Quantum of Solace - The score

[Trent B 337]

This score is a let down after Casino Royale.

I agree.

[Neimoidian 14]

Interesting... maybe Arnold CAN do subtle, after all...

He does. Amazing Grace IS subtle.

This score is a let down after Casino Royale.

I agree.

I don't.

Chris, who is positively surprised with QoS.

[Richard Penna 3,679]

Looks like another KotCS style reaction

After a few more listens I guess it's a good score overall, probably better after a viewing of the film, but the lack of any real theme, the < 1 min tracks that don't really do anything, and the fact that the album tapers off into nowhere (and I don't like that song, I've decided) kind of lessens the experience a bit.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

I read a bunch of movie reviews for the new bond, many are negative, and none mentioned the music.

[Wycket 36]

I read a bunch of movie reviews for the new bond, many are negative, and none mentioned the music.

I wouldn't say the reviews are negative, more simply mediocre with an average of 3/5. As for music not being mentioned, how many reviewers actual speak of music in reviews?

Answer = Not many.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,068]

I haven't seen many negative reviews actually.

This score is a let down after Casino Royale.

I agree.

On the contrary, this is superior to Casino Royale.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

Neither have I.

[Neimoidian 14]

I haven't seen many negative reviews actually.

This score is a let down after Casino Royale.

I agree.

On the contrary, this is superior to Casino Royale.

Yep. It has fewer highlight of African Rundown or City of Lovers quality, but doesn't have as many weak tracks as CR had (Bond Wins/Looses it All, The Bad Die Young to mention some).

[Luke Skywalker 1,794]

Shame he didnt use the 007 theme, as suggested to him at Ubeda.

It would be interesting to hear a techno driven rendition of it, could be fun.

[Neimoidian 14]

Shame he didnt use the 007 theme, as suggested to him at Ubeda.

It would be interesting to hear a techno driven rendition of it, could be fun.

He would have had to give you the additional music credit then, not to mention considerable share of his salary, so - I guess - he didn't find it interesting enough.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

Would have worked in DAD.

[Vaderbait1 1]

I agree with what a poster said. QoS doesn't have as many standout tracks as Casino Royale, but neither does it have so many uninteresting ones. In that sense it may be a wash.

[Quintus 5,399]

I read a bunch of movie reviews for the new bond, many are negative, and none mentioned the music.

A collection of snippets from British reviews: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7679989.stm

[Neimoidian 14]

I read a bunch of movie reviews for the new bond, many are negative, and none mentioned the music.

A collection of snippets from British reviews: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7679989.stm

...which are rather warm and one does mention the music

[Maglorfin 196]

I'm further postponing my already postponed Amazon order just because QoS soundtrack doesn't come out until October 28th. <_<

[BurgaFlippinMan 7]

The 'Bond, James Bond' line isnt in the movie at all? Sacrilege!

[Maglorfin 196]

Nor are Moneypenny and Q. <_<

[FattyMcButterpants 1]

They were not in CR as well, so you're two years late.

[Maglorfin 196]

I'm well aware they weren't, but I (and many more, I daresay) was hoping they'd reappear in this one.

[Neimoidian 14]

I'm well aware they weren't, but I (and many more, I daresay) was hoping they'd reappear in this one.

Perhaps in the next one.

[FattyMcButterpants 1]

Judging from the general tone of QoS, I think a jokey scene in M's office or in the sewers beneath London would come off as nothing but forced.

[Neimoidian 14]

Judging from the general tone of QoS, I think a jokey scene in M's office or in the sewers beneath London would come off as nothing but forced.

I thought it was forced in couple of previous chapters. That Bond movies became slaves of their own clishe.

[FattyMcButterpants 1]

Certainly, but when it doesn't work in a film like DAD, it would be a catastrophe in QoS or CR.

Because these characters are being associated with certain things. Even if their scenes were completely reworked, it's the expectations that kills the moment IMHO.

[Wycket 36]

All the "elements" of Bond became jokes by the Brosnan era. This is largely due to Moore and his films, but Brosnan is equally to blame. Dalton tried to revert back to Fleming, but EON decided that all bond was about was gadgets, guns, women, one liners, and crappy comedy. This is what made Casino Royale such a breath of fresh air, as it harkened back to older (i.e. Connery Bond films) and Fleming elements while at the same time being modern. Is QoS going to be as good as CR? Of course not! But will it be as bad as getting Diamonds Are Forever following On Her Majesty's Secret Service? I just don't see that as a possibility.

Should the proper gunbarrel and characters like Q and Moneypenny return? Sure, but only if they are done right and not simply to be there. Moneypenny could have been in Casino Royale as Villers wasn't much of a difference as him and Bond never really interacted, but I didn't mind her missing. These elements should be treated with utmost respect, but I just fear that EON doesn't know how to handle it properly. For this I blame Barbara Broccolli, as Michael Wilson proved in the '80s he wanted a more pure Bond. For these films to be consistently good, she has to understand that the Brosnan films were almost completely failures (from a cinematic point of view) and that the current direction needs to be kept.

[Vaderbait1 1]

The key is, they can't forget what made Bond films what they were. I love the dark tone of CR, but I'd like to see Q and Moneypenny back. Maybe not for EVERY movie, but they do need to keep things stylish and fresh or else it really does become Bourne.

[FattyMcButterpants 1]

I don't think the Moore films had such a big influence on the elements becoming jokes. I would say the only movies you could justifiably accuse of that active role in establishing cliches are Octopussy and A View To A Kill. Don't forget that the Moore films, despite their heavy leaning towards the lighter side, all retained their unique feeling of being a different sort of Bond films, and not pastiches of them.

The Dalton films were an overdue stroke of genius, with Living Daylights being a near Bond masterpiece; License To Kill failed with audiences in my eyes not because of its subject, but its sometimes flawed execution. The Dalton films did not fail artistically, they just failed to manifest in the viewer's heads because of a lead actor that, while portraying Bond in a great way, did not carry enough charisma.

The cliched elements that turned into superficial and self- indulgent jokes only became fully developed and apparent in the Brosnan era; and even there you have to point out that GoldenEye was the noble exception. It modernised Bond in a clever way, with an element of emotion that was not out of place.

The road to ruin was begun in Tomorrow Never Dies, which, you can't put it differently, succumbed to the mass audience taste. In a way, it took all the modernised elements of GoldenEye - that were done with style and skill - put them out to the crass and advertised them; big explosions, lots of crossfire, an emotional Bond, flat psychoanalysis, childish sex jokes, a woman who "really can hold her own", and big knockers.

It all went down the hill in a breathtaking tempo.

A few words on the score (listening right now); so far, halfway through, it sounds to me like the least interesting bits of Casino Royale stretched over 60 minutes in most parts.

It starts very promising in the first two tracks, but then declines somewhere between ambient sounds, occasional techno and the David Arnold staccato brass. I thought I heard hints of a specific theme, which them vanished into oblivion again. And I really don't need music like "Bond In Haiti" or "Bolivian Taxi Ride". DAD's "Welcome To Cuba" was already a stretch for me, but these are really just ethnic filler cues.

Musically, in general, I think this is an astonishing product. Not because of its greatness, but because a staggering amount of material seems to be transported over directly from Casino Royale, and important themes, too! The YKMN rip off in Another Way To Die was already mentioned, but also throughout the score. Vesper's Theme, "Talamone" ...

This would be fine if these were two stand- alone films, but they aren't. I have nothing against hints at the previous movie when it makes sense plot- wise, but it leaves a bad taste in your mouth when you sit through the score and the only more recognisable bit of thematic material comes from Casino Royale.

Listen to "Target Terminated" and tell me it's not "Miami International" part 2.

Overall, I would say it is a good listen, definitely, but it plagues the thinking "from bar to bar".

[Vaderbait1 1]

Nothing in it is a rip-off. Even the Bond theme is done so drastically different as to be almost unrecognizable. There are hints of stuff from CR, but I'd hardly call them rip-offs. There's some great, exotic new stuff that I missed the first time or two through the CD, notably the Haitian stuff and the last few tracks of the finale.

[BurgaFlippinMan 7]

The Dalton films were an overdue stroke of genius, with Living Daylights being a near Bond masterpiece

TLD always felt like one of the weakest Bonds personally speaking. Nothing in it clicked for me.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

It was alright, but Licence to Kill was better.

[Wycket 36]

It was alright, but Licence to Kill was better.

You can't go wrong with either of the Dalton films if you ask me. TLD was more of a "Bond" film (ie the way he is in the movies) and LTK was more of a Fleming's Bond film. Both are good, and are in my top ten (though TLD is in my top 5).

[graffin13 0]

I wasn't quite sure about this score on the first listen, but each time it gets better. The quiet statements of the classic Bond theme are refreshing. The action cues are a bit modern yet enjoyable. I am forming those pictures of what is going on during those parts. Let's hope I'm right...

[FattyMcButterpants 1]

LTK suffers from a TV movie flair.

[MattyO 62]

I don't mind Kamen's score for LTK, however I don't think it has been represented on album well enough to be properly judged.

The good thing I'm finding about QoS is that even though there's only an hour of score, I think it's perfectly adequate, I have no desire for more music (not in a bad way). I hope this doesn't change after seeing the film.

[Maglorfin 196]

The good thing I'm finding about QoS is that even though there's only an hour of score, I think it's perfectly adequate, I have no desire for more music (not in a bad way). I hope this doesn't change after seeing the film.

It usually does, so best luck to you!

[BLUMENKOHL 1,068]

I thought The Living Daylights was a more well-rounded film than License to Kill.

But then I also think A View to a Kill was a good final outing for Roger Moore.

[Ollie 1,059]

I thought Dalton's films were fine but perhaps he became Bond at the wrong time. At the time he was Bond I think the franchise was at a low point, the interest just wasn't there by the public. Just bad timing in my humble opinion.

[Hitch 57]

Having listened to the score of Quantum of Solace in full, it's a good score but it isn't vintage Arnold. And that awful, dreadful theme song at the end of the CD. Why? Why?????

Anyone catch The South Bank Show last night with Daniel Craig and Shir Shean Connery? Very good clips from the new movie and looks great.

[crocodile 7,999]

QOS is probably darker than your avarage Bond score. And probably in many ways more mature. I like it. It's not as striking as CS or TOD, but is well crafted and has more depth. No obvious highlights and no bold statements of Bond theme. I believe most people will hate it. I would give it a try. I didn't spot any new themes. Vesper quotes are better than any renditions of this theme in CS. As in any previous Arnold outing the climax is somewhat lacking. Definitely not action packed music, more of a thriller-like. I like how the brass writing is in more low registers this time.

Karol - still not sure if it makes his "this year's best" list.

[Maglorfin 196]

Thank you for that insight, Karol, it promises an interesting first listen of the score, methinks.

Maglorfin, who will wait for his CD to arrive from Amazon before listening to the score.

[FattyMcButterpants 1]

QOS is probably darker than your avarage Bond score. And probably in many ways more mature.

Oh dear.

How many times in how many movie series have I heard this in the last few years?

[BLUMENKOHL 1,068]

This score reminds me very much of The Living Daylights...

There is this underlying...melancholy to it. Just listen to Night at the Opera. For some odd reason it harkens back to "Airbase Jailbreak" to me....

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

I was hoping the song would be like "The Quantum of Sollllllaaaaaaace... the Quantum of Solllaaaaaaace... the QUANTUM OF SOLLLAAAAAAAAAAACE!!!"

[crocodile 7,999]

It is not that bad, as some people say. It even references Bond theme once or twice and it meshes well with the rest. Which, thank god, spares us this electronica from TWINE and DAD in favour of "less cheesy" modern approach. It should date better than those, I think.

If there's one gripe I have it would be that the whole thinbg sounds now less like Barry's Bond. Some of the Bond theme quotes are so subtle that you can almost overlook it. Now, with all eclectic intrumentation, it feels more like Bourne than anything else.

Karol

[Maglorfin 196]

If there's one gripe I have it would be that the whole thinbg sounds now less like Barry's Bond.

That's not so good.

Some of the Bond theme quotes are so subtle that you can almost overlook it.

That is good, I'll enjoy it!

[BLUMENKOHL 1,068]

It just hit me...the end of "Oil Fields" has one sleek rendition of the James Bond theme....mmmm mmmm that's good! Bond hasn't sounded that suave in a looooong time.

This is certainly one of those learn and discover scores. Not for the one-shot listeners.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

I listened once so far. It bored me. I probably won't do another full listen for a long time.

[Neimoidian 14]

It just hit me...the end of "Oil Fields" has one sleek rendition of the James Bond theme....mmmm mmmm that's good! Bond hasn't sounded that suave in a looooong time.

This is certainly one of those learn and discover scores. Not for the one-shot listeners.

I have heard it once so far and I cannot wait to listen to it again. It's one of the best scores this year and freakin' good modern Bond score (not as good as TND, but slightly better than Casino and TWINE). For once Arnold didn't overscore the movie, but provided a thrilling, but in some sort of way also a subtle score.

[crocodile 7,999]

Agreed. I like it better than previous four.

Karol

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

After watching KotCS, perhaps James Bond should encounter aliens or something of the paranormal. Come on! Aren't we sick of megalomaniacs, drug lords, and poker players? Do something new with the franchise!

[Joe Brausam 214]

I've listened once so far, and I loved it!

There is actually a LOT of the Bond theme in the score, mostly the guitar riff. It can be heard in chord progressions, variations, and different instrumentation. Great score!