83 replies to this topic

[DaveBond21]

I sometimes feel that Moonraker is unfairly criticised because of the fact that Bond goes into space. I think it's a pretty good (and fun) Bond movie before the space scenes. It has some dark moments, good character and lots of beautiful locations.

Here are some of my favourite shots from the movie, that some people seem to forget. Please feel free to add your own, or comment on these:-

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•  Moonraker_shot_Venice.jpg   144.02KB   190 downloads
•  Moonraker_shot.jpg   106.46KB   162 downloads
•  Moonraker_1.jpg   164.79KB   157 downloads
•  Moonraker_2.jpg   179.13KB   137 downloads
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[Mister E]

Here are some of my favourite shots from the movie, that some people seem to forget. Please feel free to add your own, or comment on these:-

I don't think anyone forgets the locales but people do complain about the plot and it's climax in space.

[Qwerty]

Moonraker has some of the best locations out of all the Bond films, in my opinion.

Your mention of dark moments instantly brings up the death of Corinne in the forest--one of the best sequences (and made all the better thanks to a stunning John Barry cue) in the series.

[DaveBond21]

Moonraker has some of the best locations out of all the Bond films, in my opinion.

Your mention of dark moments instantly brings up the death of Corinne in the forest--one of the best sequences (and made all the better thanks to a stunning John Barry cue) in the series.

Yes, one of my favourite scenes of any Bond movie. I think when some people think of the movie, they remember the gondola, pigeon and the space station.

But I always think of Drax's mansion, Venice, Rio and the Amazon.

[Bondian]

Love the PTS. "any higher, Mr Bond and my ears will pop".

Watched this gem just a couple of weeks ago. I'm not nitpicking, but does anyone notice how the young lady suddenly disappears once the fight takes place in the plane?

An issue I've always had with these movies. When a baddie shoots the (ie instrument panel) would it really effect the actual controls of a plane/vehicle etc? If one shot a cars speedometer would it really bring the car to a halt or make it crash?

Maybe this should qualify for another thread.

[zencat]

The dogs killing Corrine. One of the BEST most intense scenes in all Bond history. The music, the use of slow motion, the fact that Bond has exited the scene and the outcome is inevitable... It's a brilliant scene that is Craig-era worthy (the scientists dying with Bond watching through the glass is another similarly disturbing scene).

Sure, Moonraker goes too goofy in certain sections. But it has a rhythm of alternating humor and deadly seriousness that I think is pure BOND. And, yes, the locations are stunning and all real (okay, except for outer space -- but it still looks damn good).

I love Moonraker.

[Bondian]

The dogs killing Corrine. One of the BEST most intense scenes in all Bond history. The music, the use of slow motion, the fact that Bond has exited the scene and the outcome is inevitable... It's a brilliant scene that is Craig-era worthy (the scientists dying with Bond watching through the glass is another similarly disturbing scene).

Sure, Moonraker goes too goofy in certain sections. But it has a rhythm of alternating humor and deadly seriousness that I think is pure BOND. And, yes, the locations are stunning and all real (okay, except for outer space -- but it still looks damn good).

I love Moonraker.

I agree 100%, my friend. Hey. Just had a thought (although totally insane). After being woken up by that raccoon the other night. We should rename this movie Moonraccoon.

When you're in a straitjacket these quips mean something. No, really.

[SecretAgentFan]

Also, the centrifuge scene. When Bond stumbles out of it and refuses Holly´s help, he really is shaken (and stirred as well). Great, intense acting by Moore.

MR is a wonderful film and still holds up.

[dee-bee-five]

Moonraker has some of the best locations out of all the Bond films, in my opinion.

Your mention of dark moments instantly brings up the death of Corinne in the forest--one of the best sequences (and made all the better thanks to a stunning John Barry cue) in the series.

I agree. Corinne's death is one of the best and most atmospheric slayings in the franchise.

Moonraker has some fabulous elements. The locations, the score, one of my favourite villains and, for my money, one of Rog's most relaxed performances. Could I have done without the climax in space? Yes. And the double-taking pigeons? Again, yes. But as the years pass, I find myself less and less annoyed by Moonraker's undeniable silliness and more and more impressed by its positives. If nothing else, Moonraker is a thing of beauty.

The scientists dying with Bond watching through the glass is another similarly disturbing scene.

It's very chilling. And Moore is particularly effective in it.

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

I'm with you all on this one - Moonraker is a very good film for all the above reasons!

[oatesy]

For all the criticism Moonraker gets, I don't think it would take many cuts to have it ranking alongside other Moore films as a good middle of the road entry in the series

1. Cut Jaws flapping his arms in the PTS
2. Cut the Gondola hovercraft and associated shots in the Piazza San Marco
3. Cut Jaws in the airport metal detector
4. Different method of Manuela escaping from Jaws in Rio
5. Cut Dolly
6. Remove "Maginificent 007" music

That's probably only 2-3 minutes of cuts at most, leaving a good 2 hours of material.

OK, the space stuff is a bit daft, but considering that Shuttles do exist and there were genuine space stations at that time (such as SkyLab). Then the only things that jar are the size of station, the whole radar jamming puzzle and the laser guns, which sit quite well alongside Volcano lairs and Atlantis as extreme but acceptable concepts for Bond movies.

YOLT and SPY are usually reasonably well respected (OK, a lot of people dislike YOLT, but I like it)

[BoogieBond]

Good one Dave

Enjoyed those shots of one of my fave 007 films. Where's that DVD ?

[Vauxhall]

In recent years, I've managed to overlook the sheer ridiculousness of the space scenes to allow MOONRAKER to reach my top five Bond movies. I enjoy the first three-quarters of the movie perhaps more than any other Bond film; the locations are stunning. Venice is one of the loves of my life.

[Mr_Wint]

I know most fans have a problem with the space scenes. But I can accept them. The special effects are great and Drax's plan is well written and explained in the movie. When we see the globes leaving the space shuttle we actually know some things about them, we have seen them before. It is not like the space satellite in DAD which just pops up without no reason or explanation at all.

IMO, MR is great in the beginning and in the end! But the film has a big problem in between. In Bondfilms, we are used to seeing unexpected attempts to kill James Bond. Take the motorcycle scene in TB for example...

The problem with MR is that there is too many scenes like this: 1) Boat chase in venice 2) fight with Chang 3) Cable Car 4) fight in ambulance 5) Chase with Q-boat. None of these scenes shows us how the villains prepare before the attack, or how they react when Bond survives. It is not believeable. This is a big weakness to the script because the film lose its focus in the middle. I totally disagree with the "let's cut some scenes and we have one of the best Moore-Bonds". We can see a much better narrative in all other Moore-Bondfilms.

[sharpshooter]

Moonraker's boat chase and the following scenes.

It is good old relaxed fun, I love Bond using the glider. The jungle Aztec lair is just awesome. The waterfalls, sparkling stone and the python struggle. Very good location. The music works splendidly there as well.

For all the criticism of Moonraker, it has been very influential in other Bond mediums, notably video games.

[DamnCoffee]

I really enjoy the shots in Venice, I got a good thrill out of seeing the exact same scene from Casino Royale when Bond sees Vesper meet Gettler!

[SecretAgentFan]

Oh, yes - the score is exceptionally good. One of Barry´s best. And still not released in a complete form. Probably it never will be - wasn´t it due to a loss of the master tapes? Or some stupid legal issue?

[kyleargyle]

Actually, I've been trying to forget EVERY Moonraker scene.

[Qwerty]

The best Barry score in my opinion.

Oh, yes - the score is exceptionally good. One of Barry´s best. And still not released in a complete form. Probably it never will be - wasn´t it due to a loss of the master tapes? Or some stupid legal issue?

I believe the master tapes were never recovered, which is a shame.

[DamnCoffee]

Actually, I've been trying to forget EVERY Moonraker scene.

Please leave this this thread in an orderly fashion.

[Qwerty]

6. Remove "Maginificent 007" music

You're referring to the '007' cue that plays over the Jaws/Bond speedboat chase?

[Cruiserweight]

I love Moonraker even with all the space scenes,rubber snakes,etc,etc. Moonraker has the best soundtrack of all bond films in my opinion.You have to love the disco Moonraker theme.

[sthgilyadgnivileht]

Moonraker is great indeed. Has some stand out scenes and a such a confidence in itself, with its big budget, sets and locations. A joy to watch and a very well made film. Barry's score is perfect for the stunning visuals and effects.

I don't think there will ever be a Bond like this again. It was certainly the last picture for a while where a massive amount of money was spent. A sharp contrast to the (surely dire?) situation ten years on, where the producers where forced to relocate to Mexico to save on production costs for LTK, but that is probably another thread!

[jaguar007]

6. Remove "Maginificent 007" music

You're referring to the '007' cue that plays over the Jaws/Bond speedboat chase?

I think oatesy was referring to the Magnificent 7 theme.

[DaveBond21]

It is not like the space satellite in DAD which just pops up without no reason or explanation at all.

Well, to be fair, before we see it "in action", Graves does give a very over-the-top but completely public demonstration of the satellite for Bond, Jinx, Frost and a crowd of journalists in Iceland.

Good one Dave

Enjoyed those shots of one of my fave 007 films

No problem. I wanted to show some shots that were familiar to Moonraker's fans, but probably forgotten to those who rarely watch it.

[marygoodnight]

I thought all the scenes in Moonraker were best left forgotten.

[Turn]

It's been fun seeing Moonraker's reevaluation in recent years. It's the film that made me the hardcore Bond fan I am today after seeing it on a beautiful summer afternoon almost 30 years ago.

It was only a few years later people took to slamming MR in books such as James Bond in the Cinema and The James Bond Films. It wasn't good for you we were led to believe.

I think MR is a perfect example of Cubby's philosophy of every dollar being up on the screen. The locations are great, no pretending a backlot or someplace in England is an exotic country. And it is quite possibly the Bond film packed with the most attractive girls in it. It's excess and quite good at it. Comparing it to something like DAD you can see where MR works better.

[Professor Dent]

Moonraker was where the Bond roller coaster started for me as well. Barry's score, the humor, locations, etc, all work perfectly together. I think the intense adverse reaction it gets from some fans makes me like it even more.

Great screen caps, Dave.

[DaveBond21]

Moonraker was where the Bond roller coaster started for me as well. Barry's score, the humor, locations, etc, all work perfectly together. I think the intense adverse reaction it gets from some fans makes me like it even more.

Great screen caps, Dave.

No worries! I think they show how diverse and beautiful some of the locales are in this film.

[FlemingBond]

Someone once said there's a good movie hidden in there. Had they not actually gone into space, and had laser guns at the end it would be remembered better.