I just didn’t have as much problem with the action as some did . . . but, like you, I’m ready for a change. I was disappointed that Quantum’s producers — or would Forster make a determination like that? — felt they had to adopt Greengrass’ style. Hope you’re right, that it’s a transitional kind of thing. Are there any fresh ways of doing action, though? I remember the first time I saw the battle in the rain in Seven Samurai It had a fluid, organic quality that is the diametric opposite of the choppy Bourne style …

I’ve always considered SLIFR to be one of the top blogs; I read most every word; I’ll try to comment more often there as well.

I found myself annoyed and perplexed by the rhythmless (or was it too rhythmfiul, like a metronome) editing of the action set pieces, especially the first two. But on the whole I found Quantum to be better than I expected. It struck me, being a sequel, as a kind of transition piece between the reconstituted Bond of Casino Royale and whatever shape the series takes when it offers up the first Craig movie to be neither an “origin” or a sequel, but one that exists as a freestanding episode like all the others. I hope the next director/editing team can look beyond the Greengrass template and either offer up something new or take the series in what would be perceived as a radical new direction and look to cooler models of action cinema from the past (the Connery Bonds, of course, but also pictures like Ronin, for example) for their inspiration. Quantum is not a movie I feel moved to see again, but I certainly think it’s a creditable piece of work across the board, with the stated reservations.

I just wanted to also say, Rick, how much I’ve enjoyed your blog over the last year, both its visual format and the writing. I always enjoy it when you stop by my place, and I hope to be a better, more interactive reader of yours in the future!

You are actually wrong there. I did not like CASINO ROYALE either. I’m just angered that it wasn’t as good as THE RULES OF THE GAME or BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN!

LOL.

Personally, I’d like to see Rublev, the story of an amnesiac monk’s race across medieval Russia to save priceless icons and the girl he loves. Michael Bay would, of course, direct.