Yeah, watched Quantum of Solace. Friggin awesome, just like Casino Royale (which I’m watching right now, BTW…I’d forgotten how awesome the opening song by Chris Cornell is). Quick review: badass, don’t take the kids unless they’re old enough to understand it’s not right to kill people or have meaningless sex with hundreds of women, lots of action, true to Bond franchise with everything you’d expect, Americanized enough to rock the house dope.

Dan’s Rating System: Full Price (that means go watch it now, not later)

Now to the good stuff. Dang, that sounded cocky. Um, now on to the mediocre stuff.

James Bond is, of course, an iconic cinematic character. I suppose he was an iconic literary character first, but how many of you have actually read anything by Ian Flemming? Until recently, he’s represented British swagger and heroism perfectly; but with the introduction of Daniel Craig, Bond now more closely resembles an american cowboy than ever before. He’s classy, smart, skilled, oh, and did I mention tough as friggin nails?

In the imaginary world of super spies, there are some qualities that our man Daniel, er, James exemplifies which I believe parallel the non-imaginary world we all live in. These Bondisms, if I may, can apply to relationships, hobbies, sports, jobs, etc. Oh, and though I believe they’re all effective, they aren’t all necessarily good. I’ll let you decide.

• Master a Base of Skills: Daniel Craig’s Bond isn’t the tallest or prettiest Bond. In fact he almost looks out of place in some of the high class situations in which he finds himself. But holy crap does he give off the “if you eff with me, I’ll eff you up” vibe. And every Bond has one thing in common: they all know how to do everything it takes to be a great super spy, and they do it well. That must have taken years of training and practice.
• Play to Your Strengths: Yes, Bond has a lot of strengths, but you don’t see him trying to do M’s job, do you? Or Q’s? Sorry, you can’t be great at everything. So find out what you’re naturally awesome at, and be awesomer.
• But Don’t Play It Safe: You’ll get nowhere doing things the way they’ve always been done. Read this. It’ll change how you feel about doing what works. Bond’s never afraid to challenge the norm, be a rebel, and trust his instincts if it serves his mission. Even when doing so represents considerable risk. Besides, playing it safe is boring.
• Keep It Simple: 007 does only what is necessary…one shot, one kill. One punch to knock the guy out. One weapon: PPK. Of course Bond has his own flair, but when it’s business time, he strips away all but the essential. He’s committed to the moment and thinks about nothing else but shooting this, blowing up that, winning at cards, or seducing the girl. He’s the master of wherever you are, be all there.
• Be Ice Cold: Things like loyalty, friendship, and love just slow you down. People betray you. Friends abandon you. Lovers stop loving you. Leaders disappoint you. Bond doesn’t give a damn about anyone…not even himself, most of the time. His mission is all that matters, and he knows that if he doesn’t get it done, someone else will. Or noone else will. But why should he care? He’s Bond.
• Take Time To Smell The Roses: James Bond would never be caught dead drinking anything other than his vesper martini. He stays in the finest hotels, drives the fastest sports cars, and playes high stakes poker with his government’s money. Bond loves to taste the finer things in life and makes sure that he enjoys every moment of his work.
• Your Work IS Your Life: Does Bond ever take vacations? Weekends? Have any hobbies? What about family or friends? (we’ve already established he’s ice cold) Bond is a super spy. That’s what he does, what he eats, what he breaths. The few times he’s tried to have a “normal” life, it’s ended in disaster. Bond loves what he does and he loves who he is because he doesn’t try to be something he’s not or do anything that doesn’t come naturally to him. In a way, this principle rolls all the others into one.

Take ‘em or leave ‘em, those are the main things that make James Bond, well, James Bond. Some of them might make you more Bondish, and some may not. Any thoughts? Did I miss anything?

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