QUANTUM OF SOLACE - Daniel Craig returns as 007 on DVD & Blu-ray (March 24)

Sorry but this will be the only Bond movie I won't purchase on Blu-ray. I did not like the editing, the title song gets my vote as the worst Bond music ever, (never thought any Bond Title song would be worse than the Man with the Golden Gun) and I couldn't get involved in the story line I think the big box office was created by fans who liked Casino Royale and hoped for more of the same. Another reason for big box office numbers might have been the free tickets offered in the popular Casino Royale DVD and Blu-ray. I almost walked out of the theatre after the first stomach churning 20 minutes of choppy editing and swishing camera moves.

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[Post edited by Brianmsmith on Jan 13, 2009 - CST 5:45 PM]

I had just the opposite reaction. I found this first pure-action Bond rather refreshing. Because it was a continuation of "Casino Royale," taking up moments after the preceding film ended, I had no trouble understanding or following the opening car chase. Of course, it helped to be able to recognize the difference between an Aston Martin and an Alfa Romeo.

The Blu-ray version of the movie should be visually and sonically spectacular.

John

I did like the opera scene quite a bit. Op art torn right from a page of Steranko.

I can't say I liked too much else about it though it wasn't terrible.

The opening car chase, however, is an abomination and certainly the worst Bond opening sequence I can recall.

Quote:
I can't say I liked too much else about it though it wasn't terrible.

The opening car chase, however, is an abomination and certainly the worst Bond opening sequence I can recall.

I disagree, but no surprise as I know you're just a picky guy, Chris.

I enjoyed this film from start to finish. IMO, it did the job I expected it to do. It had some prime action, good acting, acceptable villains and added more to the story from that last film. I enjoy how they're moving the story along into something bigger we have not seen as of yet. I thinks it's best to not think of this film as a "new" story, as it is not, but something that continues into something that is still to be completed. Good movie all around, IMO.

You know, the filmmakers have taken a lot of grief for that opening car-chase sequence. Since the film's editor is an old student of mine, we talked about it recently, and I think he, too, thought it was different from what he had in mind. But if the film had prefaced the chase with two pieces of information, I believe it would have made a lot more sense to a lot more viewers: If we had known that Bond was transporting the villain in his trunk and the villain's henchmen were following him for that reason, and if the various cars had been more obviously different from one another, the villains' cars bright red, say, it would not have been so confusing to tell who was chasing whom.

As far as the chase looking awkward or jerky, I watched it in a theater twice, and the quick edits look no more jerky to me than anything in the "Bourne" films or a hundred other modern action thrillers. I don't think the filmmakers wanted to create something so reminiscent of other action films, but the studio wanted it that way. You can't blame the studio for wanting to make money (it's why they're in business), and it seems to have worked, too, since "Quantum of Solace" earned about as much in box-office receipts worldwide as "Casino Royale," the two films taking in more money each than any other Bond films in history.

John

Well, I agree with what John is saying, and what Bond movie does not start out with an attractive action sequence? It just so happens that this film starts off with a bigger bang than in other Bond films, but is there some reason it should not? I mean, after all, it is a "Bond" film and intense action should be expected. It just seems odd that anyone would gripe about that. Plus, people griping that the Daniel Craig Bond is not the same Bond of yesteryear, but yet these same critics raved how great he was in Casino Royale . . . he was the same Bond in this movie! What gives!?

And shaky camera my ass! I had no problem following the car chase and I found it quite exciting to jump into intense action from the get-go! In fact, the only difference I saw in this film compared to Casino Royale was more action. And again, what's wrong with that considering it is a Bond movie? Plus, the constant griping that it was like a "Bourne" film kills me -- Umm, let's examine, which franchise came first? Last time I checked, Bourne was not made back in the 1960s! Yeah kids, give credit where credit is due!

Overall, Q of S was one of the better action films of 2008 and a very acceptable continuation to Casino Royale. To be honest, I enjoyed this movie a lot more than TDK.

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[Post edited by Tim Raynor on Jan 14, 2009 - CST 2:25 AM]

I also liked the opera scene very much. A great edit all the way.

I'm also pleased to see that studios start to include all the extras in HD. Nice!

tim,

i just heard that the bond people are going with a new direction to placate chris. the next movie's opening sequence will be a long take, with a camera that doesn't move, of daniel craig taking a nap for ten minutes. bond's kitty cat jumps on the bed, which awakens bond. bond stands up, yawns, stretches, scratches his butt, and goes to the kitchen to make some coffee.

we then see the famous "gun barrel" intro, followed by the credits. however, this time, the credits are silent. no music, no dialogue, nothing--just absolute silence to go with the visuals.

I liked the opening car chase. It got my attention and I was into the movie right away. Opera scene was good also.

Overall a good movie. Nice continuation from Casino Royale with a slight improvement.

Can't wait to see what they do for the next movie.

I was just wondering...

I know about the MGM-Fox thing, but since "Quantum" was released on theaters by Sony on both, the US and overseas (just like "Casino Royale"), I thought they were going to release this.