Not a bond film

Rating: 4/10 (1 November 2008)

I went to see the film the day it came out. With a lot of hype surrounding the film and after Casino Royale it had a lot to deliver but I left the cinema disappointed. I cannot understand why the things that make bond what it is have suddenly disappeared and we are left with an average action film where the main character happens to be called James bond. No 'Q' or gadgets, the James bond theme tune is never played unless very subtly, he doesn't order a 'vodka martini shaken, not stirred', he no longer seems to carry his national pride, no OTT villain and he never says 'The names bond, James bond.' I know that the franchise was heading in the wrong direction with films like Die another day and it needed changing but James bond is supposed to be far fetched and a bit silly and now they've tried to create a 'Bourne' experience which just doesn't compare. The action scenes, although well put together, are too short and don't take your breath away, the story is weak and hard to follow and the film is too short. If this wasn't a James bond film then its probably a 6 or 7 out of ten action film but it just doesn't meet the requirements that, in my opinion, makes James bond unique. True Bond fans will not like this film.