![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
Some icons and Quantum of Solace
I'm not much of an icon maker, but hey, sometimes you get inspired. 9 icons based on the Finnish epic Kalevala behind the cut.
I also watched Quantum of Solace last weekend, so here's some thoughts.
Though not a match for Casino Royale, it was pretty good overall. It had couple of problems, though, so I'll get them out of the way first.
- I was really disappointed to see the sleaziness from the original movies return, starting with the hideous opening credits. Casino Royale may not have been 100 % perfect on that front either, but it was a shock to see the sleaze make such a huge return. The purpose and fate of Fields was especially disappointing, as charming as she was.
- Although it actually worked well when it comes to Bond's characterization, the main villain wasn't that strong, lacking the large-than-lifeness of the old-school villains and the cool menace Le Chiffre from CR. His plot to take over the world was, however, was all right and carried the movie well enough.
- Overall the movie was competent enough, but not that special.Also too little Daniel Craig-nudity.
But overall I was really pleased with it.
- Though sleazy, the movie also manages to feature one of the greatest Bond-girls ever, Camille Montes. Her storyline parallels Bond's but is also distinctly her story, tying together with Bond's only in the sense that they are dealing with the same people and she's struggling with same issues as he is. And it's treated with respect both by the movie and by Bond himself; a rare sight in Bondverse. The best thing about it is that she doesn't even get romantically involved with Bond, sharing one kiss with him near the end of the movie before walking away. It's a strange situation when Bond-movie does better with its leading lady than movies based on DC/Marvel-comics do.
- And then there was Bond himself. Oh, Bond. Full of rage and issues, the main reason why the villain never gets to shine is that this movie is more about Bond as a person than as a world-saving agent, and boy does it work well. Though distinctly hardened from CR, Bond is still visibly and painfully human in this movie, driven by emotion rather than his profession. This is a Bond who is affected and by damaged by things that happen to him, who isn't just about puns and being the masculine icon; I was wondering how much closer to traditional Bond he would be in this movie and was really pleased to notice he still has a long way to go.
And if the treatment of the character wasn't good enough, Daniel Craig spends the entire movie proving why he totally deserved this role. I hope he'll be around for a long time.
- The relationships between Bond and other people also matter here more than in the earlier movies; he gets to sort things out and bond with Mathis and deepen his connection to Felix Leiter (who also got to have story of his own, even though it didn't have much screen time), and the Bond/M-relationship is better than ever. Difficult and uneasy, they clash and challenge each other, but there is also real emotion involved. She sees into him, but he's starting to close up. I look forward to seeing how it goes.
- The new world of Bond still has its layer of dirt, ranging from Camille's scarred back to unfeeling politics to Bond's increasingly cold heart. And it's good that it's there; I've seen people complain that Craig's movies aren't "Bond" enough, but despite the puns and gadgets and ridiculous plots Bond has never been fluffy at core, and I think it's good that's finally acknowledged. I do agree that Craig's Bond needs a little more humor, though. Grit and issues only entertain so much.
I also watched Quantum of Solace last weekend, so here's some thoughts.
Though not a match for Casino Royale, it was pretty good overall. It had couple of problems, though, so I'll get them out of the way first.
- I was really disappointed to see the sleaziness from the original movies return, starting with the hideous opening credits. Casino Royale may not have been 100 % perfect on that front either, but it was a shock to see the sleaze make such a huge return. The purpose and fate of Fields was especially disappointing, as charming as she was.
- Although it actually worked well when it comes to Bond's characterization, the main villain wasn't that strong, lacking the large-than-lifeness of the old-school villains and the cool menace Le Chiffre from CR. His plot to take over the world was, however, was all right and carried the movie well enough.
- Overall the movie was competent enough, but not that special.
But overall I was really pleased with it.
- Though sleazy, the movie also manages to feature one of the greatest Bond-girls ever, Camille Montes. Her storyline parallels Bond's but is also distinctly her story, tying together with Bond's only in the sense that they are dealing with the same people and she's struggling with same issues as he is. And it's treated with respect both by the movie and by Bond himself; a rare sight in Bondverse. The best thing about it is that she doesn't even get romantically involved with Bond, sharing one kiss with him near the end of the movie before walking away. It's a strange situation when Bond-movie does better with its leading lady than movies based on DC/Marvel-comics do.
- And then there was Bond himself. Oh, Bond. Full of rage and issues, the main reason why the villain never gets to shine is that this movie is more about Bond as a person than as a world-saving agent, and boy does it work well. Though distinctly hardened from CR, Bond is still visibly and painfully human in this movie, driven by emotion rather than his profession. This is a Bond who is affected and by damaged by things that happen to him, who isn't just about puns and being the masculine icon; I was wondering how much closer to traditional Bond he would be in this movie and was really pleased to notice he still has a long way to go.
And if the treatment of the character wasn't good enough, Daniel Craig spends the entire movie proving why he totally deserved this role. I hope he'll be around for a long time.
- The relationships between Bond and other people also matter here more than in the earlier movies; he gets to sort things out and bond with Mathis and deepen his connection to Felix Leiter (who also got to have story of his own, even though it didn't have much screen time), and the Bond/M-relationship is better than ever. Difficult and uneasy, they clash and challenge each other, but there is also real emotion involved. She sees into him, but he's starting to close up. I look forward to seeing how it goes.
- The new world of Bond still has its layer of dirt, ranging from Camille's scarred back to unfeeling politics to Bond's increasingly cold heart. And it's good that it's there; I've seen people complain that Craig's movies aren't "Bond" enough, but despite the puns and gadgets and ridiculous plots Bond has never been fluffy at core, and I think it's good that's finally acknowledged. I do agree that Craig's Bond needs a little more humor, though. Grit and issues only entertain so much.
no subject
no subject
no subject
and the scene where he was telling her how it felt to kill people
and when she got out of the car and said she wished he could be saved
I ACTUALLY FOUND IT REALLY ROMANTIC and it's SAD
no subject