1. Quantum - Quantum of Solace
The Legend: In dozens of Bond movies, 007 almost always faces off against one super criminal with his cadre of henchmen and bodyguards. After the 2006 Casino Royale though, we realized things would be different in the Daniel Craig reboot. Notably, at the end of the movie, we become aware of not just a gang, but a counterintelligence foil to MI6. This wasnt merely a money-driven or power-hungry terrorist group. This was an international society with complex interests, wielding enormous influence and eluding detection from any intelligence agency for decades. This was a grown up Bond for an unsettling post 9/11 world full of new, hidden, and sinister dangers.
The Failure: The movie opened well and the prestige of Quantum grew with the reveal of a mole working right next to M. And then, we get distracted by the nearest bad guy. Its like were on our way to a gourmet dinner, and are lured by a two for one special at a hot dog stand instead. It wasnt bad, but you just cant help but think there was a better movie in there, somewhere. Bond gets completely sidetracked from investigating the group responsible for the death of a girl he loved. Quantum never really shows up to the party, and the concept proved to be unrealized as the next Bond movie abandons the arc for another super criminal.