For Your Eyes Only

Bibi vs. Melina Agent 007 (Roger Moore) seeks to apprehend a lost British encryption device in order to prevent the Soviets from acquiring it as events switch from the Ionian Sea to a villa in Spain to wintery actions in Northern Italy to a Greek Island to Albania to an abandoned mountaintop monastery (Meteora, Greece). Whilst “For Your Eyes Only” (1981) tones down the excesses of the previous film “Moonraker” (1979), it still contains the requisite Bond staples & absurdities and is another strong installment in Moore’s 7-film stint (1973-1985). There are high society pool parties, mountainside car chases, ski thrills, ice skating, underwater intrigue and an exciting cliff-climbing close. Of course, there are the usual beautiful women, this time headed by grief-stricken brunette Melina (Carole Bouquet) with bubbly teen figure skater Bibi (Lynn-Holly Johnson) in second. Although some find winsome Lynn-Holly annoying as curvy Bibi, she’s a highlight of the film and one of the best ‘Bond girls’ in the franchise IMHO. Plus her naïve, spirited disposition works as a necessary counterpoint to Melina’s comatose solemnity. James’ line to Bibi is priceless: “Well, you get your clothes on and I'll buy you an ice cream.” Johnson, incidentally was 21-22 during shooting while her character was around 16-17. The film runs 2 hours, 7 minutes. GRADE: A-

This and the Spy Who Loved me were Roger Moore's top 2 of his own Bond films... and I can see that. It's not as over-the-top as Moonraker (which is one of the worst Bond movies ever made), it's not as silly as some of his other outings, although, if you are a Moore fan that hasn't seen this yet, fear not, it still has the Silly Bond moments that are his trope. It's actually just... solid. For Your Eyes Only is the Roger Moore film that could have been a solid, stand alone movie, removed from the 007 franchise, that still stood up on it's own. It's a bit darker than the others, it's a bit more realistic, it's a bit more story driven... and yet it maintains the Moore Era silliness that people come to expect out of his films, but with an actual story feel to it. The Spy Who Loved Me is Moore's magnum opus in the 007 franchise, but For Your Eyes Only comes pretty close to dethroning it. Even as an unapologetic Connery Bond fan, this is one of the best in the franchise.