The movie kicks off with an excellent opening where Bond narrowly escapes in a miniature jet plane. Although at 56, it's becoming increasingly obvious that Moore isn't performing some of the higher risk stunts here, he's so game and engaging in the role that's hard to quibble.
In fact revisiting the 007 series has given me a renewed appreciation for his gifts and the charm he brought to the character.
I think Daniel Craig, for instance, is superior in the part. But I wouldn't mind him employing a little bit of Moore's witty take from time to time. This was one of the Bond movies I really fell for as a kid, the poster on the VHS really caught me eye and its exotic locales and gorgeous (but lethal women) made me a fan of the series for life.
This one has more spectacle than substance -- although a sequence where Bond must disguise himself as a clown to diffuse a bomb has real tension, as does a confrontation with a knife wielding pair of twins. In a way it's apt that much of the film takes place in and around a circus aesthetic because the film is a bit of a circus -- there are cartwheeling female assassins, tigers, elephants, snakes and more.
It doesn't have the gravitas on For Your Eyes Only and the villains are not the most unforgettable -- although Steven Berkoff is fun as a strutting Russian general. Maud Adams is stunning but Octopussy isn't as dynamic a character as one would hope, considering that she shares the title of the movie.
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| Bond and Q |
The best thing about the movie is probably its stunts -- which are amazing even by today's standards and Moore, who despite his advanced age, really throws himself into the part with verve. This probably should have been is swan song in the part -- it would have been a terrific send-off for his light, charming take on the character.
My rankings so far:
1) From Russia With Love
2) The Spy Who Loved Me
3) Goldfinger
4) For Your Eyes Only
5) Live and Let Die
6) Dr. No
7) On Her Majesty's Secret Service
8) Octopussy
9) You Only Live Twice
10) Diamonds Are Forever
11) Thunderball
12) Moonraker
13) The Man with the Golden Gun
Liz's take: This one falls into the campy Bond canon for me. While it was a lot of fun I definitely prefer my Bond movies to be more serious. I think it suffered from not having a clear bad guy -- there's the Russian general and the other villain Kamal Khan, but I think it's ultimately better to have one main adversary for 007. Octopussy was a decent Bond girl but I never felt that invested in her.
The last sequence with the plane was insane -- that may rank as one of the most, if not the most, spectacular stunts in the whole series up to this point. The movie avoiding being too culturally insensitive considering the fact that it was set in India. That said, the fight scene in the bazaar involving sword-swallowing and snake charmers was a bit too over-the-top. And worst costume changes for Bond ever, he looked to silly too take seriously at time.
Don't get me wrong -- it was fun -- but it was lesser Bond for me. I am sad that the Roger Moore ones are coming to an end, I really like him in the role, he's very charming and suave. And even though he's getting older I will be sad to see him go.
Liz's rankings:
1) On Her Majesty's Secret Service
2) For Your Eyes Only
3) Goldfinger
4) Dr. No
5) Live and Let Die
6) The Man with the Golden Gun
7) The Spy Who Loved Me
8) Octopussy
9) Moonraker
10) You Only Live Twice
11) From Russia With Love
12) Diamonds Are Forever
13) Thunderball
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