Well I went to see Quantum Of Whatsit

[Mr Pig]

Who wants to know what it was like?

 

[Mr Pig]

I have read that it is a bit boring?

It might be.

 

[marinyork]

Probably going on Monday. Please tell.

 

[Bigtallfatbloke]

Rubbish like all Bond films?

 

[Amanda P]

What was it like?

 

[Mr Pig]

Rubbish like all Bond films?

Well, actually it's not that bad. The problem is that it's not magic either.

What I mean is that when you saw The Bourne Identity you felt that it was something slightly new. This guy was as hard as nails, could do all the fighting, driving stuff, but there was a vulnerability that you could identify with. He was lost in the world, like a child in some ways.

The Bond machine has taken on board all of the action techniques that made the Bourne films stand out, added extra whiz, but somehow managed to still leave you feeling, so what? Making up for the lack of a car chase in the last film this one has a car, boat and plane chase but it is boring because it's Bond, which means that you know what's about to happen. Bad guy's plains blow up, boats crash and cars go over the cliff. Yawn, seen it.

They've nicked ideas from everywhere and you leave with the feeling that you've seen nothing new at all. Production is first class, visually impressive, but it's just not enough. There is no depth to the characters, you don't care what happens to them either way, and the whole thing seems a bit pointless.

Bottom line, is it a good James Bond film? Yes it is, but that's just not enough any more.

 

[Cathryn]

It's gutting. I'm gutted!

I'm not that fussed about the Bourne films. I think they're fantastic but I don't see them as comparable to Bond. Different films. Different blokes. I adored Casino Royale, I thought it was pretty near perfect Bond...so I was always going to be disappointed, I guess.

It's an okay film. But very forgettable.It could have been Bond but could have been Bourne or any other bloke. There were some visually amazing moments but they were cut so short you hardly had a chance to appreciate them. I still think Daniel Craig is a fantastic Bond...but not in this film.

I won't drop any clangers, but it's not a great film. I was SO excited tonight, I feel totally let down. BOOOO!

 

[marinyork]

Hmmm. Bourne film comparisons . So Cathryn, you'll not be going back for a second viewing then? Would you and Mr Pig say it is better or worse than (a) Die another Day ( Goldeneye?

 

[Mr Pig]

Hmmm. Bourne film comparisons .

Used to be any action-type spy flick was compared to bond. Bourne is the new benchmark and Quantum falls short.

 

[Cathryn]

I always go back for a second viewing but not this time. I think it's on a par with Die Another Day but I'm savvier now.

Gutting...

 

[Cathryn]

Bourne's not THAT good!!!!

 

[Mr Pig]

Would you and Mr Pig say it is better or worse than (a) Die another Day ( Goldeneye?

It's a totally different kind of film. Neither is right, they just keep missing the mark.

 

[marinyork]

I always go back for a second viewing but not this time. I think it's on a par with Die Another Day but I'm savvier now.

Gutting...

Oh dear .

**Sticks fingers in ears and shouts LA LA LA LA LA LA LA**

 

[Andy in Sig]

Used to be any action-type spy flick was compared to bond. Bourne is the new benchmark and Quantum falls short.

I think they got it right in the last Bond film as not only was it IMO the best Bond film yet with the best Bond but it was also a classy thriller by anybody's standards as there was real acting in it. Obviously there has to be action in a Bond film but from what I'm hearing about this one I think they probably need to put the marker somewhere between the two. I'm still looking forward to seeing it though.

 

[Globalti]

The James Bond films are a fantastic product, designed to entertain and thrill viewers of any age without causing cultural or religious offence in every country of the world and aboard every aircraft and ship and God knows where else, dubbed or subtitled in any language with the plot still understood by every viewer from a university Don to a street sweeper.

You are an educated middle-class person, certainly brainier than 50% of your fellow-humans with free access to a computer and one or more valuable bicycles and probably a car or two as well as several other toys most people in the world can't afford. Your expectations are bound to be a little higher than that street-sweeper in Chittagong! I don't think a Cohen Brothers-style black comedy thriller would have the same breadth of appeal!