Review of Moonraker

Moonraker (1979)
5/10
Really? Has to be the only Bond I haven't liked
30 April 2009
I thought for the longest time that I would be incapable *not* liking a James Bond film. From 'Diamonds Are Forever' to 'Die Another Day', there had not been a "Bad" Bond film that I didn't find some redeeming value in. I guess in an over twenty movie-long franchises I was bound to come across one that I wouldn't enjoy, and the day finally came. Moonraker is without a doubt the worst James Bond film I have ever seen. Everything about the film just comes across as wrong. From the random references to popular science-fiction films, to Moore using the same gadget to solve just about all his problems, this film feels like an exercise in camp, and pointlessness. These were present in other Moore films, but never were they as poorly used as in Moonraker.

The plot is pathetic, and when Bond finally gets into space it really is worthless, as it only lasts about twenty minutes. The plot is almost non-existent, and the villain is one of the most forgettable ones in the franchise's history. Jaws also returns from 'The Spy Who Loves Me,' which does lead to one of my favorite Bond lines: "All I know is his name is Jaws. He kills people." Funny bit of dialogue, and often Moore does give good one-liners in this film, but they can't compare to the many bad bits of comic relief thrown in throughout.

Only die-hard Bond fans should own this film. Yes, I purchased it, because I am a fan of the series, and like re-watching all the films on a fairly frequent basis, but I can say that Moonraker will be the one I return to most seldom, and will do so only with friends so that we can point fingers, laugh, and engage in conversation.

It isn't a BAD action movie, I will give it that. But it IS a bad Bond film.
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