Director: Lewis Gilbert
Year of Release: 1979
Should you watch it? I think…yes
Why?
This movie has the reputation as being very goofy even by Roger Moore standards, and that reputation is not unfounded (to say the least). But what feels so notable about its goofiness is how sudden the tonal shift comes about in the second half of the film after the first hour, and then the film just becomes absolutely insane. Jaws turns babyface and falls in love. James Bond and Dr. Goodhead fly to space. The marines show up and have a space laser fight. It is absolutely bananas. And it kind of works? I don’t know. The worst thing a James Bond film can be is boring, and this was not that. I would rather watch this Bond than most of them.
How is the Bond?
Moore has really gotten comfortable in the role as a less charismatic Sean Connery. The downside again is that there is a natural wholesomeness to Moore that makes him acting like a sex pest feel phony. But then the question becomes, how much of a downside is that really? The real downside with Moore is not that he was not “good” as Bond but more that he never made the role his own fully yet.
How is the Bond Woman?
Dr. Holly Goodhead has an insane name…and not much else. The idea of an undercover CIA agent is a great premise for a Bond Woman, but they never really do much with it. Lois Chiles was fine, but she did not pop off the screen in any big way to be memorable.
How is the Bond Villain?
Hugo Drax has some funny facial hair, and his plan to blow up the world at least has the courtesy to involve a secret space station. Much like Dr. Goodhead though, the performance was kind of flat if good enough to get the job done. He got overshadowed by his henchmen which is never a good sign.
Does the film irresponsibly present the West as the hero of the world and thus promote imperialism and colonialism as inherently positive?
Yes.
The Reel World 