In Defense of QOS as a decent Bond Flick

While QOS is not on the caliber of GF, FRWL, nor TLD..it does have some merits.

Yes, while I do agree the opening scenes (e.g. car chase, Bond's chase of the rogue agent through a festive crowd in Italy) made lead to some visual disturbances. It's merits are apparent.

Daniel Craig is in fine form in this one. He embodies the agent who truly believes no one is on his side. He knows there are few to trust. We can see that visible desperation on Craig's face. This is the authentic Fleming's Bond. Craig's metamorphosis into the Bond character is spellbinding. His mastery of the movements, the thought processes, the physicality of the role is highly commendable.

Mathias brings a great vulnerability to the movie. He is rightfully angered over the previous mix up in CR, but he cannot stay away from Craig's Bond. Like Walter Egan once sang, Craig is a magnet and others are steel. He risks his life for his loyalty to Craig's Bond, over no personal gain. When he expires, we see real raw emotion of sadness and regret in Craig's face. Again, Craig is channeling Fleming's Bond as the master that he is and we are in for a treat.

Dominic Greene is a realistic villain. He is not looking to rule the world, he serves as the middle man to an evil organization that would like to benefit economically from precarious environmental issues in a 3rd world country. There is no hubris on his part, no evil I'm going to rule the world laugh from his part, he is a middle man...plan and simple. He is not afraid to engage in fisticuffs with Bond and does hold his own for a while. A real and worthy adversary to Bond.

The Bond girl is breathtaking and unlike most other Bond girls, she does not lead to seduction. She's all about the revenge. Craig's Bond senses this and highly respects it.

The last scene really makes the movie. When M asks if she can again trust Bond and is glad to have him back. Craig conjures up perfectly Fleming's Bond with "I never left". That set the stage for the whole franchise, also quieted some of the naysayers. Fleming was dancing in his grave with that scene.

Again while not the best Bond flick, it is an underrated gem (at least in my opinion).

"You're stupid to have a good time" Dalton (Patrick Swayze) from Roadhouse