In regards to Craig's films, I will simply say that ALL the Bond elements are in them, just in ways you don't expect. I find that way you enjoy and indulge in these little Bondian things more. Regardless, the films are about Bond's origins so they're allowed to mess around with it in these two.
The series has clearly moved on from that. I completed Blood Stone earlier today and if you're worried about lack of Bondian elements then Blood Stone has them all:
-The pre-titles sequence is completely detached from the main story, it's a mini adventure ala Goldfinger.
-There are naked silhouettes of women throughout the titles (for the record, there are also in QOS and Goldeneye so wake up people
)
-Bond has a Vodka Martini and has slept with the waitress by the time the credits sequence is over.
-There are dozens of references to Q Branch (it was very cool hearing Craig say 'Q Branch') just like the novels.
-Imaginative set design.
-The relationship between Bond and M is secure, one of her first lines is 'I put my faith in Bond'. Bond is loyal to M and committed to the mission. M is also not a supporting character and is mainly there for exposition.
-Great action set pieces, notably one that takes place on a hovercraft.
-Tricky situations that Bond has to escape from, such as a big underground drill and a room filling with gas.
-There's a lot of espionage in the game, it's not just about explosions, bullets and chases.
-There's a Casino scene, tux, suits, fast cars.
-A disfigured, sadistic Villain, who captures and tortures Bond.
-Bond has a gadget in the form of his phone, which can hack into cameras and whatnot (again, provided by Q branch).
-Bond infiltrates the villains remote lair in Burma as the villain taunts him over the base's loud speakers.
There's definitely a lot more than that, but everything's there apart from the theme during the narrative and the gunbarrel, the imagery of the gunbarrel is on the HUD and during the loading screen however.
If you're worried about Craig not getting his Bond theme worry not, I've only completed 3 levels of Goldeneye so far and it has indeed played in full during a rather cool moment.It should be noted that David Arnold is involved with the music so now he's clearly using the theme again. Whenever we see Bond 23 it will be there.
There's not been a gunbarrel as of yet but, again, the imagery is there.
Goldeneye in general is packed full of Bond elements.
As for Craig's Bond being 'too casual' I beg to differ. In fact, Craig was wearing suits throughout the majority of QOS and spent most of CR in a dinner jacket.
Regardless Bond dresses for the occasion, and he's ALWAYS stylish. If you think Craig's too casual watch Thunderball, FYEO, TLD etc. Bond is more than what he wears, though what he wears is very cool. Craig gets the balance right.
Edited by Iroquois, 05 November 2010 - 09:48 PM.