Moonraker

After “The Spy Who Loved Me” came out in 1977, Eon Productions were developing another James Bond film titled, “For Your Eyes Only.” Plans were scrapped in favor of capitialzing the commercial success of “Star Wars” that changed cinema forever for its groundbreaking effects. So, they decided to go in the Sci-Fi route with 007 in space. What do you get when you mix Bond & Star Wars in a blender? You get “Moonraker.”

Released in 1979, (same year Apocalypse Now came out) the 11th Bond film earned mixed reviews from critics, fans and movie goers alike. At the time, Moonraker became the highest-grossing film of the James Bond series. Anyway, a video game based on James Bond under “Project 007” is in development. As of late 2023, no confirmation of a release date. As a fan of 007 since playing “Goldeneye” on N64, I wanna share my thoughts on this cheesy Bond film.

It doesn’t matter if SPOILERS. Moonraker retells the same Bond story we’ve seen countless times.

Yay & Nay Qualities

Yay: Roger Moore did a great job for his performance as James Bond.

Richard Kiel reprises his role as Jaws. He did a good job for his second and final performance.

Desmond Llewelyn & Bernard Lee reprise their roles as Q & M.

Action Sequences were good. I like the Cold Opening with Bond freefalling as he battles, Jaws, people in space shooting laser guns and the zero-gravity scene in Drax’s space station.

Fun Fact: Steven Spielberg was considered to direct. He turned it down as he was busy making “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” He’s also a Bond fan.

Before Bond meets Q to equip gadgets, he rides on horseback while the theme from “The Magnificent Seven” plays in the background.

In Drax’s space station, numerous actors float in zero gravity. This was done with the actors with wires. It still holds up.

Shirley Bassey performs the titular song during the Opening Credits. She previously sang “Goldfinger” & “Diamond Are Forever.”

After Bond kills a henchman, he quips, “Play it again, Sam.” A “Casablanca” reference.

I know it’s stupid, Bond turns a modified gondola into a hovercraft. Allowing him to traverse Venice. This predates “The World’s Not Enough” with Bond using Q’s custom speedboat to traverse in the streets of London. Bond driving a gondola in Venice is pretty tame compared to him skiing in “Die Another Day” like something off of “Blue Crush.”

I’m giving Moonraker credits for inspiring Dr. Evil’s moon base from “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.” I give credit where credit is due.

Although Jaws was done dirty, at least he delivers his first and last words. “Well, here’s to us.”

I laughed so hard when the MI6 witness Bond getting laid with Holly Goodhead in zero gravity. Q says this line, “I think he’s attempting re-entry sir.” Followed by Bond smirking at the camera. To quote a line from “George of the Jungle.” “Now comes the part we throw our heads back and laugh.”

Nay: Unlike his first appearance in The Spy Who Loved Me, Jaws isn’t a cold-blooded killer, he’s a laughing stock like Team Rocket trio Jesse, James & Meowth. He miraculously survives like falling to a circus tent. It gets ridiculous when he falls in love with a tiny girl while the love theme from “Romeo and Juliet” plays in the background. Unlike Bond, he’s not a handsome charming devil, who uses his masculine charm to woo any girl. Gonna have to Double Down this con for making me feel dumb. I don’t blame EON, I blame kids begging producers to spare Jaws in his first appearance.

Like many Bond baddies before the pre-Daniel Craig era, Drax leaves Bond to die in a death trap, allowing him to easily escape. UGH! I hate incompetent bad guys. This is “Home Alone” level of stupidity as in Harry & Marv!

Prior to “Casino Royale” making 007 unique, the plot’s basically the same thing minus “Goldeneye.” Now you see why Mike Myers spoofed Bond in “Austin Powers.” He’s a huge fan of the series growing up.

• Bond’s assigned for the mission to stop a bad guy from planning a grandmaster plan.
• Visits Q for gadgets.
• Meets a beautiful woman.
• Encounters henchmen.
• Bad guy leaves him in a death trap allowing Bond to make it out with a handy dandy gadget or wit.
• Kills the bad guy.
• Saves the day.
• Gets laid with the woman.

The Final Verdict: B-

Despite imperfections, Moonraker’s an average yet cheesy James Bond film from the Roger Moore era. Had Eon Productions retain Jaws’ cold-blooded image, I would’ve given in it a B. Regardless as not the best in the series, I see it as a guilty pleasure. I know it’s cheesy, but I can’t help but to appreciate the absurdity Bond goes to space. Kinda like Adam West’s Batman in silly moments. Heck, even the Silver Age of Comics were hokey back then. If you wanna relive the classic Bond movies before the untitled video game comes out, buy DVD/Blu-Ray box set or stream ’em all on Amazon Prime Video.

Who’s your favorite actor who played James Bond? Mine’s Daniel Craig.