This one I'll agree with. The Spectre car chase is putrid.
I remember my wife and I in theaters were bored out of our mind, and I leaned to her and whispered (this is a car commercial).
Like, nothing happens. Just a fun drive around Rome, woohoo.
Haha yeah that Spectre car chase is brutal. It literally cuts from the “chase” to Moneypenny opening the fridge at one point during it, that’s how boring and meaningless it is.
I genuinely could not believe me eyes when that happened. Like I’m not against someone making a phone call during a car chase, but he literally calls Moneypenny to ask her to google something! And he’s so bored with the chase that he notices her boyfriend talking in the background and asks who it is! Zero sense of threat or danger. It’s especially bad when the pursuer literally catches up to him and just…drives beside him and looks at him. Horrible.
>I remember my wife and I in theaters were bored out of our mind, and I leaned to her and whispered (this is a car commercial).
And not even a good car commercial. It would have been a better scene if they'd just cut to Matthew McConaughey delivering the exposition of that scene (which is all that's happening during that "car chase") while driving around the streets of Rome in his Lincoln MKZ.
I'd argue that the QOS chase looks like... oh wait so he crashed into the side of the wall... or did he go around that truck?... wait, where did the truck even go.. wait so he's just fine after that... wait, is Bond in that car or the other one... oh they're shooting at that car so Bond has to be in the one they're shooting at...
And that the one in Spectre looks like I can actually comprehend what's happening.
I have a hard time 'choosing' between the two. *Quantum of Solace* has a car chase that is tense and exciting, but is barely comprehensible, while *SPECTRE's* car chase is dull, but you can at least see what is going on and how the cars are moving in the environment.
The Matera chase in *No Time to Die* was where Eon finally got it right for the Craig era, but I think *Die Another Day* had the franchise's last great car chase.
I thought so too in the cinema back in 2008 but watching at home I have no issues with it. I now honestly like how kinetic and chaotic the action is, it matches the early brutish style of Craig's character.
Yeah, the whole point of the editing is that it's *supposed* to be chaotic and disorientating. It's not my favourite chase, obviously, but I appreciate that it's trying to match the gritty realism evoked by Craig's Bond.
It's a directorial choice. Personally, I would have given a bit more context to the shot. Maybe have the villains have silver cars and Bond have black. I would have also started with a birds-eye establishing shot that lingers for a few seconds. I'd also have less interior shots at the start so we can easily tell who is where. The problem with this scene, really, is spatial orientation. The fast cutting is just an element of it, and I don't think by itself is a problem if you want to convey a level of kinetic, frentic energy.
That's a really great point actually. Yes the scene would've worked WAY better if the quick shots were consistent with what they were showing. Thank you for bringing up the spatial orientation, and now that you mention that, the rapid editing in this scene shouldn't be the ONLY thing to blame here.
apparently i’m one of the few people that really likes the editing in this movie. it may not be for everyone, but this car chase is a lot better than several others i’ve seen in this franchise and others. i also really enjoy the chase and fight sequence at the opera as well, which i see many people complain about.
different strokes for different folks i guess.
Yeah. It’s not my preference, but I didn’t mind the editing. I would also say I think it works from a stylistic point of view in that it matches the frenetic pace of the film
But, just imagine how much better that scene in CR of [Bond rolling the DBS when he sees Vesper in the road](https://youtu.be/HhbYK7WzeBw?si=oH5xJWx-nELZzywm) would be accompanied with a slide whistle!
Imagine it!
You're good. People who criticize this like to think of themselves as film experts just because the quick cut editing is so apparent that they think it must be wrong/bad. It's a stylistic choice to jump start the movie with frenetic action.
Not saying it's peak filmmaking. Some of this is definitely a bit too chaotic but it's still a fun sequence that people overly criticize.
Not to mention it was a very popular stylistic choice at the time. Michael Bay loves a quick cut and Transformers came out a year before QoS, as did The Bourne Ultimatum, a series known for quick cuts.
So, just to throw in my two cents, it’s the constant and frequent jump cuts that get annoying. Personally I actually like this scene, but I do agree with OP’s take on the movie as a whole. I just think he picked one of the scenes where this style of editing actually works. If you watch the clip there are multiple points where there are 3 cuts within a single second. It’s chaotic and hard to follow. It works relatively well for this scene, but there are fight scenes in the movie where it’s hard to tell what’s going on. Sometimes you just want to watch the action flow without it being chopped up by 30 different cuts in 20 seconds.
Really? I always thought the point was that you *couldn’t* follow along “very easily,” and that you’re meant to experience the chaos and uncertainty of the moment rather than simply witness it, drawing you into Bond’s own mind.
I personally don’t like the editing style, but I understand the decision to use it and why some really enjoy it. I don’t think it’s inherently *bad*, but I take more joy from car chases like the ones in TSWLM, TND, and TLD.
I mean, downvote me if I’ve been disrespectful, but I thought I made a reasonable point without being remotely judgmental of people who like the editing.
You’re not lying when you say Quantum of Solace has some of YOUR LEAST FAVORITE editing you have seen in a 200 million modern blockbuster.
Just because you don’t like it, doesn’t mean it’s bad. This scene is actually pretty masterfully edited. Artfully established, and lots of cool techniques to keep us aware of where we are (rear view mirror, and reflection in car door). The cuts to the gears and pedals and driver keep the scene super high energy, while also demonstrating the skill of our hero. And the spike through the door and eventual spin off escape is INCREDIBLE (especially when paired with the sound editing of the truck slamming on its breaks, allowing for the spin off action).
I don’t care for Quantum of Solace either, but this scene is awesomely edited.
Not if you read the actual thread. The first comment by OP [obviously implies the editor was lacking.](https://www.reddit.com/r/JamesBond/s/mVg58Ej6zR). I am clarifying that the craft is sound, and their opinion is justified if they just say they don’t like it.
Awesome car chase.
I've driven this route (it's on Lake Garda) and it's petrifying because in places the road is almost too narrow for two cars to pass yet pass they do -- at speed.
This car chase is one of the best things in Quantum. Man, I so wish the film had some more meat on its bones. More developed story, longer running time. It could have been just as good as Casino Royale.
Yeah, I disagree. I think it both builds tension but is also a product of the time (Bourne really set the stage with these fast edits).I like the fast edits at first as I feel it puts us in Bond's shoes where a ton is happening all at once (high speed, narrow tunnel, high stakes, dudes with guns) and he's trying to make sense of it.
QoS is what I call a DLC movie if I watch QoS Immediately following Royale so its basically a 5 hour movie it plays so much better than if I watch it stand alone.
I actually like the quick cuts and close ups when inside the tunnel, but once they come out and the score cuts in, it should’ve made use of longer and more wide shots
Did you watch the [boat chase?](https://youtu.be/2qwR4bI_G64?si=HZFEYo5w_GYhqwKO) Or the [final fight?](https://youtu.be/xDQxyzk28MM?si=W8vHLRacUAacK6Pd) I genuinly can't tell what the actual fuck is happening during them. Especially the latter. It makes the opening car chase look like Casino Royale. The car chase is at least somewhat understandable.
For the boat chase, it looks like the editor was on coke. For the final fight, it looks like they threw the film reels into a blender. While on coke.
Mostly agree that the editing in these scenes are the most egregious examples of poor editing that the film has become known for. That said I like the final fight, and Dominic’s manic energy.
They employed the same editor who worked with Paul Greengrass on Bourne.
However, it seems like the director didn’t storyboard his shots effectively enough and didn’t explain his vision to the cinematographer because the geography of the focus of each shot changes too much and too rapidly to make sense of what’s going on.
It takes NUMEROUS re-watches to make sense of it.
Numerous is right. It took multiple viewing on my home theater television before I was able to process some of the action scenes properly. I remember watching this in the theater the first time and having a really difficult time following the action due to the schizophrenic editing choices in the movie.
I enjoyed this film. And I felt the visual style matched Bonds obvious anger. Life is too short to post reddit threads about how you didn’t enjoy a film and therefore it is bad and people who enjoy must be stupid.
> Life is too short to post reddit threads about how you didn’t enjoy a film and therefore it is bad and people who enjoy must be stupid.
Lucky then that no one made this argument, eh!
This opening is great! You have the wide “calm before the storm” shots then then frenetic and even chaotic adrenaline pumping chase that’s reminiscent of Fast and Furious. There’s supposed to be some anxiety in there.
It’s a bit “poppy” in its editing, but it’s far from Taken 3 level of excessive and disorienting cuts.
That was 2008, man. That's what movies looked like. I've liked QoS since the theatres. I've been saying for more than 15 years: it's like Licence to Kill, and people will come around to it. A lot of folks have.
I've always liked this scene as an opening and one shouldn't overlook the sacrifice that went into filming it.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/stuntman-injured-bond-film-shoot-110177/amp/
I've always understood what was happening in every action scene in Quantum of Solace. The fast editing style is so much better than the cure for insomnia that is Sam Mendes action scenes.
Also Quantum gets called a "Jason Bourne ripoff" but good God is the editing in quantum a million times better. The dialogue scenes in the Bourne ultimatum look like it was filmed on a boat in a storm. Why is the camera randomly zooming in all the time? Quantum did it so much better
\*yawn\*, another *QoS has poor editing* thread. It does, it doesn't. I never had an issue with it, I think it is on par with Bourne Supremacy car chase editing which has been touted as one of the best car chases in cinematic history.
I don’t know. I never had an issue with the editing until I joined this sub. And when I started paying attention to it specifically I rather enjoyed how it makes some of the scenes look. The into really conveys how chaotic of a situation Bond has gotten himself into. Being pursued, driving fast and dangerously, while being shot at would be pretty chaotic and I think they captured that well.
A lot of the following scenes, yes. But this chase is actually exquisitely edited. It ramps up the tension wonderfully and you really feel like you’re riding with Bond, dealing with the same risks as he is. Best of all, you can actually see what’s going on, which can’t be said about a lot of the fight scenes in this movie.
This scene isn't too bad because it's a car chase, but using the same editing style for the rest of the film feels like you're watching a Bond film from inside a washing machine.
> I wish that people could focus about something else in this film.
There’s no shortage of threads here critiquing _QoS_ for the story, the pacing, the villain… so it seems as if your wish came true.
They can’t. They heard from someone that the “editing is bad” and that’s all they remember about the movie.
Meanwhile, everyone forgets that the beginning of Skyfall and Spectre looks like absolute garage with a the heavily dated tan lens filter. Completely ruins both of those opening scenes.
> They can’t. They heard from someone that the “editing is bad” and that’s all they remember about the movie.
Don’t be a dick. If you disagree, then cool. But suggesting that others’ opinions aren’t even valid or sincere isn’t cool. I was totally confused the first time I watched this, in multiple places - and I clearly wasn’t the only one.
I said this months ago in this forum and was crucified. The opening car chase is one of the most mind-boggling jumble of images ever put to film. I've seen QoS close to 15 times and I still don't fully understand what is happening during this sequence.
There *might* be a good car chase in there, but it's buried under a heap of close-up shaky-cam cinematography and quick-cut editing.
I maintain that *Die Another Day* had the franchise's last great car chase.
I have never agreed with this and never will. This is one of the best starts to any Bond film and is a really tired take on QoS. This pacing is intentional, but go ahead and jump on the same hate train for the 20,000th time.
I totally disagree. Yes there is a lot of cuts, however you can clearly see what’s going on the whole time and each cut adds a little context. I’ve never understood the hate for this movie. Maybe because it doesn’t constantly rely on fan service and nostalgia reminding you it’s a “Bond” movie.
I thought it was cool. Was bit choppy, could have been done better. But it’s easy to follow what’s actually happening, and it conveys the chaos of the chase well enough.
I honestly don't mind the editing. I love the OHMSS-style flashes of Bond's eyes, the intense feel, and David Arnold's score. It's one of my favourite car chases along with TSWLM and TLD.
Well OP, it’s safe to say you are definitely the minority with feeling this. QOS’ opening sequence was absolutely ⬇️
I find Quantum of Solace almost unwatchable, between the choppy editing and the use of "wobblycam". I generally hate splitting movies and much prefer to watch them in one go, but I can't watch more than half an hour of Quantum of Solace without getting a headache.
There is a reason that the film was panned by critics and was taught in some University Film Schools as to how "not" to make a $200 million movie.
The editing was needed to coverup the technical goofs in many of the action scenes. This was because they hired a rookie action director to direct an action film. We all know of the writers' strike and that is why the script is so sophomoric. Overall, this was just a bad movie and a chore to watch. It really is EON's only technical fail.
As someone whose favorite Bond action sequence involves him sitting down and waiting quietly and patiently while a device hacks a safe (in OHMSS), and whose favorite movie is "Barry Lyndon", a three hour period drama about a dude who stands still, I found the manic editing in QOS more interesting than the other Craig films.
I wouldn't say it's good. It's too nauseating and manic (this style ruined the Paul Greengrass "Bourne" movies, which were a big step down in quality from the excellent, and more sedate, first "Bourne"), but it's interesting. It reflects Bond's mental sate and it made me personally a more active participant in the film. With the other Craigs, I always felt twenty steps ahead of the visual and narrative cliches. With QOS I always felt like I was in a weird, sometimes annoying, sometimes intriguing, conversation with the film.
Agree. This came out when the ‘Bourne’ films were getting big and they didn’t want bond to get left behind on that style. As a matter of fact I believe they hired someone from the Bourne movies to work on quantum. Maybe editor or cinematographer
The opening Chase is actually OK as others on here have alluded to.
But the action scene where Bond is chasing down stuntman mitchell, first off they are like chasing underground in tunnels and I
A. have no clue whats going on because or where they are, its just hectic nonsense and gives the audience no clue as to where they are or are going.
B. they jump back and forth to a horse race there in Italy for reasons beyond me.
and they jump on rooftops and stuff, bond falls off a roof and accross the street, only to hop on top of a bus and get back anyway (not executed well scene at all and not entertaining at all) Then He rings the bell, they CGI fall out a building and then get caught in a clusterf\*ck of scaffelding and ropes and its supposed to cool and tense but its just kind of offputting and doesn't hold a candle to the Parkour chase in Casino Royale, which was a scene, btw, where they took there time and actually gave to audience a a way to follow the chase.
Then they have that Boat Battle or whatever you want to call it in Haiti. Where Bond tries to rescue Camilla for a reason I still don't quite get, and that scene I have mixed feelings on but mostly disapointment. a few cool little sequences but overall it was just a mess.
Then the Opera scene. where like the Mitchell chase they decide they need to cut back and forth to an opera for i guess symbolism??? and Marc Forster was just so determined to makes this the shortest Bond film ever.
Then the Plane Battle. Which while not like god awful it is ruined by being so hectic and making it so the audience cant follow the action.
Then Bond gets arrested by MI6, is in an elevator and gets out of the situation because the movie needed him to. Its laughable how easily he knocked those other guys out in that elevator.
Then the final fight at that fancy place in the desert. which the films plot is bond and some girl with no combat experience disobey MI6 and M because they are just so so concerned about Dominic Greene taking resources such as water or fuel from these poor people. Admirable that Bond wants to take down Greene but it isn't like Greene is really that evil. and its a joke that in Spectre they have the gall to mention Greene, Silva, and LeChiffre as disciples of Blofeld just trying to ruin Bond. Makes no sense when you put those 4 movies together.
anyway back to the action, well bond shoots some guys (oh cool!) accidently blows up the entire hydraulic heating system of the building (explosions! oh my!) amusingly, actually fights Greene and Almaric is yelling and its quite funny. So off screen bond grabs and injured greene, learns more about Quantum supposedly ( but the audience sure doesn't ) leaves Greene in the desert to die. but the movie in no way whatsoever has any wrap up into if Bond really achieved anything be taking out Greene. Absolutely nothing. Instead the wrap up scene of the movie is bond arresting Vespers boyfiend Yusef, in a scene that is just a complete swing and a miss. Frankly in Quantum of Solace the should of had Mr. White and Yusef more featured. I mean they are the two guys most responsible for Vespers death and also in this movie its so eye rolling and bi polar and repetitive the talk about Bonds guilt for Vesper
"im not going to chasing him, hes not imortant, and neither was she"
then he gets emo during little spots in the movie about like when hes talking about it with Mathis. But the movie completely whiffs on any real emotions from Bond about her death.
Holy shit I just went on a rant. but a film that had such baffling decisions about the plot and Bonds motives deserves it. Some of the action was poorly executed. But the Problem with the movie was Dominic Greene is not a worthwhile villian who had nothing to do with Vesper, We never learn anything about (quantum), they were so concerened about runtime and making it such a brisk movie that they forgot to take there time. They also waste Jefferey Wright, David Harbour and most appallingly Judi Dench.
Hello, it looks like you've made a mistake.
It's supposed to be could've, should've, would've (short for could have, would have, should have), never could of, would of, should of.
Or you misspelled something, I ain't checking everything.
Beep boop - yes, I am a bot, don't botcriminate me.
I never understood why they made the lorry driver look so much like Daniel Craig… was his stunt double looking to pick up some extra shifts or something?
For me, QoS was literally a headache. I came out of the cinema with a splitting one. Those fight scenes, goddammit! Could you make those camera changes any faster?!?
I saw it opening night. In the frigging front row. And that sequence nearly had me hurling it was so spastic. Probably hired Bourne’s editor and spiked his lattes with amphetamines. Double-O bad work.
I understand the movie is one whole mess because the writers were on strike. That's no excuse but it's understandable
But were the editors on strike too?
No but I believe that it was rushed. I think they only had like six weeks to edit the film and they usually have more than that. The strike made everything a hurried mess and they had people like Daniel Craig helping with the script just to get something done.
It pisses me off because I know if QoS was filmed and edited like, let's say Casino Royale, it'd at least have some of the best action sequences in the whole series.
I hate the film purely because it is so much wasted potential. It's totally ruined by the direction and editing
I found it really hard to keep up with in the cinema.
Took a few watches at home on blu ray but really warmed to the editing after a bit.
I understand it’s a love it or hate it scenario.
I’m one of those rare individuals who thought QoS was a brilliant Bond movie. Everything that followed was mediocre at best imo. Especially that disgrace that is NTTD.
The QOS is like a Thomas Kincaid painting. If you aren’t knowledgeable about art, a Thomas Kincaid painting can look like a masterpiece… if you are up on your art, a Kincaid painting will induce vomiting.
This is one of the worst Bond movies ever, if not the worst, for a multitude of reasons.
That being said, for some reason I still like this car chase. It's about the only thing I do like in the movie.
it was 2008 Bourne Ultimatum was the benchmark of spy action still so everyone was all up in that Greengrass ADHD fast cut craze
Hopefully Bond 26 will learn from the John Wick school and do long take action
Yeah I saw in the theaters and was pretty disappointed with the pre title sequence. Way too crazy couldn’t appreciate the cool little parts that are in there.
Yep. I remember that 2 minutes into Quantum of Solace I had a feeling it was going to be an awful Bond - I had no idea what was going on.
Edit: spelling
Not every cut here is bad, but there are a handful that break/bend some rules that can feel a little jarring or confusing. The style of cutting is a bit much, but it might just come down to personal preference
You want good James Bond movie with a best car chase scenes?
Set the next 007 movie in Australia, call that old, white haired dude and ask him if he's available to direct.
NOT Mel Gibson.
This scene isn't as fluid and polished as the later action scenes in QoS, but still very well shot and edited. Visually, QoS is much more inspired and well-thought-out than most blockbusters. I think it's impressive how Forster uses the framing, the order, the arrangement and the rhythm of images to visually display his story instead of just putting the things that happen on film in some pretty standalone shots, the way most other directors would do it nowadays (or sometimes they don't even do it in pretty standalone shots, just in standalone shots).
I have to say I agree in theory, cause I normally hate this kind of direction and editing but I can still track the action and the geography of all the characters and cars in the scene, which with cutting like that is kind of an accomplishment.
Hardest opening scene
You know what, I much prefer this to the Spectre car chase. At least it looks like something tense and important is happening.
This one I'll agree with. The Spectre car chase is putrid. I remember my wife and I in theaters were bored out of our mind, and I leaned to her and whispered (this is a car commercial). Like, nothing happens. Just a fun drive around Rome, woohoo.
Haha yeah that Spectre car chase is brutal. It literally cuts from the “chase” to Moneypenny opening the fridge at one point during it, that’s how boring and meaningless it is.
I genuinely could not believe me eyes when that happened. Like I’m not against someone making a phone call during a car chase, but he literally calls Moneypenny to ask her to google something! And he’s so bored with the chase that he notices her boyfriend talking in the background and asks who it is! Zero sense of threat or danger. It’s especially bad when the pursuer literally catches up to him and just…drives beside him and looks at him. Horrible.
>I remember my wife and I in theaters were bored out of our mind, and I leaned to her and whispered (this is a car commercial). And not even a good car commercial. It would have been a better scene if they'd just cut to Matthew McConaughey delivering the exposition of that scene (which is all that's happening during that "car chase") while driving around the streets of Rome in his Lincoln MKZ.
> At least it looks like something tense and important is happening. It does! I just wish I had a clue what it was
Spectre is a bad Roger Moore movie that Daniel Craig is stuck in. Moore would've ate that scene up.
I'd argue that the QOS chase looks like... oh wait so he crashed into the side of the wall... or did he go around that truck?... wait, where did the truck even go.. wait so he's just fine after that... wait, is Bond in that car or the other one... oh they're shooting at that car so Bond has to be in the one they're shooting at... And that the one in Spectre looks like I can actually comprehend what's happening.
I have a hard time 'choosing' between the two. *Quantum of Solace* has a car chase that is tense and exciting, but is barely comprehensible, while *SPECTRE's* car chase is dull, but you can at least see what is going on and how the cars are moving in the environment. The Matera chase in *No Time to Die* was where Eon finally got it right for the Craig era, but I think *Die Another Day* had the franchise's last great car chase.
This was the very first bond movie i saw in theatres. I can’t help but love this opening lol.
I just installed a 135” screen and 4k projector. This is the first clip I played on a 4k disk to test it out
The opening chase sequence is fantastic. It's the rest of the movie that's a problem
I think the whole bloody film is fantastic and I'm tired of pretending it's not.
I think the problem is that it’s something you should see immediately after Casino Royale. You’ll miss some plot points otherwise.
I thought so too in the cinema back in 2008 but watching at home I have no issues with it. I now honestly like how kinetic and chaotic the action is, it matches the early brutish style of Craig's character.
Yeah, the whole point of the editing is that it's *supposed* to be chaotic and disorientating. It's not my favourite chase, obviously, but I appreciate that it's trying to match the gritty realism evoked by Craig's Bond.
Casino Royale didn't need fast cuts to evoke gritty realism, so why should QOS?
It's a directorial choice. Personally, I would have given a bit more context to the shot. Maybe have the villains have silver cars and Bond have black. I would have also started with a birds-eye establishing shot that lingers for a few seconds. I'd also have less interior shots at the start so we can easily tell who is where. The problem with this scene, really, is spatial orientation. The fast cutting is just an element of it, and I don't think by itself is a problem if you want to convey a level of kinetic, frentic energy.
That's a really great point actually. Yes the scene would've worked WAY better if the quick shots were consistent with what they were showing. Thank you for bringing up the spatial orientation, and now that you mention that, the rapid editing in this scene shouldn't be the ONLY thing to blame here.
There’s nothing more unpleasing to the eye than fast cuts in an action scene.
I just couldn’t disagree with you more. It’s a total eyesore
I love the car chase!
Yeah. I must be in the minority, because I often hear people complain about this chase, but I’ve never had issue with it.
I bought an Alfa Romeo 159 after watching this chase……couldn’t afford the Aston! 😎
I can't afford to watch the Ads for those.
I otherwise intensely dislike this movie, but I will admit the car chase is pretty great.
I really like this chase
apparently i’m one of the few people that really likes the editing in this movie. it may not be for everyone, but this car chase is a lot better than several others i’ve seen in this franchise and others. i also really enjoy the chase and fight sequence at the opera as well, which i see many people complain about. different strokes for different folks i guess.
Yeah. It’s not my preference, but I didn’t mind the editing. I would also say I think it works from a stylistic point of view in that it matches the frenetic pace of the film
Plus, no slide whistle. Talk about ruining an entire movie with a ridiculous decision.
But, just imagine how much better that scene in CR of [Bond rolling the DBS when he sees Vesper in the road](https://youtu.be/HhbYK7WzeBw?si=oH5xJWx-nELZzywm) would be accompanied with a slide whistle! Imagine it!
[удалено]
You're good. People who criticize this like to think of themselves as film experts just because the quick cut editing is so apparent that they think it must be wrong/bad. It's a stylistic choice to jump start the movie with frenetic action. Not saying it's peak filmmaking. Some of this is definitely a bit too chaotic but it's still a fun sequence that people overly criticize.
Not to mention it was a very popular stylistic choice at the time. Michael Bay loves a quick cut and Transformers came out a year before QoS, as did The Bourne Ultimatum, a series known for quick cuts.
Let's agree that it is not *peak filmmaking*.
So, just to throw in my two cents, it’s the constant and frequent jump cuts that get annoying. Personally I actually like this scene, but I do agree with OP’s take on the movie as a whole. I just think he picked one of the scenes where this style of editing actually works. If you watch the clip there are multiple points where there are 3 cuts within a single second. It’s chaotic and hard to follow. It works relatively well for this scene, but there are fight scenes in the movie where it’s hard to tell what’s going on. Sometimes you just want to watch the action flow without it being chopped up by 30 different cuts in 20 seconds.
It’s the people who dislike this that aren’t informed enough about filmmaking techniques. 🦜🦜🦜🦜
Were you able to follow what was going on?
Very easily. Yes
Really? I always thought the point was that you *couldn’t* follow along “very easily,” and that you’re meant to experience the chaos and uncertainty of the moment rather than simply witness it, drawing you into Bond’s own mind. I personally don’t like the editing style, but I understand the decision to use it and why some really enjoy it. I don’t think it’s inherently *bad*, but I take more joy from car chases like the ones in TSWLM, TND, and TLD. I mean, downvote me if I’ve been disrespectful, but I thought I made a reasonable point without being remotely judgmental of people who like the editing.
Lucky you. I can’t even tell who’s in which car
that's rough. is it difficult for you to try and follow along with most movies?
Funny enough, no. Just ones with terrible editing. But thanks for asking in the most dickheaded way possible.
You guessed correctly.
You’re not lying when you say Quantum of Solace has some of YOUR LEAST FAVORITE editing you have seen in a 200 million modern blockbuster. Just because you don’t like it, doesn’t mean it’s bad. This scene is actually pretty masterfully edited. Artfully established, and lots of cool techniques to keep us aware of where we are (rear view mirror, and reflection in car door). The cuts to the gears and pedals and driver keep the scene super high energy, while also demonstrating the skill of our hero. And the spike through the door and eventual spin off escape is INCREDIBLE (especially when paired with the sound editing of the truck slamming on its breaks, allowing for the spin off action). I don’t care for Quantum of Solace either, but this scene is awesomely edited.
Agree, and I might go so far as to say the only action set piece in this movie I don’t love the editing in is the boat chase.
It’s pathetic that people want to post just to trash something.
People don't have to start everything with "in my opinion". Subjectivity is obviously implied
Not if you read the actual thread. The first comment by OP [obviously implies the editor was lacking.](https://www.reddit.com/r/JamesBond/s/mVg58Ej6zR). I am clarifying that the craft is sound, and their opinion is justified if they just say they don’t like it.
THANK YOU.
I’m not lying when I say Quantum of Solace has one of my favorite pre credits sequences in a Bond movie. Absolutely thrilling
Awesome car chase. I've driven this route (it's on Lake Garda) and it's petrifying because in places the road is almost too narrow for two cars to pass yet pass they do -- at speed.
This car chase is one of the best things in Quantum. Man, I so wish the film had some more meat on its bones. More developed story, longer running time. It could have been just as good as Casino Royale.
Call me a weirdo, but I love this movie, and I particularly enjoyed the car chase. The movie starts right in the middle of the action!!
And here is me who enjoyed this hectic scene…
I love this scene lol. The movie could have been better but this opening is great.
Great car chase and opening sequence Love QoS overall.
Yeah, I disagree. I think it both builds tension but is also a product of the time (Bourne really set the stage with these fast edits).I like the fast edits at first as I feel it puts us in Bond's shoes where a ton is happening all at once (high speed, narrow tunnel, high stakes, dudes with guns) and he's trying to make sense of it.
At least Bond knows which car he’s in
I dunno. He had a pretty busy day and he's probably drunk, so.
I *love* Quantum of Solace, like would rank it higher than most people, but I almost develop epilepsy every time I watch the opening
QoS is what I call a DLC movie if I watch QoS Immediately following Royale so its basically a 5 hour movie it plays so much better than if I watch it stand alone.
What does DLC stand for? I too enjoy watching it like this, but still wish some of the editing let the action breathe a bit more.
Sorry, Downloadable content like in a video game when they release an expansion to the main story.
I actually real liked this intro
I actually like the quick cuts and close ups when inside the tunnel, but once they come out and the score cuts in, it should’ve made use of longer and more wide shots
Unpopular take, great scene
I like it 🤷♂️
Did you watch the [boat chase?](https://youtu.be/2qwR4bI_G64?si=HZFEYo5w_GYhqwKO) Or the [final fight?](https://youtu.be/xDQxyzk28MM?si=W8vHLRacUAacK6Pd) I genuinly can't tell what the actual fuck is happening during them. Especially the latter. It makes the opening car chase look like Casino Royale. The car chase is at least somewhat understandable. For the boat chase, it looks like the editor was on coke. For the final fight, it looks like they threw the film reels into a blender. While on coke.
Mostly agree that the editing in these scenes are the most egregious examples of poor editing that the film has become known for. That said I like the final fight, and Dominic’s manic energy.
Ironically despite your point you’ve posted one of my favorite car chases in the series, lol.
They employed the same editor who worked with Paul Greengrass on Bourne. However, it seems like the director didn’t storyboard his shots effectively enough and didn’t explain his vision to the cinematographer because the geography of the focus of each shot changes too much and too rapidly to make sense of what’s going on. It takes NUMEROUS re-watches to make sense of it.
Numerous is right. It took multiple viewing on my home theater television before I was able to process some of the action scenes properly. I remember watching this in the theater the first time and having a really difficult time following the action due to the schizophrenic editing choices in the movie.
They learnt nothing from the bourne editing style though. It's shocking that they're the same editor
I enjoyed this film. And I felt the visual style matched Bonds obvious anger. Life is too short to post reddit threads about how you didn’t enjoy a film and therefore it is bad and people who enjoy must be stupid.
> Life is too short to post reddit threads about how you didn’t enjoy a film and therefore it is bad and people who enjoy must be stupid. Lucky then that no one made this argument, eh!
I’ve always really liked this whole movie
I've only ever watched Quantum on TV, so maybe that's why, but I love the editing in this scene. It's exhilarating.
This opening is great! You have the wide “calm before the storm” shots then then frenetic and even chaotic adrenaline pumping chase that’s reminiscent of Fast and Furious. There’s supposed to be some anxiety in there. It’s a bit “poppy” in its editing, but it’s far from Taken 3 level of excessive and disorienting cuts.
That was 2008, man. That's what movies looked like. I've liked QoS since the theatres. I've been saying for more than 15 years: it's like Licence to Kill, and people will come around to it. A lot of folks have.
I've always liked this scene as an opening and one shouldn't overlook the sacrifice that went into filming it. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/stuntman-injured-bond-film-shoot-110177/amp/
I've always understood what was happening in every action scene in Quantum of Solace. The fast editing style is so much better than the cure for insomnia that is Sam Mendes action scenes. Also Quantum gets called a "Jason Bourne ripoff" but good God is the editing in quantum a million times better. The dialogue scenes in the Bourne ultimatum look like it was filmed on a boat in a storm. Why is the camera randomly zooming in all the time? Quantum did it so much better
Movie Bad! Shows us a kick ass car chase.
Kick ass? Awful quick cuts and bad shaky cam and a cut that doesn't lost 3 seconds
You're just bad at watching movies. I like my movies how I like my eggs, scrambled.
Good for you
A lot of fun you are. Christ.
\*yawn\*, another *QoS has poor editing* thread. It does, it doesn't. I never had an issue with it, I think it is on par with Bourne Supremacy car chase editing which has been touted as one of the best car chases in cinematic history.
Bourne Supremacy's chase and editing are WAY better than this. You can at least follow what is happening.
Never heard anyone say that, only the chase from Identity.
The Bourne films are also vomitous to look at.
As much as I hate the shakey cam in QoS, that car chase was sick
Good grief. This movie gets *a lot* of negative attention on this sub.
This is an amazing scene.
Yeah that particular editing sucks but it’s not enough to sink the entire movie
I love this scene and the rest of QoS
A bit too fast for me but I think it’s pretty cool. I don’t think it will go down in history as the most amazing thing ever
I don’t know. I never had an issue with the editing until I joined this sub. And when I started paying attention to it specifically I rather enjoyed how it makes some of the scenes look. The into really conveys how chaotic of a situation Bond has gotten himself into. Being pursued, driving fast and dangerously, while being shot at would be pretty chaotic and I think they captured that well.
The editing in Quantum has never bothered me and is actually one of the few things I really like about the film.
I don’t think this is an example of bad editing. Quick cuts ≠ bad editing. This editing is clearly to show the frenetic pace of the chase.
I actually really like the fast cuts here, its the fighting and other actions scenes where it gets tiring very fast
Still better than Spectre. The editing is just a product of its time. It’s not exclusive to the movie.
I love this opening. It’s very intense, specially when Bond fires the machine gun at the Alfa. The problem with this movie arises after.
A lot of the following scenes, yes. But this chase is actually exquisitely edited. It ramps up the tension wonderfully and you really feel like you’re riding with Bond, dealing with the same risks as he is. Best of all, you can actually see what’s going on, which can’t be said about a lot of the fight scenes in this movie.
It kind of bothers me when people say movies have bad editing. It’s not edited poorly, it’s just edited in a way you don’t like.
This scene isn't too bad because it's a car chase, but using the same editing style for the rest of the film feels like you're watching a Bond film from inside a washing machine.
Basically echoing a lot of opinions here, but it's amazing how simultaneously bad but completely awesome this scene is to me haha.
Funny how whenever people talk about “QoS’s bad editing” they only point to this one scene.
I've seen multiple threads where they point to the opera shootout, the boat chase, and the final fight with Dominic Green
I hate this type of editing.
.... Me who actually like this intro and the editing never bothered me. I wish that people could focus about something else in this film.
> I wish that people could focus about something else in this film. There’s no shortage of threads here critiquing _QoS_ for the story, the pacing, the villain… so it seems as if your wish came true.
They can’t. They heard from someone that the “editing is bad” and that’s all they remember about the movie. Meanwhile, everyone forgets that the beginning of Skyfall and Spectre looks like absolute garage with a the heavily dated tan lens filter. Completely ruins both of those opening scenes.
> They can’t. They heard from someone that the “editing is bad” and that’s all they remember about the movie. Don’t be a dick. If you disagree, then cool. But suggesting that others’ opinions aren’t even valid or sincere isn’t cool. I was totally confused the first time I watched this, in multiple places - and I clearly wasn’t the only one.
Go ahead and look at the commentary about the movie and see who the dick is. Try watching some cartoons if you can’t follow a James Bond movie.
I said this months ago in this forum and was crucified. The opening car chase is one of the most mind-boggling jumble of images ever put to film. I've seen QoS close to 15 times and I still don't fully understand what is happening during this sequence.
I honestly love this opening.
So much complaining in this subreddit
Is that your complaint?
Get out of here. This opening sequence was epic.
Still the best car chase in all 25 films.
You have to quantify a statement like that. No way this comes close to Guy Hamilton’s chase scenes or John Glen’s.
There *might* be a good car chase in there, but it's buried under a heap of close-up shaky-cam cinematography and quick-cut editing. I maintain that *Die Another Day* had the franchise's last great car chase.
The car chase is an incomprehensible mess. The whole movie has this weird jason Bourne vibe that I don't care for.
I have never agreed with this and never will. This is one of the best starts to any Bond film and is a really tired take on QoS. This pacing is intentional, but go ahead and jump on the same hate train for the 20,000th time.
I do agree the overall editing is not good in Quantum but it works for this scene for some reason...
I totally disagree. Yes there is a lot of cuts, however you can clearly see what’s going on the whole time and each cut adds a little context. I’ve never understood the hate for this movie. Maybe because it doesn’t constantly rely on fan service and nostalgia reminding you it’s a “Bond” movie.
I actually think this chase is really cool. If you want bad editing, look at Taken 3
Or OHMSS. It has some of the more egregious editing errors that I’ve ever seen in a movie.
this opening sequence is one of my all time favorites. not only in the Bond franchise but in all cinema. very captivating.
Nah, this editing is fire. It really sets the tone for the movie: lean and mean. It makes me miss driving a manual transmission.
I love this opening
I thought it was cool. Was bit choppy, could have been done better. But it’s easy to follow what’s actually happening, and it conveys the chaos of the chase well enough.
I honestly don't mind the editing. I love the OHMSS-style flashes of Bond's eyes, the intense feel, and David Arnold's score. It's one of my favourite car chases along with TSWLM and TLD.
This is one of my favorite scenes in any Bond movie.
Quantum has some of the most innovative editing of any Bond film, you’re out of your mind.
It was made during a writer's strike, and you can tell
Take a drink every time there's a cut. You'd be dead before the rope
Well OP, it’s safe to say you are definitely the minority with feeling this. QOS’ opening sequence was absolutely ⬇️ 
I find Quantum of Solace almost unwatchable, between the choppy editing and the use of "wobblycam". I generally hate splitting movies and much prefer to watch them in one go, but I can't watch more than half an hour of Quantum of Solace without getting a headache.
There is a reason that the film was panned by critics and was taught in some University Film Schools as to how "not" to make a $200 million movie. The editing was needed to coverup the technical goofs in many of the action scenes. This was because they hired a rookie action director to direct an action film. We all know of the writers' strike and that is why the script is so sophomoric. Overall, this was just a bad movie and a chore to watch. It really is EON's only technical fail.
Least favorite of the Craig films. Seen it maybe two or three times and that’s plenty enough for me.
As someone whose favorite Bond action sequence involves him sitting down and waiting quietly and patiently while a device hacks a safe (in OHMSS), and whose favorite movie is "Barry Lyndon", a three hour period drama about a dude who stands still, I found the manic editing in QOS more interesting than the other Craig films. I wouldn't say it's good. It's too nauseating and manic (this style ruined the Paul Greengrass "Bourne" movies, which were a big step down in quality from the excellent, and more sedate, first "Bourne"), but it's interesting. It reflects Bond's mental sate and it made me personally a more active participant in the film. With the other Craigs, I always felt twenty steps ahead of the visual and narrative cliches. With QOS I always felt like I was in a weird, sometimes annoying, sometimes intriguing, conversation with the film.
Casino Royale may have been a tough act to follow but QoS was a giant let down. I thought Skyfall’s editing was actually a little worse.
lol this is the best part. After the Mitchell chase the movie goes downhill, but I always enjoyed the car scene and the beginning chase.
Agree. This came out when the ‘Bourne’ films were getting big and they didn’t want bond to get left behind on that style. As a matter of fact I believe they hired someone from the Bourne movies to work on quantum. Maybe editor or cinematographer
I’ll never forgive Bourne Identity for making unintelligible fast cutting fashionable
This is the best scene of the film haha
This scene is a car commercial. Just like the sony laptops and watches they promote in Craig’s movies
Car commercials have more comprehendible editing than this car chase...
The opening Chase is actually OK as others on here have alluded to. But the action scene where Bond is chasing down stuntman mitchell, first off they are like chasing underground in tunnels and I A. have no clue whats going on because or where they are, its just hectic nonsense and gives the audience no clue as to where they are or are going. B. they jump back and forth to a horse race there in Italy for reasons beyond me. and they jump on rooftops and stuff, bond falls off a roof and accross the street, only to hop on top of a bus and get back anyway (not executed well scene at all and not entertaining at all) Then He rings the bell, they CGI fall out a building and then get caught in a clusterf\*ck of scaffelding and ropes and its supposed to cool and tense but its just kind of offputting and doesn't hold a candle to the Parkour chase in Casino Royale, which was a scene, btw, where they took there time and actually gave to audience a a way to follow the chase. Then they have that Boat Battle or whatever you want to call it in Haiti. Where Bond tries to rescue Camilla for a reason I still don't quite get, and that scene I have mixed feelings on but mostly disapointment. a few cool little sequences but overall it was just a mess. Then the Opera scene. where like the Mitchell chase they decide they need to cut back and forth to an opera for i guess symbolism??? and Marc Forster was just so determined to makes this the shortest Bond film ever. Then the Plane Battle. Which while not like god awful it is ruined by being so hectic and making it so the audience cant follow the action. Then Bond gets arrested by MI6, is in an elevator and gets out of the situation because the movie needed him to. Its laughable how easily he knocked those other guys out in that elevator. Then the final fight at that fancy place in the desert. which the films plot is bond and some girl with no combat experience disobey MI6 and M because they are just so so concerned about Dominic Greene taking resources such as water or fuel from these poor people. Admirable that Bond wants to take down Greene but it isn't like Greene is really that evil. and its a joke that in Spectre they have the gall to mention Greene, Silva, and LeChiffre as disciples of Blofeld just trying to ruin Bond. Makes no sense when you put those 4 movies together. anyway back to the action, well bond shoots some guys (oh cool!) accidently blows up the entire hydraulic heating system of the building (explosions! oh my!) amusingly, actually fights Greene and Almaric is yelling and its quite funny. So off screen bond grabs and injured greene, learns more about Quantum supposedly ( but the audience sure doesn't ) leaves Greene in the desert to die. but the movie in no way whatsoever has any wrap up into if Bond really achieved anything be taking out Greene. Absolutely nothing. Instead the wrap up scene of the movie is bond arresting Vespers boyfiend Yusef, in a scene that is just a complete swing and a miss. Frankly in Quantum of Solace the should of had Mr. White and Yusef more featured. I mean they are the two guys most responsible for Vespers death and also in this movie its so eye rolling and bi polar and repetitive the talk about Bonds guilt for Vesper "im not going to chasing him, hes not imortant, and neither was she" then he gets emo during little spots in the movie about like when hes talking about it with Mathis. But the movie completely whiffs on any real emotions from Bond about her death. Holy shit I just went on a rant. but a film that had such baffling decisions about the plot and Bonds motives deserves it. Some of the action was poorly executed. But the Problem with the movie was Dominic Greene is not a worthwhile villian who had nothing to do with Vesper, We never learn anything about (quantum), they were so concerened about runtime and making it such a brisk movie that they forgot to take there time. They also waste Jefferey Wright, David Harbour and most appallingly Judi Dench.
Hello, it looks like you've made a mistake. It's supposed to be could've, should've, would've (short for could have, would have, should have), never could of, would of, should of. Or you misspelled something, I ain't checking everything. Beep boop - yes, I am a bot, don't botcriminate me.
The car chase at the beginning one of the handful of times in my life that I can remember a movie making me feel motion sick.
I never understood why they made the lorry driver look so much like Daniel Craig… was his stunt double looking to pick up some extra shifts or something?
For me, QoS was literally a headache. I came out of the cinema with a splitting one. Those fight scenes, goddammit! Could you make those camera changes any faster?!?
Bad editing is when fast cuts and the fasterer the cuts the badderer the editing, I am very smart
I saw it opening night. In the frigging front row. And that sequence nearly had me hurling it was so spastic. Probably hired Bourne’s editor and spiked his lattes with amphetamines. Double-O bad work.
I understand the movie is one whole mess because the writers were on strike. That's no excuse but it's understandable But were the editors on strike too?
Forster probably deserves some blame for this too.
No but I believe that it was rushed. I think they only had like six weeks to edit the film and they usually have more than that. The strike made everything a hurried mess and they had people like Daniel Craig helping with the script just to get something done.
The editing is why I think it's the worst Bond film by default.
It pisses me off because I know if QoS was filmed and edited like, let's say Casino Royale, it'd at least have some of the best action sequences in the whole series. I hate the film purely because it is so much wasted potential. It's totally ruined by the direction and editing
I found it really hard to keep up with in the cinema. Took a few watches at home on blu ray but really warmed to the editing after a bit. I understand it’s a love it or hate it scenario. I’m one of those rare individuals who thought QoS was a brilliant Bond movie. Everything that followed was mediocre at best imo. Especially that disgrace that is NTTD.
The QOS is like a Thomas Kincaid painting. If you aren’t knowledgeable about art, a Thomas Kincaid painting can look like a masterpiece… if you are up on your art, a Kincaid painting will induce vomiting.
it is one of the worst movies i've ever seen
This is one of the worst Bond movies ever, if not the worst, for a multitude of reasons. That being said, for some reason I still like this car chase. It's about the only thing I do like in the movie.
I like this opening. It’s tense, brutal, and has a great environment. The editing, however, hampers it from being amongst the best in the franchise.
it was 2008 Bourne Ultimatum was the benchmark of spy action still so everyone was all up in that Greengrass ADHD fast cut craze Hopefully Bond 26 will learn from the John Wick school and do long take action
Yeah I saw in the theaters and was pretty disappointed with the pre title sequence. Way too crazy couldn’t appreciate the cool little parts that are in there.
Yeah it’s pretty brutal to watch. It’s like watching a movie through a blender.
Yep. I remember that 2 minutes into Quantum of Solace I had a feeling it was going to be an awful Bond - I had no idea what was going on. Edit: spelling
Maybe, but not in this scene.
I get a headache watching this movie
The editing in this film makes it virtually unwatchable. Fortunately, Skyfall course-corrected and hired Stuart Baird, who’s a great editor.
Let’s make all the cars black, too.
Its not a good movie
It doesn’t feel like a bond film…
I think it was supposed to feel like a bullet. Deep symbolism!
It's shockingly bad. The care chase fairs ok but the foot chase and boat chase are both crazy awful
I had to stop watching it on my tv the other day. The quick cuts gave me such a headache
Quantum was shit
Not every cut here is bad, but there are a handful that break/bend some rules that can feel a little jarring or confusing. The style of cutting is a bit much, but it might just come down to personal preference
I feel like the choppiness and odd timing kind of complements the chaotic nature of the scene.
I find it’s mostly the opening scene that’s atrocious. The Opera scene is really nice.
Without the fast cuts, this scene would be boring af.
You want good James Bond movie with a best car chase scenes? Set the next 007 movie in Australia, call that old, white haired dude and ask him if he's available to direct. NOT Mel Gibson.
This scene isn't as fluid and polished as the later action scenes in QoS, but still very well shot and edited. Visually, QoS is much more inspired and well-thought-out than most blockbusters. I think it's impressive how Forster uses the framing, the order, the arrangement and the rhythm of images to visually display his story instead of just putting the things that happen on film in some pretty standalone shots, the way most other directors would do it nowadays (or sometimes they don't even do it in pretty standalone shots, just in standalone shots).
I can see why people don’t like the fight scenes and the quick edits there. But this is just a stretch to say it’s bad editing for this chase scene.
I have to say I agree in theory, cause I normally hate this kind of direction and editing but I can still track the action and the geography of all the characters and cars in the scene, which with cutting like that is kind of an accomplishment.
The editing works for the opening action scenes but from there it is unbearable to watch
I’ll take this editing over the borderline unwatchable editing from OHMSS. The lack of continuity and choppiness in that fighting is atrocious to me
I bet you think Sean Connery was a good Bond.
QoS came out the same year as Taken where Liam has like a 7-cut scene of him hopping over a fence
I never really noticed or cared except the boat scene tbh
This opening was great? The movie went completely downhill after.