Quantum of Solace - James Bond Becomes a Superhero, Unfortunately
Friday night I went to see the new James Bond Movie: Quantum of Solace. I enjoyed it, but while walking out of the theatre I realized that there is something fundamentally wrong with this movie.
During the “golden days” of Bond, James was a talented spy who would take on multiple men at a time using slightly exaggerated gadgets, come out on top, and then have sex with one or two of his female co-stars. A bit outlandish? Sure, but not completely unrealistic as demonstrated in this 1964 trailer to Goldfinger starring Sean Connery:
The problem I have with the newest bond film, Quantum of Solace, isn’t that it was a bad flick, but rather that all of a sudden Bond magically has superhero skills. Unlike Superman, The Hulk, or even (my personal favorite) the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Bond has always been an everyday man, and I feel that’s how the character should remain. Even in the 2008 trailer for Quantum of Solace below, it can be seen that bond lives through things that would be impossible for any mere mortal to endure:
Bring back the old bond: the gadgets, the girls, and the cars; save the Superman survival abilities for someone else…you know, like SUPERMAN.
Entertained but Disappointed,
L’Monaco
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This is the first Bond that I’ve felt isn’t a superhero, actually. There are a few physical stunts that stretch believability, but otherwise, Craig is my favorite Bond.
Avitable’s last blog post..I love the gays
November 17th, 2008 at 6:40 am -
I agree with Avitable. Sure, he does some stunts, but they are within the realm of possibility; not likely, but possible. And the gadgets are what I always had the problem with. I felt they made him too much of a superhero. Like Batman and his utility belt. They’re too over the top and unbelievable and I love that he doesn’t use them. Granted MI6’s computer setup is definitely gadget-y in nature, it wasn’t Bond using it directly so I forgive him.
kapgar’s last blog post..My baby takes the mornin’ train…November 17th, 2008 at 6:47 am -
I’m not saying that Craig isn’t a good bond, he is. Although not my favorite, he is certainly better than several in the past.
While I see your points about the gadgets, I feel that in general, the gadgets were more plausible than say Bond’s 4 story fall through glass onto hard surfaces several times in a row.
November 17th, 2008 at 1:56 pm -
They, have mad Bond into a super hero? Did they give him a cape or just longer coat tails? The movies has reached us yet, but I will see it when it does and then perhaps I can write a more concise comment. Until then I hope they haven’t made him bullet proof or anything?
Sire’s last blog post..Wassup’s Bloggers Forum Adding To The Blogging Experience
November 17th, 2008 at 5:09 pm -
I thought the movie itself was pretty good as well. I had a problem with the main female character- there wasn’t much to her. Also, I did not enjoy the way the filming was done in the recent bond movie. I felt as though the action scenes were to similar in shooting sequence with the bourne identity films. For me, that type of shooting just does not work for a bond movie.
Kaylie Bristol’s last blog post..Quantum of Solace - James Bond Becomes a Superhero, Unfortunately
November 17th, 2008 at 7:19 pm -
I loved the movie and now see what you mean by super human. There were certain scenes, primarily the finale, that seemed impossible. Not any strength impossibility but physics here haha.
Missed the gadgets too
Justin Scott’s last blog post..The IncineratorNovember 20th, 2008 at 11:40 am -
[...] after reading Jason’s so-so Quantum of Solace Review I had to go and see it. I agree with pretty much everything posted in both the review and the [...]
November 20th, 2008 at 11:44 am -
I haven’t seen QOS yet but my biggest problem with Casino Royale was is what you’ve said in this post. Its forgotten what makes Bond, Bond. It felt like an action movie. I really liked it and the action was amazing but I think the character could have been named anything and it wouldn’t have really mattered.
Jim’s last blog post..A Time For Thanks
November 27th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
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