THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (1977)
A film review by Andrew Hicks
Copyright 1996 Andrew Hicks / Fatboy Productions
THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (1977) ***
One of the most entertaining James Bond films from the Roger Moore era, THE SPY WHO LOVED ME is probably the biggest budget Bond movie, with huge sets and props as well as some blockbuster action scenes. And how can you not like a movie that co- stars Ringo's wife, Barbara Bach, and features a non-stop disco version of the traditional series score?
It's a globe-trotting action movie that has Bond and Mrs. Starr, a beautiful Russian spy, teaming up to end SPECTRE's latest threat. This time, it's a madman who kidnaps two nuclear submarines, one Russian and one American. His plan is to destroy the civilized world as we know it and begin an underwater society. This is somebody who went a little too far after seeing THE LITTLE MERMAID. I know the shell bra is a real turn-on, but give me a break.
The Bond formula works especially well here. Even though the omnipresent disco score becomes annoying and the ski slope chase scene at the beginning is blue screen technology at its worst, there are still more than enough gadgets, explosions, chases, etc. to make up. And as usual, Bond's three-woman quota is reached with a little help from Mrs. Starr, who also makes the movie a standout in the series. Most of the beautiful women from the 70's were hidden behind the ugly bell-bottoms and poofy hair, which makes Bach's straight-haired, smartly-dressed Agent XXX a welcome exception.
I'd have to say Ringo Starr is the luckiest bastard on earth. First his talentless self got to be in the greatest rock and roll band ever, then he married one of the hottest ladies of the 70's, now he gets to eat his pizza _crust first_! We should all be so fortunate.
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