Customer Reviews

Moonraker [VHS]

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(58)
3 star:		(49)
2 star:		(26)
1 star:		(31)

 

 

This screen is starting to look like the metaphorical equivalent of the sweet space battle at the end of this breathtaking achievement of cinematic perfection. Well, I'm here to shoot a few of my own lasers now, this movie totally kicks a$$. Let's start with the opening song, which I think is easily in the top 3 of all time best Bond openers.

So there's this frog named Drax who wants to kill everyone on Earth, and start from scratch with his own breeding stock of beautiful people. The genocide of the ugly people of Earth comes by virtue of a space delivered disease, or nerve agent, or something equally superfluous, which Drax of course also manufactures.

I have a theory which goes a little something like this: When a man reaches a certain level of wealth, he naturally begins to contemplate some dimension of world conquest. The uber-villains Bond is often pitted against seem to pan this theory out nicely, begging the question, when will 007 take on Dick Cheney, Bill Gates, or Ronald McDonald?

So in comes old pervy Bond to salivate all over the dames, karate chop some mouth brething henchmen, and get all up in Drax's grille. Drax, for is his part, is no sllouch though. The man is straight evil, but his taste in women, crib's, and lasers is beyond reproach. I suppose because I grew up with Roger Moore playing Bond, I get the best of both worlds, because Connery and Moore are both Bond to me.

Now, in a movie which already has so much to offer the entertainment starved masses, we see the return of super hencmen JAWS. That alone should raise a pulse or two, because this guy is emma effin indestrutable. You can shoot him in the face, throw him out of an airplane, drop him in a tank full of ill tempered sharks, drop his a$$ from outerspace, and he doesn't die. Why can't we unleash this cat in Iraq?

So anyway, Bond figures Drax out, and its on. As I have previously alluded to, there is a magnificent space battle involving cats floating around in space shooting lasers, and invading space stations like that's all they got paid to do. Wow, if it get's any better than this they'll start taxing us for it.

MOONRAKER is okay and has a couple of good moments.The locations are beautiful ;007 travels to California,Venice,Brazil and Outer Space!Unfortunatly,this eleventh entry in the Bond series remains underrated and was never taken to heart by most fans.A plot that was definetly inspired by Star Wars and actors who do not seem to take their roles seriously may have something to do with it. Dr Holly Goodhead(Lois Chiles) is pretty but never had a status as a memorable Bond girl. Hugo Drax(Michael Longsdale) is not a classic example of a head villain.However,Jaws(Richard Kiel) adds flavor to this movie.Despite mixed reviews, MOONRAKER was one of the most grossing James Bond films of all time.I enjoy this movie once in a while,and I find it superior to the two first Roger Moore films(LIVE AND LET DIE and THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN) but inferior to FOR YOUR EYES ONLY, THE SPY WHO LOVED ME,and A VIEW TO A KILL.The theme song by Shirley Bassey is not bad.Worth a look, but dont have too many high expectations..........

I have seen around 7-8 James Bond movies but none are as good as this one. I watched it on T.V. one night and when I ushually watch a movie and just drift off but not this one. It has a great plot on how criminal mastermind Hugo Drax hijacked a few space shuttles and prepares to make purification with extermination! It also includes the best of all henchmen and most popular one, Jaws, the 7 foot giant with steel teeth. This also includes great action scenes all around the world. Many people think it's the worst Bond movie, I don't. It's probaly the best. Rent it, you will like it.

James Bond tries to save the world again in "MoonRaker." If you want to see one of the best Bond films this is it. It is complete with one of my favorite foes Jaws. Also the famous "MoonRaker Laser" battle you have to see. I have to say I have seen many Bond movies and this one I enjoyed the most.

At first I thought this movie was boring and a waste of time. But after I saw it a few more times I began to like it. This movie packs in some great action sequences, like the fight in mid air for a parachute. And Jaws is a big plus in his second apperance. This movie is great and I would encourage any Bond fan to see it.

There is only one more movie better than this, The spy who loved me. Now, This was a great movie complete with a lot of action, romance, and destruction. My only problem is I wish James would have got more involved in the ending shootout sequence, but he killed Drax instead. But still, a great Roger Moore Film.

I am probably one of 5 people alive who think this: Moonraker is one of the BEST movies I have ever seen. Maybe it's just because I like Sci - Fi Movies a lot, but I do not care! I also like the villians, the Special Effects, etc. Sure, there are a few dopey sequnces, and a lousy theme song, (It belongs on Broadway, not a Bond Film!) but who cares! Look at the BIG Picture!

Now before you big OO7 experts start saying I'm wrong, let me explain. Moonraker is the best Moore film and here's why. it is better than Live and Let Die bcause the plot is better as are the villain and henchmen. The girl and action are better too. It is better than Golden Gun thoughit doesn't have a better villain, it has better action, girls, and henchmen. It is even better what most consider Moore's best The Spy who Loved Me. It has better gadgets (a land-worthy Venetian gondola and a wrist dart shooter to a rocket-firing ski pole), a better villain (Drax to Stromberg) and better settings (Rio, space, and Venice) to (underwater and Egypt), and better action (two boat chases, several hand fights, a laser duel, and a terrific fight at a glass museum to several hand-to hand fights, an underwater battle, and a gunfight aboard a boat), and a better pre-title ( a short copy of OHMSS's ski chase to a jump out of a plane and midair duel). It also beats For Your Eyes Only, the other film people consider to be Moore's best because it has better action (Moonraker's action to a ski chase, an assault on a mountaintop fortress, a car chase and a waterfront raid) and better girls. Overall, not as good as Goldfinger or You Only Live Twice but still great.

The mention of "Moonraker" usually elicits controversey. Serious Bond fans usually despise it due to its far-out premise of sending Bond into outer space at the conclusion. Yet, if you just want a relaxing and entertaining film, "Moonraker" is wonderful entertainment. This was Roger Moore's 4th Bond film, the Bond film right after his personal triumph in "The Spy Who Loved Me," Moore's best Bond and one of the most lavish and entertaining films in the series. "Moonraker" is nowhere as good as that film, but it is fun nonetheless. If anything, the main problem with "Moonraker" is that it tries to give the audience too much, usually to the detriment of the film. There is a gondola chase scene in Venice that concludes with the gondola driving up into St. Peter's Square and Moore driving through hundreds of tourists that makes me cringe everytime I see it. There is a totally unnecessary scene of Moore being attacked by a large python and dispatching it with a CIA device that he should not logically have. This scene and the previous one should have wound up on the cutting-room floor.
However "Moonraker" does have academy-award nominated special effects, wonderful location work, a beautiful all-American leading lady in Lois Chiles and a wild confrontation between American Marine Astronauts(?) and the villain's stooges in outer space. (Sort of like the underwater fight-scene at the conclusion of "Thunderball" transferred to outer space.) In an attempt to outdo the pre-credits sequence of "The Spy Who Loved Me," "Moonraker" has Bond being pushed out of a plane without a parachute. This is a terrific and exciting sequence. (One thing "Moonraker" has an did not need was the return of Richard Kiel as "Jaws." The attempt to turn him into a good guy at the end was ridiculous.")
"Moonraker" was a smash hit in the summer of 1979 and received mostly positive reviews from the likes of The NY Times and Rex Reed. It played to sell-out crowds.
The picture and sound on this blu-ray are excellent. There is an excellent Roger Moore commentary. Most of the special features have been seen before including a terrific "making of" documentary, another great documentary on the special effects of the Bond films, vintage interviews, etc. The special features are very good.
In conclusion, "Moonraker" may not be the most realistic Bond film, however it is still a marverlously entertaining motion picture.

I know this film gets dissed by a lot of fans, but I think it is a good movie. If you don't want a story that you have to think a lot about this is your movie. I love that Jaws is back. The only problem is that he goes good. Anyway this film has great stunts and gadgets.