Review of For Your Eyes Only (1981) by Kurt N — 03 Jan 2008

After the excess of Moonraker, producer Cubby Broccoli vowed to bring Ian Fleming's superspy back to earth for Moore's sixth 007 adventure, which in most departments, was admirably achieved. The massive sets and hi-tech gadgetry, the panto-like megalomaniac villains replaced by sinister Greek smugglers and the buxom beauty replaced by a haunted, revenge-seeking heroine.

The plot itself resembled Fleming's original stories, with Bond relentlessly pursuing the captors of the vital ATAC system, responsible for programming British submarines, running into orphaned but restless Melina Havelock along the way.

But, alas, the screenplay is considerably self-deprecating, overlooking much needed plot information and development for a never-ending series of action set-pieces, whilst still the allowing for out-of-place slapstick humour of recent films to creep in.

Nevertheless, Eyes Only is certainly not one of the series' weaker films thanks to fittingly in-tune cast performances, clever twists and a cracking cliff-hanging climax. And there's Shenna Easton's Oscar-nominated title song to shout about.