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Ranking James Bond Films: #25 – “Moonraker” (1979)
It’s bad. It’s really bad. It is the worst.
“James Bond investigates the mid-air theft of a space shuttle, and discovers a plot to commit global genocide”.
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Writers: Christopher Wood, Ian Fleming, Gerry Anderson, Tony Barwick
Cast: Roger Moore, Lois Chiles, Michael Lonsdale, Richard Kiel, Corinne Cléry, Bernard Lee, Desmond Llewelyn
Release Date: June 29, 1979
IMDB
It’s bad. It’s really bad. It is the worst.
Moonraker has a bad rep within the 007 universe, and rightfully so. An attempt at cashing in on the science fiction Star Wars craze results in a piss-poor screenplay that rehashes previously done bits rather than trying to be something new. Does Roger Moore love a life-saving parachute and fast-paced boat chase scenes more than anyone else?
Moonraker can’t be discussed with Jaws and the strange love story with a random pony-tailed blonde that’s eventually crucial to the plot. It’s jarring when first hinted at, but then you see her on the spaceship, and you know it will eventually play some part. I’m not entirely sure why screenwriter Christopher Wood humanized a metal-mouthed bad guy, but it’s universally agreed that such a choice proved unfruitful.
Perhaps one thing I should say about Moonraker is that I have no need to go back and rewatch the final moments of Star Wars: A New Hope. The ending of this particular space adventure is a very cheap imitation of Luke Skywalker taking aim at the end of the Death Star. Eyes on target…eyes on target…
One last thing. Lewis Gilbert directed three Bond movies, two of which are some of my least favorite, and one is among the best. What are the odds of that?
STANKO RATING: F
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Ranking James Bond Films: #21 – “Quantum Of Solace” (2008)
Quantum Of Solace is beyond a stepdown from Craig’s debut film, Casino Royale.
STANKO UPDATE: THE WEDDING FAST APPROACHES…(INSERT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
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