Moonraker (1979)

Nice effects though.

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

"Look after Mr. Bond. See that some harm comes to him." That leads to one of the few great moments when Roger Moore uses one of his secret weapons to stop a machine simulating a space ship whirling around faster than any amusement park ride. This is one of the few misfires in the first two decades of the series, going more for laughs and less for thrills as Bond strives to protect a British investment in a huge rocket, resulting in him going over the world for no seemingly real purpose. Richard Kiel's villain "Jaws" returns, having a nice dance in the sky with Bond in the opening sequence, and getting a bizarre "cutsie" romance in the second half of the film. While a semi followup to "The Spy Who Loves Me", it seems like its walking along with its own drumbeat. It helps to watch these two films back to back, simply to tie in the Jaws character, although it goes way overboard in many moments.Every adventurous moment strives for comic relief, and while there are laughs, there's also a scratching of the head feeling that goes along with it all. That's never more obvious than the initially thrilling Venice scene where Bond's gondola suddenly parades through the town square as confused tourists look on. A tense action sequence with Kiel and Moore battling on a high up people mover in Rio de Janeiro starts off promisingly and ends up with a farcical outcome that has to be seen to be believed. Lois Chiles is a rather ineffective "Bond Girl". To top it off, Shirley Bassey's theme song is one of the blandest ever. Moments of comic genius mixed with the usual Bond elegance can't hide the fact that this is the silliest entries in the series. Spoofing the spaceship music from "Close Encounters", this seems like a Bond film as seen through the eyes of Mel Brooks.

There's a certain level of camp that one can expect from the Roger Moore era, and "Moonraker" certainly could've used more of it. The movie doesn't pick up until Bond and the fair Ms. Goodhead (still a great name) jetting off into outer space, and even then, it's mostly shuttles doing space ballet. It's indicative of the film's overall sleepy vibe. And it's not like there aren't action scenes here. OO7 does battle with a giant python, engages in multiple fistfights and boat chases, and narrowly escapes death by cable car. But somehow, in spite of the stunts, it's a real snooze.5/10

I have gone through many feelings toward Roger Moore as James Bond, and although this is one of the weakest films of the franchise, there is just something so enjoyable about the cheesy action scenes that this portion of the films seem to bring to the table. A little overlong, even though most of them run about 10-20 minutes too long in general. "Moonraker" begins as the remains of the moonraker ship are lost and Bond must investigate. This is the simplest idea of the bond films, yet I was lost as to how far-fetched this film became. Jumping from ski lifts and going to space has never felt like the grounded film a bond picture should be. Overall, I did not care for this film very much. For it's characters or it's story. Some of the action is fun, but that's about it. One of my least favorite.

This movie,while not bad,definitely isn't one of the best,though it is better than other entries of this franchise in the 70s(Diamonds are Forever,and The Man With the Golden Gun).But before the negatives,the positives,I like how it jumps right into the story,Bond gets a mission,and investigates it immediately.The score is great,and so is the cinematography.The locations are fantastic and exotic.Roger Moore does a good job,he is very confident and seems to be enjoying himself,and in an unexpected twist,when Bond is in danger,he actually seems scared.The action is very good,with great choreography and variety,everything from boat chases to hand to hand combat.The Bond girl is decent,I like how it takes nearly the whole movie for her to actually fall in love with Bond.The villain,while monotone,is menacing and does more than the similar Stromberg in The Spy Who Loved Me.Now,the bad,some acting is a bit wooden,the pacing is pretty bad,varying from too fast to too slow.Some action scenes end too fast,just to have a cheap joke.That's the biggest problem,most of the jokes are very cheap and slapsticky.Moonraker is very fun,with great action and a villain,but it is weighed down by the cheap humor.