The James Bond Thread

[the blob]

I

Originally Posted by suziginajackson

Am watching 'Moonraker' on DVD. Seen it many times before, but surely this HAS to be the movie where Bond 'jumps-the-shark'

What is annoying about this film is the fact that the ones either side of it - 'The Spy Who Loved Me' and 'For Your Eyes Only' are amongst the best of the series

So after this and 4th Fella putting For Your Eyes Only above Goldfinger I thought I'd give it another chance just in case I'm missing something.

First of all, after the comedy that was Moonraker, I remember being really bored by FYEO when I saw it at the cinema so my expectations have always been low since.

I have to say, after watching it again last night, I just don't get the love for this film. One of the most wasted and thrown together pre-credits sequence where a faceless pastiche of the criminal genius Blofeld plays around with Bond in a remote-controlled chopper?? This is Blofeld, not Dr Evil, complete with corny fist thumping.

Then we have a sorry script entailing the hunt for a top secret code machine featuring a completely lacklustre villain, who perhaps if he'd actually spent more time getting on with the salvage job in hand instead of just trying to have everyone killed, would probably have succeeded In a matter of days. Cue regurgitation of OHMSS's skiing chases and a farcical attempt buy some hockey players to kill Bond.

Then of course we have a classless Bond himself, driving around in a 2CV, looking as unfit and aged as could be, dressed in some style-less baggy velvet zip-up sports jacket, asking for a glass of Ouzo at dinner. Never mind Heineken, here he sounds like he's going to get pissed up on some slammers.

Finally, one of the most ridiculous endings in Bond history. The whole Maggie sketch plays out like some awful Kenny Everett out-take.

Maybe for some people after the gross SFX extravaganza of Moonraker, going back to basics was a masterplan but you at least have to have a worthy plot, characters and half-decent script to go with it!

I'll now prepare for the backlash.

Oh, I forgot production values. Going from multi-million pound set designs to a scene of Bond and Melina in a carriage with close-ups so obviously shot against painted backgrounds is a step too far in the other direction, not to mention the continuity when they're talking in front of a snow covered mountainside full of trees only for a wider shot to show them in front of some buildings!

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

For Your Eyes Only is easily the worst of Moore's films.

[Prince_Vajda]

Originally Posted by Demdike

For Your Eyes Only is easily the worst of Moore's films.

One of my favourite Bond title songs - Sheena Easton was great. Beautiful (yes, beautiful, not just cute!) Carole Bouquet. Fantastic performances of Chaim Topol and Julian Glover. Lots of action, both under and over water. Übersexy Lynn-Holly Johnson (the scene where she tries to seduce Bond in his hotel room is epic!). Citroen 2CV and Lotus Esprit Turbo in one film. Janet Brown as Maggie Thatcher. A great mixture of funny one-liners and great action.

One of my favourite Bond movies.

Greetings!

[Pete]

I don't like any Bond film

[The 4th Fella]

I never used to like FYEO (heck, I never used to like any of the Moore films), but having not seen FYEO in a while, I was pleasantly pleased to find it a decent, if uneven Bond spy thriller. It can't quite decide whether it wants to be another TSWLM or something different for the 1980's.

[the blob]

Originally Posted by Pete

I don't like any Bond film

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Prince_Vajda

One of my favourite Bond title songs - Sheena Easton was great. Beautiful (yes, beautiful, not just cute!) Carole Bouquet. Fantastic performances of Chaim Topol and Julian Glover. Lots of action, both under and over water. Übersexy Lynn-Holly Johnson (the scene where she tries to seduce Bond in his hotel room is epic!). Citroen 2CV and Lotus Esprit Turbo in one film. Janet Brown as Maggie Thatcher. A great mixture of funny one-liners and great action.

One of my favourite Bond movies.

Greetings!

So basically it has a few chicks in it that you like and a clapped out yellow car, therefore its a good film.

[the blob]

I'm washing my eyes out with Goldfinger.

[Daemonia]

Originally Posted by the blob

I'm washing my eyes out with Goldfinger.

Is he washing his eyes out too?

Oh right, you're not actually with Goldfinger...

(I was just going to warn you to hide the gold paint and beware of mean looking Japanese men)

[Prince_Vajda]

I'll post my private James Bond movie ranking later today.

Greetings!