The Good, The Bad and The Critic

Established on March 19th, 2012 and pioneered by film fanatic Michael J. Carlisle. The Good, The Bad and The Critic will analyze classic and contemporary films from all corners of the globe. This title references Sergei Leone's influential spaghetti western The Good, The Bad and the Ugly.

Monday, June 19, 2017

Review #965: Octopussy (1983)

Title: Octopussy
Year: 1983
Director: John Glen
Country: UK
Language: English


The thirteenth entry in Ian Fleming's James Bond series, Octopussy was originally a short story in Fleming's 1966 short story collection Octopussy and the Living Daylights. Despite having the title retained, hardly any of the plot exists in this loose film adaptation. Upon release it received mix reviews from critics, but did pretty well at the box office. 

A fake FabergĂ© egg and a fellow agent's death leads James Bond (Roger Moore)  to uncover an international jewel-smuggling operation, headed by the mysterious Octopussy (Maude Adams), being used to disguise a nuclear attack on N.A.T.O. forces. 

I must admit that I viewed this picture based on the strange name alone. Octopussy has an odd tone to it; trying to be both tongue-in-cheek camp like Moonraker and a serious drama like From Russia with Love. It does both adequately, but sometimes the shift is so stark in contrast that it takes you out of the beautiful Indian setting, gorgeously shot by cinematographer Alan Hume. 

I am most impressed by the villain Octopussy (Maude Adams). Though she is less impressive than other Bond villains, it is refreshing to see such a powerful female character onscreen. Too often have our Bond girls been blonde ditz whose only asset is their cleavage. Octopussy is intellectually at match with Bond AND she has the looks to back it up.

Overall this is a finely made film that has a passable script. It will certainly remind older folk of their childhood adventure serials from television's past. I would certainly put it in my top ten of the James Bond franchise. 

 

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