# Wot no Quantum of Solace thread? (spoilers, probably) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 6, 2008, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-quantum-of-solace-thread-spoilers-probably/471446 "2008-11-06T14:22:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-quantum-of-solace-thread-spoilers-probably/471446/1 "2008-11-06T14:22:25Z")
Unless my searching skills are letting me down, there’s no discussion on the new Bond film yet. What, Bond not cool enough for the SDMB? Well, I saw QoS on Saturday and, sadly, it appears he might not be. This wasn’t a Bond film! Where were the gadgets? Where were the quips? And more importantly, what the hell was going on? In at least two of the chase scenes (which are, incidentally, just about the only type of scenes the movie consists of) I had no clue who Bond was actually after, or why. Perhaps it would have helped if I had rewatched _Casino Royale_ beforehand, but I don’t want to have to revise before an action film! I liked the opening scene, but normally in a bond film you get an opening action scene, then the credits, then some explanation of the story. Here, you got the credits then another chase scene, and then another. Do stop messing around, 007. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-quantum-of-solace-thread-spoilers-probably/471446/2 "2008-11-06T14:31:53Z")
The lack of discussion is probably due to the film not being released until 14 November on this side of the pond. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-quantum-of-solace-thread-spoilers-probably/471446/3 "2008-11-06T14:50:49Z")
I can’t wait for this to come out. There has been too few good new movies this past month (heck, maybe these past two.) It is still at least a week away here. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-quantum-of-solace-thread-spoilers-probably/471446/4 "2008-11-06T15:11:21Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > The lack of discussion is probably due to the film not being released until 14 November on this side of the pond. Ah, that could be it. :smack: I thought movie distributors were all about simultaneous worldwide releases, these days, to avoid piracy. I’d have thought some Brits might have had something to say about it, though. ---
**Author:** ![svrider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@svrider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/svrider)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-quantum-of-solace-thread-spoilers-probably/471446/5 "2008-11-06T15:28:27Z")
Well I saw it yesterday at a special event arranged by one of the companies that have their products prominently featured in the movie. I’m not that much of a James Bond fan, but I thought it was an ok movie, better than the last one atleast. There was however a lot of very fast cuts and action scenes that made it hard for me to follow what exactly was happening, that was highly annoying, but it’s not the first movie to do that. Lots of fast action, not so many gadgets, not that deep a plot. What impressed me most was all the blonde girls serving martinies before the actual show 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Buran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Buran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buran)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-quantum-of-solace-thread-spoilers-probably/471446/6 "2008-11-06T22:49:12Z")
> [@svrider](#): > > There was however a lot of very fast cuts and action scenes that made it hard for me to follow what exactly was happening, that was highly annoying, but it’s not the first movie to do that. I saw it tonight and thought it was a decent action film ruined by poor film-making. I’ve started a thread before on the current trend for ‘shaky-cam’, close-up’s and quick cuts which have ruined quite a few recent films for me. Count Quantum of Solace as another one. The fact that the plot was a mess was another factor. I did enjoy the dogfight scene though although Bond’s escape from that was a bit silly… although I could have accepted that if they’d showed Bond and Bond-girl hugging each other desperately before opening the parachute some distance above the ground, not her holding him by the fingertips and opening the parachute about twenty-feet before impact Edited to add I didn’t appreciate all the cheap political commentary interspersed through it. Again an annoying trend in modern films. Writers and directors leave your own personal baggage and axes to grind at the door please, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![gouda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c77e96/32.png) [@gouda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gouda)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-quantum-of-solace-thread-spoilers-probably/471446/7 "2008-11-10T09:54:32Z")
Watched it yesterday. One word - disappointing. ---
**Author:** ![Walker\_in\_Eternity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/46a35a/32.png) [@Walker\_in\_Eternity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walker_in_Eternity)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-quantum-of-solace-thread-spoilers-probably/471446/8 "2008-11-10T11:49:36Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > Well, I saw QoS on Saturday and, sadly, it appears he might not be. This wasn’t a Bond film! Where were the gadgets? Where were the quips? And more importantly, what the hell was going on? In at least two of the chase scenes (which are, incidentally, just about the only type of scenes the movie consists of) I had no clue who Bond was actually after, or why. Perhaps it would have helped if I had rewatched _Casino Royale_ beforehand, but I don’t want to have to revise before an action film! I haven’t seen QoS yet, but as someone who much prefers the books to the films I am happy to see that the gadgets and quips are not much in evidence. The Bond in the books makes very few one liners and is all the better for it. I loved Casino Royale (my favourite Bond film to date) also liked the Connery and Dalton Bonds, not a great fan or the Moore or Brosnan Bonds as they were both a little too smug and jokey in the role. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-quantum-of-solace-thread-spoilers-probably/471446/9 "2008-11-10T12:34:44Z")
In the original Ian Fleming story “A Quantum of Solace,” there is no action or adventure. James Bond is a minor character who doesn’t do anything accept attend a tedious cocktail party with a bunch of minor British diplomats and their wives. During this party, Bond listens to some gossip and hears the story of a young, shy British diplomat and his stormy marriage. That’s it. What does the title mean? Literally, it means “the smallest possible amount of comfort.” The British official who tells the soap operatic story explains that a married man can overlook and forgive his wife for almost anything, so long as she give him “a quantum of solace”- just a little bit of happiness. But if he no longer receives that tiny bit of comfort and happiness from her, he can become cold and cruel. Does the film explain what the title means? And does a diplomat taking revenge on an unfaithful wife figure into the plot at al? ---
**Author:** ![Walker\_in\_Eternity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/46a35a/32.png) [@Walker\_in\_Eternity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walker_in_Eternity)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-quantum-of-solace-thread-spoilers-probably/471446/10 "2008-11-10T14:19:59Z")
I think, although I could be wrong, that the only thing they kept was the title. In essence QoS is a sequel to Casino Royale. I look forward to seeing it as soon as the queues are small enough and I can justify spending nearly £7 each for me and my wife to watch it. If it wasn’t for the big screen experience and the fact that I really want to see it, I’d just wait for the DVD. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-quantum-of-solace-thread-spoilers-probably/471446/11 "2008-11-10T14:42:04Z")
I really like the lack of insane gadgets. I think the franchise was silly and stupid before this latest reload. A few, legitimate, useful tools is one thing, but the stuff in the last couple of Brosnan films was pathetic. Craig is a damned handsome man in motion (still photos of him don’t do him justice) and a great Bond. I’ll see it opening weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-quantum-of-solace-thread-spoilers-probably/471446/12 "2008-11-10T19:26:15Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Does the film explain what the title means? And does a diplomat taking revenge on an unfaithful wife figure into the plot at al? The film has nothing to do with the story, other than sharing the title. QUANTUM is the name of an evil organization Bond is bringing down, which I guess you could say would give him a bit of solace(they killed his love). ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/898d66/32.png) [@Johnny\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Q)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-quantum-of-solace-thread-spoilers-probably/471446/13 "2008-11-10T20:05:10Z")
I take it QUANTUM=SPECTRE. Do they have a copyright-friendly version of Blofeld yet, or are they still waiting on that. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-quantum-of-solace-thread-spoilers-probably/471446/14 "2008-11-10T21:47:51Z")
> [@Buran](#): > > Edited to add I didn’t appreciate all the cheap political commentary interspersed through it. Again an annoying trend in **modern films**. Writers and directors leave your own personal baggage and axes to grind at the door please, thanks. (Bolding mine) Ehhh… How old are you? Because: 1. Writers, producers and directors are the people making the movie. It’s their decision what to include and what to leave out. Why in the whole world would they leave their own opinions out of it? 2. The reason I specifically ask about your age is because you can’t have seen many older films, since you claim this is a trend in modern movies: cf. China Syndrome, The Green Berets, M_A_S\*H, Rising Sun. E.T.A. [QUOTE= Johnny Q] I take it QUANTUM=SPECTRE. Do they have a copyright-friendly version of Blofeld yet, or are they still waiting on that. [/QUOTE] EON has been making the movies since the very beginning. There’s no copyright issue. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-quantum-of-solace-thread-spoilers-probably/471446/15 "2008-11-10T21:58:39Z")
Saw it last week. I thought the hotel scene was ridiculous. Why did the hotel blow up when one hydrogen tank was breached? What sort of idiot designed it? The adverts before the film were also annoying. It felt like I’d seen the movie before it had even started. I also hate the title theme. Other than that, it was decent. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-quantum-of-solace-thread-spoilers-probably/471446/16 "2008-11-10T22:06:10Z")
^ Sorta. One word; aweful. Loved Casino Royale, hated this. Want my 14.50 back. ---
**Author:** ![LiveOnAPlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@LiveOnAPlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveOnAPlane)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-quantum-of-solace-thread-spoilers-probably/471446/17 "2008-11-10T22:37:08Z")
> [@Walker\_in\_Eternity](#): > > I haven’t seen QoS yet, but as someone who much prefers the books to the films I am happy to see that the gadgets and quips are not much in evidence. The Bond in the books makes very few one liners and is all the better for it. > > … Concur. It seems to me that this is an effort to get closer to the look & feel of the Ian Fleming novels, at least with the character of James Bond, and I do like that. I will say in fairness that: 1. I’ve always somehow kept the novels and the movies in two completely separate categories in my head, not comparing them to each other. I liked them both, but for entirely different reasons 2. This new direction is going to suffer some growing pains and if they stick with it, we might see some really good movies in the future. So, I’ll watch QoS when it comes out here, and hope for better in the future. I might have to generate a third category in my brain. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/898d66/32.png) [@Johnny\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Q)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-quantum-of-solace-thread-spoilers-probably/471446/18 "2008-11-10T22:48:47Z")
> [@Charlie\_Tan](#): > > (Bolding mine) > > E.T.A. > > EON has been making the movies since the very beginning. There’s no copyright issue. I had heard that there was some sort of longstanding copyright battle concerning SPECTRE and/or Blofeld due to movie scripts being written at the same time as mthe books or some such. I don’t pretend to understand it. Apparently I was misinformed. I look forward to the reintroduction of Evil Ernie and his organization into the series. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-quantum-of-solace-thread-spoilers-probably/471446/19 "2008-11-10T22:58:49Z")
> [@Charlie\_Tan](#): > > The reason I specifically ask about your age is because you can’t have seen many older films, since you claim this is a trend in modern movies: cf. China Syndrome, The Green Berets, M_A_S\*H, Rising Sun. Metropolis…Battleship Potemkin…The Birth of a Nation…people were craming political ideas in movies before they were putting sound in them