The Man With the Golden Gun
Cast
James Bond: Roger Moore
Scaramanga: Christopher Lee
Mary Goodnight: Britt Ekland
Andrea Anders: Maud Adams
Nick Nack: Herve Villechaize
M: Bernard Lee
Moneypenny: Lois Maxwell
Q: Desmond Llewlyn
Based on the Ian Fleming novel. Screenplay by: Richard Maibaum and Tom Mankiewicz. Directed by: Guy Hamilton. Released: 1974. My Rating: ****.
Plot
Bond is personally threatened by Fransisco Scaramanga, an ex-KGB agent, and goes on the offensive to find the man. Following clues left by a previous 00 agent's death, Bond finds the elusive hitman, but the target is not Bond. Instead, Scaramanga is after a device that harnesses the sun's energy and the scientist who developed it. Bond must find the device and stop Scaramanga once and for all.
My Thoughts
A cut above most of the films made before it, and probably Moore's best. It boasts the best bad guy since Goldfinger, and some of the best peripheral characters. Moore's wisecracks are kept to a minimum, and the tone is more serious then his other ones. Now, what is it about gold that makes Bond films good?
The Spy Who Loved Me
Cast
James Bond: Roger Moore
Major Anya Amasova: Barbara Bach
Karl Stromberg: Curd Jurgens
Jaws: Richard Kiel
Moneypenny: Lois Maxwell
M: Bernard Lee
Q: Desmond Llewlyn
Based on characters by Ian Fleming. Screenplay by Christopher Wood and Richard Maibaum. Directed by: Lewis Gilbert. Released: 1977. My Rating:***
Plot
Shipping magnate Carl Stromberg has employed scientists to perfect a submarine tracking system, and has used it to steal a Russian and a British sub. Along with nuclear weapons. Bond must work, first against and then with, a Russian agent named Anya Amasova, or Triple X, who's lover was killed by Bond.
My Thoughts
Not quite as good as the previous entry, but solid nonetheless. With the quintessential theme song, "Nobody Does it Better" by Carly Simon, and classic henchman Jaws, it kept Moore's track record solid. Despite behind-the-scenes turmoil, which led to the three year pause between films, it has a cohesive feel and a well-paced plot. From here, however, Moore seemed either stuck in a rut or on the way down.
Moonraker
Cast
James Bond: Roger Moore
Dr. Holly Goodhead: Lois Chiles
Hugo Drax: Micheal Lonsdale
Jaws: Richard Kiel
M: Bernard Lee
Moneypenny: Lois Maxwell
Q: Desmond Llewlyn
Based on the Ian Fleming novel. Screenplay by: Christopher Wood. Directed by: Lewis Gilbert. Released: 1979. My Rating:**
Plot
When a space shuttle called Moonraker is stolen, Bond starts with the builder, Hugo Drax, in California. There, he meets up with Holly Goodhead, astronaut and CIA agent investigating Drax as well. Together, they find Drax has built a space station undetected by either the US or the USSR. They also uncover a plot by Drax to use Moonraker to cause a global genocide from his station.
My Thoughts
I wasn't to impressed with this one the first time I saw it, despite the inclusion of a lot of outer space adventure. It was made in '79, mostly due to the success of Star Wars and Close Encounters, but it lags terribly towards the end, and Holly Goodhead is a dreadful character. Overall, I didn't like it.
For Your Eyes Only
Cast
James Bond: Roger Moore
Melina: Carole Bouquet
Milos Columbo: Topol
Kristatos: Julian Glover
Moneypenny: Lois Maxwell
Q: Desmond Llewlyn
Based on stories by Ian Fleming. Screenplay by: Richard Maibaum and Micheal G. Wilson. Directed by: John Glen. Released: 1981. My Rating: ***.
Plot
After a British ship is sunk carrying a top secret encryption device, Bond must attempt to recover it and find who sunk the ship. Tagging along is the beautiful daughter of a murdered archeologist and a young ice skater hopelessly in love with Bond.
My Thoughts
After Moonraker, they could only get better. Witgh a smaller plot, and a more personal look at Bond, this is another surprisingly solid outing for Moore. This one includes the last sighting of Blofeld in the opening sequence as well as a trip to Tracy Bond's grave. Add into it some high-flying sports action, and it was all right. Although, I still think Moore's performances as Bond are still sub-standard.
Octopussy
Cast
James Bond: Roger Moore
Octopussy: Maud Adams
Kamal: Louis Jourdan
General Orlov: Steven Berkoff
M: Robert Brown
Q: Desmond Llewlyn
Moneypenny: Lois Maxwell
Based on short stories by Ian Fleming. Screenplay by: George MacDonald Frasier, Richard Maibaum, and Micheal G. Wilson. Directed by: John Glen. Released: 1983. My Rating:***
Plot
After a '00' agent is found dead with a fake Faberge egg, Bond is sent to investigate. His search leads to Octopussy, the female leader of a travelling circus. She has ties to Kamal Khan, who is in turn working for a mad Russian general intent on starting World War Three.
My Thoughts
This movie introduced a new M, and a younger counterpart to Moneypenny, Penelope Smallbone. Q ends up on active duty, most of the action takes place in India, and it has the most suggestive titles of all the Bond films. Overall, this outing was nothing to write home about, but not the worst one done.
A View To A Kill
Cast
James Bond: Roger Moore
Zorin: Christopher Walken
May Day: Grace Jones
Stacy Sutton: Tanya Roberts
Sir Godfrey Tibbet: Patrick Macnee
M: Robert Brown
Q: Desmond Llewlyn
Moneypenny: Lois Maxwell
Based on the Ian Fleming story. Screenplay by: Richard Maibaumand Micheal G. Wilson. Directed by: John Glen. Released: 1985. My Rating:**
Plot
Bond is hot on the trail of Max Zorin, an emerging electronics tycoon, who has developed a microchip impervious to EMP. When Bond investigates further, he finds Zorin is planning on destroying the Silicone Valley and leave him as the world's only microchip manufacturer.
My Thoughts
With a cast like this, you would have expected better. Christopher Walken as the villian, Tanya Roberts as the girl, and the irrepressable Patrick Macnee as Bond's partner. Macnee played John Steed in the Avengers from 61 to 69, and when added with Bond, you've got to of Britain's favorite secret agents. They have good chemistry together, but it doesn't quite save the film. Walken is boring and Roberts just doesn't mesh with Moore. The whole thing reminded me of Diamonds Are Forever, and it was probably a good thing Moore was done with Bond.
