Where exactly is James Bond going?

Rating: Null/10 (1 December 2008)

So I understand that they are taking James Bond to a new direction, into a new century and giving him a new outlook. Making him less silly (humorous) and more realistic, more efficient. But doesn't that sort of defeat the entire purpose? Ian Fleming's James Bond series is more than just a spy thriller. Where is the womanizing? Where is the witty dialogue and clever retorts? Where is the whole "smile in the face of danger" from 007? James Bond is not a regular spy, he IS SUPPOSED to be over the top. He is supposed to make you smile and shake your head (but not laugh out loud). Don't get me wrong, Daniel Craig is a fine actor and all, but he just doesn't convince me as Bond. I have heard people suggest that he looks more like a Bond villain than Bond himself, and I have to agree, his cold emotionless face looks more brawn than brains. So I don't buy the the whole "don't compare Craig with Connery, they are different" excuse. Sean Connery IS James Bond. Daniel Craig is just a fantastic action actor.
The storyline is pretty bland. I won't go into detail with it because honestly, I wasn't paying full attention as I had lost it about halfway into the movie. I was simply disappointed that it's just scene after scene of fighting and killing, and not enough interacting. At one point I found myself wondering who would win in a duel between Daniel Craig's James Bond and Jason Bourne. They were that similar in style. Just watch any one of Bourne's films and compare for yourself. Yes I know before they released the movie they were already talking about how cold and efficient Bond would be in this movie, how he would be out for revenge. But James Bond also makes mistakes. Then he is either bailed out by beautiful women, or some amusing stroke of luck. Craig almost never screws up, he just kills and kills, then looks at his mobile phone for more info on the next target.
Olga Kurylenko is a pleasant surprise however. Had I not seen Max Payne before this, I would have mistaken her completely for Sophie Marceau, who also played a Bond girl in "The World Is Not Enough", they look so much alike. She is definitely a star on the rise. And trust Judi Dench to put in a great shift as always, she is probably the only James Bond character that looks legitimate as M in Quantum.
I hate to say it but I think the James Bonds are simply getting worse. When Pierce Brosnan came onto the scene, he also received a fair share of criticism but looking back, he exceeds Craig in the suave department. I always liked his arrogant demeanor and the slight smile he always has on his face. Daniel Craig just looks like a tough guy, a "don't mess with me or I'll snap your neck like a twig" look. Quantum of Solace is a decent action movie, so at least they didn't put 007 in the title, because it just has the characters but it is certainly not James Bond.
To Craig's credit however, Casino Royale was surprisingly good. Let's hope if he is to continue the series, they bring back the old style, the AUTHENTIC feel of James Bond, and not just some cookie cutter all out action shoot-beat-em-up fest.