This film should be reviewed in two ways. If you are a fan of action films and aren't bothered that the main character is 007, then this is a pretty decent & fairly lighthearted adventure film. The special FX are impressive and the storyline isn't too drastically bad compaired with most other action/adventure films. Most non Bond fans I spoke to about the film thoroughly enjoyed it.
This however is where the problem lies. While the plot of this film still stayed generally true to most Bond films, it really just didn't feel like a true Bond film. You had the feeling that the main character (Bond) could have been just about anyone. Whilst the Matrix style FX were impressive, they took away the feel of a Bond film. The directors threw in a few retro Bond moments to try a keep the hardcore fans happy, but it was all too transparent that they were trying to do exactlly that.
I don't think Ian Fleming would have been too impressed. I think they went for a wider audience when they made this film and they probally suceeded. However they would have lost a few fans in the process. I think evolution not revolution is the formula for long term sucess in the bond market.
Marks as a stand alone action film 4 stars.
Marks as a James Bond film 2 stars.