I don’t think they’re ever going to be high end cinema, but a good Bond film is far superior to the generic superhero action movies that are churned out by Marvel etc. (or childish, Force-based guff).
The Craig reboots have tried to introduce a bit more depth and inner conflict to the Bond character, and I think been pretty successful. They attempt to be more grownup, whilst still retaining some of the spectacle - arguably this possibly makes them less fun.
I think that that the actor playing Bond is much less important than the script and direction. Would the recent films have been much different with Clive Owen as Bond?
Murphy is definitely a interesting outside choice. I’d have said he’s too much of a pretty boy until I saw Peaky - now I have to admit he might just have it!