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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.