A View to a Kill (1985)

Movie Review: "007: A View To A Kill" (1985)Producers Albert R. Broccoli (1909-1996) and Michael G. Wilson (b. 1942) send off actor Roger Moore in his seventh performance as "James Bond" with an honorable $30 Million Dollar production budget, high class special effect work and the most compelling antagonist duo, since Kananga & Solitaire in "Live and Let Die" (1973) here with musician / singer Grace Jones and actor Christopher Walken, who performs as sharp-minded industrialist Max Zorin and his highly-trained bodyguarding sidekick May Day.Director John Glen comes back to his "For Your Eyes Only" (1981) roots in delivering a clear cut 125 Minutes "007" action-thriller that embraces some hard-boiled stunt work from skiing in Antartica, Parisian car chases and a special occasion showdown location at "Golden Gate" bridge's wire balancing act with a fist fight between Zorin and Bond; Moments when blonde 29-year-old bond girl Tanya Roberts stays passive as just being an "007" beauty-spreading sidenote.Second appearances of actor Robert Brown (1921-2003) as "M", filling in since "Octopussy" (1983) after Bernard Lee's death in 1981. "007's" mission briefing accompanied with a pin-pointed Miss Moneypenny flirt, portrayed by sharp-beating actresss Lois Maxwell (1927-2007). She and Roger Moore are building a fine chemistry to delight "A View To A Kill" as their final "007" universe appearances before the picture continues in fair well-paced manner, especially at a suspenseful horse racing espionage scene and the infamous mine massacre interior, making, even at today's standards, this Roger Moore farewell picture an highly enjoyable movie ride from beginning to finish.© 2017 Felix Alexander Dausend (Cinemajesty Entertainments LLC)

'A View to a Kill' has an odd reputation. It was the last in Roger Moore's Bond films and it seemed that most people couldn't get past the fact that he had one too many wrinkles and therefore was probably due a Dr Who-like regeneration. Now, they may have a point. He was looking a little too 'lived in' even by Bond's mature standards, but, if you can get over the fact that he obviously wasn't as sprightly as he once was, it's still a fun enough romp. It involves a genetically-enhanced leftover from Nazi Germany who plans to hold the world to ransom by destroying everyone else's supply of microchips and therefore cornering the market on their distribution. Now, if you think that you've heard something like that before, then you may be right – Goldfinger used basically the same premise, only with gold instead of microchips. But that was in the past. And it's not like any Bond fan will remember, right? Okay, so the plot may have actually managed to simply be an upgrade of an earlier story, but this was released in the eighties when microchips were really starting to take off. So, if you can forgive that, you should be able to get some fun out of it.Moore's previous film was 'Octopussy.' Now, I didn't hate it as much as most, but even I had to admit that it was probably the most campy Bond film made to date. I'm pleased to say that @A View to a Kill' tones down the silliness in order for a more serious affair. Of course you still get Moore's trademark 'dry wit' along the way, but at least he's stopped making noises like Tarzan when he swings through the jungle! It's actually pretty good, you obviously get everything you expect from a Bond film, i.e. the exotic locations, chase scenes and beautiful women. However, special mention to a pretty awesome rescue/chase section during the middle of the film where Bond has to not only escape from a burning building, but also drive a fire engineer (recklessly) through the streets of San Francisco (kind of like you see later in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines!). But no Bond films would be anything without a decent villain for our man to go up against. Rumour has it producers wanted Mr David Bowie to take that place, but the Starman appeared uninterested and the role when to the (equally-talented) Christopher Walken. Now, he's pretty awesome in everything he does and in 'A View to a Kill' he's no exception, clearly enjoying playing a complete psychopath. However, I can't help but wonder if the producers wanted Bowie so much that they decided to dress Walken up like him in his 'Let's Dance' video (seriously, once you see it you can UNsee it!).We also have Tanya Roberts as the 'Bond girl' of the film. She does her best with what she's got to do – appropriately getting captured when required and throwing the odd punch here and there. However, if 'A View to a Kill' has a memorable Bond girl then it's Grace Jones! Granted, she may not be everyone's idea of a Bond girl, but she's pretty impressive in her role and cuts a far more memorable figure with everything she has to go through, making her possibly the best 'henchman' since Jaws.As I said, 'A View to a Kill' may not be everyone's vodka martini. Moore is looking a little tired, but it's still an enjoyable enough Bond romp to please most casual fans. Besides, even if you don't like the film, you can't deny that it has the greatest Bond theme ever recorded, courtesy of Duran Duran (if you watch 'A View to a Kill' then I defy you not to be singing it by the end credits!).

Feast your eyes on the last and weakest entry in the Roger Moore era of James Bond flicks. "A View to a Kill" follows a much older looking bond as he rides horses, takes down blimps, and runs on top of a bridge. With a laughable villain in Christopher Walken, there is some enjoyment to be had with this film, even though it is not good enjoyment. With one-liners at a new low, a villain that is not interesting, excess build-up to a disappointing finale, and an atmosphere that is way too far from the feel of bond, this film fails on many levels. Aside from a few cool action bits spread throughout, everything else feels uninspired. This is one of the worst films of the franchise by far. "A View to a Kill" is just plain dumb.

These are two classic lines when Zorin decides to accept a business man's request to opt-out of his nefarious plans, and we see Mayday taking the unwitting and morally upright business man dropping to his death in the sea (a drink, get it??!!). And he drops to his death (dropping out, get it???!!!). The business man (not sure of his name) joins a gallery of minor characters who meet gruesome deaths at the expense of a funny quip, e.g. the gangster who witnesses The Joker's pencil trick, the guy who is Arnie's body shield in Total Recall.This was Roger Moore's final performance as Bond, and since then I haven't watched a Bond movie. Anyway, there are humorous lines in this Bond movie, and it's impressive.