Moonraker Audio Commentary

[@garyrobinson8665]

Excellent commentary. And I don't really listen to commentaries. This is my favourite Bond film. It's fun. Doesn't take itself too seriously. It's very fast paced. It has no downtime. The two hours fly by. Moore is fantastic in this film. I even love the gondola scene. The sets are amazing. The best in the series in my opinion. The score gives me goosebumps. It was never my favourite whenever I was younger but as I've gotten older and watched it more it's really grew on me.

[@1165mac]

I have a soft spot in my heart for Moonraker. At 14, it was my first Bond film to see, and I still love it today and not as a guilty pleasure. It has everything that makes a movie exciting and worth your time. Excellent cinematography. Beautiful music (and women). Precise editing. Humor and high drama. Finally, it’s Bond. I’m a sucker for all of them. One of these days I need to start reading the Fleming novels (the uncensored ones).

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

I’ll always defend the film for what it is: putting every bit of money on the screen and being the most lavish of the original series. When you do start reading the novels, this is a film that definitely deviates from its original source. (Well it, Spy and YOLT)The book is, perhaps Fleming’s tightest and most grounded plot, and they’ve pulled a few elements here and there into other films, but only the general core idea of Drax made it over into the film. The rest is TSWLM redux.😂

[@theflickgeek2089]

Funny that you'd say that Moonraker is considered a black sheep and gets put down by the fans often. I remember reading a review on Die Another Day back when it came out, and the critic said that it was probably the best of all the Bond movies Pierce Brosnan did. He then went about compiling a list of all the best Bond movies from each actor, and was surprised to find that he considered Moonraker Moore's best. Now the reasoning behind this was that the author, while admitting he wasn't a James Bond fan, appreciated the movies in the series that were outrageous, outlandish, and over-the-top, a quality he found in spades in Brosnan's latest entry. I too have a fondness for Moonraker just because of that. It's so different from all the rest. Yes, it's silly in places, and they went to far with the humour in many places, but the movie as a whole is a blast. I mean, James Bond in Space. Wrapp your head around that. How cool that is. Sci-fy +James Bond, my two favourite things in the world. I appreciate you giving it some love, and I'm enjoying inmensely these audio commentaries. This happens to be one of my favourite official audio commentaries in the series, btw. Just because of all the people they got together to talk about the movie. Incidentally, the one for The Spy who Loved Me is the worst one, with all the participants talking over each other. Interesting behind the scenes factoids, but messy execution. Keep up the good work, Spencer. Have you had a chance to take a look at The Making of The Living Daylights book yet?

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

Yeah I still wish there was an official commentary for Spy and MR like the others but the table chats are priceless. The sad part is that now only William Cartilage and Wilson are still with us. Preferring the outlandish is a section of fans and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s basically where the scales I always talk about balancing the FRWL style and Goldfinger style go completely one way into fantasy- it the irony is MR is quite grounded and serious for the most part. I got to get the TLD book. Of course disc sales keep making me put if off!

[@nitrateglow2087]

Moonraker is one of a long list of films that are much better than their reputations, that's for sure.

[@Lele-ll6di]

Great comment … I followed everything watching the movie. I’m really happy the way you reevalurated this movie that is very often underestimated by the Bond community. Thanks 🙏

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

Thank you! I always stick up for the lesser regarded films and am happy to hear others who feel the same.

[@index312]

An excellent commentary. Thank you.

[@thedukeoffunk]

Sweet! Watched in it’s entirety finally two nights ago. The cinematography is excellent. The dog chase scene feels out of a giallo

[@1165mac]

Agreed on that effectively dreadful dog attack scene.

[@iakona23]

I’m a big fan of Moonraker so I will definitely listen to this.

[@themidnightwoodsman1804]

When I was a kid and had no knowledge of geography, I used to think Venice was just past the treetops where Corinne dies (probably I was fooled by the bells playing when you can still the trees). I used to think she was so unlucky to almost make the township! I never thought about the fast arrival of the American spaceship before. It's like an alarm went off at Nasa and they all jumped down a fireman's pole and piled into the nearest ship. I love the music that plays when the station loses gravity. You never see what happens to the rebirth people though. Can we presume they just blew up with the space station?

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

That’s funny-she almost made it to Venice!🤣 Yeah once it occurred to me I couldn’t forget the instant ready shuttle space marines. I guess we are to assume the Drax recruits participated in the battle and were killed along with the guards but we don’t really see them in the battle. I think you get a glimpse or two when the station arms start to break away. I suppose they were written off since they knew what they were getting into. On the other hand it’s possible there is more material we’ve never seen. Wood’s novelization has more of Bond and Holly infiltrating the station and observing the recruits. Amazingly some of this was shot and stills exist. I hope that footage is still around!!!!

[@joseluisherreralepron9987]

This is the sole 'classic era' Bond film I saw theatrically...mid-'79. I was born in 1969 so was not quite 10. I remember the theater and screen and aspect ratio; it must have been 70 mm Dolby six-track. I've always loved Lonsdale's dry villain: "Look after Mr. Bond. See that some harm comes to him." I was able to do a pretty good imitation years ago; not so sure now. Also: "James Bond. You return with the tedious predictability of an unloved season."

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

I’ll admit to doing Drax impressions frequently.

[@iakona23]

I enjoyed your comments on Daisuke’s Skyfall livestream. Thank you.

[@JohnnyGobs81]

I can't believe you didn't talk about the Mandela Effect controversy with regards to Dolly having braces. That should've at least got a mention. Otherwise your bond commentaries are outstanding.

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

I thought I mentioned it here but I know I’ve discussed it online a number of times. I think what really caused it was all of us growing up with the film on video and the lower res plus older standard def formats give the impression of braces on her teeth also combined with aliasing of earlier transfers. That mixed in with the idea of her having braces to match Jaws’ metal teeth etc.

[@1dbanner]

James Bond: A New Hope

[@murphychace307]

I've never had Moonraker particularly high up when I've looked at the series as a whole but I do still enjoy it and like many things about it. I feel like The Spy Who Loved Me has a higher energy to it and while I don't feel like Spy is a complete rehash of You Only Live Twice like some say but Moonraker definitely feels like it took a whole lot from Spy. To me that's the main problem I have with the film as a whole but other than the plot and structure feeling a little uninspired there's a lot I really like about this film. The opening sequence is incredible as are so many of the action sequences. I'm glad Jaws was back and he made every sequence he was in way more funny and exciting. When I look at the film as a whole I just don't like it as much as many of the films that came soon before or after but it's always an entertaining watch whenever I revisit it.

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

That’s an understandable and perfect response. MR is definitely made right out of the Spy playbook but as I say goes a different path to become a richer and differently toned film. They’re always joined at the hip in this way but I will agree Spy was a tighter film plus had the contributions of both Maibaum and Mankiewicz who were indispensable.

[@cinemaduo6532]

I have two things that bother me with Moonraker. First it is the comedic approach they went after with the stunts and jokes. The second Drax needed to be a little more menacing here and there. He seems a functional villain rather than a worthy adversary. Michael Lonsdale was a fine actor and he makes the role look too easy. Maybe that is the issue I have. The story is well structured and there are quite a few scenes of 007 finding out clues about Drax Industries. One of my favorite scene is when 007 investigates the lab with the CE3K door chime. Not a word is spoken but, we as the audience, get quite a revelation. I recently picked up the MGM/UA Moonraker Laserdisc and went through most of the movie. Ken Adam did an awesome job with the Space station one of my favorites of all time.

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

Drax is one where the menace runs deep but he seems to work from behind closed doors and the desk itself. It is a villain of shouldering evil and not the usual outwardly active role. Like the film it’s a richer reflection on the immediate predecessor. The comedic tone switches into goofiness at places which undercuts the impact of the film. Everyone involved agreed it was a mistake as soon as the film came out. Cool you got the LD! My favorite version is still the standard letterbox original issue which has good color timing and great dolby surround despite the headaches of being an earlier disc.

[@ianstouffer1440]

Would you buy a 4K Bond set with all 25 Eon films or separate Connery/Lazenby/Moore/Dalton/Brosnan 4K collections?

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

It depends on how they are released. There’s no telling what method they will use and of course they then reprint the discs about fifty ways after the initial wave. Just as long as it isn’t random film out of order boxsets again!

[@맛집전문가]

Dolly had braces 😬

[@1165mac]

I remember them too.