Quantum of Solace or Casino Royale.

[FireKnife]

Simle this one: Which do you prefer? and just how do you feel about QOS after seeing it.

 

For the me the answer is:

 

Casino Royale and 'It had so much to offer but just seems to lack that one thing to put it up on the same pedestal as Casino Royale, good but just not good enough'.

 

No flaming or arguing this is merely to see if my opinion stands alone or not.

 

'FireKnife'

 

 

[Xaccers]

Casino Royale - more women in silk than Quantum of Solace had.

[shmook]

same view as you fireknife, it just wasnt quite 'there' was it?

[Hammerfall]

I agree.

 

I found QoS to be somewhat of an anti-climax, to what was set to be a thrilling story line, and one set apart from the norms of 'Bond'. I think the reason it wasn't 'great' was simply because Casion Royale was just too good for it to follow on from in the way it did. Also, you've got to remember, this film was written at the time of the writer's strike, so the script was probably rushed somewhat, or at least effected in some way by it.

 

The action scenes weren't brilliant. Okay, it had its car chases and explosions, but nothing that will ever be notable. Another thing that annoyed me was the character development of Bond. He's meant to be cruising all over the globe (which he did actually) seemingly without a care in the world, shooting stuff and being uber suave when doing it - not pining after some lover that betrayed him! She was a 'Bond' Girl she is meant to die and in the next one he's not 'meant' to care. Fair enough, there is no concrete formula for a Bond film, but i think this was just a little too far from the norm.

 

Anyway, it's not a great Bond film, nothing on Casino Royale and some of the classics, but it is a pretty good watch at the pictures

 

If you're looking for shooting btw... there is a severe lack of it! He K.O's an Alfa with an UMP, thats about it i'm afraid haha!

[FireKnife]

I like it that Americans have to wait til the 14th for this though lol, as for once the Brits get a film before them.

 

But yes it had some very well thought out scenes and in particular the Italy chase was a favourite of mine (i find a good on foot chase better than a vehicle one as it adds a better dimesion to it, less restrictions like roads etc.) but i just lacked that little something that made Casino Royale so memorable and perfect.

 

Though don't ask me why but i am happy to see a return of the PPK (looked a little like a PPK/S to me though) to Bond's arsenal as i think it a more traditional and correct spy pistol (next thing he will end up with a .25 Beretta like the books).

 

'FireKnife'

[Hammerfall]

He used a Beretta 418 in the films prior to Dr No. After which his main gun became the Walther PPK. Apparently Fleming changed this as he concluded a PPK is ''probably'' what a spy would use after consultation with some bloke... i seen that on a documentary. There is actually quite a good wiki article on it:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_James_Bond_firearms

[Xaccers]

His Beretta used to jam quite a bit if memory serves.

[Spacemonkey]

Olga is in the new one and that makes it the best Bond film since the one with Michelle Yeoh in. And that's all I have to say about that.

[Hammerfall]

She made the Hitman film worth seeing. Which was a good job as i actually found it pretty good

[RacingManiac]

lousy brits and their advance showing....lol

[Wraith18A]

Another thing that annoyed me was the character development of Bond. He's meant to be cruising all over the globe (which he did actually) seemingly without a care in the world, shooting stuff and being uber suave when doing it - not pining after some lover that betrayed him! She was a 'Bond' Girl she is meant to die and in the next one he's not 'meant' to care. Fair enough, there is no concrete formula for a Bond film, but i think this was just a little too far from the norm.

 

TBH, (and I haven't seen QoS yet because of retarded US release schedules) according to Ian Fleming, Bond was never supposed to be 'uber-suave' or 'without a care in the world'. He's supposed to be somewhat dark and gloomy. George Lazenby's Bond was technically the closest to the 'real' Bond, but no one liked it, they wanted Sean Connery, who was an outstanding Bond. Roger Moore then again rendered Bond in a comical manner.

 

According to Ian Fleming in the original Playboy interview: "It does disturb Bond to kill people, even though he continues to get away with it..."

 

[Chimpy]

I liked QoS as it was a bit more the 'Bond' I grew up with than Casino Royale. As a movie though Casino Royale was much better.

[imp1864]

All very valid points. Personally I liked it, its part 2 of 3 of course and in that its the "empire" of the story. Bond needd to clear his demons before he becomes the bond we are used too. the story was slightly complex, but with repeated watching I do reckon it will be rated as one of the best Bonds. I of course won't spoil the ending. So all I will say is Bond is back.

[kizza]

I found QoS had loads of advertising in it, his watch, his phone, the car & more

[richwuk]

Well I watched QOS last night and did feel disappointed - partly because it wasn't like any other bond film and the hype surrounding it (which was prob responsible the takings over the weekend). I do feel there was less action than CR and when I talked about it with the friend I saw it with we both agreed it was missing something - he suggested gadgets, but no one missed the gadgets in CR! I really hope the follow up is better or I won't be watching the 4th film (with Daniel Craig) in the cinema.

 

I wonder if this will be a Marmite bond film...

 

No one has said anything about product placement - In the film we have Ford, Hydrogen power and Sony Vaio, I'm guessing H&K supplied a lot of the guns too (UMP, MP5 and I think I saw a G36!). The Coke ad's annoy me too - someone is clearly out for all the money they can get!

 

Please keep it a bit special

 

edit: I see kizza has picked up on the product placement

[RacingManiac]

its the same with the Casino Royale though...the "then-new" Mondeo, the Sony phones and computers and digicam, the Omega watch, the then-new Jag XJR, the UMP 9mm and of course the Aston.....

[Ubar]

I have seen neither film, but expect I would be unimpressed if I was ever tricked into seeing either of them.

[chownsy]

if i had to choose i would say neither because there were not like the origional bonds with gadgets and cars that fire things.

 

but out of those two i would have to say Casino royale with out a doubt

 

Richard

[hardboiledcop]

Definately preferred QoS, preferred the faster pacing, and of course I'm a sucker for the 'rogue agent' plotline.

 

Favourite moments were Bond revving the guy's motorbike while he's on it and flipping him, and of course the Bourne-ish apartment fight at the beginning.

[FireKnife]

I to be honest, after re-watching CR, think that i can't now judge the films side be side as now we have a rather 'directorial interpritation' of Bond as i see it, Marc Foster (QoS) often made a lot of 'where not pissing on Bourne films' in his interviews which belied more action where as Martin Campbell (CR, also Goldeneye) seems to prefer to make his Bond edgy but not really rogue.

 

I see it know just like the difference between Alien and Aliens, where as Alien (Ridley Scott) was more about fear and horror while Aliens (James Cameron) was more action heavy. Like these they are just how two different directors view the angle the same basic character should take.

 

Oh and the product placement is just typical of all Bond's so i expect it in this film as much as the next one (though Aston Martin's DB5 in Goldfinger was one of the first examples of true media product placement for a car brand).

 

As for Hammerfalls comment about the Beretta and the PPK, it was replaced when Major Boothrood sent a letter to Fleming with a request to arm Bond more effectivley, the expression 'nice and light; in a ladies handbag' is one he actually used in his talks with Fleming which lead to a change (also Major Boothrood appears in both the film and book version of Dr. No), the whole Beretta jam at the end of From Russia With Love is what M refers Bond to at the start of Dr. No (as in book sequence it is the other way round). Bond also carries a hammerless S&W pocket revolver .38 Special in Dr. No but he soon looses it. Finally he even has a 'Long Barreled' Colt 1911 in the dashboard of his Bentley and Aston Martin in the books but never gets a chance to fire it off.

 

Ok random Bond facts over for now methinks.

 

'FireKnife'

[BlackHawkHarlequin]

I see CR and QoS as a two part story, as aformentioned in this thread, now that Bond has got his revenge he will be back on usual form. Roll on the next one

 

Just played the game, reminds me of COD4, Rainbow six vegas combined I recommend it if you can get it cheaply.

[Brick]

I to be honest, after re-watching CR, think that i can't now judge the films side be side as now we have a rather 'directorial interpritation' of Bond as i see it, Marc Foster (QoS) often made a lot of 'where not pissing on Bourne films' in his interviews which belied more action where as Martin Campbell (CR, also Goldeneye) seems to prefer to make his Bond edgy but not really rogue.

 

I see it know just like the difference between Alien and Aliens, where as Alien (Ridley Scott) was more about fear and horror while Aliens (James Cameron) was more action heavy. Like these they are just how two different directors view the angle the same basic character should take.

 

Oh and the product placement is just typical of all Bond's so i expect it in this film as much as the next one (though Aston Martin's DB5 in Goldfinger was one of the first examples of true media product placement for a car brand).

 

As for Hammerfalls comment about the Beretta and the PPK, it was replaced when Major Boothrood sent a letter to Fleming with a request to arm Bond more effectivley, the expression 'nice and light; in a ladies handbag' is one he actually used in his talks with Fleming which lead to a change (also Major Boothrood appears in both the film and book version of Dr. No), the whole Beretta jam at the end of From Russia With Love is what M refers Bond to at the start of Dr. No (as in book sequence it is the other way round). Bond also carries a hammerless S&W pocket revolver .38 Special in Dr. No but he soon looses it. Finally he even has a 'Long Barreled' Colt 1911 in the dashboard of his Bentley and Aston Martin in the books but never gets a chance to fire it off.

 

Ok random Bond facts over for now methinks.

 

'FireKnife'

It was described as a Colt Army Special .45 long barrel (probably intended as you say to be the 1911) which was a revolver that was only available in .41. I think Ian Flemming had the same trouble as a lot of authers, no idea about guns but has seen one he likes (Stephen Kings only reference on fire arms was the town sherrif where he lived hence the 150 rnd MP5 mag in one book).

 

anyway on topic I think they were differant types of bond film (and I prefer the gadget less bond) however Bond had 2 great loves of his life, Vesper and the girl in OHMSS who Bond actually married (and was murdered by Blofeld at the end of the film) causing Bond to go rogue and hunt down all of Blofelds doubles. The mrs prefers Casino Royale (because of the blue trunks scene) and I am undecided, both are great films and I await the third installment (introducing Spectre properly)

[kizza]

its the same with the Casino Royale though...the "then-new" Mondeo, the Sony phones and computers and digicam, the Omega watch, the then-new Jag XJR, the UMP 9mm and of course the Aston.....

 

Don't forget the Alfa Romeo!

[PlasticMag]

Couldn't get into this one, here's my thoughts...

 

Quantum of Solace isn't a Bond film. Sure, it has Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, and several hot women, but it's not a Bond film.

 

Casino Royale was a good film, and a great reboot of the Bond series after such colossal triumphs as Die Another Day, but Quantum of Solace (which theoretically picks up right after Casino Royale) doesn't continue to deliver. Much of the dry and dark wit from Casino Royale was excised in favor of a moody "I miss Vesper" undertone, and the humor, when present, seemed ill-served. That said, the Tosca performance was a very well-executed scene and reminded me of the Godfather Part III's opera sequence (except it didn't suck as much and there was no Coppola getting shot at the end). It was also one of the few times that I felt like Bond was actually present in the movie.

 

The action sequences (a car set piece, a roof chase set piece, and a hotel set piece) all felt contrived, and honestly felt like reshoots of part of the Bourne series (the roof sequence especially felt like a revision of the sequence in Bourne Ultimatum where Bourne chases Desh through Morocco). What bothered me most though was the blurriness of the camera work. Aliens versus Predator was bad enough (is the alien killing the predator or is the human having sex with the alien and the predator?), but this one was downright atrocious. For what it's worth, the Bourne series have quick action too, but are clever in distinguishing good from bad through the use of color. The Bond fights just devolved into 'suits versus suits.'

 

The musical score was well-produced (minus the title track, which made me want to kill Jack White and Alicia Keys at the same time), but it lacked the Bond undertone, especially the trademark 'duh duh dah duh, duh dun dun.'

 

Visually, and stylistically, it's a great film, but I just can't make the connection to the Bond franchise (books or films) with Quantum of Solace.

 

[raito]

Yep the QoS title track sounds...just bad.. Alicia Keys sounds like she's off key or something... It just doesnt go with Bond