Moonraker (1979) Review

 "Look after Mr. Bond.  See that some harm comes to him."
-Hugo Drax


When a space shuttle is hijacked in midair, James Bond (Roger Moore) is assigned to investigate.  He starts looking into the owner of the shuttle, Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale), and discovers an evil plot that threatens to destroy the entire world.


What Works:

I love Moonraker because it's unapologetically silly and over-the-top.  This is a wacky movie that knows exactly what it is.  I have no issue with the Bond movies that are on the campy side.  Some of them are my favorite in the series.  Moonraker definitely falls into that category.  They go to space for crying out loud!  Let's have some fun with it.

The pacing is also very good.  We gets lots of different locations and many action sequences, all of which are fun.  Bond is constantly on the move in this film and it makes the story fly by.

The opening action sequences kicks a ton of ass.  It's a skydiving fight over a parachute involving my favorite henchman of all time, Jaws (Richard Kiel).  The fact that they really had stunt guys wrestling in free fall is unbelievable.  It's why this sequence looks so good and holds up after all this time.

Speaking of Jaws, I love that they bring him back in this movie.  Sure, he's less menacing this time around and eventually becomes a good guy, but I don't care.  Jaws is awesome, no matter how he's used.

Our Bond girl this time, Dr. Holly Goodhead (Lois Chiles), is another good one.  She's a hyper-competent CIA agent and definitely a match for Bond.  She has no time for his sexist B.S. and immediately puts him in his place the first time they meet.

Finally, this movie may be silly and over-the-top, but the villain is not.  Michael Lonsdale gives a very grounded and menacing performance of a man who wishes to be God.  While the movie around him is wacky, Drax is a deathly serious villain and that adds some tension to the movie, especially in the 3rd act.


What Sucks:

My only complaint with this movie is that it's essentially a remake of The Spy Who Loved Me.  A maniacal megalomaniac is planning to wipe out the majority of the human population to rule over the survivors from their lair.  Swap out under the sea for outer space and it's the same movie.  It's obvious the filmmakers were more interested in spectacle and following in the success of Star Wars rather than telling an original story.


Verdict:

Moonraker is one of the most fun Bond movies thank to the awesome action, excellent pacing, solid villains, and a competent Bond girl.  Sure, it's a remake of The Spy Who Loved Me, but The Spy Who Loved Me is amazing.  It only makes sense that Moonraker has also got it going on.

 9/10: Great 


#1. The Spy Who Loved Me

#2. From Russia With Love

#3. Goldfinger

#4. Moonraker

#5. On Her Majesty's Secret Service

#6. Live and Let Die

#7. Dr. No

#8. Thunderball

#9. You Only Live Twice

#10. The Man with the Golden Gun

#11. Diamonds Are Forever

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