Worst Bond film so far

Rating: 1/10 (25 January 2008)

This film is often hailed as "the best Bond film so far", but this attempt really is the opposite. It lacks any of the defining characteristics that would have made it a 'Bond film'. It is instead a sad reflection of modern values and lack of class and style.
The opening title sequence carelessly does away with the famous bond theme tune and sumptuous graphics, in favour of low budget animated clips of a fight sequence. This was the first failing, by giving emphasis to the dirty acts of espionage that are lowest in the esteem of any upright British secret service agent. The first defining rule of a bond film, that violence be underplayed against gentlemanly acts, was lost straight away. The lack British composure was absent throughout this typically American production. The tacky titles were followed by an overblown and implausible 'action sequence', followed by a few hours of tenuous product placements, sloppy clichés and no sign whatsoever that the viewer would be lead through an episode of Mr Bond's life. It was a display of modern tactlessness, grimaces, arrogance, personal failings, lust, greed and on and on and on, with as much class, style and panache as the bling generation that hail this as "the best so far". Even the once statesmanly croupiers, with a diplomacy comparable to the Civil Service scowled from the gutter.
When Mr Flemming went undercover in 1964 he was followed by one Mr J.Bond, never to be seen again. Please do not foist this commercial junk on the uneducated masses, under the name of James Bond.