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A+ |
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| Story: |
A+ |
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| Acting: |
A+ |
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| Direction: |
A- |
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| Visuals: |
A+ |
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CRITICS 'Stuck' in the COLD WAR ERA!
by HonestMan (movies profile)
Nov 13, 2008
100
of
153 people found this review helpful
I don't know what all the fuss is about lately, but it seems that the latest Bond outing: "Quantum of Solace", has been getting some undeserved negative feedback lately. Mostly in the forms of endless ads, publicity stunts like the controversy surrounding the new Bond women; as well as the onslaught of critics who are quick to pan its plot and simply evaluate its action set pieces.
Anyone who reads the cloned reviews on RottenTomatoes.Com (A highly over-rated webpage if you want my opinion, which you probably don't) will realize that these reviews all sound exactly alike, and have probably been created by the giant hand of the Coca-Cola corporation to promote the film as simply passable to garner a positive response so as not to give people's hopes up. A new tool and re-imagining of Bond in the vein of Jason Borne.
Unless you've been living under a rock for the past 15 years, you'd understand that movies have changed astronomically, often for the worst but mostly for the better. The James Bond films are not exempt from this ascendence from the evil grasp of mid-90s movie hell. Movies are no longer cheesy quip outings, complete with obvious sets and drawn-out stunt sequences, which seemed to have been choreographed by a two-year old who watches Van-Damme's Street Fighter 10 times a day. No sir, the new Bond flicks are far more subtle in their approach.
Yes, the legacy of the classic Bond films have a certain undeniable charm, that's part of the bond experience. But that boat has mostly run its course. Movie goers are too smart now, they don't want A,B,C plot devices all corresponding to reach some kind of melodramatic climax, complete with inserted sex scene B and A. Repeat. Attention Critics: Average Movie goers (at least the smart ones who see through all the ivy-league critic bullsh&t, know that the Craig Bonds are innovative, clever and cumulative).
For one thing, this new Bond shouldn't be viewed as a stand alone thing, its actually a nearly abstract and exhilarating continuation of "Casino Royale", the first film in this revamp. We also shouldn't forget that Bond hasn't been fleshed out yet, this is a new kind of origin story with all its complex trimmings. Craig is becoming Bond in the process, so his road is a harsh and tulmultuous one. It doesn't evolve as simply the classic story model from film A, to B to C. Craig must in turn, become more like Bond as these early films continue to progrss. Once that journey is complete, the subsequent films will then feature all the classic trimmings which make Bond, BOND. Except this time, the audience will have earned Craig's respect, since the journey into the character's heart was earned every step of the way and shared by its audience. It will, I repeat, not simply be corny characterizations forced on top of us such as the likes of Connery, Moore and especially Brosnan's goofy and frail Bond.
Sure the so-called "A.D.D. film making" can be clichéd and annoying at times. I for one thought it was annoying when the Borne films came out, however, that didn't stop me from appreciated stuff like Transformers, Memento, United 93, Syrianna, The Dark Knight, The Departed (Best Picture). All films shot with the alleged Gen-X style of quick cut film making. Critics, get over it, you're not the only people out there who notice the camera shakes and cuts quickly. My advice, play some X-Box watch some HD-TV and keep up with the screen otherwise get off the boat. These type of films are not for you, does that make them good or bad, NO. Its simply a storytelling choice done out of either necessity, style or to arrive at a dramatic end.
No doubt, subsequent Bonds will become more traditional, more drawn out and with more dialogue exposition and so-called Brit quips. Hell, Bond may even be played by a Black man in the near future. I wonder how the Cold War generation of film goers will deal with that reality. My prediction is, Ian Flemming will be turning in his grave. At this point, I doubt that he even cares. People as smart and intelligent and creative as him would scowl at the nonsense surrounding Quantum of Solace.
The film is technically marvelous, moves fast, has enough of each element to keep it increasingly entertaining while not keeping you in the theatre too long. If that's not THE definition of a good time at the cinemas, I don't know what is. Its likely Bond will survive into the next century, and for as long as movie goers are willing to spend time with him, and as long as there are evil people in the world who want power and money due to misunderstanding. No doubt that Bond will be there, which looks to be like forever.
Bond. James Bond.... |
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