Accusing James Bond of chauvinism is a bit like saying the Hulk has a problem with anger management. This is a character who treats most women like his Aston Martins; beautiful objects to be used then abandoned when damaged beyond repair.

Bond's womanising is as ingrained a character trait as his cool head in a crisis and finicky taste in martinis. But the films need not be as offensive as their hero. For the franchise to remain relevant, it must be clear that 007's chauvinism is a flaw. And who better to expose him as a sexist git than a Bond girl?

The only kind of Bond girl that makes sense these days is one who can match him. She knows how to handle a gun and a car and, when the shooting stops, meets Bond's slimy come-ons with cutting repartee. She most definitely does not have a name like Pussy Galore.

The franchise seems to be aware that bikini babes with bedroom eyes no longer cut it. The introduction of Judi Dench as M, the head of MI6 and James Bond's boss, was inspired. Feminists cheered when she derided him as a ''sexist, misogynist dinosaur'' in GoldenEye.