83 replies to this topic

[DaveBond21]

Some many beautiful locales in this film. I particularly liked the ones filmed in Rio

Rio looks beautiful and very accessible in this movie.

And am I right in thinking it is a lot more built-up, 30 years on, with more tall buildings??

[Blofeld's Cat]

Some many beautiful locales in this film. I particularly liked the ones filmed in Rio

Rio looks beautiful and very accessible in this movie.

Many of the locals looked beautiful and accessible too.

[DaveBond21]

Some many beautiful locales in this film. I particularly liked the ones filmed in Rio

Rio looks beautiful and very accessible in this movie.

Many of the locals looked beautiful and accessible too.

They often did in the Moore movies...

[DaveBond21]

While we're on the subject of being pleasantly surprised by Moonraker, I thought I'd bump up my old thread about the less well-remembered scenes.

[PrinceKamalKhan]

Thanks, DaveBond 21. Another non-space, forgotten aspect of MR I like is the Bond/Holly battle of the sexes relationship. It's essentially "Bond/Anya lite" from TSWLM but done more playfully. I love their following exchange of dialogue from Christopher Wood:

"Detente?
Agreed.
Understanding?
Possibly.
Cooperation?
Maybe.
Trust?
Out of the question."

I also like the bit where he spots her thru the telescope at Sugar Loaf Mountain and their exchange there:

"I still don't know if I trust you.
I don't know if I trust you either. That's what makes it more exciting, doesn't it?"

Sir Rog says that line so well. Special kudos to Lois Chiles for her exquisite beauty and that smoky Lauren Bacall/Suzanne Pleshette-type voice of hers. For all the talk about MR's silliness, I think Holly makes a relatively sophisticated leading lady. Definitely my favorite female agent Bond girl in the series.

[David Schofield]

As it is, I can't watch Moonraker sober. For reference, I was one of the troops there on opening in 1979 (age 14); I thought it was then and I think it's now.

I do wonder how Moonrakar might have played with a truly dark centre, however, and not just with the lip service of the PTS, centrifuge, death of Corinne, and scientists bits. There is simply no threat implicit in Bond's discovery of Drax's plot to destroy humanity. Moore is sadly at his blandest while the end of the world is threatened; he is not dark and brooding over the fate, or super-confident in control, just wooden.

Had the DANGER element of Moonraker been played up with, say, Laz, Dalton or Craig - or Rog in The Man Who Haunted Himself mode - it could have been a classic.

As it is, its awful. DAD and Brosnan is CR and Craig by comparison. Bond at its worst, IMO.

[00Twelve]

Moonraker is one of those globetrotting (no pun intended) Bonds that seems like every locale is a little more breathtaking than the last. Love that about MR.

[Guy Haines]

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)

The suggestions for cuts you make here are very similar to those I've made on a different MR thread. One of the problems with this film for me is that for all its qualities the only scenes which stick in my mind are the wrong ones - such as those listed above. When you come out of the cinema and the only scenes in a film which make any impression are the lousy ones, then the film makers have clearly messed up.

Also, whilst its true that Space Shuttles existed in the year of MR's release, NASA had yet to fly one in space - in 1979 the only Shuttle flights were landing tests from the back of a 747. There were no gigantic space cities for the film makers to copy (there still aren't - the International Space Station cannot sustain a crew in double figures for long) and no shuttle has ever been launched at a moment's notice in the 29 years that the US has flown them. Oh, and hand held laser guns are still the stuff of Buck Rogers. This might sound like nit picking, but as I recall the producers of MR were keen to point out that their film was all "science fact, not science fiction".

[Hotwinds]

I think that Moonraker has that wonderfull epic feel to it that is Bond all the way. I have come to love the film thru the DVD's and especially because of Rogers commentary which none of the other buggers have done. Shame on them.
I would love to hear Sean's commentary but I am afraid that is just a pipe dream.

[Guy Haines]

As it is, I can't watch Moonraker sober. For reference, I was one of the troops there on opening in 1979 (age 14); I thought it was then and I think it's now.

I do wonder how Moonrakar might have played with a truly dark centre, however, and not just with the lip service of the PTS, centrifuge, death of Corinne, and scientists bits. There is simply no threat implicit in Bond's discovery of Drax's plot to destroy humanity. Moore is sadly at his blandest while the end of the world is threatened; he is not dark and brooding over the fate, or super-confident in control, just wooden.

Had the DANGER element of Moonraker been played up with, say, Laz, Dalton or Craig - or Rog in The Man Who Haunted Himself mode - it could have been a classic.

As it is, its awful. DAD and Brosnan is CR and Craig by comparison. Bond at its worst, IMO.

It isn't quite "awful" - reserve that for the 1967 version of Casino Royale - but it isn't the marvellous work of art that so many on this thread have persuaded themselves it is. Right now the story of the emperor's new clothes springs to my mind. You see what you want to see in it.

If MR was so marvellous, and in terms of box office gross at least it was, then why didn't any of its successors follow in its path? I suspect it is because the film makers, even when the film was on release and hoovering up the money, had concluded that they were sending Bond into a dead end. Bond in space? Short of "Bond takes on the Martians", how do you top that? You can't.

[Safari Suit]

Nobody is claiming it's "a marvelous work of art". You seem to be very concerned and consumed by people round here liking the film; why and to what end? It's not as if someone from EON is going to go on this board, drop all current work, sign Moore back on and make the next film Moonraker 2.

[darthbond]

For all the crap we give it, there are a few great moments in MR. Just to point out my favorites. (Not necessarily in order)
"Such good sport"
The death of Corrine
The Venice locale (Great location, but three times?)
The entire score + Title song
The Rio locale
All of Drax
The visual effects
and most of the cable car fight.

darthbond

[BoogieBond]

For all the crap we give it, there are a few great moments in MR. Just to point out my favorites. (Not necessarily in order)
"Such good sport"
The death of Corrine
The Venice locale (Great location, but three times?)
The entire score + Title song
The Rio locale
All of Drax
The visual effects
and most of the cable car fight.

darthbond

Agreed on the great scenes. Moonraker is grand entertainment, would never dream of giving this film crap. As per list.
+ centrifuge training
+ PTS
+ Amazon Boat chase(+ Bonds hand glider exit)
+ Bond fights (rubber) pet python
Actually the first hour and a half is great - a few excess minor silly scenes(oft famous double taking pigeon who takes a lot of bad rap as does Dolly and Jaws)

[scaramunga]

Moonraker is one of my favorite of the Moore Bond films. It's unique, has one of the best soundtracks and theme songs of the series, and some of the best locations as well.

I think the opening of the film, the centrifuge and Holly's death are very well done scenes. There's a lot to like about this film, IMO.

The blu ray disc of Moonraker is breathtaking in terms of picture and sound (DTS HD Master Audio) clarity.

[Mr. Blofeld]

Again, this:

It isn't quite "awful" - reserve that for the 1967 version of Casino Royale - but it isn't the marvellous work of art that so many on this thread have persuaded themselves it is. Right now the story of the emperor's new clothes springs to my mind. You see what you want to see in it.

[Safari Suit]

Again, this:

Nobody is claiming it's "a marvelous work of art".

[darthbond]

Right you are. It isn't the best, but it does have some great moments.

darthbond

[solace]

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.

This is actually my 2nd favourite Rog movie, behind the fabulous Live and let die. I do think that Moonraker's original plot and storyline is far superior in the Novel. But I still love this movie including the scene at the end chasing the Bacterial Bombs.

[scaramunga]

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.

This is actually my 2nd favourite Rog movie, behind the fabulous Live and let die. I do think that Moonraker's original plot and storyline is far superior in the Novel. But I still love this movie including the scene at the end chasing the Bacterial Bombs.

Watched Live and Let Die over the weekend. Watching Moonraker right now.

Really love Barry's score in Moonraker.

[DaveBond21]

Recently watched Moonraker again. It does have some beautiful locations.

-

[PrinceKamalKhan]

Recently watched Moonraker again. It does have some beautiful locations.

-

It's certainly one of the most beautiful films in the series and not just because of the women. Venice, Rio, the Amazon, etc. I think Lewis Gilbert had a true talent for making his films very pleasing to the eye.

[Vauxhall]

The combination of Venice and Brazil in MOONRAKER remains some of my favourite locations in the whole franchise. Fantastic.

Some many beautiful locales in this film. I particularly liked the ones filmed in Rio

Rio looks beautiful and very accessible in this movie.

And am I right in thinking it is a lot more built-up, 30 years on, with more tall buildings??

Four years late in replying to this thread unfortunately, but I was in Rio earlier this year so can now comment with some degree of knowledge. There are certainly some areas built up with taller buildings but these are largely grouped together and the iconic views over the city remain largely as they were at the time of MOONRAKER. Extraordinarily beautiful city.

[Trevelyan 006]

In no way can I claim Moonraker as my favorite Bond film, with that said, I'd agree that it is underrated.

The preformances given by Michael Lonsdale, Lois Chiles, and Sir Roger alone are enough to require a watch. In my opinion, it is written and performed almost as beautifully as the locations themselves (if not more so). There are some truely classic lines included in Moonraker that cannot be denied.

Aside from some of the cheese that hinders the film, It is a masterpiece.

(I can now credit this thread in pressing me to break out my Moonraker DVD and watch it.)

[glidrose]

Forgotten scenes? Oh dear, I misunderstood this thread. I thought you were refering to the infamous (and now sadly lost) deleted scene where Jaws tells Q to "pull his finger". I do believe poor Desmond wasn't acting in that close-up. He really looks close to passing out. Wonder how much pressure he applied when clamping his nose.