mark.waltz
"Look after Mr. Bond. See that some harm comes to him." That leads to one of the few great moments when Roger Moore uses one of his secret weapons to stop a machine simulating a space ship whirling around faster than any amusement park ride. This is one of the few misfires in the first two decades of the series, going more for laughs and less for thrills as Bond strives to protect a British investment in a huge rocket, resulting in him going over the world for no seemingly real purpose. Richard Kiel's villain "Jaws" returns, having a nice dance in the sky with Bond in the opening sequence, and getting a bizarre "cutsie" romance in the second half of the film. While a semi followup to "The Spy Who Loves Me", it seems like its walking along with its own drumbeat. It helps to watch these two films back to back, simply to tie in the Jaws character, although it goes way overboard in many moments.Every adventurous moment strives for comic relief, and while there are laughs, there's also a scratching of the head feeling that goes along with it all. That's never more obvious than the initially thrilling Venice scene where Bond's gondola suddenly parades through the town square as confused tourists look on. A tense action sequence with Kiel and Moore battling on a high up people mover in Rio de Janeiro starts off promisingly and ends up with a farcical outcome that has to be seen to be believed. Lois Chiles is a rather ineffective "Bond Girl". To top it off, Shirley Bassey's theme song is one of the blandest ever. Moments of comic genius mixed with the usual Bond elegance can't hide the fact that this is the silliest entries in the series. Spoofing the spaceship music from "Close Encounters", this seems like a Bond film as seen through the eyes of Mel Brooks.
Mr-Fusion
There's a certain level of camp that one can expect from the Roger Moore era, and "Moonraker" certainly could've used more of it. The movie doesn't pick up until Bond and the fair Ms. Goodhead (still a great name) jetting off into outer space, and even then, it's mostly shuttles doing space ballet. It's indicative of the film's overall sleepy vibe. And it's not like there aren't action scenes here. OO7 does battle with a giant python, engages in multiple fistfights and boat chases, and narrowly escapes death by cable car. But somehow, in spite of the stunts, it's a real snooze.5/10
bowmanblue
It's probably a bit controversial to claim that Roger Moore is the best Bond. It's probably even more controversial to say that 'Moonraker' is the best Bond film ever. I know. I've read other reviews. I know it had its faults. I guess, for me and my love of Star Wars, there was just something uber cool about seeing James Bond in space fighting with laser guns (and, yes, I know that they only made a 'James-Bond-in-space' film to cash in on George Lucas' game-changing masterpiece, but I didn't care about that, either!).This time round, the UK government is charged with the task of transporting (and therefore safe-guarding) a couple of American-built space shuttles. However, things do not go according to plan for her majesty's minions when both shuttles disappear in mysterious circumstances. Enter one 007 to get to the bottom of this.Now, as I've mentioned, I do love this film. Maybe because I grew up with it and it's totally tainted with nostalgic memories of watching it round friends' houses on Sunday afternoons. So, rather than saying what's so great about it, I will acknowledge other people's criticisms of what I consider 'Bond's finest hour.' Firstly, people (even more cynical than I am) were taken up with the Star Wars cash-in I've already mentioned. Secondly, there was too much humour. Gone are the days of Sean Connery's dry wit and darker take on Bond and they're all replaced with a lot of tongue-in-cheek silliness involving pet dogs doing comedy double-takes when Bond drives a boat through a crowded market square. The last two major complaints about the film revolve around the casting of the villain 'Drax' and the latest Bond girl – Dr Goodhead (seriously – that's her name!). Now, due to my love of this film as a child, I was more interested in armies of laser-wielding astronauts spinning off into the blackness of space than acting abilities. However, over thirty years later, I do tend to cringe a little when either character opens their mouth. Yes, they really are a little bit wooden. Perhaps I'm being unfair as I guess they do their best with the lines that are given to them. But, for every cloud there's a silver lining – and that silver lining comes in the form of a giant with metal teeth. Yes, 'Jaws' is another baddie hell bent on creasing Bond's tuxedo – and he is as awesome as ever.I know I'm not alone in my appreciation for Moonraker, but I think most people who enjoy it as much as me are my age. I guess it might not hold up too well with the modern audience – it's not the special effects which are the problem (correct me if I'm wrong, but a laser battle in zero-gravity space has never been attempted before on screen!). It's the tone that may not sit well with today's Bond fans. Currently, we have a much darker Daniel Craig Bond who rarely smiles or makes a witty (borderline innuendo) quip. However, if you can appreciate a Bond with a much lighter feel to it (and I know there are people out there who do – otherwise 'Kingsman: The Secret Service' wouldn't be so successful!) then you could do worse than relaxing your brain for a couple of hours and letting it drift into deep space. If nothing else, the final line about 'attempting re-entry' is worth watching the whole film for. RIP Roger – you were always the best Bond (my opinion only!).
tomasg-69814
There was not much left of Ian Fleming's novelty original character James Bond by 1979. A pretty satisfied Roger Moore flesh out his modern fashion suits between the tiring pun, never even bother to draw his PPK once. By then the most expensive 007 movie so far - of course - but hundreds of miles from being discussed even in the mid rankings of all Bonds.I think time ran out for that vaulting joinery the film team had become, and the competition with contemporary big-time movies made the producers lose some genuine Bond feeling on the way. In all it feels a little paradoxical, this Moonraker movie.But it entertains all right, no question about that. A twelve year old today still can enjoy this to the fullest. But it is kind of a patchwork, with the "traveling around the world" theme, and the action scenes feels like more of fill-ins when the dialogue loses it's way.But now to all my joys of Moonraker:-The opening "parachute" scene is still a legendary classic, even by today's standards. Nowadays they just can computerize such scene.-The return of Jaws was a master stroke by the scriptwriters. He's needed when the movie sometimes "fall asleep." The bloodthirstiness is there for a start, then lacks considerable....-CIA wonder woman Lois Chiles as Holly Goodhead. (My god, what a name. Ranks among the Goodnight's and Christmas's in 007 history.) Pretty as a picture; they straightened her natural curly hair just to get her Holly-look to feel right. As a participant of the world-wide popular TV-show "DALLAS" some year after this, she was allowed to show her natural hairdo (and bikini-filled curves) as another "Holly", this time oil-business Harwood. -Michael Lonsdale does a great, psychic villain, with the ordinary grandiloquent plans. Cold and designing as we want them.-The returning of the "bottle-man" from TSWLM (now in Venice.) Catches some of the essential mood of this 007-era. Was to return for full-filling a triple appearance.-The bawled ending - who surely was half the budget - is quite good, not to say real excellent by then standards. Well money spent.But this was the end of such "Star Wars"-projects for EON productions. The 80's then started off quite brilliant....