James Bond Analysis

James Bond - Quantum of Solace Analysis

Quantum of Solace is the 22 James Bond film in the series produced by Eon Productions and Distributed by MGM and Columbia Pictures. Released in 2008 it is an actual sequel to the 2006 hit Casino Royale.  It is also the second-highest-grossing James Bond film, without adjusting for inflation, earning $586 million worldwide. The plot: 

Bond battles wealthy businessman Dominic Green, a member of the Quantum organisation, posing as an environmentalist who intends to stage a coup d'état in Bolivia to seize control of the nation's water supply. Bond seeks revenge for the death of his lover, Vesper Lynd, and is assisted by Camille Montes, who is seeking revenge for the murder of her family.

First Shot

The Film starts with MGM as its Distributing logo followed by Columbia Pictures. Not only having MGM as a distributor connoting to the audience that this movie is going to be a big mainstream movie, having two huge distributors doubles the expectations.

Second Shot

 Second screen shot is an establishing shot to set the scene. It denotes small mountains surrounded by an appealing ocean. It could connote that this is the setting of the first two minutes. James Bond is a secret agent working for MI6, during films in the past he is near enough always in luxurious locations for his missions, which means this shot could connote that he is currently taking upon a mission abroad. Also during this scene it slowly uses camera movement to zoom into the mountains to reveal a bridge and every now and then will cut to extreme close ups of an expensive sports car speeding. That connotes, the car is driving through the bridge a top speed preferably trying to escape danger. 

Third Shot

Next, This screen shot denotes the expensive sports car driving away from other similar vehicles on the same tunnel/bridge. Although you do not physically see him yet, audience will know James Bond is in that car because he is also known for his nice rides. 

Fourth Shot

I chose this next shot because it is important. It denotes a man holding a gun and aiming for the car in the screen grab above. It connotes that this man is a villain or more likely to be a henchman to the main protagonist. As well as, it is the audiences queue for the action to start and that the next few minutes will be action packed like a typical modern James Bond movie.  Lastly, It can connote that James Bond has been caught on his mission and is now escaping with either something belonging to the protagonist or some vital information about them he can tell back to M16. 

Fifth Shot

In this shot an innocent bystander in his lorry has got caught inside the action. The gunman either accidentally, or cunningly shoots the wheel of the lorry, what results in the driver losing control and hitting Bond in his car. It connotes to the viewer how serious and how much the gunman/villains do not care and that they will go at nothing to get Bond. 

Sixth Shot

James in this scene is instantly impaled to the lorry as he tries to escape, slowing him down. His facial expression connotes that he is struggling and he is thinking fast of how to get out of the problem. It connotes that there is a high chance the car will be wrecked if he gets out of the situation because of the forcefulness he will use to get the car away from the lorry.

Seventh Shot

This screen grab shows Bond in his sports car still being chased by the villains/protagonists. Although he is trying to avoid the villains, James and his car is coming out of tunnel and connotes that he escaped from the lorry entrapment. Also, it connotes the danger and action isn't over.

Eighth Shot

I chose this over the shoulder shot because it denotes one of the protagonists on the same side as another lorry and shows his face on the windscreen. This connotes that him being on the same side and face on with the lorry shows it isn't going to end well for him unless he can find a way out. The other convenient lorry on the other side tells the audience otherwise. Finally, using the windscreen to show his eyes will also connote to the viewer that he knows he is in trouble and shows his emotion before he crashes.

Ninth Shot 

The Lorry in the next shot has now collided with the protagonists car. This is an effect to inform the audience that James Bond has now got an advantage over the villains and will not give up without a fight. It connotes that James is a very powerful person over the others.

Tenth Shot

I used the last screen grab because it verifies with the police man speaking a foreign language that he is definitely in a different country. Having the police radioing for help with the car chase connotes that either Bond is going to be helped or it is going to make it more difficult for him to get away.