Moonraker Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Bond goes to space because Star Wars was popular, and a bad guy wants to kill everyone except the hot people he hand-picked to live in a space station so they can repopulate the Earth, but Jaws finds love and ruins everything.

🍿 Moonraker: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Disappearance of the Moonraker

A Moonraker space shuttle, on loan to the UK, is hijacked mid-flight. James Bond is assigned to investigate the disappearance, leading him to Drax Industries, the shuttle’s manufacturer. This sets Bond on a global journey to uncover the truth behind the missing shuttle and the intentions of the mysterious Hugo Drax.

Investigating Drax Industries

Bond travels to Drax’s California headquarters, where he encounters Dr. Holly Goodhead, a NASA astronaut and CIA agent also investigating Drax. Several attempts are made on Bond’s life, fueling his suspicion that Drax is involved in something sinister. He discovers blueprints for a unique glass vial, leading him to Venice.

Venice and the Deadly Virus

In Venice, Bond discovers a secret laboratory where the glass vials are being manufactured. He learns they are designed to contain a nerve gas deadly to humans but harmless to animals and plants. A fight ensues with Drax’s henchman, Chang, culminating in Chang’s death. Evidence points Bond to Rio de Janeiro, where he suspects Drax has relocated his operation.

Rio de Janeiro and the Amazon

Bond travels to Rio de Janeiro, where he once again encounters Jaws, the metal-toothed henchman from *The Spy Who Loved Me*. After surviving attacks from Jaws, Bond discovers Drax’s secret launch facility deep in the Amazon rainforest. He learns Drax’s ultimate plan: to unleash the nerve gas upon the Earth from a hidden space station, wiping out humanity and repopulating the planet with a ‘perfect’ master race.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• James Bond (Roger Moore): A sophisticated British secret agent who investigates the theft of a space shuttle and uncovers a global genocide plot.
• Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale): A wealthy industrialist and megalomaniac who plans to destroy humanity and repopulate the Earth with a genetically superior race.
• Holly Goodhead (Lois Chiles): A CIA agent and astronaut who teams up with Bond to thwart Drax’s evil scheme.
• Jaws (Richard Kiel): A towering, metal-toothed henchman who initially works for Drax but later switches allegiances after finding love.
• M (Bernard Lee): The head of MI6, who assigns Bond to investigate the theft of the Moonraker.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Drax: “You appear with the tedious inevitability of an unloved season.” – Said to Bond, highlighting Drax’s disdain for Bond’s persistent interference.
• Drax: “At least I shall have the pleasure of putting you out of my misery.” – Drax says this to Bond before attempting to kill him.
• Bond: “Take me around the world one more time.” – Bond’s seductive line to Holly Goodhead, hinting at their upcoming romantic involvement.
• Jaws: “Well, here’s to us.” – Said by Jaws to Dolly after they eject from the space station, marking his transition to a more sympathetic character.
• Q: “I think he’s attempting re-entry, sir.” – Q’s humorous observation as Bond and Holly Goodhead are seen in a compromising position in zero gravity at the end of the film.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $34,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $70,308,099
• Worldwide Gross: $210,308,099

💥 Moonraker Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so Moonraker is definitely one of the crazier Bond films, but I have a soft spot for it. The whole space battle thing is ridiculous, but honestly, it’s so much fun to watch. The opening skydiving scene is awesome. And who can forget Jaws finding love? It made me smile from ear to ear. Even though it might not be the most serious Bond, Moonraker is an enjoyable ride from start to finish!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Roger Moore’s James Bond”
  • “Viewers who enjoy science fiction elements in spy films”
  • “Those seeking an over-the-top action-adventure movie”
  • “Individuals interested in visually stunning set designs and exotic locations”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Action violence”
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Some scenes may be intense for younger viewers”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “Moonraker is a fun spectacle, but feels less like a Bond film and more like a sci-fi adventure. While the space setting is visually impressive, the plot is far-fetched. Lonsdale as Drax is great! It barely feels like a Bond movie, it actually could be any bloke propelling the story, this is a guy reliant on gadgets.
• Film Critic: “Moonraker’s set design is great and locations are impressive. This movie should be watched on the big screen! Too bad it’s a bit weak because of the lighthearted tone which affects Bond’s serious persona, turning him into a caricature with constant puns. A decent movie nonetheless.
• Movie Historian: “Moonraker is a product of its time, influenced by the sci-fi boom. Although technically proficient, the plot is outlandish, and the character development is weak. Its appeal relies on spectacle rather than substance, making it one of the more forgettable entries in the Bond saga.

Audience Reactions

The space battle scene is visually stunning and a memorable part of the movie.: Most viewers find the over-the-top nature of the film entertaining and appreciate the film’s beautiful locations.

Richard Kiel’s performance as Jaws is iconic and memorable, even with the character’s unexpected turn.: Fans generally enjoyed the unique gadgets and action sequences, despite their absurdity.

Overall Consensus: Moonraker is a divisive film, with some considering it one of the worst Bond movies due to its reliance on camp and sci-fi elements, while others find it a fun and visually appealing adventure.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Visual Effects)- 1980

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “To capitalize on the popularity of ‘Star Wars,’ the producers decided to send Bond into space, deviating significantly from Ian Fleming’s original novel.”
• “The freefall sequence at the beginning of the movie required 88 skydives and five weeks to film, resulting in only two minutes of usable footage.”
• “Bernard Lee, who played ‘M,’ passed away shortly after filming, making ‘Moonraker’ his final appearance in the James Bond series.”
• “The film received an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects, but lost to ‘Alien.'”

🖥️ How to Watch Moonraker?

Moonraker is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD are also widely available through online retailers like Amazon and major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Moonraker, you might like these similar films:

• You Only Live Twice (1967): Features a villain with a similar plan to create a new world order and a hidden base in a remote location.
• The Spy Who Loved Me (1977): Features Richard Kiel as Jaws and a villain with a plan to create a new civilization underwater.
• Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977): Inspired ‘Moonraker’s’ space-themed elements and laser battles.
• Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014): Both movies feature over-the-top action, gadgets, and humour.
• Spaceballs (1987): A comedic space-themed adventure that parodies many sci-fi tropes, appealing to fans of Moonraker’s sillier aspects.

🛒 Moonraker Related Products

• James Bond 007 Moonraker Model Kit: Assemble your own replica of the Moonraker space shuttle, a must-have for any Bond enthusiast and model builder.
• Moonraker (James Bond) Blu-ray: Experience Moonraker in stunning high definition with special features that take you behind the scenes of this iconic film.
• James Bond 007 ‘Moonraker’ Movie Poster: Display your love for Bond with a high-quality reproduction of the original Moonraker movie poster, a classic piece of film memorabilia.
• UNO James Bond 007 Card Game: Play the classic card game with a Bond twist! Each card features iconic characters and imagery from the James Bond franchise.

🎧 Soundtrack

Moonraker features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Moonraker” – performed by Shirley Bassey
• “Bond 77” – performed by John Barry

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

55 Greatest James Bond One-Liners

If you’re a James Bond fan, you’ll love this video. It’s a compilation of 55 of the greatest one-liners from the entire franchise, and it’s sure to put a smile on your face.

Jaws Becomes THE HERO of James Bond’s Moonraker

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if Jaws, the iconic villain from Moonraker, became a hero? This video explores that very idea, and it’s definitely worth a watch.

Moonraker – DOLLY HAD BRACES and the complexity of perception (5 min film study)

Do you remember Dolly wearing braces in Moonraker? If so, you’re not alone. But did she actually have braces? This video explores the strange case of the “Dolly braces” Mandela effect.

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