(no subject)

[shapinglight]

So much to say, so little time. I have a piece of meta I want to write about Buffy's character in season 7. Haven't managed it so far. I also want to write about BSG season 4. Haven't managed that either and now have the panicked feeling that I've already forgotten too much to say anything sensible.

Anyway, leave that aside. Went to see Quantum of Solace last night. Thoughts (spoilery, of course) behind cut.



The fact that I'm even bothering to write about it should tell you something. I'm not much of a James Bond fan. As he's previously been incarnated, I've found him an insufferable, sexist pig and all the gadgets and thrills and easily disposable characters just left me cold. The Roger Moore films were the worst, but I don't like the others much either.

However, with the Daniel Craig era, all that's changed. Suddenly, Bond is interesting. Yes, there are still impossibly glamorous women and car chases and so on - even a few gadgets, though no preposterous ones - but the grittier, more realistic ambience is a huge improvement. Plus, the minor characters, male and female, aren't disposable any more. When they die, their deaths aren't treated lightly. I approve of that.

As for Daniel Craig himself, he's just superb. Yes, Bond should have died a gazillion times in that movie, but Craig's physical presence is convincing enough to make his survival not too much of a suspension of disbelief - and he manages to be tough and yet give a hint of emotional vulnerability in a way that makes his version of the character far more appealing than all the obnoxious suave charm of previous Bonds put together. Needless to say, I love his relationship with M, which, to me, was the highlight of the movie. However, the female lead (can't remember her name, unfortunately) was also very good. Bond women are a lot tougher than they used to be all round.

I've picked up here and there that people were disappointed by this film after Casino Royale but I can't for the life of me think why. I've just seen both in quick succession, and I think it a worthy sequel, even bettering the first one. Maybe the people who didn't like it were just confused? I think I would have been a bit confused if I hadn't seen Casino Royale so recently, as Quantum of Solace really is the second part of a continuing story.

Great stuff - and the only James Bond film I've ever seen that I've actively wanted to watch again. As far as I'm concerned, Daniel Craig and the makeover of the franchise have saved it from the sorry joke it had become (or had always been, if you're me).

Comments

[ruuger]

I liked Quantum of Solace, but I thought it was a bit rushed. If they had taken out the last 20 minutes from Casino Royale (which I though dragged a bit in the end) and put it in QoS, I would have been happy :)

[shapinglight]

I liked Quantum of Solace, but I thought it was a bit rushed

I disagree. I thought it was just right (as you can probably tell). Okay, so the actual explanation of what Quantum is was glossed over, but that's because they want to save that for the third film in the trilogy.

Agree that CR dragged at the end, though. Plus, poor Venice!

[hello-spikey.livejournal.com]

I whole-heartedly agree. I like how they are bringing the Bond franchise a little closer to reality - when shots are fired into a crowd, innocent people are hit. Bond's escapes were messy and dirty and not reliant on gadgets. And the cars were great fun. So happy to see him in an Aston Martin again, even if he destroys it slowly in an opening car chase.

I loved the way he figured things out - especially the scene at the opera. Oh, and the scenes with M - she rocks so hard - I liked the simple way they did the exposition on Greene, with her phone call to the CIA guys and a quick cut that made sure we knew who these guys were already when they sit down with Greene.

The action scenes were a bit frenetic for me, though. I understand that action is king these days, but after a certain point I found myself praying for Bond to get away already so I could relax!

[shapinglight]

I like how they are bringing the Bond franchise a little closer to reality - when shots are fired into a crowd, innocent people are hit. Bond's escapes were messy and dirty and not reliant on gadgets

Yes, that's the best thing about it really. I was actually quite moved by the scene where Mathis died while Bond held him in his arms. Not something I ever thought would happen to me while watching a James Bond film.

You're right about the Aston Martin too. I think S winced quite a few times at the awful state it ended up in.

[enisy.livejournal.com]

I was surprised how much I loved it, too. I've never been a big Daniel Craig fan, but his performance was very subtle and consistent in this movie, and Olga Kurylenko (the aforementioned female lead) was a character in her own right, not a walking talking fanservice, as Bond females tend to be. Also, it was very impressive, to me, that the highers-up didn't try to shove them into a cinematic Token Romance. The platonic kiss at the end was all the more poignant because of that.

So, yeah, definitely better than Casino Royale. (I wasn't even aware that people had trouble understanding the plot... I found it easier to follow than Casino Royale.)

[shapinglight]

but his performance was very subtle and consistent in this movie, and Olga Kurylenko (the aforementioned female lead) was a character in her own right, not a walking talking fanservice, as Bond females tend to be.

I agree (I even agree with your use of the word 'fanservice' in this instance).

Not sure I agree the kiss was platonic, though, just because it didn't lead in to sex. More like a hint of what might have been had circumstances been different.

ETA: which in itself is new for a Bond movie.

[kitmarlowescot2.livejournal.com]

My mother didn't like it to much, and she is a James Bond fan espically of Sean Connery. She found it to dark, and very confusing. Acourse neither of us have seen Casino Royale and didn't know it was a straight sequel to that movie.
I enjoyed it, but then I like dark movies. I found it intresting seeing Bond in such a dark mood. I do like the female M with Daniel, the other guy and her didn't seem to connect. I love the thought of M as being his mother.
I don't think the sexism of the early movies has ever bothered my mom, she enjoys the action and acourse Sean :) I do too.

[shapinglight]

Acourse neither of us have seen Casino Royale and didn't know it was a straight sequel to that movie.

I can see it would be confusing if you hadn't seen CR.

I don't think the sexism of the early movies has ever bothered my mom, she enjoys the action and acourse Sean :) I do too.

Whereas it bothered me even as a kid in the 60s.

[kitmarlowescot2.livejournal.com]

Well you have to take the good with the bad.

[jamalov29.livejournal.com]

I was profusely nodding all along your review of Quantum of Solace.Yes things have changed and they have improved. Craig plays a wonderful Bond, harder, sharper, raw with inside wounds that make him endearing.
and he manages to be tough and yet give a hint of emotional vulnerability in a way that makes his version of the character far more appealing than all the obnoxious suave charm of previous Bonds put together. Needless to say, I love his relationship with M, which, to me, was the highlight of the movie. A hundred of yes.

I've never was a fan of the Bond movies and frankly Daniel Craig made the whole experience something richer and a lot more captivating.
And the perfect second part after Casino Royale-we're left satisfied .

[shapinglight]

Craig plays a wonderful Bond, harder, sharper, raw with inside wounds that make him endearing.

Yes, I think with that aspect, plus the wonderful Judi Dench and the altogether more proactive female characters, the franchise isn't trying to broaden its appeal?

If so, I think they've succeeded.

[kazzy-cee.livejournal.com]

Yes I agree. It's still Bond, but far closer to the original concept in the books. He was really quite a ruthless character in the books and that shows through but like you say, a hint of vulnerability shines through as well.

Of course what's improved it from the original books is the respect for women shown in the film. None of that at all in the books! LOL!

[shapinglight]

Of course what's improved it from the original books is the respect for women shown in the film. None of that at all in the books! LOL!

I haven't read any of the books, but I can well believe it.