14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
This is Moonraker, not original stuff., July 23, 2003
By A Customer
Yes, I know they already made a film of "Moonraker" which had basically nothing to do with the book, so they're free to use plot elements. But it's almost shameless to use this many plot elements. A space weapon (only it's called "Icarus" instead of "Moonraker"), a "zero-to-hero" public persona for the villain (as well as his being honored by the Queen and not at all what he seems), the villain's blonde secretary who's a double (British S.S. and his secretary), a showdown at a club...I could go on and on. Why waste $$$ on this novelization when you could pick up Ian Fleming's original "Moonraker" at a library or used book store? It's much better, plus you get to see a "Bond Girl" who thinks he's stupid (at least at first, but then SHE dumps HIM). How rare is that!?
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Extremely disappointing., August 17, 2006
After a long string of highly successful Bond novels, this is Benson's last one. Having just read it, I can see why.
In addition to Benson's masterful Bond novels, I have always enjoyed his novelizations of the movies, as they have given the character extra depth, and turned sometimes lightweight movie scenes into deeply absorbing writing. His Bond feels far more real than the movies, while retaining the excitement, action and fun.
Admittedly, he had a pretty dumb screenplay to work with here (invisible cars, anyone?), but he hasn't even tried to write a book. This feels more like a notebook of scene directions than a story, and simply tells you everything Bond does without adding anything, i.e. "Bond ran across the corridor. He kicked open the door. He ran down the stairs. He shot his gun"... there are paragraphs of this stuff. No attempt to make it into a novel.
I think he just put the movie on TV, scribbled down everything he saw onscreen, handed in this literal description, took his paycheck and ran.
A sad ending to a great career writing Bond novels. Don't bother with this one.
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17 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
No Fleming Here, December 19, 2002
Garbage! This is not Ian Fleming! If you think this is Ian Fleming you are mistaken. Read Fleming's books if you want to read about James Bond, what makes him tick, what makes him alive. This is garbage, in the first degree. Go back to Ian Fleming, not this! This book is based on the worst James Bond film ever made. Merry Christmas!
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