Why all the accolades?

Rating: 7/10 (28 November 2006)

I have to tell you that when this was being made, I didn't expect much other than a standard bond movie which had ditched the subplots and was nothing more than a 90 minute action movie. I was pleasantly surprised when the initial reviews came out and it had a 2 + hour running time and subplots.
I cannot believe I saw the same movie that people are giving a 8.1/10 as of current.
I found the new Bond to be very boring and rougher around the edges. I don't mind the rougher around the edges part but I think people have forgot what made bond MOVIES so good -- he was what every man wanted to be. He was a secret agent that always found a way to get out of danger, always got multiple women, and while completely over the top -- at some level every man would want to be James Bond.
I realize this is a reboot but not Q or R, no Shaken not Stirred, no good car chases, a lame opening, and lack of a real super villain? Come on, Bond movies never relied on realism.
Obviously this film is doing well so they do need my input but for the record, I would get someone more suave to play Bond with a dark side but with a sense of humor. Both Connery and Moore had the sense of humor to add to the fun. Lets face it, some of the best parts of the movie was Q or R showing the new gadgets off. Bonds gadget of choice on this outing -- a freaking cellphone.
I do like the fact that they had the subplots but the stakes weren't high enough to make them interesting.
I also never minded the campiness of the super genius villains. Yes, Austin Powers had a blast making fun of this but they were paying homage to it because it was classic movie making.
Everything in life is subjective and maybe the plot wasn't that interesting to me. Bond and Texas Holdem just seemed stupid. British Intelligence certainly has gone downhill if they cant find a better way to get the money than Bond winning at high stakes poker.
I hope they bring out the go for broke over the top villain in the next movie who is hell bent on ruling the world through mass destruction. I don't care if he in a wheelchair or a psychopath who wears a cape. There has to be a mix in there that appeals to the old bond fanatics and the younger generation.
Also, it didn't feel like a Bond movie. There was something else missing that I cant quite put my finger on.
Heck, I even liked Timothy Dalton as Bond. I liked the Rogue agent bit to revenge his friends death.
Also, please have some sort of great opening sequence. Almost all Bond movies have a great opening sequence to quickly draw the crowd into the movie.
I gave this one a 5/10 but according to IMDb, I guess most people like it a lot more than me.