In response to a previous critical comment

Rating: 8/10 (17 November 2008)

Im a long time James Bond fan. The role is bigger than any one actor and I appreciate all the different portrayals of this character. From Sean Connerys finest (From Russia with Love, Goldfinger) to Roger Moores eyebrow raising best (The Spy Who Loved Me), gritty relaunches of the franchise (The Living Daylights) and the ones that are really very good but get dismissed (OHMSS).
Now I am also a very big Daniel Craig fan and could not believe it when he got this role I was absolutely convinced he would nail it after the series lost its way with Die Another Day (which is not awful just very tired).
Now I will say this - never has there been a closer film version of James Bond to the original vision of the Ian Flemings books...and that includes Connery.
Now let me respond with respect to the previosu negative comments...
"Terrible and uninteresting opening sequence that doesn't act as a precursor to the main plot at all"
Did you not watch Casino Royale atall - Mr White was shot in the Leg at the end of that film. This film picks up almost immediately after that scene - Bond is taking him for interrogation and Mr White's people are trying to stop Bond. Bond despatches them all and makes it to the interrogation with Mr White. Nice 1st words spoken 'Time to Get out' - LOVE IT...
"No gun barrel sequence after it (why?)"
Did you not see the gun barrel scene at the end of the movie. This was the final handing over of the baton to the new James Bond. And the scene was not revamped in any way - it was the 'Classic' gun barrel scene - awesome.
"Lame title sequence that is too similar to many others of the past"
OK I admit I didn't enjoy the song when I first heard it but these titles work very well with it and I thought they were pretty good.
"Terrible title song"
Its not my favorite - see response above tho.
"Never once are the lines "Bond. James Bond." or "Shaken, not stirred" uttered by Bond in the movie"
Neither are those phrases uttered in several of Fleming's books. He is actually a spy you know - sometimes its good not to keep shouting your name out. The drink was actually explained quite well by the bartender on the flight - perfect and straight out of the books...
"Never once is the famous James Bond Theme played during the movie (can you believe it?)"
Again I take it you left before the gun barrel scene at the end of the movie. Theme played there in its original format. As for the music in the film once again Dave Arnold proves he can match Mr Barry in most instances tho Mr Barry will always be the man in my mind.
"Absolutely no seduction scenes save for a short implication"
OK I give up - Were we watching the same film?
"No gadgets for Bond, even less than in Casino Royale" What you mean like in the books? Guess what - HE IS A TRAINED KILLER.
"Bond spends most of the movie in sadness for the death of Vesper and has a very embarrassing scene where he talks about it"
This is a continuation of the plot from Casino Royale. Bond loved that girl and hates himself for it as he knows he needs to remain cold.
"In addition, Quantum of Solace sadly has also some grave shortcomings as a movie in general: An extremely weak bordering on barely recognizable plot"
I disagree - This is one of the best ongoing plots for any Bond Film ever. I honestly cant remember as good a plot since the very very early connery ones....
"A weak villain whose objectives are among the lamest I've seen in a Bond movie"
Again - Ongoing QUANTUM plot. Look beyond the obvious...
"RIDICULOUS direction. The average shot length appears to be about one second"
Now Im a little on your side here - Could have done with slowing the editing down a little - especially the opening scene and the fight scene involving a rogue agent 5 minutes in. I agree. Shame tho not terminal...
"It amazes me how the producers spent a reported 150 million USD on this bad movie. In my opinion it is the worst of all Bond movies (which is even more sad since I like Casino Royale the MOST)"
Im surprised you liked Casino Royale so much as I thought this film was a good continuation of the themes started by that film. I know everyone is different but was this film really that bad as you say. In my humble opinion I thought it was a little better than Casino Royale tho both are great films that I can watch time and time again.
I hope you take (and everybody reading this) my responses in a positive way. I think the next film will really push the Quantum storyline to an exciting level and Im already looking forward to it.
Daniel Craig? Well done - you nailed it.