Review of Moonraker (1979) by Bill N — 23 May 2009
In the late 70's everyone was trying to cash in on the success of Star Wars. James Bond is no exception. "Over the top" doesn't even begin to describe this movie. It actually culminates with Bond in space, in the middle of a huge laser gun battle.
But it's just that amount of excess that makes me love this movie so much. It's filled with all the usual Bond amenities...action, gadgets, exotic locations, and beautiful women. It opens with one of the best pre-credit sequences in the entire franchise, with Bond being thrown out of a plane without a parachute.
From there we follow Bond around the world from America, to Italy, to Rio, and finally into orbit. What more can you expect from Bond at this time? Roger Moore owned the role at this time, and he is at the peak of his charms.
Lois Chiles looks great as the atrophysicist with the most unfortunate Bond girl name ever...Holly Goodhead. Richard Kiel returns by popular demand as the steel toothed Jaws, who has more lives than a cat.
Many Bond fans today cry foul over this movie because of its excesses. It is so outlandish, literally, that they felt it doesn't resemble Bond at all. But James Bond has always been a character that had to fit the times.
Back in 1979 there was nowhere for Bond to go but up. And he did. All the way into space. Easily one of the most fun entries in the franchise.
This review of Moonraker (1979) was written by Bill N on 23 May 2009.
Moonraker has generally received mixed reviews.
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