Well, I finally did it. I finally watched a Sir Roger Moore James Bond movie.
Up until this point, I’d seen at least one movie with all of the other actors (even George’s—twice!). For whatever reason, though, something about Moore had me dragging my feet. Maybe I just didn’t think he looked like a Bond, or maybe it’s his era’s reputation for being too silly and lingering too long, and maybe it’s simply because I’m not a huge fan of the character or franchise in general. Nothing against the guy. I just know that the movies and novels are very hit and miss.
The Spy Who Loved Me (the movie) is a hit.
Apparently Ian Fleming was ashamed of the novel, and Albert Broccoli wasn’t crazy about it either, as I understand that the movie only uses the title and nothing of the plot. That’s obviously for the best, as Moore says it’s his favorite movie from his era and fans seem to agree. So when it arrived on Max awhile back, I decided to make it the first of his movies I’d watch. And I wasn’t disappointed.
Far from it.
In the opening scene they do a clever fakeout, making the audience wonder if Bond has been replaced with a different actor. Then it turns out that the guy in bed with the brunette isn’t the spy to whom we should be paying attention. No, it’s the girl. When we finally see Bond, he’s also in bed with his latest conquest. Phew! All is well with the world. Except it’s not, because in a matter of minutes he’s skiing down a mountain with people shooting him.
No, wait. All is still well. If that wasn’t happening something would be wrong.
I’ve got to say, the chase and cliff jump (which must be seen) thrilled me far more than Tom Cruise’s recent stunt. When I watched Dead Reckoning I almost forgot to look up from my phone when the big moment came. Watching Bond soaring through the air literally gave me chills. Another moment that caused a visceral reaction was when Jaws appeared in Amasova’s room.
It takes a lot to make feel something in a movie.
The story itself plays with the formula some. Bond has to team up with the KGB to stop a mutual enemy, which must have seemed even more radical at the time than it does now. But all in all, spy movies haven’t changed much. Even now, it’s always about retaking some advanced tech before a megalomanic can use it to rule the world. We don’t object, though, because we’re here for the spectacle. I loved the scene at the pyramids, the chase with the Lotus Esprit (a car I’ve long admired), and the bombastic final scene.
Sure, it has its problems.
Bond’s use of women as playthings sometimes makes me feel queasy and that happens here. The final battle, while fun, also feels formulaic. And at times it gets dangerously close to the silliness that kept me from watching Moore’s movies to begin with. But it never crosses the line, even with a henchman like Jaws, who could have been created for a Dick Tracy comic. At the same time, Bond should be pulpy, occasionally predictable, and face outlandish characters.
He’s kinda outlandish himself.
After watching The Spy Who Loved Me, so soon after Dead Reckoning, and having seen many other espionage action movies, I think it’s safe to say… Nobody does it better.
