General Topics
Ranking James Bond Films: #12 – “For Your Eyes Only” (1981)
The first of five Glen Bond movies is a breathe of fresh air for Roger Moore and the franchise.
“Secret service agent James Bond is assigned to find a missing British vessel equipped with a weapons encryption device and prevent it from falling into enemy hands.”
Director: John Glen
Writers: Richard Maibaum, Michael G. Wilson, Ian Fleming
Cast: Roger Moore, Carole Bouquet, Julian Glover, Lois Maxwell, Desmon Llewelyn
Release Date: June 26, 1981
IMDB
We are off to Greece! For Your Eyes Only is the first Bond film of the 1980s and the first 007 for director John Glen. The first of five Glen Bond movies is a breath of fresh air for Roger Moore and the franchise. In the best way possible, For Your Eyes Only feels more like an 80s action movie than a Bond movie. The editing, score, vibe, and pace remind me more of the fun hero-led Stallone, Sly, and Kurt Russell adventures.
The other aspect that For Your Eyes Only has going for it is the final act and fight sequence. Much like The Man With The Golden Gun, this conclusion is not focused on a big battle royale but rather a quiet and proper espionage mission. The climbing of the rock face was a new stunt for the franchise, and the tension built up when Bond flails while the bad guy etching out the last foothold is palpable.
The movie’s ending is worth discussing, but we can’t ignore the strange beginning. A character who looks a lot like Ernst Stavro Blofeld takes control of Bond’s helicopter but then is disposed of…permanently (for a time). Because of some legal disputes, Blofield IP fell out of Albert R. Broccoli’s hands, which was how the establishment made its PR statement. It’s not the last time the scarred man, but it isn’t till 2015 that Blofeld reappears in the official timeline.
STANKO RATING: B
Stanko Excel Lists | Movies, Books, Podcasts. TV Shows
Stanko Letterdbox Account
RECENTLY WATCHED
Ranking The Mission: Impossible Films: #7 – Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (2023)
There is a lot happening in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning. One could argue that there is too much going on.
Ranking The Mission: Impossible Films: #8 – Mission: Impossible II (2000)
Much maligned as the worst of the Mission: Impossible franchise, Mission: Impossible II doesn’t do itself any favors upon rewatch.
Four Shorty Reactions: “MaXXXine” (2024), “Monkey Man” (2024), “Raising Arizona” (1987), “Scoop” (2024)
MaXXXine (2024) “In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. But as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.” Director: Ti WestWriter: Ti WestCast: Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Halsey, Lily Collins, Kevin Bacon, Bob Cannavale, Michelle…
Stanko's Stance 