James Bond 007 in "For Your Eyes Only" Talkback (Spoilers)

[A.Magik]

No one comes close to JAMES BOND 007

"Mr. Bond, I'll make you a deal! I'll give you a delicatessen in stainless steel!"- Blofeld

Release Date: June 26, 1981
Studio: United Artists
Director: John Glen
Starring Roger Moore, Carole Bouqet, John Glover, Topol, Michael Gothard, Lynn-Holly Johnson, Cassandra Harris, Jill Bennet, James Villiers, Geoffey Keen, Walter Gotell, Desmond Llewelyn, Lois Maxwell
Plot Summary: After an encryption machine is lost at sea, James Bond 007 is on a race to get it before the Russians do. Along the way, he has to deal with deception and a girl bent on revenge.


This is considered Moore’s best film even by his critics (who generally see this as the exception of his films). Moonraker was just too much, so the makers decided to return the series back to its realistic, From Russia With Love roots (for continuity, the visit to Tracy’s grave is a nod to the last serious Bond OHMSS). Apart from that goofy face-detail machine, they managed to dispense with the larger-than-life elements and gadgets, making Bond resourceful again, dealing with realistic situations like revenge, old hatreds, people who are not what they seem, détente (Even the villains’ stronghold- a monastery on a mountaintop- is rather naturalistic for a Bond villain base). Rather successfully in my opinion, with highlights in action and characters (like Topol’s Columbo). Much criticism has been said about Bill Conti’s score. In my view, I like his music to the memorable chase scenes (the bumblebee car and the skiing scenes), and, of course, Sheena Easton’s song.

One question though, if a character like Lynn-Holly Johnson’s Bibi had been in a Bond film in the sixties, would Sean Connery's Bond have been a gentleman?

Comments?

[Michael24]

Sure, Lynn-Holly Johnson gets on my nerves a bit and Bill Conti's score is dated (but still fun, something I can't say for the David Arnold scores), but I have to say, I absolutely love this movie. One of my top favorite Bond films, and easily Moore's best. After MOONRAKER, the producers wisely decided to put Bond in a real down-to-Earth storyline the next time around. When recommending this movie to friends who've only seen the Connery films, I usually refer to as the FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE of Moore's films. The teaser is exciting (love the visit to Tracy's grave), and it's kinda cool to see an opening title sequence that's almost like a music video due to Sheena Easton actually appearing in it. And I don't care what Moore says, I love the scene where Bond sends the guy's car over the cliff with a simple kick.

Bond: "Get dressed and I'll buy you an ice cream cone."

[Hero Supreme]

i find this to be one of the blandest and forgetable bonds. i much prefer moores live and let die, and the spy who loved me, but this is much better than moonraker (as long as you forget the ice hokey scene). the title song is great though.

[Lord Dalek]

This is probably as close to perfection the Moore era ever came. Sure some elements (The opening with Blofeld) seem kinda off, but thats more than can be said than that goofy trainwreck that was Moonraker. Plus you get a self destructing Lotus Espirit and Bond kicking the main assassin guy off a cliff. BRILLIANT!

[DarkAngel]

3.5/4

Kind of a low-key entry, but I liked that. Roger was looking a bit long in the tooth, but otherwise delivered a solid performance. Carole Bouquet looked great and seemed more capable than the Bond girls often are. I do wish they'd found a bit more for her to do. Couldn't help grinning when they were tying her and Bond together before dragging them behind the boat. Seemed quite generous to allow Bond to experience his (would-be) final moments bound tightly to Carole.

Liked the little twist regarding who the actual villain was. Some well-played action during the second half with Bond's new allies. Underwater sequence was cool, too. Good casting with the one main henchman. Hated his guts from the first moment I saw him for whatever reason, so that certainly had me anticipating his eventual demise. The one sub-plot I could have done without was the one involving that young olympic hopeful pining for Bond. Not sure that really added anything to the movie. Favorite moment might have been Bond kicking the car to send it over the edge.

I really do NOT like the choice for the theme song. I feel a Bond theme needs some punch to it. Way too sappy.

Overall, quite good. I think I'd choose this over The Spy Who Loved Me for best Moore Bond film, though I still prefer the atmosphere and feel of his first two movies.

I probably should also comment on the teaser. Kind of cool to finally see Blofeld get his come-uppance, but also lame in execution. Certainly loved seeing James at Tracy's grave. That's an expecially nice moment.

I do have Octopussy ready to watch, but with everything I've heard about it (and A View to Kill), I'm having trouble mustering up the energy and interest. I think maybe I'm feeling a bit burned out on the RM movies, too. So I decided to switch things up and take a brief excursion into the Brosnan era (Tomorrow Never Dies) before getting to Octopussy.

[Michael24]

I saw I commented in this thread already, but my original still stands. This is my favorite Roger Moore outing and it lands in my Top 5, coming in at #3. I love it's down-to-Earth approach following in the wake of Moonraker. For those who haven't seen much of the Moore era, I often say that For Your Eyes Only is to Roger Moore what From Russia With Love is to Sean Connery. A much more stripped down spy-caper that's short on gadgets. I love the title song, though, and think it's among the series' best.

As for Octopussy, I actually really like it and think it's one of Moore's better ones. It rounds out my Top 5 favorite Bond movies. The Indian locales are very nice.