cuts, including an ending death scene for Mr. White, which they left out for obvious reasons. Yes, the villain's plot wasn't very inspired. But who cares about those specifics anyway? The villains in the Moore films had *beep* silly plots, and those are easily the most fun to watch. Sean Bean's character in Goldeneye built a goddamn 300 yd satellite dish in the middle of Cuba without anyone noticing, and most people consider that one in the top 5. I suppose what I'm getting at is that, when you put the pros/cons on paper, the only thing Skyfall roundly beats QoS on is cinematography. Anything else: performances (M's line about even florists saying they have people everywhere is probably her best in any of her appearances), car/plane chases, fight scenes, locations (the only really impressive place we see in Skyfall is the island where we first meet Javier Bardem), this film could go toe-to-toe. So, I ask again, what is it that makes so many people put Skyfall at the top of the list? The sense of nostalgia? Are you just more invested because the characters are all in more danger? I legitimately want to know.

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[–] HugeDaiCottermee 8 years ago

QoS is likely to remain the worst film ever made until the end of time. Imagine how bad any future movie would have to be to be considered inferior to this sorry mess.

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[–] RolloTomassi_53 8 years ago

Well, I guess that's settled, then.

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[–] rich_bruce 8 years ago

Well, I guess that's settled, then.

Doooon't rush to judgment on something like that until all the facts are in.

I've always liked it.

What no man Can give ya. And none Can take away.

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[–] lizandrich 8 years ago

So, I ask again, what is it that makes so many people put Skyfall at the top of the list? The sense of nostalgia? Are you just more invested because the characters are all in more danger? I legitimately want to know.

It's simply a good film IMO. Strong opening, excellent opening song and credits. I was engaged throughout the whole film.
There's a lot of affection in it. The DB-5 reveal is a shot which has me grinning every time I see it.

Critics will say it goes all 'Home Alone' towards the end, but as a film critic said, it's more 'Straw Dogs.'

For me it just 'works'.

She's a man, it's a sled, he's dead already.

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[–] 8 years ago

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