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Highly Overrated But Still Good

As Good As It Gets

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

The early movies of Ian Fleming's stories of the arch british agent James Bond, were all badly acted slapstick movies for children. Only when Timothy Dalton took over, the novels cool wit and class finally came through. Pierce Brosnan made it even more believable, and Daniel Craig gave us chills down the back for his gritty realism, without losing any of the former. But this one, alas, only shows how embarassingly bad 70's movies could be. But back then people baught it! Myself included :)

What a film Roger Moore at his best my favourite Bond girl Maud Adams what a film so funny at times all star cast the sheriff brilliant my childhood Kung fu sexy chicks

The Roger Moore Bond era came in for a fair bit of criticism; not only did he have to compete with Sean Connery's interpretation of the superspy, but, by adding more wry humour to the franchise, people saw his films as too comic to be believable. 'The Man With the Golden Gun' is Moore's second outing and I think it's possibly the film that bridges the gap between dark and comic, incorporating elements of both, but never leaning directly towards either.For a start we have no hollowed-out lair for a Persian cat-stroking super villain to reside in. Instead, we simply have a rival hit-man who has his sights set on being the best in the world. Of course that means removing one 007 in the process. So it's far more of a simple premise when compared to the typical plans for world domination that Bond has to thwart on a day to day basis. Christopher Lee plays the rival hit-man, Scaramanga, with typical charm and menace, making him almost appear as Bond's 'dark side.' There's plenty of near misses between the two in what could be described as a 'cat and mouse' type affair until the inevitable climax.So, the plot is simple and deadly in nature, but it wouldn't be a Roger Moore Bond film without humour. As I mentioned, the jokes never really detract from the obvious danger Bond is in at all times. Scaramanga's primary henchman 'Knick-knack' may be small in stature, but more than makes up for his lack of size in terms of brutality and mischief (sometimes so much so you could be mistaken for watching a David Lynch film as the 'arena' set during the duel is pretty psychedelic – and, when you mix it with a cheeky but mysterious dwarf, you have a precursor to Twin Peaks if ever I saw one!). The jokes hit the mark and about the 'silliest' the film gets is the return of Sheriff JW Pepper who some people will most likely find irritating and detracting from the overall story (however, I really enjoyed his over-the-topness!).So, combine the darkness of the Connery era with some Moore humour and you have a winning combination. Naturally, you also have the beautiful locations, exciting chase scenes and Britt Ekland as the obligatory Bond girl. But if you don't want to get quite as silly as Bond making Tarzan noises while swinging through a jungle (Octopussy), yet don't want quit the levels of brutality displayed by Connery when he strangles a woman with her own bikini (Diamonds Are Forever) then this is a perfect in between Bond film that should entertain all.

It was a good surprise for me to discover that this Bond is set in Asia as those faraway locations are really a bit forgotten! Now that i have seen 5 of Moore movies (the other actors don't really interest me, especially grumpy Craig), i finally get the formula: while i expected the franchise to be realistic spy movies, i realize that they are not really serious, especially with Moore attitude! This fact accepted, this one is really interesting: The supporting characters are really original: Goodnight is funny and cute, Lee is great as an expert killer and the dwarf prefigures one of X-men greatest villain, Arcade! The plot, even if highly unbelievable is a change from the world evil. The movie has aged well because it smells good the 70s and we can see the change in those islands! For me, it's one of the best Bond ever and now i have only 2 left to watch: live and let die & Moonraker...