Moonraker

United Artists | Release Date: June 29, 1979

6.0	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 68 Ratings

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kyle20ellisMar 27, 2022

I personally didn't love or hate Moonraker. It has a lot of flaws, but it does have strengths too. What didn't quite work so well is that the plot is unexceptional on the whole, while apart from Sir Hugo Drax's dialogue the script has a lotI personally didn't love or hate Moonraker. It has a lot of flaws, but it does have strengths too. What didn't quite work so well is that the plot is unexceptional on the whole, while apart from Sir Hugo Drax's dialogue the script has a lot of ups and downs. Also the film does drag quite badly, and the film goes on for too long I think. However, whether in space, in Venice or in Rio Moonraker is visually striking thanks to the decent special effects and lovely cinematography. John Barry's score is also really good, not his best, but one of his better Bond scores I think. The direction is not too bad really, while the acting is better than it is given credit for. Michael Lonsdale steals the show, while Lois Chiles is good enough as Holly Goodhead and it was nice to see Richard Kiel as Jaws again. Roger Moore has been better but he wasn't awful either, in fact I liked him and feel he was much more convincing than he was in A View to a Kill, where he was starting to show his age. Overall, not the best Bond or the best of the Roger Moore Bonds(personally I think that goes to Spy Who Loved Me) but Moonraker is better than **** and A View to a Kill, again that is my opinion. 6/10 Bethany Cox… Expand

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FilipeNetoFeb 18, 2018

Directed by Lewis Gilbert and produced by Albert Broccoli, has script by Christopher Wood and is the eleventh film in the franchise. Its definitely the great Bond film about the conquest of space, topic that other films had approached. ForDirected by Lewis Gilbert and produced by Albert Broccoli, has script by Christopher Wood and is the eleventh film in the franchise. Its definitely the great Bond film about the conquest of space, topic that other films had approached. For Brazilians, its a special film because it was partially filmed in Brazil.

In this film, James Bond investigates the disappearance of a space shuttle belonging to Drax Industries, which largely finance the aerospace project. He begins with a visit to the headquarters of the firm, in United States, staying at the château of Mr. Drax, a man fascinated with the conquest of space. After several dangers, the trail leads Bond to Venice and Brazil, where he discovers the frightening plans of the villain.

To some extent, Drax is like Stromberg, the villain of the film that preceded it. Both feel a fascination for environments that aren't naturally theirs, and both despise humanity and are ready to make it disappear. However, the decision to make the film an authentic space odyssey was, probably, a response to the increasing popularity of science fiction films due to the Star Wars trilogy. One of the most famous scene in the movie is the approach to the space station built by Stromberg in Earth orbit. Equally famous is the scene where Jaws (who returns in this film and gradually turns into an good guy) finds love after the famous fight scene in the Corcovado's cable car. To date, its the only villain in the franchise that redeems and presumably becomes good. Machines and inventions also continue to be part of the Bond films, which a famous Venetian gondola who turns into an hovercraft.

In this film, apart from central casting inherited from the previous films, Lois Chiles gave life to the bond-girl Holly Goodhead, Corinne Clery played Corinne Dufour, Michael Lonsdale was the villain, Drax, Richard Kiel returned to the role of Jaws and Bernard Lee plays, for the last time, Bond's boss, M. The actor would die shortly after.… Expand

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marcmifsudFeb 11, 2019

BREAKDOWN:

Writing (Christopher Wood): I don't even know where to begin with the writing of this film. Either 'Moonraker' is a hilariously bad film or it is the most self-aware James Bond movie that embraces the ridiculousness. I will assumeBREAKDOWN:

Writing (Christopher Wood): I don't even know where to begin with the writing of this film. Either 'Moonraker' is a hilariously bad film or it is the most self-aware James Bond movie that embraces the ridiculousness. I will assume the latter just based on how ridiculous it gets in some points. Fights just happen out of nowhere for no reason and some happen in ridiculous ways, such as the coffin knife-thrower or the glass museum samurai. Jaws also appears out of nowhere in each fight and is hilariously defeated each time. My favorite part of the script is that although James Bond does not change as a character, Jaws changes significantly and so does Bond's relationship with Jaws. Overall, this script is great if it is thought of like a James Bond parody. My only complaint is that the story does not start to develop large stakes until Bond and Goodhead are on the space station and Drax's plan really starts to become the primary subject in the story. But from that point on, it's actually very thrilling. Also, the movie introduces so many characters that we only hear from once and never again or just have no significance to the story overall. 7/10

Performances: Roger Moore does a great job as Bond and really brings the hilarious personality to life with his delivery of quips during inappropriate times. The supporting cast, however, is nothing special with exception of Lois Chiles as Goodhead and Richard Kiel as Jaws. 5/10

Cinematography (Jean Tournier): The cinematography is actually fantastic in this flick and one of the more impressive parts. The shots of the space station really come to mind and the scene where the dogs are running after the woman is also well-shot. 8/10

Editing (John Glen): The editing of this film is iffy. There are some scenes where the amount of cuts is clearly to make up for lack of choreography. In addition, most fight scenes have no music to them and seem incredibly awkward most especially the glass museum samurai fight. 4/10

Visual Effects: The VFX in this film are actually very impressive for the most part. The space station looks very cool and the space battle was fun to look at. The only effect I thought needed a lot of work was the space station falling apart. It was clear that PAs were just on the side of the walls pushing them in. 7/10

Enjoyment: Moonraker is an incredibly enjoyable movie that is best watched with friends at a movie night. It's hilarious and action-packed and will bring a good time, especially with some drinks in hand. 9/10

Musical Score (John Barry): The music is just classic James Bond with some calmer tracks thrown in for the space scenes. There isn't much to analyze here because of how little the score was used. 5/10

Sound Mixing (Daniel Brisseau): The sound in this movie is pretty good. There was definitely an overuse of the bullet whoosh sound effects for when bullets fly past bond, but it's decent for the late 70s. It also helps that the film was kind of reliant on the sound design for fights because of the lack of music. 8/10

Production Design (Ken Adam): The production design is beautiful in 'Moonraker,' albeit underused. Some sets are absolutely stunning, but they serve no significance to the plot and we only see them for 2 minutes, but that isn't the fault of the production designer. The best use of production design is the space station by far. 8/10

Overall: 'Moonraker' is a hilariously good time that makes you laugh at James Bond movies as a whole. Unfortunately, if you were expecting to find another Skyfall, you're not gonna find it here due to awkward fight scenes and useless characters and moments. 6/10… Expand

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MasadaAug 11, 2019

It's silly but it's Bond. The space thing is ludicrous and riddled with faults that wouldn't fly in this day and age, showing its age. Despite that the action, gags and quips are on point.

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Toasty87Jul 11, 2020

It's not amazing but it's not terrible typical 70s action in a strange future kind of way.

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gracjanskiSep 19, 2021

Nice settings and landscapes, especially Venice. But the story, action scenes and effects are not so good.

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amheretojudgeMay 8, 2019

You've got to hand it to them, with no motive or a message to spark the battles, their dance is quite engaging.

Moonraker Gilbert's sensational space opera is similar to its visual effects, jaw dropping in some sequences while off puttingYou've got to hand it to them, with no motive or a message to spark the battles, their dance is quite engaging.

Moonraker

Gilbert's sensational space opera is similar to its visual effects, jaw dropping in some sequences while off putting in others. Combining this recipe into one big commercial cinema, Lewis Gilbert, the director, sees this franchise as a gold digger and carves it out accordingly. Fortunately, after a few big fumbles, it is a relief watching these makers finally get what they want, no matter how derailing it might be to its reputation. Almost a continuation to the previous chapter, there is a flow or a familiar thread we can see that help us connect instantly. While the rest of the film, with derivative content and cheap shots convince us, not to invest in it. This tug of war is frankly fun.

Never have I seen any film fluctuate so frequently on screen. And now that I think about it, the good, the entertaining bits are the long action sequences whose ridiculous choreography, against all odds, is enchanting. And as soon as the story is supposed to advance further, the antics and agendas starts sounding like jibber jabber where you get enough time to buy some popcorn and even have some, only to sit back and enjoy as soon as the loud and uncalled-for background score starts drumming.

Personally, I felt for the antagonist more than our alcohol consuming and womanizer Roger Moore. There is innocence in his eyes, as once Javier Bardem, called it out and you sink deep into them and float without gravity and sense watching him survive possibly anything. The Bond girl has her own agency whom she might not work for and the baddie with a world dominating plan, between them lies Moore packed with his boat chase sequence as always, before dropping the curtains with a space fight like it is somehow supposed to justify the title Moonraker.… Expand

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GDsReviewsJun 6, 2022

The most ridiculous of the ridiculous Roger Moore 007 films, and the main reason for it being so fun to watch is the sheer ridiculousness of it.

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liamexeNov 25, 2022

While I wouldn't argue Moonraker was flawless, it would be sacrilege to completely dismiss it. Similar to OHMSS, you judge it too harshly in light of other Bond thrillers rather than appreciating it for what it is. Sure, Moonraker has flaws,While I wouldn't argue Moonraker was flawless, it would be sacrilege to completely dismiss it. Similar to OHMSS, you judge it too harshly in light of other Bond thrillers rather than appreciating it for what it is. Sure, Moonraker has flaws, but it also has strengths, such as Michael Lonsdale's portrayal of the megalomaniacal Hugo Drax, who is obsessed with leading a new terrestrial empire. Perhaps if the movie had been made more in accordance with Flemming's specifications, it would not have received as much criticism. However, one thing we all tend to forget is that Moonraker is based on a true story.… Expand

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