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Month: October 2020

View to a Kill, A (1985)

View to a Kill, A (1985)

Comments 2 comments

“Get Zorin for me!”

Synopsis:
When James Bond (Roger Moore) is sent to investigate a sociopathic industrialist (Christopher Walken) hoping to gain a monopoly on microchips by destroying Silicon Valley, he encounters both Walken’s powerful henchwoman (Grace Jones) and a blonde geologist (Tanya Roberts) determined not to let Walken’s company to buy the remaining shares in her family’s oil business.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Christopher Walken Films
  • James Bond Films
  • Spies

Response to Peary’s Review:
Peary writes that in “Roger Moore’s last portrayal of James Bond” he “looks trimmer and more energetic than in some of the previous efforts”, “despite what reviewers automatically reported.” While Peary admits he wishes “Bond had a few more of his famous gadgets on hand,” he asserts that the “action scenes are exciting and some of the stunt work is spectacular” (there are nifty scenes high up on both the Eiffel Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge). He points out that “Walken’s the first Bond villain who is not so much an evil person as a crazed neurotic” (ummm, he’s a genetically engineered sociopath…) which “makes him more memorable than some of the recent Bond foes.” However, “viewers will be more interested in [Walken’s] lover and righthand woman, Mayday, played by Grace Jones, whose exotic features and lightning-quick karate maneuvers make her an intimidating presence.” Peary concludes his review by noting that while this “picture lacks the flamboyance of other Bond films, and has a terrible slapstick chase sequence in San Francisco (with stupid cops rather than Walken’s henchmen),” it’s “overall a fast-paced, fairly enjoyable, and… worthy entry in the series.” I would agree, though being a “worthy entry in the series” doesn’t make it must-see — and only Bond fanatics are required to check it out.

Note: As fans of the franchise are undoubtedly aware, ten additional Bond flicks (with one more in production) have been released since the publication of Guide for the Film Fanatic, featuring three new actors. Determining which of these might be must-see viewing is a task for another website! One more Bond review from GFTFF — of Casino Royale (1967) — will be forthcoming.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Christopher Walken as Max Zorin
  • Fine location shooting

Must See?
No; you can skip this one unless you’re an ardent fan of the series.

Links:

Never Say Never Again (1983)

Never Say Never Again (1983)

Comments 5 comments

“Good to see you, Mr. Bond. Things have been awfully dull around here.”

Synopsis:
With support from his top agent Largo (Klaus Maria Brandauer), SPECTRE head Ernst Blofeld (Max von Sydow) puts the world in nuclear jeopardy by replacing two dummy warheads with live ones, and demanding ransom. When aging James Bond (Sean Connery) is sent from a health spa to investigate, he soon encounters and seduces both Largo’s psychopathic assistant (Barbara Carrera) and his mistress (Kim Basinger).

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • James Bond Films
  • Max von Sydow Films
  • Nuclear Threat
  • Sean Connery Films
  • Spies

Response to Peary’s Review:
Peary writes that “it was great to see Sean Connery return as James Bond after a dozen years, during which time he insisted he’d never play the part again.” Notably, Connery “initiated this project itself” and “it was not part of the ongoing Roger Moore series being produced by Albert Broccoli”; a quick read through any of the reviews linked below — or Wikipedia’s entry on the film — will give a sufficient overview of why this ended up “not [as] new material, but a remake of Connery’s fourth Bond film, Thunderball.” Peary points out that while “Bond’s a bit older,” “every woman he sees is attracted to him and he still can outwit the vilest of villains,” and he notes that Bond’s “pain game ‘Domination’ [with Brandauer] is a highlight.” (I agree, though critical opinions are decidedly mixed on this.) He writes that a “very athletic Barbara Carrera (giving her best performance) as the cheerful assassin Fatima Blush and blonde Kim Basinger as Domino, Largo’s innocent girlfriend, make lasting impressions”:

… and argues that the “film is exotic” (which Bond flick isn’t?), “well acted, and stylishly directed by Irvin Kershner.” He posits that this “would be one of the best Bond films if the finale weren’t disappointing”, and in closing makes the following plea: “When will filmmakers realize that underwater fight scenes don’t work because viewers usually can’t tell the hero and villain apart and they know doubles are being used?” (Excellent points; I agree.)

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Klaus Maria Brandauer as Largo
  • Barbara Carrera as Fatima
  • The “World Domination” game

Must See?
No, though of course Bond fans (especially “Connery-as-Bond” fans) will want to check it out.

Links:

Octopussy (1983)

Octopussy (1983)

Comments 3 comments

“Mr. Bond is indeed a very rare breed — soon to be made extinct.”

Synopsis:
After nearly outbidding an Afghan prince (Louis Jourdan) during the auction sale of a Faberge egg, James Bond (Roger Moore) tracks Jourdan and his companion (Kristina Wayborn) to India, where he meets a female jewelry smuggler named Octopussy (Maud Adams) who is unaware that Jourdan and his accomplice — a Soviet general (Steven Berkoff) — are working with twin circus knife throwers (Tony and David Meyer) to start an intentional nuclear “accident”.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Carnivals and Circuses
  • James Bond Films
  • Louis Jourdan Films
  • Nuclear Threat
  • Spies
  • Strong Females

Response to Peary’s Review:
Peary writes that this loose adaptation of “two Ian Fleming short stories, ‘Octopussy’ and ‘The Property of a Lady'” has “slow spots, little humor, and villains who aren’t nearly of the caliber of Dr. No, Goldfinger, or Blofeld” — and he points out it makes “the mistake of demeaning Bond by having him swing through the trees… emitting a Tarzan cry and having him hide in a gorilla suit and later disguise himself as a clown.”

Despite his complaints, however, Peary refers to this as “a fairly entertaining picture,” with a “sturdy performance by Moore” and “several exciting action sequences” — including Bond[‘s stunt double] surviving a truly miraculous number of near-death situations on the top of moving circus trains:

and some enjoyable girl-power when Octopussy’s red-clad posse show off their ninja moves. Meanwhile, Adams’ character is a worthy, relatively sympathetic lead female, not someone Bond needs to bring over to his side, and a powerful (albeit corrupt) businesswoman.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Maud Adams as Octopussy
  • Fine cinematography
  • Vibrant location shooting

Must See?
No, though it’s worth a one-time look.

Links:

For Your Eyes Only (1981)

For Your Eyes Only (1981)

Comments 3 comments

“For your eyes only, darling.”

Synopsis:
When James Bond (Roger Moore) is sent to Greece and then Italy to investigate the location of a missile command system coveted by the Soviets, he collaborates with a beautiful young woman (Carole Bouquet) seeking revenge for the death of her parents, and wards off passes from a young Olympic-hopeful skater (Lynn-Holly Johnson) whose sponsor (Julian Glover) is secretly working with the Russians.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Cold War
  • James Bond Films
  • Revenge
  • Spies

Response to Peary’s Review:
Peary writes that while “there are exciting moments” in this Bond film — in which “Moore and Bouquet find adventure underwater and high in the mountains” — “most of it is familiar Bond fare.” He describes it as “an attempt to mix spectacle with [the] tough, believable storylines of early Bond films,” and notes that “Moore does a good job, coming through as a convincing action hero for a change.” He argues that “the film itself is great in comparison to the previous Bond film, Moonraker, and is enjoyable while you’re watching it” — but “afterward, it’s one of the most forgettable of the Bond series.” He further points out that Johnson — of Ice Castles (1978) fame — is “too wholesome to be in a Bond movie”, but I think it’s her character and performance that are to blame (they’re definitely low-lights of this flick).

On the other hand, Bouquet has an ethereal beauty and focus that make her consistently pleasant to watch; while not all agree, I think she’s one of the more memorable “Bond girls”.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Fine location shooting (in Cortina d’Ampezzo and elsewhere)

  • The exciting rock-climbing “cliff-hanger”
  • Sheena Easton’s rendition of the title song

Must See?
No, though it’s a reasonably enjoyable entry in the series and worthy one-time viewing.

Links:

Moonraker (1979)

Moonraker (1979)

Comments 2 comments

“Mr. Bond, you defy all my attempts to plan an amusing death for you.”

Synopsis:
When sent to explore the mysterious loss of the Moonraker space shuttle, James Bond (Roger Moore) meets a sinister aeronautics manufacturer (Michael Lonsdale) and eludes assassination by his steely-toothed nemesis ‘Jaws’ (Richard Kiel) while collaborating with and romancing a beautiful astronaut (Lois Chiles).

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • James Bond Films
  • Space Opera
  • Spies
  • World Domination

Response to Peary’s Review:
Peary writes that this “worst James Bond film to date” simply features “Roger Moore walking through the paces for his hefty paycheck and giving way to his double for a series of unimaginative action scenes and ‘humorous’ chases” — ouch! He adds that “there’s little suspense,” “the humor falls flat,” and “the filmmakers have the gall to set the finale in outer space and stage a battle right out of Star Wars.” It’s too bad beautiful Chiles plays such a lackluster heroine, and that super-human Kiel turns into a lovestruck good guy by the end (!).

Many critics have noted that this film resembles a cartoon more than an exciting adventure flick — but the location shooting, sets, and special effects (including the “pre-title sequence in which Bond and Jaws battle for a lone parachute during a free fall from a great height”) are actually pretty nifty.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Fine international location shooting

Must See?
Nope; you can skip this one.

Links:

Spy Who Loved Me, The (1977)

Spy Who Loved Me, The (1977)

Comments 2 comments

“We’ve really got to stop meeting like this.”

Synopsis:
James Bond (Roger Moore) and a rival Soviet spy (Barbara Bach) are both put on the trail of a megalomaniac (Curd Jurgens) who has plans to destroy the world through nuclear warfare and create an undersea paradise.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Curt Jurgens Films
  • James Bond Films
  • Spies
  • Submarines
  • World Domination

Response to Peary’s Review:
Peary writes that this “exceptional James Bond thriller” features “sets and gimmicks” that “were the most spectacular to date”, and notes that “the big budget was not wasted.” He argues that “Moore gives his best performance in the series” (though I don’t really see him making any new expressions), and that he and Bach “are an appealing couple, equal in every way.”

He goes on to posit that the “film is a real treat — a well-acted, smartly cast, sexy, visually impressive, lavishly produced, powerfully directed (by Lewis Gilbert) mix of a spy romance and a war-mission film.”

While I agree there’s much to enjoy in this film — including Claude Renoir’s “excellent photography” and Carly Simon’s hit “Nobody Does It Better” — I can’t quite agree with Peary that it’s spectacular (though it is likely Moore’s best film in the series). It is fun to see “Richard Kiel’s seven-foot-tall, metal-toothed henchman ‘Jaws’ [who] would appear in the next Bond film, Moonraker,” and who is thus allowed to survive near-death time and time again; his strength is authentically menacing, and he actually gives Bond a run for his money.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Claude Renoir’s cinematography
  • Ken Adam’s sets
  • Carly Simon’s rendition of “Nobody Does It Better”

Must See?
Yes, simply to see Roger Moore in the Bond series — and to check out Kiel as “Jaws”.

Categories

  • Historically Relevant

Links:

Man With the Golden Gun, The (1974)

Man With the Golden Gun, The (1974)

Comments 2 comments

“I’ve dreamed about you setting me free.”

Synopsis:
After being sent a golden bullet by the mistress (Maud Adams) of his would-be assassin — Francisco Scaramanga, the Man With the Golden Gun (Christopher Lee) — James Bond (Roger Moore) travels to Lebanon, Hong Kong, Macau, and an island in Thailand to hunt him down, occasionally helped by his ditzy colleague Mary Goodnight (Britt Ekland) and tracked by Scaramanga’s pint-sized assistant (Herve Villechaize).

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Britt Ekland Films
  • Christopher Lee Films
  • James Bond Films
  • Spies

Response to Peary’s Review:
Peary writes that “Ian Fleming’s last James Bond novel became one of the least interesting Bond films,” resulting in a “very labored movie, with Bond a stiff bore.”

He notes that Bond and Scaramanga’s “shootout on the [killer’s remote] island’s funhouse” — which “benefits from the presence of Scaramanga’s diminutive servant Nick Nack (Herve Villechaize)”:

— is “the only good scene in the movie, and even it has an unsatisfying finish.”

He points out that Adams and Ekland are “uninspired leading ladies”:


and that the film features “stale humor”, a “cruddy title song by Lulu”, and “dull” opening titles. He adds that there’s an “unfortunate” reprisal by Clifton James of his “unfunny redneck sheriff from Live and Let Die” — indeed, this is the lowlight of the film.

Lee comes across the best, adding some nuance and interest to a villain who’s not all that fleshed out, but at least feels authentic.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Christopher Lee as Scaramanga
  • Fine location shooting

Must See?
No; definitely feel free to skip this one.

Links:

Live and Let Die (1973)

Live and Let Die (1973)

Comments 2 comments

“Any cost — any: Bond must die.”

Synopsis:
Special agent James Bond (Roger Moore) pursues Harlan drug dealer “Mr. Big” — a.k.a. Dr. Kananga (Yaphet Kotto) — who is actually dictator of the Caribbean island San Monique, and who relies heavily on the support of a claw-armed henchman (Julius Harris), a voodoo magician (Geoffrey Holder), and a virginal tarot card reader named Solitaire (Jane Seymour).

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Drug Dealers
  • James Bond Films
  • Spies
  • Voodoo

Response to Peary’s Review:
Peary writes that “Roger Moore made an unimpressive debut as James Bond in [this] unimaginative adaptation of Ian Fleming’s second novel”:

“set in New York, New Orleans, and a Caribbean island.” He notes that the “movie stumbles along most of the way”, and it’s “hard to remember Moore is playing Bond at times — in fact, if he and Seymour were black, the picture could pass as one of the black exploitation films of the day.”

He adds that “there are few interesting action sequences”, that the “motorboat chase is trite”, and that it’s all made “worse by throwing in some stupid [and racist] Louisiana cops, including pot-bellied Sheriff Pepper (Clifton James).” I mostly agree, but will admit to enjoying Bond’s nifty footwork across a pond of alligators and crocodiles, and finding the motorboat sequence appropriately exciting. The colorful sets and costumes are also a plus, as is the title song by Wings, and Geoffrey Holder’s charismatic supporting performance as Baron Samedi. But ultimately, this one is only must-see viewing for fans of the franchise.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Colorful cinematography and on-location shooting


  • Geoffrey Holder as Baron Samedi
  • The Wings’ catchy theme song

Must See?
No; this one is only must-see for Bond completists.

Links:

Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

Comments 2 comments

“Curious, how everyone who touches those diamonds seems to die.”

Synopsis:
By impersonating a diamond smuggler and meeting with a beautiful contact (Jill St. John) in Las Vegas, James Bond (Sean Connery) uncovers information about a sinister plot by his arch-enemy Blofeld (Charles Gray) to build a massive laser weapon.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • James Bond Films
  • Mistaken or Hidden Identities
  • Sean Connery Films
  • Spies

Response to Peary’s Review:
Peary writes that while this “follow-up to On Her Majesty’s Secret Service features Sean Connery’s return as James Bond, it’s unfortunately “one of the most forgettable movies of the entire Bond series”. He points out that “until Blofeld’s reappearance” in the film, “we must watch what is no better than a mundane diamond-smuggling melodrama, without the spectacle we associate with James Bond.” He further notes that “the Las Vegas setting isn’t exotic enough, there’s little humor, the villains are second-rate:

— and the trouble Bond gets into, even Maxwell Smart would escape.” While he argues that “the only bright spot is moderately talented leading lady Jill St. John as a sexy diamond smuggler who gets in over her head and into a number of teeny bikinis,” she’s actually not very interesting as a character:

Much more enjoyable is a brief sequence in which a pair of athletic women named Bambi (Lola Larson) and Thumper (Trina Parks) show some serious girl-power while kicking Bond’s butt.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Bambi and Thumper’s collective gang-up on Bond

Must See?
No; you can skip this one.

Links:

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)

Comments 2 comments

“There’s always something formal about the point of a pistol.”

Synopsis:
British secret agent James Bond (George Lazenby) falls in love with the daughter (Diana Rigg) of a mobster (Gabriele Ferzetti), who clues him in to the presence of his arch-enemy Blofeld (Telly Savalas) in Switzerland. Undercover as a genealogist, Bond infiltrates an “allergy institute” with numerous beautiful women as patients, but soon learns that Blofeld’s intentions for them — and the world — are much more sinister.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Diana Rigg Films
  • James Bond Films
  • Spies
  • Telly Savalas Films
  • World Domination

Response to Peary’s Review:
Peary argues that this “seventh James Bond film (discounting Casino Royale) might well be regarded as the best of the series if Sean Connery rather than the uncharismatic George Lazenby had played 007.”

He notes that it’s “a throwback to the early Bond before self-parody had crept in and the gimmickry had become too important.” Importantly, “Lazenby’s Bond has human traits — he’s neurotic (he resigns from work when ‘M’ doesn’t seem to appreciate him); he falls in love and marries Spanish contessa Tracey (played by Diana Rigg, the classiest of the Bond girls); he’s vulnerable (we actually worry when a little fellow almost catches him opening his safe); [and] he’s no longer superconfident (after having spent two years unsuccessfully tracking Blofeld).” Peary writes that while the “picture is too long, and really bogs down when Rigg isn’t around,” it “holds up nicely, especially now that no one resents Lazenby anymore.”

Indeed, once one gets beyond the inevitable cognitive dissonance of seeing someone other than Connery embodying Bond (the opening title sequence nicely offers a recap reminder of previous episodes in the series), the film does become a reasonably interesting and well-made thriller, with fine location shooting (especially in Switzerland, including the rotating restaurant Piz Gloria):

… an effective villain (Savalas is well-cast), and some very exciting sequences (particularly the ski chase through treacherous mountains). Rigg is a classy addition to the franchise, and her absence is forgiven once we see her re-appearing at such an opportune moment later in the film. Ultimately, Bond fans will likely find themselves enjoying this flick more than they expected; it’s recommended as a worthy entry.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Diana Rigg as Tracy
  • Telly Savalas as Blofeld
  • Fine cinematography and location shooting

  • Several exciting sequences

Must See?
Yes, once, as a cult favorite. Discussed at length in Peary’s Cult Movies 3 book.

Categories

  • Cult Movie

Links: