A View to a Kill (1985)

The Russians are back in spades as 007 finds a dead agent in the snow (retrieving a MacGuffin), and is forced to escape with some quite extreme ski-stunts. Ending it with a submarine disguised as an ice-flake, is a bit much though. Particularly as it obviously is a poor prop, easily deducted from the movements it makes when Bond steps on it. It is a short and quite unmemorable intro.

Casting is highly variable this time around. Apart from Walken making the second best of a half-wit character, there is special mention goes to Patrick MacNee. There is real sadness as Grace Jones kills Sir Godfrey in the Rolls, even for Bond as he discovers him. Willoughby Gray as Dr. Mortner is a travesty and Jean Rougerie would fit better in a Pink Panther-skit. Actually most of the Paris-scenes are cartoonish and stupid, with characters to match.

As for Moore, this was his "one too many" as he's clearly too old for his character. He was 58 at the time, and looking it, failing to deliver the virility we've come to expect.That Grace Jones has so much of it, particularly in bed, adds insult to injury.

Apart from the earliest instalments, this is perhaps John Barry's finest score as there are horns blazing at high intensity. Particularly the action scenes are set alight by his work. Why they would taint an early scenes with "California Girls" is beyond me, however.

The action is decent, and the stunts quite all right, though often blemished by over-acting in a comical sense that doesn't fit with the villains ruthlessness and cold-blooded murders, whether one on one or in huge numbers. Generally, the level of silly is miles above what it should be, and this film never really settles on what it wants to be.

This really isn't a good film. Glen screws up again by introducing too many half-important characters, instead of concentrating on a few. Thus we are once again without a real Bond-girl and a generally messy affair. With a plot that seriously fails to make sense on most levels, the best thing about this is John Barry's score. And that can be bought separately.

4/10


Best car used: 1962 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud II
Most memorable drink served: Bollinger '75
Henchmen: Grace Jones as May Day. As unpredictable as they come
Villain: Max Sorin. A megalomaniac of proportions in the hands of Christopher Walken
Best one-liner: "Does anybody else want to drop out?"
Song: "A View to a Kill" by Duran Duran. Stylish and dramatic. Well done.
Bond-girl: Tanya Roberts as Stacey Sutton. Drowned in stronger women