Review of Moonraker (1979) by Caspar R — 13 Dec 2009

Moonraker is one of the better action adventure Bond films. Much of it creates a visceral response of fright or tension even though we know deep down that Bond will always make it out alive. But being able to create that kind of tension suggests the team behind this movie was doing a fantastic job.

Take as examples, the amazingly tense parachuting sequence in the intro teaser, the mid-air cable car confrontation half way through the movie, or even the rocket-launch towards the end where Bond finds himself beneath the priming engines. Add those to the dogs in the woods, a boa constrictor, and a wrist-mounted dart gun, and Moonraker becomes an undeniably fun adventure with beautiful locales and a handful of Bond's wittiest dialogue to add to the sparkle... for the first hour and 40 minutes.

Then comes the space part and a few things happen -- both good and bad. For one, the grade-school level acting of Lois Chiles rockets into something profoundly good. We are also treated to an experience. The entry into space feels like we are visiting the realm for the first time, unknowing and excited. It is a mysterious and wonderful place up there and Moonraker depicts that impressively.

For my money, this film also has the best impenetrable fortress in all of Bond, and steps up beyond the typical callous fun of such movies to make perhaps the most profound statement of all these films about humanity and God and genocide. One of the most famous Bond villains of all time, known only as Jaws, makes his second and final appearance here, and he manages to play a very important part in this film's narrative -- beyond the lumbering grunt he was conceived as.

Unfortunately, tucked into all the good bits is the worst laser fight of all time and a stupid gondola chase -- but since the laser fight lasts just 3 minutes and the gondola is early enough in the film to put behind us, there is absolutely no reason to avoid this movie for either of those faults.

Moonraker is exciting and smart. Though it might have been even better with a couple scenes cut out and a shorter run-time, it still stands as one of James Bond's best.