After Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only was a return to the basics for the James Bond series. Moonraker was this outrageous, special effects laden, sci-fi story that put Bond in outer space. But that was only because of the success of Star Wars and all of the other space driven movies that were going on at the time. For Your Eyes Only is a very distinctively 80s movie. From the fashion, to the hair styles, to the camera angles, to the music. You can tell the difference between the decades when you watch Moonraker and then watch For Your Eyes Only directly afterwards.
I will say, though, at this point, Roger Moore is a little past his prime when it comes to being the leading man. This is the fifth movie that Roger Moore stars as James Bond. And he wasn’t exactly a young man when he started. I’m not saying he can’t still play a handsome Englishman. But an athletic field agent might be a bit beyond belief at this point.
You see Bond turning away Bibi as she’s trying to confess her love for him, and you’re thinking “yeah, that’d be a little weird, wouldn’t it?” You see him running in some scenes and you’re just like “I think James Bond would run a little faster than that…” And there’s just a couple of little things that catch your attention. Things that wouldn’t necessarily ruin the movie. But things that would make you think twice if you actually thought about them for a second.
And I think when it comes down to something like James Bond, those little details are important. Because it’s the little things that make a secret agent really stand out. I mean, if a secret agent didn’t pay attention to the little details, they would get caught, wouldn’t they? The little details are the difference between life and death when it comes to someone like James Bond. But it doesn’t make the movie bad by any means. It’s still a good movie. It’s just a little toned down as compared to the much more outrageous predecessor, Moonraker.
So, yeah. Go and see For Your Eyes Only. It’s a good story, with a good plot. And it’s still James Bond, so you can’t go wrong with that. And the obligatory chase scene takes place on skis this time. So, there’s lots of opportunity for capering there. And as always, keep on watching, with a smile on your face…
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