Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excesses toned down for a superior Bond outing, 23 Oct 2007
The worst excesses of the 70's fatuous Bond's are laid to rest in this superior Bond movie. All the Bonds are entertainment to a certain formula which is always entertaining to a degree.. but the producers decision to `come back down to Earth' after Moonraker pays off handsomely with a more adult feeling script and some genuine drama and subterfuge going on.
When a British spy trawler sinks suddenly, both sides of the Cold War set out to retrieve the coding device known as the ATAC. The first victims are the Havelock's, marine biologists who use their diving as a cover to retrieve the device from the wreck. Their daughter, Melina, sets out for revenge and this brings her into contact with Bond. Their journey takes them from Corfu to Greece, where Bond must find out who is his enemy - the sophisticated oil and shipping magnate Kristatos (Julian Glover), or Columbo (Topol), the smuggler.
It's a neat script, and executed in an able and unshowy manner by John Glen, more than capable of taking the hot seat after editing and second unit directing so many previous Bonds. A neat idea was in having Blofeld eliminated in the opening credit scene - one which introduces the idea of revenge, a theme for the movie, and gets the silliness out of the way, as if to make a fresh slate for the rest of the movie. Moore is, alas, starting to look a little paunchy and wrinkled - he very nearly did not come back for this movie, but was persuaded back for an undisclosed sum. His scenes with the young teenage skater are just a little uncomfortable to watch, with Moore in his 50's. Carole Bouquet is gorgeous and exotic - great Bond girl material. The only downside is that she and Moore never seem to generate any real chemistry - though the plot does not require too much of it anyway.
There is a jarring note, that knocks off a whole star from the rating. The electronic music by Bill Conti was modern in its day, but horribly dated and - dare I say it - amateurish sounding now. Also, in quibble mode, the ending is somewhat anticlimactic - but it sure beats a yawn inducing evil lair exploding yet again.
With the usual stunts, car chases, ski chases, climbing, exotic locations, beautiful women etc all serving the story instead of acting as individual scenes pasted in to make up the formula, this is quite possibly the finest Bond Moore was in, even if not his personal best performance in the role.
The Extras are the most complete imaginable, with the Ultimate Edition once again giving us all from the Special Edition, and a bit more. Some fascinating behind the scenes shots from Cortina and Greece, a deleted scene and multi angle shot of the pivotal scene with Bond killing the henchman in Connery style rather than Moore style for a change, a featurette on the submersible created for the movie, and a new commentary from Sir Roger Moore himself. Picture is perfect, and the sound mix is the best so far for any of the Bonds up to this one.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bond comes back down to earth after a cheesey Moonraker voyage....., 4 Aug 2007
It's the eighties, and doesn't it just show! Roger Moore starts to gain his middle-aged man belly 'paunch', whilst wearing an array of what is not, mixed fashion sense.
But that asside, this is a Bond film, and we can look back and laugh at such minor problems. Even a short scene in which Bond enters a busy 'Q Branch' to use the Indentograph, then no more than 60 seconds later, its dark, empty, and everyone abadoned it! What's more, Q suggest's he'll "Lock up".. as if Q branch is just a garden shed!
Enough of the slating though, this stands out as a nice film from the rest of the 'Moore' era. For starters, he plays quite a mature role for a change (since he did introduce the humour side to Bond) which is a good diverson, and to me, is the better side of Moore's Bond role, since he does without so many cheesey one liners (don't get me started on Moonraker!)
Whats also interesting, unlike the previous film, is that this is indeed a very believable film, almost true-story like, with its non-fantasy plot. Whats more, theirs plenty of action - underwater fights, car chases, ski-fights (if their is such a thing!) and more.
This is my perfect film for a summers night when I think of the beautiful waters and moments of Greece. It may not have best Bond girls, cars, or gun fights, but this is surely made up for in beautiful scenery, good acting, and funny ending!
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"For Your Eyes Only Darling.", 3 Aug 2006
Moore means more intrigue, excitement and thrilling plot lines in For Your Eyes Only, a return to form for the Ian Fleming-esque spy action and drama.
Set in lush mountain ranges, dangerous ocean depths and winding ski slopes, this enjoyable and simple story of revenge and competing world powers entangle Bond in a vicious race against time across the globe to complete his mission of recovering the ATAC targeting computer system from a sunken British Naval ship before his plotting enemies do.
Fast cars, guns and gadgets drive Bond across in this more humane story which never lets up to the chilling climx atop a mountain peak!
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