Moonraker (1979) is a James Bond film in which 007 battles a megalomaniac intent on destroying humanity with a space-based weapon. Bond travels the world and beyond, fighting henchmen and engaging in perilous stunts. In a race against time, he must thwart the villain’s plot before it’s too late. The film features stunning action sequences, exotic locations, and an iconic theme song by Shirley Bassey.
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Review
Moonraker: How a Space Adventure Elevated the James Bond Franchise
When Moonraker hit theaters in 1979, it marked the eleventh installment in the James Bond franchise. The film proved to be a pivotal moment for the series as it introduced audiences to a new level of grandeur and spectacle that had never been seen before.
Directed by Lewis Gilbert, Moonraker finds Bond (played by Roger Moore) investigating the theft of a space shuttle. His investigation leads him to Brazil where he encounters Drax (played by Michael Lonsdale), whose plans for world domination take Bond on a globetrotting adventure through Venice, Rio de Janeiro, and outer space.
The plot of Moonraker is undeniably over-the-top, but that’s part of its charm. It’s a movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but still manages to deliver an exciting story and stunning visuals.
One of the most impressive aspects of Moonraker is its use of practical effects. The film was made before the age of CGI and relied heavily on real-life models and miniatures. The scene where Drax’s space station breaks apart and crashes back to Earth is particularly impressive.
Of course, no discussion about Moonraker would be complete without mentioning its iconic theme song performed by Shirley Bassey. Bassey had already lent her powerful voice to the opening credits of Goldfinger and Diamonds Are Forever, but Moonraker’s theme song takes things to another level.
The opening credits sequence itself is also worth noting as it features some truly bizarre imagery including dancers dressed in bird costumes and an army of astronauts marching in formation.
Perhaps one of the most enduring legacies of Moonraker is its influence on other films that followed. It’s hard not to draw similarities between Moonraker’s climax set in outer space with Star Wars which premiered two years earlier.
Despite its initial success at the box office (it grossed over $210 million), Moonraker has been met with mixed reviews by critics over the years. Some see it as a low point in the James Bond franchise while others appreciate it for what it is – a fun, escapist adventure.
One thing that can’t be denied is the impact that Moonraker had on the James Bond franchise. The series continued to ratchet up the spectacle and grandeur in its subsequent films, and much of that can be traced back to Moonraker’s success.
In many ways, Moonraker represents a turning point for James Bond. It was a film that pushed the boundaries of what was possible and ushered in a new era of bigger and more extravagant adventures.
As Roger Moore himself once said about Moonraker, “It’s not meant to be taken seriously. It’s meant to be entertaining.” And in that regard, it succeeds admirably.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 126
- Release : 1979-06-26
- Genre : Action, Adventure, Thriller, Science Fiction
- Cast : Roger Moore as James Bond, Lois Chiles as Dr. Holly Goodhead, Michael Lonsdale as Hugo Drax, Richard Kiel as Jaws, Corinne Cléry as Corinne Dufour
- Crew : John Barry as Original Music Composer, Ian Fleming as Novel, Albert R. Broccoli as Producer, Weston Drury Jr. as Casting, Paul Engelen as Makeup Artist
- Popularity 29.106
- Budget : $34,000,000
- Revenue : $210,308,099
- Company : United Artists, Eon Productions, Danjaq
- Summary : After Drax Industries’ Moonraker space shuttle is hijacked, secret agent James Bond is assigned to investigate, traveling to California to meet the company’s owner, the mysterious Hugo Drax. With the help of scientist Dr. Holly Goodhead, Bond soon uncovers Drax’s nefarious plans for humanity, all the while fending off an old nemesis, Jaws, and venturing to Venice, Rio, the Amazon…and even outer space.
- Tagline : Where all the other Bonds end, this one begins!
