Quantum of Solace (aka, Bond 22)

[wdm0744]

What do you guys think of the upcoming Bond film's title? It is the title of a short story by Ian Fleming, but the plot of the movie is reported to be original.

Personally, I'm torn. I get the significance of the title - Bond trying to find a way to go on after the tragic events of Casino Royale. While I think that is cool, the title itself seems "un-Bond" and kind of sci-fi. Plus, if the producers (reportly) changed the title of Licence to Kill from Licence Revoked because they were afraid that US audience wouldn't know the meaning of the word "revoked", how do they think audiences will react to the words "Quantum" and "Solace" in the same title?

I don't know. I want to like it. What do you guys think?

[Al]

I think it's a bad idea. I'm all for the original plots, because the Fleming novels tend to be pretty dry in that respect (the Spy Who Loved Me is about two guys holding up a motel clerk, for Pete's sake), but they intentionally abandoned the rest of the Fleming titles twenty years ago because they were too unwieldy to market. 'Quantum of Solace' sounds like pretentious science fiction. Heck, I *like* scifi and would probably still pass on it if I saw that name without a 007 next to it. I mean, there are certainly worse choices (they could have gone with 'The Hildebrant Rarity'), but I really don't think they're doing themselves any favors.

[StarOpal]

I'm undecided on how I personally feel about the title, but I don't think it's going to turn anyone away from watching. One killer trailer and the title won't matter.

Bond 22 is a lot faster to type though.

[Al]

I'm not saying it's going to turn Bond fans away, the movie will still make a mint. But the casual moviegoer will likely do this:

"What's playing?"
"The new Bond movie."
"What's it called?"
"Quantum of Solace."
"Let's go see Meet the Spartans 2."

[StarOpal]

1) That's not even funny.

2) I foresee it going:

"What's it called?"
"Umm... Bond 22?"

[sarahbot]

I have to admit, the title is growing on me. Let's face it, they're trying to make the Craig Bond a little edgier, a little rougher, so why go for a title like The Spy Who Loved Me when you've got the chance to push the boundaries a bit?

But seriously, that's the best they could come up with?

[Head Mutant]

To play devil's advocate (I said that once in seminary and my prof quipped back, "Why would you want to advocate for the devil?"), Bond films ARE known for some pretty out-there titles. Octopussy? Moonraker? Tomorrow Never Dies? They're all pretty weird and/or pretentious, but that's just part of the Bond legacy.

[TheLuckyOne]

admin said:

To play devil's advocate (I said that once in seminary and my prof quipped back, "Why would you want to advocate for the devil?")

Well, I suppose if you had Sympathy for the Devil... (Although to play devil's advocate to your professor, you could always point out that earlier visions of the devil saw him more as a karmic lawyer, a direct agent of God who acted as sort of a "prosecuting attorney" in determining the fate of a person's soul. Nothing wrong with advocating for that guy.)

Anyway, to get back on topic, I kind of like the title. Sure it's inscrutable, but as Justin said, most Bond titles are, and at least this one sounds a bit more serious, which would fit with the place Bond is at this point in his career. I'm for it.

-D

[wdm0744]

Hopefully, I'm not the only one who jumped on YouTube first thing Monday, June 30 to check out the teaser trailer.

So, what did you think? Personally, I couldn't be more excited. The trailer seems to indicate that the new film will combine the superior emotion and kinetic action of Casino Royale with the staple car, boat, and airplane duels that the series is famous for. The scene between Felix and Bond looks classic. The scenes with the Bond girls look great too. And I love the photography style. Its very clean and crisp, and yet has a real earthy tone to it.

I like it. Can't wait for Nov. 7.