Quantum of Solace — Most Expensive Bond Movie
The Shortest, Bloodiest and Most Costly 007 Film Ever Made
Oct 28, 2008
The flurry of anticipation is almost over with the much touted Quantum of Solace being released in the UK this week. North American movie-goers will have to wait a little longer as the 22nd Bond movie’s launch date was put back until November 14th, 2008.
Quantum of Solace is expected to match the box office success of Casino Royale (2006), which brought in £400 million worldwide.
Daniel Craig - the New Bond
At first, there was some skepticism from the media as the casting of the classical actor and BAFTA nominee Daniel Craig (the first blond every to play Bond), and his ability to play a traditionally more relaxed and tongue-in-cheek humorous role. However, such was the success of Casino Royale that it produced the highest-ever box office takings for any Bond movie and was nominated for 8 BAFTA (British Association of Film and Television) awards.
In an interview with the UK’s ITN news earlier this week Craig admitted to feeling the pressure it terms of matching the huge popularity of Casino Royale. “If it had been the other way round that would have been difficult. If we'd come off the back of a dud then we would be struggling here. I just put my head down and said let's make the best bond film we can.”
Bond vs Bourne
Given the recent success of the similarly styled “Bourne” movies with Matt Damon, some critics are questioning whether the continuation of the Bond movie franchise will pass muster. It is a comparison that Craig dismisses. "Jason Bourne, they're fantastic movies, I'm a huge fan of them, but James Bond's been around a little bit longer."
In Yahoo.com’s “Countdown to Quantum of Solace” pundits have been giving their reactions to the movie. Aubrey Daily of Total Film magazine says of Quantum “The film is surprisingly short, the shortest Bond film ever. It's a few minutes shorter than the earlier Connery (films)....but it doesn't skimp on the action. The first 15 minutes are a blistering sequence of rooftop chases, and the film never really lets up from there."
Quantum of Solace Facts
Quantum of Solace is the most expensive Bond Movie, and the most violent to date. It also includes the most locations of any Bond movie, taking in 6 different countries, including Mexico, Chile, Panama, Austria, Italy and the UK. According to the film’s producers in the Daily Mail’s, October 24, 2008 “Top Secret Surprises that make Quantum of Solace the most explosive movie yet” the stunts are better and bloodier.” Both Craig and Bond girl, Ukrainian Olga Kurylenko, did many of their own stunts.
The movie cost £130 million to produce but includes fewer gadgets and fewer girls. There is also a move away from the trademark Bond one liners including “Bond, James Bond” and no martinis —"shaken not stirred." For the movie, health-conscious Craig also refused to light up any cigarettes, another Bond characterization from 007creator Ian Flemming's books.
Quantum of Solace premiers at the London Film Festival in Leicester Square on October 29th and is on general release from Friday October 31st. In the meantime Bond fans will have to wait with baited breath to see if the 22nd Bond movie makes another quantum leap into the record books.
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