The biggest issue, as far as I can tell, is that you have allowed your opinions to obstruct an objective appraisal; the film is not to your tastes, this is clear. But simply because you didn't like it, this does not mean the film is bad; do you see how that works? Regrettably, as the film's reputation continues to improve (especially in light of the more recent films, which owe much to this one), your appraisal will likely become ever more an opinion of the minority.
The film was a big box-office success in its day, indicating that it, its star, his acting, the action, pacing, and storyline, were all readily accepted by Bond fans of the era. That the later films of the series, festooned with gadetry and gimmickry, broad comedy and, ultimately, greater pop appeal, rapidly outshone this film, is understandable; that the citical merits of this film are now being re-appreciated, and its position as one of the best of the series now being consolidated, rather vindicates the original viewers of its era. Sorry about that.
The Bond portrayed in this film is more accurate to the novels than most of the rest of the series; this is a major plus to fans of the novels, as those are generally seen as too dark, too violent, and too perverse for the popular taste. James Bond, as originally written, has a cruel streak, and his outright disdain for foppery, pretentiousness, and self-importance are well portrayed in this film. Bond's portrayal of Sir Hilary Bray is simply brutal, making cruel fun of a cloistered academic living in a bygone century, who still insists on payment in guineas for his services. It should also be noted that actor George Baker, who plays Bray, was author Ian Fleming's original choice for James Bond. Thus even the author couldn't see the counterintuitive sense of his superspy played by some clothing model from Australia. Oh, well.
The real story of the film is Bond's pathological obsession with Blofeld, and the extremes, and ultimate tragedy to which it will take him. Willing to sacrifice his career to facilitate this quest, Bond makes us wonder: will he become some sort of mercenary, or simply a lone-wolf killer, having turned his back on his country's secret service? Having agreed to court a gangster's mentally-traumatized daughter to get close to his arch-enemy, Bond falls in love with her, having finally compromised his own psychological armour and allowed what remains of his humanity to bleed out; the right move, but for Bond a bad one.
So what are you missing? Well, nothing, probably. But your opinions are definitely getting the better of you, and should be considered unnecessary to any critical appraisal of... just about anything. You didn't like the film, and that's just fine. Think of it like 'Tosca'... it's not for everybody. But that doesn't mean it's a bad film, and, unfortunately, no amount of explanation, or special glasses from Q Branch, will likely ever change that.
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