James Bond is presently one of the principal sexual concepts that the film puts across. Daniel Craig's Bond is no longer seen as a very effective killing tool, as it shown as an object of admiration.
Craig's physical appearance is no longer a crime deterrent, as it is actually used with the purpose of impressing viewers. This Bond is no longer yelling, as he speaks in a gentle voice and some might even be inclined to consider that he has become more sensitive. When considering Bond's overall development, it appears that society is becoming more and more obsessed with the masculine body image and less preoccupied with manliness as an intellectual concept.
The masses in the 60s saw masculinity as an idea that needed to be exploited and largely believed that men had to be particularly aggressive in order to truly be appreciated by individuals around them. However, trends changed and the contemporary portrayal of Bond shows a more sensitive character, one that can take power to a whole new level without being aggressive. In spite of the fact that Craig is also a womanizer, he is more sophisticated and he does not hesitate to respect the abilities of the antagonist is actually a woman.
Craig is no longer the brutal individual that the initial Bond was, as he appears to be capable to love and as he is even willing to leave MI6 in order to be with Vesper Lynd. Bond's masculinity thus changed across time and the film's directors gradually started to express more interest in presenting the world with a less misogynist character.
Bibliography:
Caunce, Stephen, "Relocating Britishness," (Manchester University Press, 2004).
Lehman, Peter, "Masculinity: Bodies, Movies, Culture," (Routledge, 2001)
Pang, Laikwan and Wong, Day, "Masculinities and Hong Kong Cinema," (Kent State University Press, 2005)
