Calling MR a "pathectic film" is ignorant and wrong in the context.
Of course you are entitled of having your personal opinion, but you should then make that clear.
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I think age plays a great part in our opinions, to a modern audience who were not around at the time of films like Moonraker it's easy to slam them, I grew up watching connery and Moore on TV, my first bond at the cinema was octopussy. And I love them all for their own many facets, for me MR gets undue flack as does DAF put in context of the time they came out they are just fine, in MR eon was up against fantastical big movies, a frwl esque movie would have bombed, I think Moore could have carried off a serious spy film but eon went in a different direction. Can anyone argue that the bondala scene is in no way entertaining? It's fun, it's a spectacle and it's escapism. It wouldn't work these days but if I want some bond fun I watch MR.
Calling MR a "pathectic film" is ignorant and wrong in the context.
Of course you are entitled of having your personal opinion, but you should then make that clear.
Because I have an opinion doesn't make it ignorant or wrong.
Did I not say the whole Gondola scene was contrived? I didn't like the film, the acting, the dialogue, Jaws etc. No wonder Austin Powers took it off. And to heartbroken_mr_drax, I've also given high praise to Daniel Craig and Casino Royale and Skyfall so it's not all about Connery and the 60's but I don't suppose you picked up on that from earlier posts, just the ones you care to remember?
"Everyone knows rock n' roll attained perfection in 1974; It's a scientific fact". - Homer J Simpson
Of course you're entitled to your opinion, but the point of the thread was WHY the Bondola scene is so hated. Your post was basically just bashing the film and the Moore era in general.
Higgins,
I strongly believe Moonraker is of such high quality that it speaks for itself and can be taken at face value. No knowledge of film history required. I'm just surprised that more Bond fans don't share our love for the film.
My current 10 favorite:
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
I love the film, but I don't know how much of that is nostalgia from loving it as a kid. I think it being one of the most kid-friendly Bond films is a great strength.
There are actually 2 things, which make me love that movie:
1. QUALITY!!! You can see that EON where basically throwing around with money on that! Every aspect is high class! No shortcuts done! Everybody was keen to surpass everything which has been previously done! love it!!!
2. The Rio and Amazona Locations. Think back 35 years ago. To travel to Rio, you had to pay the equivilent of a new car! This was an expensive and exotic location!
MR benefitted immensely from the incredible success of TSWLM and so EON could fix a budget that was unimaginable previously. And you can see that in every minute the movie goes!
And it was even more spectacular back then
I need a cigarette now ) )
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I strongly believe Moonraker is of such high quality that it speaks for itself and can be taken at face value. No knowledge of film history required. I'm just surprised that more Bond fans don't share our love for the film.
You make some interesting points Firemass! I like your obvious passion for this film. Despite the fact that I do dislike the Bondola scene and view it as very weak moment, I am quite fond of the film overall. It is very entertaining and has a fantastic escapist quality. Having said that though, I think a large reason for why it works is due to Ken Adam's sets, John Barry's score and the work of the effects team. These elements give it enormous production value and make it a pleasure to the eyes and ears. Also I don't think the space story and finale is the issue, for me it's mainly the constant slapstick elements in the film. There's just so much corniness in there that it feels a bit trite. Spy does this much better I think, there is humour and silliness but it's much more finely balanced with seriousness and thrills. Moonraker just goes too far with it in my opinion. Having said that it's still a damn good bit of fun -{
I tend to share most mainstream views of other low points like the Tarzan Yell or California Girls, but honestly never even gave the Bondola a second thought other than being awesome. And that includes all reaction shots.
My current 10 favorite:
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
Because its embodies everything that's wrong with the Roger Moore era.
I think it also embodies everything that's right with the Roger Moore era too...
The Moore Bond films are a great way to get the kids into Bond films...I loved watching Moore/Bond when I was younger...and I still love watching them now, including all the 'silliness'
When I first got into the Bonds and read reviews etc, I didn't get all the hate towards Moonraker. It's fun, escapist entertainment. I love it and I had no problems with the Bondola, except for the comical reactions. What others have said about the budget, certainly is true. I mean, they needed a real underwater Lotus to navigate through their sea of cash after Spy ) . I have gotten to a point where I love all the (official) films in a unique way. The only aspect of the Bond films that I do really hate is Lazenby.
I have no problem with the Bondala scene. Over the years I have learnt to forgive MR for, shall we say its moments of excess. I used to sit and shake my head at the over the top silliness of it all but now I am a changed man and accept the film for what it is - a fun filled, action packed adventure - am I having a mid life crisis? I would go as far as to say I have more of a problem with Corinne's death scene (although well directed) because I don't feel it belongs in a film that is as much fun as MR.
The odd thing about a film like this is the way you are meant to accept that it switches tones. Sometimes you take it seriously, others you don't. It's like you have to multitask and dip in and out of believability. The Expendables does that a fair bit.
Nowadays you have stuff where you are meant to believe in Craig's Bond, but it is always harking back to past glories, and it's very self-referential. That is a bit similar in its own way.
The odd thing about a film like this is the way you are meant to accept that it switches tones. Sometimes you take it seriously, others you don't. It's like you have to multitask and dip in and out of believability.
I guess the tone change is something quite Bondian in a way. The villain schemes are always extremely diabolical that light is made in other situations to keep them fun. Perhaps with Moonraker that not only was the villain scheme so horrid (extermination) that the space scenes were planted in some sort of sci-reality that other elements had to be so light??
Comments
Calling MR a "pathectic film" is ignorant and wrong in the context.
Of course you are entitled of having your personal opinion, but you should then make that clear.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Because I have an opinion doesn't make it ignorant or wrong.
Did I not say the whole Gondola scene was contrived? I didn't like the film, the acting, the dialogue, Jaws etc. No wonder Austin Powers took it off. And to heartbroken_mr_drax, I've also given high praise to Daniel Craig and Casino Royale and Skyfall so it's not all about Connery and the 60's but I don't suppose you picked up on that from earlier posts, just the ones you care to remember?
Universally stating that MR is pathetic is ignorant and plain wrong.
That would be like saying that Dalton is weak and weepy
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I quite agree
Of course you're entitled to your opinion, but the point of the thread was WHY the Bondola scene is so hated. Your post was basically just bashing the film and the Moore era in general.
Higgins,
I strongly believe Moonraker is of such high quality that it speaks for itself and can be taken at face value. No knowledge of film history required. I'm just surprised that more Bond fans don't share our love for the film.
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
1. QUALITY!!! You can see that EON where basically throwing around with money on that! Every aspect is high class! No shortcuts done! Everybody was keen to surpass everything which has been previously done! love it!!!
2. The Rio and Amazona Locations. Think back 35 years ago. To travel to Rio, you had to pay the equivilent of a new car! This was an expensive and exotic location!
MR benefitted immensely from the incredible success of TSWLM and so EON could fix a budget that was unimaginable previously. And you can see that in every minute the movie goes!
And it was even more spectacular back then
I need a cigarette now
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
You make some interesting points Firemass! I like your obvious passion for this film. Despite the fact that I do dislike the Bondola scene and view it as very weak moment, I am quite fond of the film overall. It is very entertaining and has a fantastic escapist quality. Having said that though, I think a large reason for why it works is due to Ken Adam's sets, John Barry's score and the work of the effects team. These elements give it enormous production value and make it a pleasure to the eyes and ears. Also I don't think the space story and finale is the issue, for me it's mainly the constant slapstick elements in the film. There's just so much corniness in there that it feels a bit trite. Spy does this much better I think, there is humour and silliness but it's much more finely balanced with seriousness and thrills. Moonraker just goes too far with it in my opinion. Having said that it's still a damn good bit of fun -{
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
I think it also embodies everything that's right with the Roger Moore era too...
The Moore Bond films are a great way to get the kids into Bond films...I loved watching Moore/Bond when I was younger...and I still love watching them now, including all the 'silliness'
Wow, we finally agree at once {[] {[]
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Yea...kinda scary isn't it
Are we getting old?
Wiser? Me yes, but you? :v
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Older - yes
Wiser ? I think I'm losing what few marbles I ever had
Nowadays you have stuff where you are meant to believe in Craig's Bond, but it is always harking back to past glories, and it's very self-referential. That is a bit similar in its own way.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
I guess the tone change is something quite Bondian in a way. The villain schemes are always extremely diabolical that light is made in other situations to keep them fun. Perhaps with Moonraker that not only was the villain scheme so horrid (extermination) that the space scenes were planted in some sort of sci-reality that other elements had to be so light??
"Better make that two."