Recently, there have been podcasts and videos defending 2008’s Quantum of Solace.
If you love the 22nd James Bond movie made by Eon Productions, good for you. But there’s a recurring theme that those who aren’t as enthusiastic (including this blog) are somehow ignorant and their observations aren’t legitimate.
Here’s a recap of some aspects of Quantum that fall short.
When does Quantum of Solace take place? Casino Royale took place in 2006 (based on timestamps of surveillance videos). Eon Productions said Quantum took place shortly (the exact amount varied but supposedly it was an hour or so). But it wasn’t *years* later.
Vesper sacrificed herself at the end of Casino Royale. But she made sure that Bond got Mr. White’s mobile phone number.
Even in the 2000s, mobile phones acted as a GPS device. Vesper wanted to make sure that Bond could track Mr. White down. That’s why she got him Mr. White’s phone number.
In those days, street thugs were smart enough to use “burner,” or disposable, phones. Mr. White wasn’t? Or, was Bond not bright enough to track down Mr. White despite knowing his phone number?
Quantum fans will say that’s being picky. But it was Eon’s marketing campaign that stressed this was a direct sequel! Except those involved couldn’t match up the direct sequel to the original film.
Did M get shot? In the sequence after the main titles, it sure looks like it. But those who have better Blu Ray/DVD players that I do have screen captures where a long, thin metal object blocked the bullet. OK, fine. But that was not obvious watching it the theater first run. The audience in the theater should know what’s going on.
The thirsty villagers: Bond and Camille discover an underground lake, part of a plot to ensure a monopoly of water in South America. They walk past a lot of thirsty villagers, desperate for water. Do Bond and Camille let them know? “Hey, there’s a big underground lake back there!” No, of course not.
M’s quick turnaround: M shows up with several agents to take Bond in because (wait for it) he’s gone rogue. Bond beats the agents up. Then M says she trusts Bond because she’s his guy. Oh.
This week, I heard from a Quantum fan who said he doesn’t watch movies to find mistakes.
Guess what? Neither do I. But when the filmmakers throw them your face, it’s hard to overlook.
If you love Quantum, great. But don’t claim those of us who can detect imperfections are at fault.
Filed under: James Bond Films | Tagged: Daniel Craig, Eon Productions, Quantum of Solace |
The Spy Command 
I adore QoS and have been one of its most vociferous defenders since its release. It’s in my top 10 overall for the series. However, I would never be rude enough to denigrate another fan’s taste or intelligence if they did not agree with me. Regarding your specific criticisms, there are plot holes in every movie. It’s a matter of taste whether you find them egregious or not in a specific movie. For me, they were egregious in Spectre. Regarding the thirsty villagers, that part of the movie was actually based on then recent history, the Cochabamba Water War, where the IMF forced the privatization of Bolivia’s utilities and the water service went to a company that was as corrupt as it was inept, resulting in a drought as depicted on the Altiplano. Regarding whether the villagers could have made use of the lake, I guess. It would have taken a lot of trips with buckets to supply the village’s needs until the water got turned on again, assuming that it did. And the villagers didn’t look like they had the heavy equipment to build a pipeline system from the lake. But you have a good point, this is just my take on it.
I just found it long and boring.
“If you disagree with me, you’re wrong.” It goes both ways, Bill.
I’m no fan of Quantum either – certainly, in my view, it occupies the lower ranks, and even Craig said “we were f****d’, which demonstrates his view on the film.
For plot holes, Skyfall is far, far worse. Almost nothing in it survives even a moment’s scrutiny.