ROTTEN TOMATOES: Bonding with Bond, Day 16: A View to a Kill

Bonding with Bond, Day 16: A View to a Kill

Community Manager Ryan Fujitani is watching all of the James Bond films in order.

by Ryan Fujitani | November 05, 2008

After showing signs of aging in previous films, Roger Moore finally takes his last turn at playing Bond. Read on to see how much it affected my viewing.

A View to a Kill

I don't know if Roger Moore knew this was going to be his last Bond film or not, but it doesn't seem as if he cared, because there's nothing particularly outstanding or notable about A View to a Kill. At the same time, strangely enough, I actually didn't think this installment was quite as unwatchable as I was made to believe. Maybe my judgment was clouded by just a little bit of wine from an election night get-together, or maybe my expectations were so low that I could only be pleasantly surprised. Yes, this movie was laughably bad, but for some reason, I really didn't mind. Go figure.

Let's get the obvious out of the way: Roger Moore is officially eligible for the senior discount at Denny's. You can see the loose skin dangling from his neck like a Christmas turkey, and when a stunt double isn't doing the dirty work for him, he looks a little... tired. Even his libido seems to be on the downswing; he flirts with girls, sure, but we no longer see him forcibly storming his way into their pants. And let's face it, at his age, that would just be creepy.

Another sour point I'll mention is the choice of women in the film. Stacey Sutton (played by Tanya Roberts), who does have the most incredible eyes, is absolutely horrendous, on par with Rosie Carver in Live and Let Die. May Day (Grace Jones) is fine as a henchwoman with few words and superhuman strength -- I'm willing to accept that. But she flips a sudden 180 very late in the movie (arguably merited), and don't even get me started on the love scenes. When central villain Max Zorin (Christopher Walken) has May Day pinned to the floor in a sparring match and cranes his neck in for a sloppy kiss, it's like watching Ellen DeGeneres make out with Wesley Snipes.

I did like Walken as Zorin, though, and I'm not just saying that because it's hip to like Walken. His idiosyncrasies make for perfect villain material, and when Bond calls him psychotic, you almost believe it more, specifically because it's Christopher Walken - of course he's crazy. As a matter of fact, if someone told me that he was the product of genetic experimentation gone wrong, like Zorin, the world might actually make more sense. He doesn't quite play up to his potential, but he was believable, I thought.

As for the campy elements, there were plenty of over-the-top scenes. There's 007 snowboarding down a mountain to the soundtrack of "California Girls;" driving literally half a car down a motorway during a chase; engaging in a video game style horse race, complete with moving obstacles and roughhousing opponents at his side. And what in the name of all that is holy was the fire truck scene all about? That was downright absurd, from start to finish.

Now, after all this, you'd expect me to say that I hated this movie, right? Well, I can't justify it - I can't even really explain it - but at the end of the day, I was actually sort of entertained. Stupidity abounds in A View to a Kill, subplots disappear without a trace, logic and physics are tested to the extreme, acting is optional, and there's little action to get excited about. I can't even say that these loony elements are what endeared the film to me, because it's not entirely true. For whatever reason, however, the two hours just flew by for me. Next comes a new Bond, which is exciting, so it's with a rather numb heart that I bid farewell to the Roger Moore era.

My favorite line: This is Zorin finishing a line spoken by May Day -- "What a view..." "...to a kill!" I still don't know what that means, but bonus points for using the film's title in the dialogue.

My favorite moment: It probably has to be the make out scene between Christopher Walken and Grace Jones, because I couldn't help thinking what their spawn would be like... Quite possibly the greatest world leader history has known. Either that, or the most eccentric UFC champion ever.

Other Articles:

Day 1: Dr. No (1962)
Day 2: From Russia With Love (1963)
Day 3: Goldfinger (1964)
Day 4: Thunderball (1965)
Day 5: Casino Royale (1967)
Day 6: You Only Live Twice (1967)
Day 7: On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
Day 8: Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
Day 9: Live and Let Die (1973)
Day 10: The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
Day 11: The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
Day 12: Moonraker (1979)
Day 13: For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Day 14: Octopussy (1983)
Day 15: Never Say Never Again (1983)
Day 16: A View to a Kill (1985)
Day 17: The Living Daylights (1987)
Day 18: Licence to Kill (1989)
Day 19: GoldenEye (1995)
Day 20: Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
Day 21: The World Is Not Enough (1999)
Day 22: Die Another Day (2002)
Day 23: Casino Royale (2006)
Day 24: Quantum of Solace (2008)

(1-20 of 50 posts) | Reply

ck100 writes:
on Nov 05 2008 05:11 PM

I must admit I've been looking forward to this review ever since Ryan started this whole Bond thing. Now that he's done it, I've waiting to comment on this movie:

1. I agree with Ryan's assertion that the movie as a whole is silly but somehow entertaining. It's weird how some of us should hate this movie but we strangely don't.

2. What's fun about Moore being so old is you can watch the action scenes and try to pick out who is the stunt guy and who is Moore. The most obvious scene to do this is when Bond steals the taxi in Paris. My god are the stunt doubles so obvious.

3. I think the title "A View to a Kill" means something like "A landmark to destroy". Go with me on this and hopefully it will make sense. Mayday and Zorin are on the blimp, right? They see San Fransisco which is a famous, resourceful city. Now a city like San Fransisco can be a potential target for a terrorist. So in the end Mayday and Zorin are probably commenting on how the city looks so good enough to destory. So "A View to a Kill" can be translated to something like: "Wow, what a city!" "Yeah, to destroy". I apologize if this makes no sense to you, but that's how I interpreted the title.

4. I enjoy the firetruck sequence because it's so downright dumb it's silly. Plus, the obvious rear-projected background shots when Moore hangs off the ladder is so obvious it's amusing. I'm guessing the whole sequence was done for comedic effect even though it's funny for all the wrong reasons.

5. One thing that always makes me laugh is the "OHHHHHH!" noise Moore makes when he comes into peril. Some obvious examples are when May Day hits Bond with the fishing pole, when Bond's horse first jumps the course obstacle, when the ladder comes loose as Moore hangs on it, and when the blimp rope knocks Moore off the bridge.

6. Anybody notice how Moore says "Hold Tight!" in the later Bond movies? it's almost like a catchphrase. He says it twice in FYEO, once in Octopussy, and I think twice in this movie.

7. Stacy is one of the worse Bond girls because she's so whiny and wimpy. May Day, for some reason, is kind of enjoyable in a freakish sort of way. As for Moneypenny, she looks old enough to join AARP.

8. As for the Bond/May Day sex scene, well, it gave us the fun line: "A little restless, but I got off evenually." :P

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BatsInTheBelfry writes:
on Nov 05 2008 05:15 PM

It definitely walks a thin line between God awful and so God awful it's good. I hate it personally, but I can see how people would like it. Enjoy the Dalton movies. License is my third favorite movie and Daylights is definitely in my top ten, and just above Casino Royale. Dalton is great as Bond, he brought an intensity to the roll and is the first Bond to actually be an expert Marksman in real life. Of all the Bonds, including Connery and Craig, Dalton's would be the one I'd be most scared of if he was angry with me.

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Mike C. writes:
on Nov 05 2008 05:16 PM

I love every Bond film, although my opinion is a little low on a few (Diamonds Are Forever). The thing with me is, where a good amount of people really don't like the campiness or humor in Moore's Bond films, I think it's great. These are a few movies where I can just suspend my disbelief for a while, and just watch this ridiculous action happen in front of me and, as long as I don't take any of it seriously, it's great.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to your review of The Living Daylights, seeing as that's one of my all time favorite 007 films.

(Reply to this)

ck100 writes:
on Nov 05 2008 05:18 PM

In reply to this comment (#2115605)
You can't forget some of the funny lines in this movie:

Zorin: "More! More power! More! Do it!"

Pola Ivanova: "The bubbles tickle my... Tchaikovsky!"

Zorin: "You slept well?"
Bond: "A little restless but I got off eventually."

James Bond: "Well my dear, I take it you spend quite a lot of time in the saddle."
Jenny Flex: "Yes, I love an early morning ride."
James Bond: "Well, I'm an early riser myself."

Zorin: "Intuitive improvisation is the secret of genius."

Zorin: "So, anyone else want to drop out?"

A quote similar to Bond and Plenty O'Toole in DAF:

Jenny Flex: "Welcome, sir. I'm Jenny Flex."
James Bond: "Of course you are."

Mine Foreman: [sees Bond disguised as a fireman] "Where's the fire?"
James Bond: [American accent] "In your rear end!"

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ck100 writes:
on Nov 05 2008 05:26 PM

Of course I must mention my favorite part from this movie. A part so silly that it's funny.

I'm talking about the single shot of Bond holding on the blimp rope and almost hitting his "crown jewels" against the pole on the top of the tower. Just seeing the horrified look on his face as well as hearing his "OHHHHH!" noise is just too priceless. lol.

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law d. writes:
on Nov 05 2008 05:34 PM

I enjoy this film too, but it's clearly absolutely awful. Roger Moore needing stunt people for running up stairs shouldn't be funny, but damn, it is. The character of Stacy is just... good lord. When a great massive airship can sneak up behind you, you know you've reached a whole new level of dumb blonde.

The title song is awesome, though. And Walken never fails to crack me up. His delivery of some of his lines is classic. I think my favourite is "More! MORE POWAH!", but "I'm happiest... IN THE SADDLE!" comes close.

Oh, and I nearly forgot. The noise Roger Moore makes right at the end is hysterical.

On to some of my favourites next. I think The Living Daylights - Licence To Kill - Goldeneye may be the best run of films in the series.

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Sputnik99 writes:
on Nov 05 2008 05:40 PM

The campy opening scene helped escalate the popularity of snowboarding ten-fold. In a lot of ways, A View to a Kill affected modern American culture a lot more than any of the other Bond movies did. So, bad movie or not, AVTAK has some value.

Moore was Bond for too long, but I'll always like him. He was the "fun" Bond. Nowadays it seems we have the "cranky" Bond.

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J S. writes:
on Nov 05 2008 05:42 PM

Thus ends the reign of Sir Roger. Next up, the much more straight laced Timmy Dalton.
Living Daylights: Fantastic.
License to Kill: Meeehhhh.
Dalton never really appeared to enjoy himself in the role, unfortunately.

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Almost.Famous writes:
on Nov 05 2008 06:22 PM

3 more days till GOLDENEYE! Yay!

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idratherbe8587 writes:
on Nov 05 2008 06:25 PM

Saying goodbye to Moore, I have to agree with Sputnik99: He was the fun Bond. Maybe a little too goofy and campy at times, but his films have a tone and texture that is all their own. Like them or not, they're an essential part of the Bond canon. And honestly... when I think of Bond, I picture Roger Moore. He's not my favorite, but that says something.

I never warmed up to Dalton. Maybe because he's the stark opposite of Moore. Although I haven't seen them since the dawn of Craig and Casino Royale, so maybe I'll like them in a new context.

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ck100 writes:
on Nov 05 2008 06:45 PM

You guys have to understand Dalton was trying to make the character in terms of the way Ian Flemming made the character. I mean Bond was a character that was dark, brooding, violent, etc. Dalton was merely trying to make the character more this way. Some people didn't buy him because they were so used to Roger Moore's take on things. Yeah, Dalton probably could have lightened up a little, but still, he was a refreshing change after Moore stayed too long. Besides, he helped set the template for Daniel Craig's current take on things. I think people just weren't ready to accept a Bond that was so rough and tough.

It would have been interesting to see how Dalton would have progressed if could have done a Bond movie in 1991 and 1993. But it's too bad the series got in legal troubles and didn't recover until 1995. By then Dalton quit the role and Brosnan took over.

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martinscorsese25 writes:
on Nov 05 2008 06:46 PM

i've just watched Quantum Of Solace yesterday(here in philippines, it open nov 5, and we're one day earlier than america)... it was great, not as great as casino royale but it's a great bond film... the action sequences we're bourne like, handheld shaky cam, second by second editing... while the action was good, my favorite parts of the film was the conversations between M and Bond, also Daniel Craig's acting is superb... maybe next time, in bond 23, they can get a good director not just for dramatic, but for action purposes too... Marc Forster did a good job, the problem was the action sequences, too blurry! even though it works for the fighting sequences, it just don't work for car chases... my suggestion, DAVID FINCHER for Bond 23!!

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KingSigy writes:
on Nov 05 2008 06:51 PM

I can't stand this movie. Kudos to you for actually finding some entertainment value in it, but I just will not watch this Bond film again. Too much pain and not enough fun.

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Shawndorman writes:
on Nov 05 2008 06:54 PM

"It's like watching Ellen DeGeneres make out with Wesley Snipes." HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! This is, by far, my least favorite Bond film. There's still no doubt that it does get SOME merit for being laughably bad. If it's the silly elements you're enjoying though, brace yourself for Dalton. After the ridiculousness of the Moore films, I found his movies to be quite refreshing (the Living Daylights, at least).

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asilentmovie writes:
on Nov 05 2008 06:59 PM

I think its unfortunate that this film sucks so much, because I actually really like the villains (Zorin & May Day) a lot. The Bond girl is the worst ever, though, and Roger Moore .. ugh. jowly.4

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indiefilmfan2 writes:
on Nov 05 2008 07:30 PM

Roger Moore wouldn't be convincing in a Viagra commercial at this point. A View to a Kill also has the most overrated Bond theme song. Maybe it's because I never really cared for Duran Duran. The Bond girls were horrible especially Tanya, although Denise Richards is nearly as bad in TWINE. Walken was decent but he was surrounded by awfulness. IMO, the worst Bond film, but because I'm a die-hard fan, I can not dislike it. It gets much better with The Living Daylights.

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ledawg1138 writes:
on Nov 05 2008 08:04 PM

Just saw Casino Royale-(2006). Best Bond ever. But I'd still see the others including this film featuring Grandpa Bond, worlds nastiest make out, and a loathing by Moore and Connery. Yeah, they don't like it.

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sunsaz writes:
on Nov 05 2008 08:05 PM

With the possible exception of Die Another Day, this was rock bottom for the Bond franchise.

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bondfreak writes:
on Nov 05 2008 08:07 PM

Haha Ryan love your comments you should write comedy one day, hilarious comparisons. Anyways you should like The Living Daylights because its a more hard edged Bond and less of the womanizer that you are probably now used to, and get this its actually got some physics around it (wow). Anyways enjoy Timothy is my least favourite as Bond but his films are pretty good because of other elements. Hope you like em, personally im waiting to see what you think of Goldeneye.

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bwozar07 writes:
on Nov 05 2008 08:46 PM

I've been pestering you about this for the last few reviews, but Ryan, I still think you should include the 1954 Casino Royale in all this.

I'm really enjoying this and I think it should be done for more series, esp. if there are editors unfamiliar with them. Perhaps Star Trek, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jack Ryan and the Burton/Schumacher Batmans?

(Reply to this)

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