Review of Moonraker (1979) by Jon C — 09 Nov 2012

In an attempt to capitalize on the massive success of Star Wars, Moonraker sends James Bond to a place he should never go: outer space. The combination of science fiction and comedy that hasn't been displayed to this level since Diamonds Are Forever makes for one of the weakest entries in the franchise.

Michael Londsdale plays the dry, uninspiring Hugo Drax, who is a far cry from the scarred, vengeance-filled villain featured in the novel. The henchman Jaws makes an encore appearance, but he is reduced to a slapstick character who is more interested in taking orders from his girlfriend than crushing fools who get in his way.

Roger Moore is clearly in his element in such a campy film, but there are enough moments that help redeem it. The opening sequence involving one parachute and two free-fallers is awesome, and the film manages to be suspenseful at times, such as Bond's near-death experience in the centrifuge chamber and his escape from the ventilation chambers beneath the space shuttles.