For Your Eyes Only (Special Edition)
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Movie Reviews of For Your Eyes Only (Special Edition)
Movie Review: The best Bond film with the third- or fourth-best Bond
Summary: 5 Stars
If this had been Roger Moore's _only_ Bond film, he'd have gone down in the history of the series for it. Unfortunately, by the time the franchise got around to this one, Moore's Bond had filled the series with a whole lot of silliness (which, in all fairness, had begun at least as early as _Diamonds Are Forever_).Here, for the first, last, and only time in Moore's run as Bond, he's the icy-cool secret agent envisioned by Ian Fleming. There's a crisp plot here, an engaging heroine played with much derring-do by Carole Bouquet, villains who have more in common with real crime lords than with Doctor Doom, and the wonderful Topol.
The only bits that don't ring true are the ones with the teenaged figure skater. Everything else is right on. If you want to know more about the plot, read the other reviews, which summarize it nicely.
I go way back with Bond. I was born just before _Goldfinger_ was released and one of the very first songs I learned was 'Finner' (as I then called the movie's title track). As far as I'm concerned, no one is going to top Sean Connery in the role; the magic of the first few films (especially our first view of Connery's face in _Dr. No_, as he lights his cigarette and says, 'Bond. James Bond.') isn't going to be recaptured with anyone else. (Nor with Connery. If you haven't seen _Never Say Never Again_, don't.)
But Moore does nearly as well here as Dalton does in _Licence to Kill_. (I like Pierce Brosnan but he hasn't really gotten to be as chilling and deadly as Bond is in these two films.) If you want to see Moore play Bond for real, this is the one to see.
Movie Review: The Best Moore EVER!
Summary: 5 Stars
Roger Moore once said that he had reservations about this film because it was a deviation from the style he presented in his previous four films. Only if only Moore had used *this* style for the previous four films!"For Your Eyes Only" lacks the typical cartoon character villain who wants to rule the world in space or underwater or whatever. It features a race to acquire the ATAC computer, a device capable of overriding computer systems in NATO submarines. And it's up to Bond to retrieve it when a ship carrying it is destroyed neer Greece.
Never for one moment does any aspect of the movie falter (there is one tiny scene but that's at the very end.) Moore is simply perfect as Bond. Julian Glover is ideal for Kristatos. And, to be simple, there's not one actor in this movie who didn't pull his or her weight.
The action and drama scenes are well timed, and are convincingly done too.
The best part is the music. Athlough a few elements are based on disco, the scenes actually BENEFITTED from it. It's wonderfully done and I wis hthe soundtrack existed. The music throughout the movie is perfect and suits each scene admirably.
The only scene which fails to grab is at the very end where Bond (who places his walkie-talkie watch on a macaw's perch) goes off and allows the macaw to talk to... the Prime Minister of England Margaret Thatcher. However, this scene is incredibly small in length, and given the fact this movie lacked most of the Moore silliness I can accept it.
DEFINITELY worth the money!
Movie Review: Bringing Bond back to Earth with smashing results
Summary: 5 Stars
After James Bond went into outer space in his last adventure, Moonraker, where could he go next? Would you believe. . .MARS?!! Well, I wouldn't. Actually, in what could be termed the wisest decision the producers made since not letting an American play Bond in Diamonds are Forever (actually almost happened), a decision was made to totally strip the character of his gadgets, his larger-than-life villains, and his having to save the entire planet every movie (which he had to do in the last couple movies). Rather, Bond is sent to find and retrieve a small computer that can send instructions to the British nuclear sub fleet, before the Russians get it. So, yes, I guess, he is saving the world, if you want to get technical about it.The whole movie has a stripped-down feel, and some great stunt sections - a car chase through the Greek countryside in a little European car, the best ski chase scene in the entire series (and maybe ever), and a literally nail biting mountain climbing scene. Plus, we see a Bond who must survive on his wits, not on something the Q branch whipped up for him. Also, as a reader of the books, it's nice to see a good portion of the plots from those used here, not just a title.
It all works remarkably well; Moore is in fine form, one movie before he officially reached "too old" status, and the whole movie has style and local color to spare. One of Moore's best (in a dead heat with The Spy Who Loved Me), and a highlight for the series.
Movie Review: Roger is at his VERY best here
Summary: 5 Stars
For Your Eyes only is in my favorite bond film category. The others include Goldfinger, On her majesty's, From Russia with love, The living daylights and the Spy who loved me. IN For Your Eyes Only, it is evident that Roger is nearing the end of his reign as the world's most debonair double 00 agent, but that does not mean it is a weak entry. After Moonraker, Cubby Broccoli decided that BOND needed to go back to his roots as an agent and not an astronaut. I agree and this Bond film establishes Moore as a great actor. He leaves the Humor at the door for this film and it pays off greatly. Bond is supposed to be a Cold Killer and not a comedian/agent. This film revolves around two crimelords, Kristatos and Columbo, who are trying to get the ATAC. The ATAC is a device that is capable of setting of deadly missles from afar and promises the one who has it great power. The atac is on a British ship that sinks at the beginning due to an explosive mine. This is one of Bond's most dangerous and entertaining missions. John Glen is truly the greatest director of any Bond film. This movie was so good that Roger Moore would get more respect for his portrayal of Bond if her retired after this one. I am glad he didn't though because I like him. I still think Timothy Dalton was the best James Bond ever though. No one will ever come close to him. The Living Daylights is just as good as this moive, if not better.Movie Review: Roger Moore's Best Turn as 007
Summary: 5 Stars
James Bond films can be divided into two camps. Some have over-the-top villains and larger-than-life plots, while others are down to earth, gritty spy adventures. "For Your Eyes Only" falls squarely in the latter camp. This characteristic has earned it praise from those who enjoy Bond movies with a more realistic air, while those who prefer the more fantastic deride it as boring. For my own part, I find "For Your Eyes Only" to be the best Roger Moore film and indeed better than most of the Connery and Brosnan films as well. That is not to say the movie is without flaws. The "heavy" and the "henchman" are a somewhat underwhelming, the score is a little too pop, and Bond's flirtation with a young skater strains credulity. However, these minor complaints are overcome with thrilling chases, superb action, tight storytelling, beautiful locations, and intense suspense that is sorely lacking in most Bond films.
On the whole, "For Your Eyes Only" may not be what you expect, but it is one of the best of the series.
DVD: Thankfully, MGM gave this one the full 5.1 sound treatment. Unfortunately, the soundtrack has its jarring moments, especially in the rear channels during the pre-title sequence and when Bond gets caught at Gonzales' lair. The extra features are informative and fun, as has been the case with the other Bond films.