MR, above all others, will never go out of style.
8 Likes
Moonraker presents a fully established Bond world that evolved from 1962 onwards. In Thunderball, Bond punches Felix in the stomach and says “I’m sorry about that, Felix, but you were about to say 007.” Seven films later Bond’s reputation has spread like wildfire and just about everyone in the intelligence community knows about him.
Bond thus seems to embrace his reputation as a legendary superhero figure. Case in point having his 007 designation emblazoned on a spy camera in the same way Batman marks equipment with his own logo. Moonraker is peak fantasy, and thus the perfect contrast to the haunted loner that Dalton and Craig depicted. People are open to choose which take they prefer.
5 Likes
@sharpshooter Superb analysis. I have always been struck by how quickly Drax moves to harm Bond, and you have explained it brilliantly. He is the James Bond, so coming under immediate attack is expected, and he is never safe–whether a Venice Canal or a South American river, danger is just a few metres away.
Maybe I do not respond well to haunted-loner-Bond since according to society, I should be leading the life of a haunted-loner-queer. For someone leading a fairly heteronormative existence in accord with cultural expectations, the haunted loner may be an appealing trope–spicing up the daily crowded commute and confines of the cubicle, with added the enticement of permission to be sullen rather than acquiescent.
I prefer the MooreBond of MR vintage: yes I am Bond. I know you are going to come at me, but you will never succeed. I will turn you from henchman to ally. You’re welcome.
Thanks again sharpshooter.
3 Likes
Heteros can also feel estranged and hauntingly alone, believe me.
6 Likes
The sun of MOONRAKER is breaking through the clouds of doubt:
https://cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/11940-THE-REHABILITATION-OF-MOONRAKER.html
7 Likes
This article could very well have been written by a member of CBn, and it’s pleasing to see this sentiment expressed elsewhere. Being a direct contrast to the previous ten years is what makes it such an appealing alternative right now. My favourite film of all time is probably The Blues Brothers, which has fantastic music, lots of laughs and no pretense of realism. It holds up to constant rewatches and makes me feel good, which applies to the Moore era as well. A lot of films these days are technically well made but largely forgettable, with one viewing being enough.
8 Likes
It‘s the feel good-aspect which too many movies are lacking, strangely so, since these times call for that kind of service.
I am sure a well made feel good film would clean up at the box office. Oh, wait… what did TOP GUN: Maverick do?
But aside from that, too many movies, for my taste, these days just go for overwhelming the audience, they throw tons of special effects at us, don’t take narrative risks, just batter us into submission.
Yes, there are exceptions. KNIVES OUT, for example.
3 Likes
Exactly. I am over “feel-bad-art.” Not that I mind a good tragedy, but a good tragedy actually does not make one feel bad.
Forgettable since they have technique, and no vision.
5 Likes
https://twitter.com/ACEtoots/status/1709026106320224548
He looks just like his dad.
https://twitter.com/TheTchaikovsky/status/1709312719780778367
3 Likes
Great article! Moonraker was the first Bond I saw (in the theaters), I believe I was nine, and had no idea who James Bond was. But, I was only lost for about a minute. As soon as the guy with the silver teeth pushed the other guy out of the plane – and the two had to wrestle in free-fall for the only parachute – I was all in. To this day, Moonraker is my absolute favorite Bond. I recognize OHMSS has the most sophisticated and well-made (it’s my #2) but Moonraker STILL thrills me from start to finish. As for Moore, the older I get the “Moore” I appreciate him. He never gives a bad line reading – and his range is pretty incredible. He can go from silly quips to terrifying intensity on a dime. He’s not my favorite Bond (that’s Connery) but that does not diminish how much I love watching him do his thing. His Bond movies are wonderful, escapist, fantasy films and I adore all of them.
12 Likes
Substitute the fact that I was 7 when I first saw Moonraker at the cinema and this post is me! To me, Moonraker is the most Bond of all!
6 Likes
Oddly Moonraker was one of the last I saw. I made a thing when I became a Bond fan of getting every film individually on VHS (I know, an age ago) and TSWLM and Moonraker ended up being the last two i could find. This was 1999 that I started after loving TWINE in the cinema and i just about finished by the time DAD came out.
I’ve made a point of buying Bond films the day of release ever since.
9 Likes
My first home video Bonds were copies I made on our Betamax. I still remember the labels I carefully made to mimic the font style of the posters. Now, I have glorious 4K!!! I think the only people who can truly appreciate this golden era of home video are the ones, like us, who lived through the dark times.
8 Likes
I know what you mean. Sir Roger is at his most effortless here, even when he is expending effort. It is the preternatural calm that I love–yes, there will be a dart gun/watch on my wrist just when I need one–despite the fact that it wasn’t there at the beginning of the scene.
8 Likes
I usually grapple between OHMSS or MR being my favourite Bond film, which could seem odd given their differences in tone and approach. It’s because I think they’re the best at what they set out to do (something more grounded v escapist blockbuster) and are both technically well made.
9 Likes
Moonraker was my last film in the series to see as well, sometime around 1986/87.
I have very fond memories of watching the Bond movies on VHS as a kid. The covers were atmospheric and did a great job on selling each film. I was watching my favourite parts from the movies nearly every morning before school. Upgrading the series onto DVD was a big deal at the time, but even though there was a graphical upgrade there seemed to be more magic with those cassettes. Streaming is a lot more convenient these days, but I do miss the now extinct event of going to the video store. That’s how my Bond fandom grew in the first place.
9 Likes
The best thing about the VHS tapes were that they used the actual movie poster art, unlike the DVD/Blu Rays. HATE the recent covers. SO dull.
6 Likes
Yes, it all went downhill with this ghastly photoshopped stills on an uninspired generic background… quite a creative choice to go for that over the original iconic cinema posters!
5 Likes
Don’t forget about that ‘Looking for a little peace and quiet? Didn’t think so’ trailer that preceded all of the VHS tapes for the 007 Collection. That used to be as integral to watching the films at home as the gunbarrel.
7 Likes