| Roger Moore, the often derided James Bond. Why? I don't know why, he had wit, he had charm, he was capable of pulling off a decent action sequence followed by a quality one-liner. Often, those who don't like him will point to a particular thing he did once, maybe twice, and exaggerate it into a really big deal. He is often seen as the "Goofy Bond", not really so, in fact he was usually playing it straight. Sure there was humor, but there has always been a certain amount of self-aware wit in the series. Here we are introduced to James Bond as played by Roger Moore, and <more> he's tough, he's believable, he's driven, and although we're watching the most unrealistic and over-the-top film creation until Rambo, he's real. I've always liked Roger Moore as James Bond. I must confess that a part of it is nostalgia, his were the first films I saw with the recognition of it being a Bond picture I was 7 . But I always liked his style, I forget exactly where I first heard it, but his take on Bond was different from Connery's and Lazenby's because although he was handsome and charming, you didn't just know he'd end up in bed with his leading lady, but you also suspected that if things could work out just right, he'd end up happily married with her. That particular aspect is from and center in Live and Let Die, his particular leading lady, Solitaire is young and naive, but she is also clearly in love with Bond, and Roger seems to portray a sensitive, though playful version of that back, showing that he too really cares about her. Aside from the fine performance by Moore, we have all the other actors giving good performances. Lois Maxwell again returns as Miss Moneypenny and gives the opening of the film a little more heart, playing up her flirtatious relationship with James, and acknowledging his lady-loving lifestyle without really condemning it. Bernard Lee give M his usual dignity without taking it too far. The only of the "regulars" missing is Desmond Lewellyn as Q, and although I miss him, it's nice to see some decent, though not too absurd gadgets that were created by him. Round out the "007 Support Crew" is David Hedison as Felix Lieter, the only actor show up in the role twice, and he does a good job. Our story features the duel investigations into crime boss Mr. Big, and head of an island nation, Kananga. It turns out that the two cases are connected as Kananga is Big, and that Bond is drawn into a tale of Kananga smuggling drugs into Harlem, using VooDoo as a means of keeping the locals in fear of him. Working with Kananga is Solitaire, played by a very young Jane Seymore who I maintain is the hottest Bond Girl ever . Solitaire is a master of the tarot card, and can apparently see the future. Which Bond uses to his advantage, stacking a deck so that he and Solitaire appear destined to be lovers. They quickly grow together, creating one of the stronger Bond screen relationships. Kananga's efforts to get rid of Bond create some of the most memorable stunts of the series which itself if known for many high quality stunts ; Bond escapes certain doom on an alligator farm in Louisianna by running over the heads of several partially submerged alligators. And he escapes several thugs through one of the most amazing boat chases ever filmed. Of course things turn out alright for Bond, as they are often to do. As we are treated some of the great moments of the series. First and foremost is the greatest theme of the series, the title tune, sung by Paul McCartney and his group Wings. We get some of the better gadgets, including the watch that is both a powerful magnet and a buzz saw. We get some of the better one-liners, and did I mention the hottest Bond Girld ever? <less> |
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