Bond's Quantum Rules the World

The latest James Bond film "Quantum of Solace," already a big hit overseas, set a new opening record for Bond movies in North America with estimated weekend sales of $70.4 million, distributor Columbia Pictures said on Sunday.

The record for a Bond opening was held by "Die Another Day," which earned $47.1 million across the United States and Canada during its first weekend in November 2002. That film was the last one starring Pierce Brosnan. "Quantum of Solace" and its 2006 predecessor "Casino Royale," which opened to $40.8 million, starred Daniel Craig.

Swiss-German filmmaker Marc Forster directed "Quantum of Solace," in which Bond travels the world battling a villain (French actor Mathieu Amalric) looking to control natural resources. Along the way, the vengeful hero earns the enmity of the British and U.S. spy agencies.

Industry pundits had forecast an opening in the $60 million range for "Quantum of Solace," even though top critics had largely panned the movie.

The film began its international showing two weeks ago, and has earned $251.6 million in 73 countries. A handful of major markets awaits the film, including Japan, Australia and Spain.



"It's totally extraordinary," Columbia Pictures distribution president Rory Bruer said of the film's early box office success. "Everybody is really loving the movie."

Check out the trailers here.

Quantum Of Solace - Out Today

Quantum of Solace is finally here in the US and already recieving mixed reviews from Critics and viewers alike.

Having said that, I say go and see it, and judge for yourself.

Having seen it in the UK a couple of weeks ago I would have to say I too had mixed feelings about it and yet since I can't stop thinking about Daniel Craigs performance.

It is simply breathtaking and refreshing in the light of recent Bonds.

This reimagining of the Bond franchise is, yes different, and yet I think one of the best Bond's ever.

It has an edge, like no other Bond before 'Craig' could pull off. Yes Timothy Dalton tried, George Lazenby failed miserably, but here it is and I have to say with all my mis-givings about the way this movie was directed and more to the point edited, I love Daniel Craigs take on Bond.

There are some great moments and supprisingly most are in the non-action sequencies to the movie.

For me, 'A Night at the Opera' part of the movie is just pure magic, the combining of the Opera, with David Arnolds score and the resulting slow-motion action sequence, whilst not pure Bond, is Cinemagic Brilliance.

The major annoyance for me is the obvious directorial and editoral decision to not remain in any one frame of shot for more than 2-3 seconds. Bond movies are not to be messed with, they are a pure work of Art and not a framework in which to try a new technique. Leave that to the Art House.

And so I say to whoever takes up the directors chair in the third installment, who by the way I think should be Martin Campbell again, (who did a brilliant job with Casino Royale and Goldeneye for that matter ), don't mess, just tell a great story in a classy bond way.

This Bond though looks set to be one of the most profitable, but I just wonder whether if we had Martin Campbell at the helm it would have been THE DARK KNIGHT of the Bond franchise cause this story certainly had the potential.

Bond was meant for Blu-Ray.

Quantum Of Solace - Out Tomorrow

Quantum Of Solace breaks UK Box Office Records

Despite some scathing reviews Quantum Of Solace is riding high in the UK after it's World Premiere in London and Wide Release across the UK last Weekend.

Early indications are that it's taken £15.5 Million in 3 days.

The movie, which premiered in London on Wednesday, beat the previous record of £14.9m set in 2005 by Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Quantum of Solace took a further £14.2m in France and Sweden, according to industry journal Screen Daily.

Opening weekend numbers also surpassed the previous Bond film, Casino Royale.

Daniel Craig's latest outing as Bond had already broken opening day UK box office records taking £4.9m on Friday, according to studio Sony.

The film - the 22nd official entry in the James Bond film series - is directed by Marc Forster, of Monster's Ball and Finding Neverland fame.

UK cinemagoers have an advantage over their counterparts in the US, where Quantum of Solace does not open until 14 November.

Don't forget in the US, Quantum Of Solace is also boasting to have the first full trailer of the re-invention of STAR TREK, directed by JJ. ABRAMS.