The OFFICIAL Quantum of Solace Thread

[Bryant Burnette 654]

Bond kills people in practically every movie in the series. I really can't see how, fundamentally, this is any different in Quantum of Solace.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

Everything Quantum of Solace tries to be, was achieved more successfully in Licence to Kill. Dalton was brutal and on a personal mission of revenge (plus a story that didn't have to be drawn out to soap opera proportions over two films!), but he was every bit as likable and funny as Sean, Lazza, Roger and Pierce. Whatever happened to the smile and half-antagonistic chit-chat? If they could pull off a movie like that these days, I'd be satisfied.

[Bryant Burnette 654]

Quantum of Solace has guns, cars, action, babes, a theme song, a title sequence, a gunbarrel sequence, the James Bond theme, M, Felix Leiter, a villain with an evil plot... That's not enough of the formula for you?

Any action movie can have guns, cars, action, babes, and a villain with an evil plot. The movie didn't have the James Bond theme by the way, the gun barrel sequence was at the end, Felix had two lines in the movie, there was little to no witty dialogue, the villain should have some sort of physical deformity or iconic symbol, gadgets and a Q are a necessity, there should be a Moneypenny, Bond needs to screw the Bond girl, and of course you have the terrible editing that ruined the car chase.

(1) As others have pointed out, the movie DID have the Bond theme. It even sends you out of the theatre with it.

(2) Casino Royale had no gunbarrel sequence at the movie's opening -- didn't hurt it any. So why complain about it here?

(3) Felix had far more lines of dialogue here than in Casino Royale, and more importantly, his character had an actual purpose. And anyways, it's not as if Leiter had ever been a crucial character in the series before (Licence to Kill excepted).

(4) I'll agree about the dialogue, but note that many of the films in the series don't have witty dialogue, either; they have dialogue that somebody obviously thought was witty, but that's hardly the same thing.

(5) "The villain should have some sort of physical deformity or iconic symbol" -- that didn't hurt From Russia With Love much. Or GoldenEye, or For Your Eyes Only. And anyways, Amalric is a good enough actor -- and a strange-looking enough one, too -- that he didn't really need that kind of storytelling crutch. I found him to be slimy, menacing, and detestable, and I don't need much more than that from a villain.

(6) There are plenty of gadgets; they just aren't plot points, or silly comic devices. I, too, miss Q, but really, there's only one Q, and he ain't coming back. The last thing I'd want to see is some asshole standing around pretending to be Desmond Llewellyn.

(7) Why should there be a Moneypenny? What purpose does that character serve, really? I'm not opposed, you dig, I just wonder why she's such a big deal to so many people.

(8) Again, why should Bond have to screw the Bond girl every time? He doesn't screw 'em all in the Fleming novels.

(9) I disagree about the editing of the car chase. Overall, I hate that style of editing, especially of action scenes, but I think it works with the car chase. It's not a good fit with the series, though, and I assume and hope that with the next film, they'll be back to a more traditional approach.

Seriously, I'm confused by all this "it's nothing like a Bond movie!" talk. But this is hardly the only place I've heard it, so I guess a lot of people must feel that way.

Everything Quantum of Solace tries to be, was achieved more successfully in Licence to Kill. Dalton was brutal and on a personal mission of revenge (plus a story that didn't have to be drawn out to soap opera proportions over two films!), but he was every bit as likable and funny as Sean, Lazza, Roger and Pierce. Whatever happened to the smile and half-antagonistic chit-chat? If they could pull off a movie like that these days, I'd be satisfied.

I like Licence to Kill a lot, too. However, I'll give Quantum of Solace some major points for NOT having Wayne Newton.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

Everything Quantum of Solace tries to be, was achieved more successfully in Licence to Kill. Dalton was brutal and on a personal mission of revenge (plus a story that didn't have to be drawn out to soap opera proportions over two films!), but he was every bit as likable and funny as Sean, Lazza, Roger and Pierce. Whatever happened to the smile and half-antagonistic chit-chat? If they could pull off a movie like that these days, I'd be satisfied.

I like Licence to Kill a lot, too. However, I'll give Quantum of Solace some major points for NOT having Wayne Newton.

I'm unfamiliar with his non-Bond work, so he doesn't bother me. I just find his scenes with Carey Lowell particularly amusing.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

(2) Casino Royale had no gunbarrel sequence at the movie's opening -- didn't hurt it any. So why complain about it here?

It makes sense that Casino Royale didn't have it because it was a prequel. He wasn't Bond just yet, which is also why it made sense that there was a lack of the theme.

(3) Felix had far more lines of dialogue here than in Casino Royale, and more importantly, his character had an actual purpose. And anyways, it's not as if Leiter had ever been a crucial character in the series before (Licence to Kill excepted).

I personally don't have any issue with the Felix character, I just brought up a mild counter-argument since Henry mentioned him.

(5) "The villain should have some sort of physical deformity or iconic symbol" -- that didn't hurt From Russia With Love much. Or GoldenEye, or For Your Eyes Only. And anyways, Amalric is a good enough actor -- and a strange-looking enough one, too -- that he didn't really need that kind of storytelling crutch. I found him to be slimy, menacing, and detestable, and I don't need much more than that from a villain.

006 had a scar on his face. Not much, but it's Bondian.

(6) There are plenty of gadgets; they just aren't plot points, or silly comic devices. I, too, miss Q, but really, there's only one Q, and he ain't coming back. The last thing I'd want to see is some asshole standing around pretending to be Desmond Llewellyn.

I agree that no one can replace Desmond Llewellyn. I'd be fine if they kept on using John Cleese, just more effectively.

(7) Why should there be a Moneypenny? What purpose does that character serve, really? I'm not opposed, you dig, I just wonder why she's such a big deal to so many people.

I like the chemistry her character shares with Bond.

[Bryant Burnette 654]

Everything Quantum of Solace tries to be, was achieved more successfully in Licence to Kill. Dalton was brutal and on a personal mission of revenge (plus a story that didn't have to be drawn out to soap opera proportions over two films!), but he was every bit as likable and funny as Sean, Lazza, Roger and Pierce. Whatever happened to the smile and half-antagonistic chit-chat? If they could pull off a movie like that these days, I'd be satisfied.

I like Licence to Kill a lot, too. However, I'll give Quantum of Solace some major points for NOT having Wayne Newton.

I'm unfamiliar with his non-Bond work, so he doesn't bother me. I just find his scenes with Carey Lowell particularly amusing.

Me too. I was just trying to find something bad to say about Licence to Kill, and that was the best I could do.

(7) Why should there be a Moneypenny? What purpose does that character serve, really? I'm not opposed, you dig, I just wonder why she's such a big deal to so many people.

I like the chemistry her character shares with Bond.

I'll take the chemistry Bond has with M in Quantum of Solace over Moneypenny scenes.

Of course, if the next one has both, well, that'd be the way to go, really.

[Neimoidian 14]

(4) I'll agree about the dialogue, but note that many of the films in the series don't have witty dialogue, either; they have dialogue that somebody obviously thought was witty, but that's hardly the same thing.

I think you put it very well... There was some witty dialogue in the movie - between Bond and M, him and Mathis, Fields and even some between him and both Camille and Greene. The thing is the dialogues are performed naturally, without the comic emphasis typical of Moore or even Brosnan. What's more, the dialogues in general have more sense than pretensious and corny lines that one can hear in some Bonds (e.g. DAD). That Moore'ish humour has always been a guilty pleasure, but I don't consider it being the essence of Bond in general and I am more than happy that Craig don't force it and don't act like a ... clown in -after all - very serious situation.

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

Also, Q wasn't in Dr. No and Live and Let Die, really.

And I like that Quantum of Solace (and Casino Royale for that matter) isn't a by-the-numbers "Bond movie." It delivers the unexpected and it makes it better in my eyes. There's already been a Bond movie that tried very hard to hit every button on the Bond-o-matic. It came out 6 years ago and look how that turned out. Blegh.

[Neimoidian 14]

Also, Q wasn't in Dr. No and Live and Let Die, really.

And I like that Quantum of Solace (and Casino Royale for that matter) isn't a by-the-numbers "Bond movie." It delivers the unexpected and it makes it better in my eyes. There's already been a Bond movie that tried very hard to hit every button on the Bond-o-matic. It came out 6 years ago and look how that turned out. Blegh.

Q was in Dr. No, but just wasn't played by Lewellyn (he was portrayed by Peter Burton). It was the guy who gave Bond his Walther, his name was Boothroyd, major Boothroyd, and, as far as I remember, in one of subsequent pictures M refers to Lewellyn's Q using that name.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Geek!

[Neimoidian 14]

Geek!

I am proud of it!

[Koray Savas 2,251]

Bond kills people in practically every movie in the series. I really can't see how, fundamentally, this is any different in Quantum of Solace.

I forgot to reply to this. Of course he always kills people, but he does it with style. Only Bond can shoot a pipe and take down 5 guys with steam (as done in Casino Royale).

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

Also, Q wasn't in Dr. No and Live and Let Die, really.

And I like that Quantum of Solace (and Casino Royale for that matter) isn't a by-the-numbers "Bond movie." It delivers the unexpected and it makes it better in my eyes. There's already been a Bond movie that tried very hard to hit every button on the Bond-o-matic. It came out 6 years ago and look how that turned out. Blegh.

Q was in Dr. No, but just wasn't played by Lewellyn (he was portrayed by Peter Burton). It was the guy who gave Bond his Walther, his name was Boothroyd, major Boothroyd, and, as far as I remember, in one of subsequent pictures M refers to Lewellyn's Q using that name.

Oh yes, you're right. No gadget to be presented there though. Just a Walther.

And in From Russia With Love Llewelyn's character was still named Major Boothroyd, representing "Q branch," I believe.

[Charlie Brigden 7]

Pretty sure Agent Triple X calls Q Major Boothroyd in TSWLM.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

She does.

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

The character always remained Major Boothroyd. They just started refering to him as Q at one point and never really stopped.

John Cleese officially became Q in Die Another Day, but I doubt that's going to stick if they ever bring the character back.

[Wycket 36]

Bond kills people in practically every movie in the series. I really can't see how, fundamentally, this is any different in Quantum of Solace.

I forgot to reply to this. Of course he always kills people, but he does it with style. Only Bond can shoot a pipe and take down 5 guys with steam (as done in Casino Royale).

Right, because Brosnan running around Carvers' Stealth Boat just wielding guns and shooting people without cause is any different. The only time Craig really kills people in this film is self-defense (sans the Pearla de las Dunas assassination). Its funny, I've been wanting these films to get more like the books for the past ten years, and now when we get to a more complicated Bond who actually grows as a character and develops, all people want him to do is to go around and bonk women and throw out terribly corny one-liners.

[Bryant Burnette 654]

Also, Q wasn't in Dr. No and Live and Let Die, really.

And I like that Quantum of Solace (and Casino Royale for that matter) isn't a by-the-numbers "Bond movie." It delivers the unexpected and it makes it better in my eyes. There's already been a Bond movie that tried very hard to hit every button on the Bond-o-matic. It came out 6 years ago and look how that turned out. Blegh.

I couldn't agree more. I've got some issues with some of the filmmaking techniques in Quantum of Solace, but I've got no reservations whatsoever about the tone: it worked extremely well. Again, I would not want every Bond movie to be like this one, but the advantage of having a long-lasting series is that once in a while, you can afford to do something different.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Yes....YES!

[Morlock 11]

One yes for me.

[FattyMcButterpants 1]

Quantum of Solace has guns, cars, action, babes, a theme song, a title sequence, a gunbarrel sequence, the James Bond theme, M, Felix Leiter, a villain with an evil plot... That's not enough of the formula for you?

Any action movie can have guns, cars, action, babes, and a villain with an evil plot. The movie didn't have the James Bond theme by the way, the gun barrel sequence was at the end, Felix had two lines in the movie, there was little to no witty dialogue, the villain should have some sort of physical deformity or iconic symbol, gadgets and a Q are a necessity, there should be a Moneypenny, Bond needs to screw the Bond girl, and of course you have the terrible editing that ruined the car chase.

Despite what you ears tell you, the Bond theme is there numerous times.

And there was plenty of genuinely witty dialogue. But you know what they say: Wit rarely appeals to the witless.

Bond kills people in practically every movie in the series. I really can't see how, fundamentally, this is any different in Quantum of Solace.

I forgot to reply to this. Of course he always kills people, but he does it with style. Only Bond can shoot a pipe and take down 5 guys with steam (as done in Casino Royale).

And only James Bond can be sadistic enough to leave a guy in the middle of the desert with a tin of oil to drink.

James Bond is a killer. Why would a killer go out of his way to kill with style?

You do know that Bond didn't kill those people with the steam, right?

[Jay 37,281]

Does anyone know if they are planning on introducing Q and fancy gadgets into future Daniel Craig Bond movies?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Possibly, if they can do it in a satisfactory way.

[Elmo Lewis 6]

You mean if they can get away with it?

[Luke Skywalker 1,792]

i dont need anything over the top, but one or two gadgets in the Aston Martin could be cool.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

You mean if they can get away with it?

Exactly.

You have learned well!

[Hitch 57]

You do know that Bond didn't kill those people with the steam, right?

I think they got the point

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

i dont need anything over the top, but one or two gadgets in the Aston Martin could be cool.

Well he did have a miniature defibrilator in his Aston in Casino Royale.

[Luke Skywalker 1,792]

i dont need anything over the top, but one or two gadgets in the Aston Martin could be cool.

Well he did have a miniature defibrilator in his Aston in Casino Royale.

wow (well at least it was something - but lets face after the DAD aston martin, this one was direct-from-the-car-dealer...)

I meant things to help in a chase.

No things like misiles or cloacking devices, but some courtmeasures and the likes.

[Bryant Burnette 654]

Some of my favorite scenes in Quantum of Solace were the scenes involving Bond having to use his wits to find out the information he needed to find out: the opera scene, his decision to check for messages left for the guy he killed at the hotel, etc.

I'll take scenes like those over gadget-heavy scenes and be very happy about it.

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

Agreed.

[Morlock 11]

I agree as well. The Opera scene was my favorite. And I loved the fact that I could imagine all the other Bonds in the same scene. A classic Bond scene.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Just bought the End Credits cue from iTunes.

I'm compiling a playlist of this score for my iPod. Back in the day it was claimed the CD was in cronological order, but Oil Fields does not seem to fit were it is on the OST. (the title suggests it is the cue for the scene were 007 finds Agent Fields covered in oil)

Any ideas were precisely it should go?

[Neimoidian 14]

Just bought the End Credits cue from iTunes.

I'm compiling a playlist of this score for my iPod. Back in the day it was claimed the CD was in cronological order, but Oil Fields does not seem to fit were it is on the OST. (the title suggests it is the cue for the scene were 007 finds Agent Fields covered in oil)

Any ideas were precisely it should go?

It's exactly that cue and it's where it should on the OST. As far as I remember, it starts when Bond sees Ms. Fields on a bed and ends as he leaves the hotel. The only missing part of the score between Camille's Story and Oil Fields is a short electronic drone when Bond receives the warning (RUN!) and enters his room.

[Luke Skywalker 1,792]

Just bought the End Credits cue from iTunes.

IS that the james bond theme or the other cue that plays after that?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Ok, thank you Krzysztof.

[Neimoidian 14]

Ok, thank you Krzysztof.

You're welcome.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Pity we won't get the gunbarrel sans soundeffects in all likely hood.

[Luke Skywalker 1,792]

oh, damn

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

What?

[Wycket 36]

Pity we won't get the gunbarrel sans soundeffects in all likely hood.

Really? Maybe you should PM me.

[Bryant Burnette 654]

There's an interesting rumor -- granted, from The Sun -- that the 007 producers are chasing Danny Boyle to be the director of the next movie.

I'd be cool with that, as I've liked Boyle since Trainspotting. Speaking of which, it'd make the various Connery jokes in that movie even more amusing.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

IMDB reports Boyle is flattered but not interested.

Boyle's next movie will fail anyway, whatever it is.

[Hitch 57]

I doubt he'll lose a nights sleep over it with his Best Director Oscar under his pillow.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

So, anyone else kinda like Crawl, End Crawl?

[Hitch 57]

I did when I heard it first....still do.

[Wycket 36]

Its not bad. Nice to have a few remixes of the tracks. An above average end credits piece.

[Kendal_Ozzel 36]

I like it, but I'm not crazy about the part near the end where the score loops don't sync with the rest of the piece. I like them there, I just wish they could have been made to fit.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Yes, they sound like they were just randomly dumped in there...maybe they were.

[Neimoidian 14]

I don't like it. I'd rather have missing cue from the scene, when Bond leaves the pub after the meeting with Felix.