Fewer blog posts this month due to my summer course, but here’s the second half of the long-awaited twenty-word reviews of the first twenty (plus one!) Bond films. Enjoy…
Moonraker (1979)
With amazing set pieces but ropey effects, this is better than you remember. But the pigeon reaction shot is unforgivable…
Rating: 007 out of 10
For Your Eyes Only (1981)
The Bond girl is spicy, the car chase great and it has cool gadgets but it’s a little boring overall.
Rating: 006 out of 10
Octopussy (1983)
Bond oozes cool and the locations are pretty but the villains are weak and the story loses punch too early.
Rating: 006 out of 10
Never Say Never Again (1983)
The video game is insane and the villainess memorable but this is just an inferior remake saved by Connerys charm.
Rating: 007 out of 10
A View To A Kill (1985)
Bond is (too?) old but the action is solid and the villain amongst the best. The title song is incredible!
Rating: 008 out of 10
The Living Daylights (1987)
The villains are weak but Dalton is fascinating and the trip with the girl is scenic and romantic. Very watchable.
Rating: 009 out of 10
Licence To Kill (1989)
Personal revenge evolves into mad action as once again Dalton shows how he commanded the role. A great Bond film!
Rating: 009 out of 10
Goldeneye (1995)
The Brosnan era introduced truly insane action sequences and here they mostly work. Brosnan is charm and Xenia wickedly memorable.
Rating: 008 out of 10
Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
Ludicrous action can’t defeat a boring villain, terrible plot and ho-hum Bond girl. Brosnan’s charm almost saves it from forgettability.
Rating: 005 out of 10
The World Is Not Enough (1999)
There’s a lot to dislike here, but a generous viewer may find enjoyment in the visuals and – as always – Brosnan.
Rating: 006 out of 10
Die Another Day (2002)
Everything about this – including Madonna – is insane and I almost feel sorry for Brosnan. The worst ever Bond film.
Rating: 004 out of 10
Of course the Bond films don’t end here, with four Daniel Craig films already out and a fifth on the way. But are they really Bond films? Check back in a decade or so when I review the next set of ten!