"Right after Moore finally proved himself in TSWLM and now the series is in this zen state of mind, and before the series would react against itself.
Moonraker was so confident in its OTT, it believed in itself so much without 1 nanosecond of any second guessing or insecurity, that because of this everything about it just seems so true. Moonraker was never laughing at itself -- however unreal and insanely crazy some of the things in this movie were, they were sincere to the utmost of the word.
Now even the Moore movies after this one, firstly FYEO was extraordinarily reactionary against it; ultra serious, they became too insecure and thought "oh crap what were we thinking", then OP weirdly went off being OTT again but it didn't let go and still remained not quite knowing what was going on, and tried to reel it in.
Before the series started to get revisionist against itself, and before other movies so strongly would react against it even, there was given one movie window of opportunity; Moore was the Bond in this time, the most unflappable -- what did Moore have that was SOOO beloved by the producers ? What was his hidden uniqueness? I cannot describe but only every moment of him in this movie is why, he is basically walking on top of the world in his form.
No other time could a movie like this be made, definitely not in this day and age. Even Die Another Day could not pull it off as it still lapsed into moments of seriousness and "drama". Moonraker was given free reign with itself -- there are moments in here that are surreal in a good way. And they're not treated as "this is us being serious" or "this is being zany and crazy", but just "this is just this".
Best movie of 1979, Alien? Apocalypse Now? No i'll just take Moonraker thanks. Moonraker, an anomaly of the entire series and probably the best Bond movie because of this."
My current 10 favorite:
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
"Moonraker is perfect in every way. Surreal. Ingenious. Stunning. This really is a piece of art." - Qwertz
"Moonraker" is often said to be the worst Bond movie, but it's hard to understand why. It's fast-paced, entertaining and follows the "Bond formula" to the letter." - Skiop
"Hugo Drax is a PIMP. Look at all those girls around him, it is like, "Damn, Drax you are fly." He lives in space. He shoots lasers. He wants to take over the world. He likes pressing people to cucumber sandwiches. He feeds his exes to dogs. This man is the coolest dude to ever grace the silver screen." - Hugo Joseph Mac
"Moonraker glides smoothly from one action sequence to another. This way, there's not only no shortage of thrills, but an overall steady, consistent storyline that prove the key to a successful Bond film." - John from Brighton
"Of all the Bond films, MOONRAKER is, imo, the most visually striking of the entire series. It looks like it cost a billion bucks to make. The sets by Ken Adams are amazing (he should have won an Oscar for them). The locations are stunning. The fx are well made and still hold up today." - Maciste Brother
My current 10 favorite:
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
"Moonraker was so confident in its OTT, it believed in itself so much without 1 nanosecond of any second guessing or insecurity, that because of this everything about it just seems so true."
Someone really understands what Moonraker is all about! {[] {[] {[] {[]
Could be my motto for life
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
"Moonraker was so confident in its OTT, it believed in itself so much without 1 nanosecond of any second guessing or insecurity, that because of this everything about it just seems so true."
Someone really understands what Moonraker is all about! {[] {[] {[] {[]
Could be my motto for life
Same here. I'll take a self-confident Bond film like Moonraker over a navel-gazing and relatively humourless one (*cough* Skyfall *cough* *cough*).
"The secret agent. The man who was only a silhouette..." -- Ian Fleming, Moonraker
1) The Spy Who Loved Me 2) On Her Majesty's Secret Service 3) GoldenEye 4) Casino Royale 5) Goldfinger
I totally and completely understand where people come from who dislike, despise, and dismiss Moonraker. Upon first viewing it was in my bottom 4. The reason being it was too silly and I thought the space effects were bad.
I was greatly influenced by the era in which I grew up in (born in 87 so my childhood lasted from the 90s into 00s). Around High School the Bourne trilogy started which influenced the culture into realism. Die Another Day, which received many positive reviews at its release was quickly panned my most with the aftermath of what Bourne kicked off. Now only gritty realism was seen as cool within my clique. Additionally, my dad being a huge Connery fan led me to enjoying his films and the back to basics realism of the first few films.
My viewing habits have changed within the last few years. Not for the better or worse, because that would imply that someone is right or wrong. It's all about personal enjoyment. I rewatched MR a few months before meeting Richard Kiel and had an absolute riot of a time. More fun than one should have by himself. Firemass and the reviews he cites are exactly how I view the film now. The producers know exactly what they were going for when creating this OTT masterpiece. Obviously it is not realistic, but that doesn't mean you can't open yourself up to the pleasures that MR can provide. After subjectively dismissing the space visuals before, now I see much of the impressive wirework and filming techniques used to achieve what they captures. It's only because it is compared to Star Wars that the space battle gets dismissed.
For some reason when Jaws finds Dolly on the station, it is truthfully the most emotional I've been in a Bond film. Maybe that means something is seriously wrong with me, but I just connect with this film. I will never say it is the best, but it's hard to find films I enjoy more.
The other most emotional moment for me is the end of TLD which is a much different moment.
I totally and completely understand where people come from who dislike, despise, and dismiss Moonraker. Upon first viewing it was in my bottom 4. The reason being it was too silly and I thought the space effects were bad.
I was greatly influenced by the era in which I grew up in (born in 87 so my childhood lasted from the 90s into 00s). Around High School the Bourne trilogy started which influenced the culture into realism. Die Another Day, which received many positive reviews at its release was quickly panned my most with the aftermath of what Bourne kicked off. Now only gritty realism was seen as cool within my clique. Additionally, my dad being a huge Connery fan led me to enjoying his films and the back to basics realism of the first few films.
My viewing habits have changed within the last few years. Not for the better or worse, because that would imply that someone is right or wrong. It's all about personal enjoyment. I rewatched MR a few months before meeting Richard Kiel and had an absolute riot of a time. More fun than one should have by himself. Firemass and the reviews he cites are exactly how I view the film now. The producers know exactly what they were going for when creating this OTT masterpiece. Obviously it is not realistic, but that doesn't mean you can't open yourself up to the pleasures that MR can provide. After subjectively dismissing the space visuals before, now I see much of the impressive wirework and filming techniques used to achieve what they captures. It's only because it is compared to Star Wars that the space battle gets dismissed.
For some reason when Jaws finds Dolly on the station, it is truthfully the most emotional I've been in a Bond film. Maybe that means something is seriously wrong with me, but I just connect with this film. I will never say it is the best, but it's hard to find films I enjoy more.
The other most emotional moment for me is the end of TLD which is a much different moment.
+1
Awesome summary. -{ I think you highlighted two of the common criteria that are often brought up in most critiques of Moonraker; the lack of "gritty realism", which is mainly reflective of contemporary tastes and post-Bourne action movie aesthetics, as well as the inevitable comparisons to Star Wars (which, interestingly enough, Moonraker actually lives up to in terms of its special effects wizardry).
As someone with a tremendous amount of respect for some of the more "grounded" Bond movies (From Russia With Love, OHMSS, Casino Royale, etc.), I don't see any reason why one can't also appreciate Moonraker for what it is.
"The secret agent. The man who was only a silhouette..." -- Ian Fleming, Moonraker
1) The Spy Who Loved Me 2) On Her Majesty's Secret Service 3) GoldenEye 4) Casino Royale 5) Goldfinger
"While the plot beats are reminiscent of The Spy Who Loved Me, its tone is not. It’s much darker. "
He's totally right about Moonraker getting unfair flack for going the sci-fi route; not enough fans appreciate the movie for what it *is* (fun, ambitious, beautifully made), and instead opt to complain about what it's not ("what Fleming intended" or a thriller starring Sean Connery).
"The secret agent. The man who was only a silhouette..." -- Ian Fleming, Moonraker
1) The Spy Who Loved Me 2) On Her Majesty's Secret Service 3) GoldenEye 4) Casino Royale 5) Goldfinger
Moonraker was my first James Bond film. (I remember wanting to see it since, at the time, I was crazy about all things sci-fi thanks to Star Wars.)
It was very effective at introducing me to the Bond universe and inspired me to seek out more Bond films, eventually watching all of them multiple times. Over the years, I began to realize that MR was certainly not the best in the series and if I was to consider myself a true Bond fan I would even have to hate it somewhat to be accepted. So I stopped liking it.
35 years have now passed, and with that has come some confidence to stand up a bit more for guilty pleasures that, deep down, I know I like. And what have I decided? I don't hate MR - I love MR. (Right down to that double-taking pigeon.) I want to proclaim my love for it from the rooftops. I LOVE MR!!! Man it feels good to finally be able to admit that.
Don't get me wrong - I wouldn't exactly put it in the series' top 5. But this movie never has a dull moment and is entertaining from beginning to end, made in an era when escapist movies wanted to be fun rather than remind you how brutal and horrible life can be.
I encourage all Bond fans to soften their tough exteriors and allow the wonderment of this movie to thrill the inner 10-year-old child inside of you.
Over the years, I began to realize that MR was certainly not the best in the series and if I was to consider myself a true Bond fan I would even have to hate it somewhat to be accepted. So I stopped liking it.
You should never feel the need to like or dislike any Bond movie, book, actor, etc. to be accepted around here. All you have to do is be a Bond fan. All are welcome! -{
Moonraker was my first James Bond film. (I remember wanting to see it since, at the time, I was crazy about all things sci-fi thanks to Star Wars.)
It was very effective at introducing me to the Bond universe and inspired me to seek out more Bond films, eventually watching all of them multiple times. Over the years, I began to realize that MR was certainly not the best in the series and if I was to consider myself a true Bond fan I would even have to hate it somewhat to be accepted. So I stopped liking it.
35 years have now passed, and with that has come some confidence to stand up a bit more for guilty pleasures that, deep down, I know I like. And what have I decided? I don't hate MR - I love MR. (Right down to that double-taking pigeon.) I want to proclaim my love for it from the rooftops. I LOVE MR!!! Man it feels good to finally be able to admit that.
Don't get me wrong - I wouldn't exactly put it in the series' top 5. But this movie never has a dull moment and is entertaining from beginning to end, made in an era when escapist movies wanted to be fun rather than remind you how brutal and horrible life can be.
I encourage all Bond fans to soften their tough exteriors and allow the wonderment of this movie to thrill the inner 10-year-old child inside of you.
-{ -{ :x Moonraker always almost..puts me in Manly tears...cuz Of how much of a kid I feel when I watch it..thank you for communicating how awesome the Bond films were, because they were half aimed at adults and the other half children.
Comments
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
The Zen Factor of Moonraker- Why it is a perfect Bond film:
http://debrief.commanderbond.net/topic/64210-moonraker-greatest-bond-movie-ever/
Below are some excerpts that I liked:
"Right after Moore finally proved himself in TSWLM and now the series is in this zen state of mind, and before the series would react against itself.
Moonraker was so confident in its OTT, it believed in itself so much without 1 nanosecond of any second guessing or insecurity, that because of this everything about it just seems so true. Moonraker was never laughing at itself -- however unreal and insanely crazy some of the things in this movie were, they were sincere to the utmost of the word.
Now even the Moore movies after this one, firstly FYEO was extraordinarily reactionary against it; ultra serious, they became too insecure and thought "oh crap what were we thinking", then OP weirdly went off being OTT again but it didn't let go and still remained not quite knowing what was going on, and tried to reel it in.
Before the series started to get revisionist against itself, and before other movies so strongly would react against it even, there was given one movie window of opportunity; Moore was the Bond in this time, the most unflappable -- what did Moore have that was SOOO beloved by the producers ? What was his hidden uniqueness? I cannot describe but only every moment of him in this movie is why, he is basically walking on top of the world in his form.
No other time could a movie like this be made, definitely not in this day and age. Even Die Another Day could not pull it off as it still lapsed into moments of seriousness and "drama". Moonraker was given free reign with itself -- there are moments in here that are surreal in a good way. And they're not treated as "this is us being serious" or "this is being zany and crazy", but just "this is just this".
Best movie of 1979, Alien? Apocalypse Now? No i'll just take Moonraker thanks. Moonraker, an anomaly of the entire series and probably the best Bond movie because of this."
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
A world without ! {[]
"Moonraker is perfect in every way. Surreal. Ingenious. Stunning. This really is a piece of art." - Qwertz
"Moonraker" is often said to be the worst Bond movie, but it's hard to understand why. It's fast-paced, entertaining and follows the "Bond formula" to the letter." - Skiop
"Hugo Drax is a PIMP. Look at all those girls around him, it is like, "Damn, Drax you are fly." He lives in space. He shoots lasers. He wants to take over the world. He likes pressing people to cucumber sandwiches. He feeds his exes to dogs. This man is the coolest dude to ever grace the silver screen." - Hugo Joseph Mac
"Moonraker glides smoothly from one action sequence to another. This way, there's not only no shortage of thrills, but an overall steady, consistent storyline that prove the key to a successful Bond film." - John from Brighton
"Of all the Bond films, MOONRAKER is, imo, the most visually striking of the entire series. It looks like it cost a billion bucks to make. The sets by Ken Adams are amazing (he should have won an Oscar for them). The locations are stunning. The fx are well made and still hold up today." - Maciste Brother
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
+1 -{ Awesome to read these reviews praising Moonraker. It's a truly under-appreciated film.
1) The Spy Who Loved Me 2) On Her Majesty's Secret Service 3) GoldenEye 4) Casino Royale 5) Goldfinger
Someone really understands what Moonraker is all about! {[] {[] {[] {[]
Could be my motto for life
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Same here. I'll take a self-confident Bond film like Moonraker over a navel-gazing and relatively humourless one (*cough* Skyfall *cough* *cough*).
1) The Spy Who Loved Me 2) On Her Majesty's Secret Service 3) GoldenEye 4) Casino Royale 5) Goldfinger
I was greatly influenced by the era in which I grew up in (born in 87 so my childhood lasted from the 90s into 00s). Around High School the Bourne trilogy started which influenced the culture into realism. Die Another Day, which received many positive reviews at its release was quickly panned my most with the aftermath of what Bourne kicked off. Now only gritty realism was seen as cool within my clique. Additionally, my dad being a huge Connery fan led me to enjoying his films and the back to basics realism of the first few films.
My viewing habits have changed within the last few years. Not for the better or worse, because that would imply that someone is right or wrong. It's all about personal enjoyment. I rewatched MR a few months before meeting Richard Kiel and had an absolute riot of a time. More fun than one should have by himself. Firemass and the reviews he cites are exactly how I view the film now. The producers know exactly what they were going for when creating this OTT masterpiece. Obviously it is not realistic, but that doesn't mean you can't open yourself up to the pleasures that MR can provide. After subjectively dismissing the space visuals before, now I see much of the impressive wirework and filming techniques used to achieve what they captures. It's only because it is compared to Star Wars that the space battle gets dismissed.
For some reason when Jaws finds Dolly on the station, it is truthfully the most emotional I've been in a Bond film. Maybe that means something is seriously wrong with me, but I just connect with this film. I will never say it is the best, but it's hard to find films I enjoy more.
The other most emotional moment for me is the end of TLD which is a much different moment.
+1
Awesome summary. -{ I think you highlighted two of the common criteria that are often brought up in most critiques of Moonraker; the lack of "gritty realism", which is mainly reflective of contemporary tastes and post-Bourne action movie aesthetics, as well as the inevitable comparisons to Star Wars (which, interestingly enough, Moonraker actually lives up to in terms of its special effects wizardry).
As someone with a tremendous amount of respect for some of the more "grounded" Bond movies (From Russia With Love, OHMSS, Casino Royale, etc.), I don't see any reason why one can't also appreciate Moonraker for what it is.
1) The Spy Who Loved Me 2) On Her Majesty's Secret Service 3) GoldenEye 4) Casino Royale 5) Goldfinger
All written under pseudonyms by our friend Firemass, of course!
haha
Here's another Firemass-approved reevaluation of Moonraker:
http://scottalanmendelson.blogspot.com/2012/09/brandon-peters-dissects-007-series-part_6.html
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
He's totally right about Moonraker getting unfair flack for going the sci-fi route; not enough fans appreciate the movie for what it *is* (fun, ambitious, beautifully made), and instead opt to complain about what it's not ("what Fleming intended" or a thriller starring Sean Connery).
1) The Spy Who Loved Me 2) On Her Majesty's Secret Service 3) GoldenEye 4) Casino Royale 5) Goldfinger
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
I'll check it out for sure! {[]
1) The Spy Who Loved Me 2) On Her Majesty's Secret Service 3) GoldenEye 4) Casino Royale 5) Goldfinger
It was very effective at introducing me to the Bond universe and inspired me to seek out more Bond films, eventually watching all of them multiple times. Over the years, I began to realize that MR was certainly not the best in the series and if I was to consider myself a true Bond fan I would even have to hate it somewhat to be accepted. So I stopped liking it.
35 years have now passed, and with that has come some confidence to stand up a bit more for guilty pleasures that, deep down, I know I like. And what have I decided? I don't hate MR - I love MR. (Right down to that double-taking pigeon.) I want to proclaim my love for it from the rooftops. I LOVE MR!!! Man it feels good to finally be able to admit that.
Don't get me wrong - I wouldn't exactly put it in the series' top 5. But this movie never has a dull moment and is entertaining from beginning to end, made in an era when escapist movies wanted to be fun rather than remind you how brutal and horrible life can be.
I encourage all Bond fans to soften their tough exteriors and allow the wonderment of this movie to thrill the inner 10-year-old child inside of you.
You should never feel the need to like or dislike any Bond movie, book, actor, etc. to be accepted around here. All you have to do is be a Bond fan. All are welcome! -{
-{ -{