Review of The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) by Tony P — 19 Oct 2015
Connery started out with three fantastic Bond films and it seems as though Roger Moore did as well. I think it's quite clear that The Spy Who Loved Me is the biggest Bond film to date yet (1977). Traveling to deserts and oceans across the globe to go along with having the most explosive and destructive climax of the series, this film is first actual blockbuster in Bond's history. The plot deals with yet another villain wanting to change the course of the world living secluded in a mysteriously unique construct. Seriously, I feel like 85% of the Bond films have this plot. Anyways Bond is after stolen submarines that may contain nuclear weapons along with the help of the KGB.
The presence of the KGB gave us perhaps the best Bond girl yet. Not because she's the best looking or most seductive, but because she is the most useful love interest yet for 007. Barbara Bach, who plays said love interest Major Anya, served as a great counterpart to James. Way more so than the charming yet out of place Ms. Goodnight of the previous entry. I appreciated that Anya didn't just succumb to Bond's charm right away. It felt a little more realistic this time.I also enjoyed the change up of having MI6 team up with KGB for the greater good. So often Bond works on his own and only his own in these films. Considering the bigger stakes that are at hand, it's only necessary 007 gets a little help.
The Spy Who Loved Me is also famous for having one of the most iconic Bond villains of all time. Stromberg was great as the big baddie, but he was far overshadowed by Richard Kiel's Jaws character. Sure, he is basically Michael Shannon meets the giant from Big Fish, and yes his scenes were very over-the-top and maybe even tonally off. But I had a ton of fun watching Bond and Anya try to take him down.
Everything from the set design inside Stromberg's ship to the desert scenes filled with Lawrence of Arabia's music, this was Moore's best outing and better than most of Connery's entries. It took the typical Bond plot and brought terrific visuals, set designs, and one bada** Bond girl. The Spy Who Loved Me is one of the best films of all time.
+Everything looks better.
+Set designs.
+Anya is actually capable of doing something.
+Jaws.
-Perhaps change up the villains motivations for once.
8.0/10.
This review of The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) was written by Tony P on 19 Oct 2015.
The Spy Who Loved Me has generally received positive reviews.
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