Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!genrad!decvax!harpo!floyd!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!ucbcad!ucbvax!citrin From: citrin@ucbvax.UUCP Newsgroups: net.movies Subject: Octopussy (non-spoiler) and other observations Message-ID: <300@ucbvax.UUCP> Date: Thu, 16-Jun-83 04:42:19 EDT Article-I.D.: ucbvax.300 Posted: Thu Jun 16 04:42:19 1983 Date-Received: Fri, 17-Jun-83 06:41:48 EDT Lines: 43 Just saw "Octopussy" today. In general, it was an enjoyable film, with more intelligent humor than has been seen in some recent Bond films. This humor is probably traceable to the primary screenwriter, George MacDonald Fraser, author of the hilarious "Flashman" novels and screenwriter for "Royal Flash" and "The Three/Four Musketeers". The plot was slightly muddled, although it is easily sorted out, and the suspense is maintained until the end. One highlight of the film: a Russian general played in a manner reminiscent of George C. Scott's Gen. Buck Turgidson in "Dr. Strangelove." One observation is that the Cold War suits Bond well. During Detente, the Russians were not suitable villains; instead, new super-villains had to be created and new ways of threatening the world devised. As a result, we got poor Bond films which hit bottom with "Moonraker." Now that the Cold War has returned, the Russians have also returned, and we have had better Bond films: "For Your Eyes Only" (the best Bond film in a long time) and "Octopussy," not as good as its predecessor, but still better than the detente films. Although I enjoyed the film, I was disturbed afterwards by the realization that the Bond films have become parodies of themselves. It is true that Bond films are predictable, but it is amazing how rigid the Bond formula has become since "The Man with the Golden Gun." In the current film, the self- parody is even more obvious; in one scene, a street musician (actually, a snake charmer) plays the Bond theme on his instrument as Bond passes by. Bond remarks that it is a "catchy tune." This self parody is a discouraging developement since in "For Your Eyes Only," there seemed to be a move away from gadgets toward simpler, less ambitious films and a more three-dimensional Bond reminiscent of "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" and "From Russia with Love." This new film is a retreat to gadgets and shallow characterizations. In all, Bond fans should enjoy the film. It delivers what it promises, and the viewer gets what he expects. Wayne Citrin (ucbvax!citrin) P.S. Until recently, Octopussy was to be the last Bond film, since the producers had run out of titles, and the agreement with the Fleming estate prohibited the creation of new ones. The plan was to make an extremely expensive film and kill Bond off at the end. However, the Fleming estate has agreed to the creation of new titles, and Bond should be with us for many more years. Sometimes, though, I wonder if he would be better off retired.