If you have seen the film and want to comment on it, do so in this thread.
--Jason "it is currently at a very solid 75% on RT" Evans
I am starting to feel like I may be disappointed. Probably need to start working on lowering my expectations.
Where's your review, Jason? I'm waiting for it to decide whether I want to go to the theater or wait for this on blu-ray.
Saw it this morning - thought it was a very engrossing action film, from the opening scenes on through. Daniel Craig is still a hottie; Dame Dench still makes a good Q; Felix from the CIA has a good, if small, role to play.
The plot? Decent, but nothing earth-shatteringly new/different; it may have a bit better if I'd actually remembered anything about Casino Royale (beyond Craig's departure from the water in his swim trunks ) - there was quite a bit of reference to Vesper Lynd, etc.
Overall takeaway? It's a Bond flick - it was somewhat predictable; the female lead wasn't my favorite, wasn't my least favorite; there weren't enough sexy-new-car chase scenes - but for an action movie, it's worth seeing in the theater.
Did I mention Daniel Craig?
Sorry, probably won't get to see this until the weekend. I have read extensively about it and the consensus seems to be that there is a ton of action but not a lot of good character development or creative plotting. It is dark and vengeful but it is no Dark Knight and most folks like their Bond with a portion of humor and charm.
--Jason "I am betting it is fine, but nothing special" Evans
I've heard the running time on this one is much shorter than Casino Royale, which is good. I loved CR, but felt at times it just kept going and going like the Energizer bunny.
bttt
I have tix to see the 7:30 p.m. showing at Brier Creek in Raleigh tonight (just three more hours, yippee). Couldn't buy tix on-line for Southpoint, so am going to Brier Creek.
Will probably wait until tomorrow night to post my thoughts so I can ponder the movie a little before posting. Also, am at an all day event tomorrow, thus can't post before tomorrow night anyway.
Martini's for everyone. Shakin' not stirred of course.
Have a blast Tilly, good vibes to it being everything you hope for!!
Q "Why do you like Duke, you didn't even go there." A "Because my art school didn't have a basketball team."
Saw this online; don't think even Bond could survive this one:
TAKE A DRINK WHENEVER….
Someone drinks
Someone fires a gun
There’s a call-back to a previous film
M yells at or complains about Bond
TAKE A DRINK WHEN YOU SEE…
An explosion
A video screen
A cellular phone
The scar on Camille’s back
TAKE A DRINK WHEN SOMEONE SAYS…
“007”
“Bond”
“quantum”
“Greene” or “green”
CHUG YOUR DRINK WHENEVER…
You see the gun barrel shot
This could explain why he introduces himself as "Bond (drink), James Bond (drink)".
I've had nearly 24 hours to think about QoS. My initial reaction during the film was of disappointment. 24 hours later, I haven't changed my mind much. The saving grace for the film was that MI6 knows about the organization that blackmailed Vesper, Quantum, and Bond found Vesper's boyfriend. The third Daniel Craig Bond will likely be about Bond taking on Quantum.
The action scenes were, well, action packed. They seemed to move too quickly for me to process how Bond was able to accomplish killing the bad guy(s).
Dame Judi was fabulous. She has really made M her role, and is fabulous (I know I already used that word, but can't think of another word to describe Dame Judi).
Not sure if I like the homage to Goldfinger, Strawberry Fields covered in oil. Give me a good argument as to why it's good, and I can lean in that direction. I could go the other way. Again, just not sure if I like it.
QoS sort of reminds me of Tomorrow Never Dies, in that it's an okay Bond film that I'll watch again, if it's on. This movie did not leave me wanting more like Casino Royale did.
I do have a bit of a girly comment. It drove me nuts to see M wiping the make-up off her face with a tissue, and applying so much pressure. Yes, I understand the symbolism of it at that particular time in the movie, but that was just too much for such beautiful skin.
I was not the only person dressed up for the movie. Ran into two guys dressed as Bond, and well, had to have my picture taken with them.
Tilly Bonded.jpg
Thanks for the update Tilly, sorry it wasn't all you wanted. Love the photo..y'all look like a trio of bartenders
Q "Why do you like Duke, you didn't even go there." A "Because my art school didn't have a basketball team."
I just got back from seeing it and my feeling is much the same as Tilly.
In the early chase scene that ended with Bond and M's bodyguard on the scaffolding, I found the entire thing hard to follow. The action was too close-up and frantic and I had no idea who was who. I was longing for the bad guy to have blonde hair or some other characteristic that would make him stand out. I was most distressed as I found that this would be the norm for the rest of the movie-- sigh.
The plot was pretty darn weak. My 11-year-old son and his best friend had no clue what was going on and barely knew who the good and bad guys were. The overall scheme of Quantum was certainly lost on them. As I was trying to explain things a bit (frankly, I was a little lost myself at times) while we were walking out of the theater, a couple in the crowd stopped to listen to me and ask their own questions. They confessed to being just as confused as the 11-year-olds. Not a good sign.
My son noted that it was missing the Bond staple of really cool devices. I am not sure a cell phone tracking system qualifies as a cool device. The touch-screen computers did not qualify either, in my opinion. I miss Q.
The acting was fine. Judi is a fabulous M and I am thrilled they have expanded M's role in the stories. Craig does a good job though he rarely has to do anything more than look steely. I would like a story with a bit more Felix Leiter next time. The female leads were just average. The bad guy was sorta wimpy looking and did not feel very imposing.
I did not find this nearly as good a story as Casino Royale and the action was not as strong either. It was ok, but certainly nothing special and it will not be a Bond film I will be likely to watch again. I am not sad I saw it, but am hesitant to recommend it to others.
--Jason "I'd give is a B-minus or a C-plus" Evans
Worst Bond song ever.
Craig is contending with Connery in my mind for the best Bond. The tightly wound intensity is the sort of personality trait you would expect to find in such an adept. Connery's detached insouciance is less believable. But nobody can do suave like Connery.
I'm happy to see the camp elements gone from the Bond movies, but agree that this one could have used more compelling story and character development. I've about gotten to the point where I just can't sit through the chase scenes anymore. Lost count of them at four in this one.
Boo - I liked it.
Are there people that actually like frenetic quick-cutting close-camera action sequences? The style seems popular these days but I have never seen someone say they like it.I've about gotten to the point where I just can't sit through the chase scenes anymore. Lost count of them at four in this one.
Oh, I liked the Jack White-Alicia Keys song!
Daniel Craig could roller paint a wall and I'd be riveted...especially if he was doing it shirtless, purrrrr. Somebody commented that the editing was a bit choppy on the chases and I guess that has some validity. The Mathis (sic) story line was a bummer, though.
All in all, a fun way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon.
I think Craig's next movie about the Jewish trio of brothers fighting the Nazis will be good.