tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864034625127686689.post1292729281142572371..comments2023-11-27T04:16:59.387-05:00Comments on The Part-Time Critic: Quantum of Solace ReviewKyle Leamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06317718119985580413noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864034625127686689.post-47462177353308795032008-11-16T10:49:00.000-05:002008-11-16T10:49:00.000-05:00Would it be fair to liken QoS to Matrix: Reloaded ...Would it be fair to liken QoS to Matrix: Reloaded in that the sequel picks up where the last left off and doesn't let off the accelerator?<br><br>I haven't seen it yet (box office still costs too much), but I've seen very tepid reviews...that is, if a review can be 'very mediocre'.8renthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09745221369835637652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864034625127686689.post-1967822496919466542008-11-16T21:24:00.000-05:002008-11-16T21:24:00.000-05:00Kyle, I am actually going to disagree with your re...Kyle, I am actually going to disagree with your review. I thought Quantum of Solace was an incomplete film, left way too many loose ends, and was far too dependent on action. I'm not sure I can express my problems with the film as eloquently as your very well written review, but here are some of my thoughts.<br><br>So, I'm a fan of the Bond franchise, from Dr. No to Casino Royale, and I realize that "action" is the name of the game. But Casino Royale was so very different from the tried and true formula that I had very high expectations for Quantum of Solace. Casino seemed to be equal parts action and character driving the story, with a nice emphasis on Bond's ability to feel--whether in killing or in loving... The (perceived) betrayal by Vesper was emotionally huge in Casino, and I really enjoyed this carry over to Quantum.<br><br>What I didn't enjoy was that there were so many unnecessary chase scenes. There was a foot chase, a boat chase, a car chase, even a plane chase! Each of these had the same predictable outcome--Bond takes some damage, gives some damage back, Bond ultimately escapes/conquers... While the polish on each of these scenes was nice, but taken together the chase sequences just didn't add enough to the story.<br><br>Of the loose ends I mentioned, the major ones are: How did Bond find out who the Algerian guy was (Vesper's boyfriend), and where to find him? What is "Quantum" and are we supposed to be entirely dependent on the next Daniel Craig Bond movie to address this organization? What happened with the CIA and British ties to Greene Planet? Who was the guy (Mr. White?) from the end of Casino Royale, why did he not appear in a larger role in Quantum of Solace?<br><br>Kyle I know you don't give the "B" rating lightly, but I thought Quantum was closer to just an average--maybe a "C". So on the whole I would recommend viewing Quantum of Solace for the "true believers" (who have recently watched Casino Royale); for anyone else I would say "pass"--save your money for Valkyrie.micahmcmillanhttp://micahmcmillan.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864034625127686689.post-39446674902844886632008-11-16T21:55:00.000-05:002008-11-16T21:55:00.000-05:00I agree with Micah in that the chase scenes seemed...I agree with Micah in that the chase scenes seemed a bit "put in" for the sake of having them. It's as if there's a checklist for the different "mediums" of chase scene. They left out one though, the outer space chase scene, which was a precedent established by the oh-so-underrated "Moonraker", one of my favorite Pre-Craig James Bond movies. Overall, I enjoyed the film, but what the heck does "Quantum of Solace" mean? I mean, I get that Quantum is some sort of organization, but what is the solace about? It sounds poetic, but doesn't make much sense, quite like most worship songs...interesting.Piercehttp://jpg05f.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864034625127686689.post-89832108856403873992008-11-17T08:56:00.000-05:002008-11-17T08:56:00.000-05:00Bravo to Pierce for managing to take a shot at wor...Bravo to Pierce for managing to take a shot at worship songs in commenting on a James Bond film. You, sir, are my hero for the day.8renthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09745221369835637652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864034625127686689.post-41047902109461919592008-11-17T20:36:00.000-05:002008-11-17T20:36:00.000-05:00Micah,I definately understand with what you are sa...Micah,<br><br>I definately understand with what you are saying and agree with it as well. The film picks up where the plot ends with Casino Royale, but it really follows the plot though action ideas that movies like Bourne Supremacy and Ultimatum endorsed. Ultimately I think both styles are valid, but still need to be done well both ways.<br><br>I agree that QoS had several superflous action scenes. I prefer three or four set pieces of action with a longer running time to 6 or 7 shorter action sequences. Cutting a few more and adding some length to the ones left I think would add a lot to the film. However, I have to be honest, the action that was one the screen was engaging and interesting, and just as good if not better than any of its counterparts this year. It just wasn't all that memorable (due to the quantity and length). I just watched From Russia With Love, and there is an excellent train fist fight between Connery and the Baddie (Robert Shaw). Its a fight that would stand up to anything today, and it stands out in the film because it isn't one of 6 fist fights. <br><br>As far as the inconsistencies, I guess all I can say is that they really never bothered me that much. I liked the introduction of the Quantum group and I guess I just assumed that it would be revealed in later films. <br><br>I too had a few questions about details (which the brisk pace didn't help), like how did Bond know where Vesper's boyfriend was. I think that when Greene told Bond, "I answered every thing you wanted to know", that he asked him where Vesper's "boyfriend" was. <br><br>I've got a post coming soon that explains my grading system in depth a little more, but a "B" for me translates roughly into "I liked it and only had a couple reservations about it". I honestly enjoyed what QoS was, and walked out with few reservations. Its not a terribly memorable film, but what is on screen I enjoyed quite a bit.Kyle Leamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418642592946535731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864034625127686689.post-4278185147372031712008-11-17T20:41:00.000-05:002008-11-17T20:41:00.000-05:00Pierce,The term "quantum of solace" mean...Pierce,<br><br>The term "quantum of solace" means "a small measure of comfort amid sorrow or disappointment". The film never uses the term during the film (do people really like that?), but I think it actually has interesting things to say about what happens in the film. Unfortunately, the film doesn't make a lot of attempts to draw this out, much of it has to be put in by the viewer...which is also a feature of many of today's worship songs.Kyle Leamanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04418642592946535731noreply@blogger.com