| The basic story involves a young
woman whose parents are killed by bad guys. When she seeks revenge,
James Bond shows up to help with her quest.
The best thing about "For Your Eyes Only" is that it
relies less on gimmicks and FX and more on human characters and
realistic drama. It's a refreshing return to the James Bond of
Ian Fleming's original novels.
The adapted, exciting screenplay was written
by Richard Maibaum & Michael G. Wilson. Maibaum wrote many
James Bond screenplays, including "Diamonds Are Forever,"
"Goldfinger," "Man With A Golden Gun," and
"The Spy Who Loved Me." Michael Wilson also wrote James
Bond screenplays, such as "Octopussy" and "The
Living Delights."
This adventure spy yarn is expertly directed by
John Glenn, who also directed "The Living Daylights,"
"Octopussy," and "A View To A Kill."
Roger Moore, with "For Your Eyes Only,"
gives his best 007 performance ever. He's relaxed, charming, and
totally on top of his game. Tool ("Fiddler on the Roof,"
"Flash Gordon") provides great support as a good guy
who helps out 007.
Carole Bouquet is vulnerable and beautiful as a determined, angry
woman, Melina Havelock who seeks revenge for the death of her
parents, which happened right in front of her. Her scenes with
Moore are handled with great class, and a noticeable absence of
the usual naughty boy smirkiness. Not only must Bond contend with
the usual variety of bad guys, he must gain her trust, and keep
this young woman from taking the faster, unwise, dangerous route
in dealing with the men responsible for her parents' death.
Lynn-Holly Johnson is adorable as an ice skater, Bibi Dahl, with
a crush on James Bond. It's fun to see Moore somewhat flustered
by the much younger woman's attention.
Favorite Scenes:
1) The sequence of scenes that starts when
Bond escapes the clutches of the bad guys, (thanks to the vengeful
daughter), and the two of them find themselves flying wildly
down the country hills through pecan groves in a tiny car, being
chased by a big sedan full of bad guys.
2) The sequence of scenes that starts at the
top of a ski jump, with our hero, Bond, finding himself being
chased not only by skiers, but bad guys on motorcycles, through
the woods, on a slalom run, on picnic tables, etc.
3) The final attack on the hillside fortress,
with Topol's help, is classic James Bond.
Sheena Easton's warbling of the theme is superb.
The theme song holds its own with the best of the Bond theme's,
with the exception of Shirley Bassey's epic belting of "Goldfinger."
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