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James McMahon --
A young Moore looks great in the role, but the Super Fly trappings date the film badly. Moore's Bond is indistinguishable from his Simon Templar "Saint" performance, except that he's less threatening. The gags here are the start of the decline.
Robert Cotton --
Fun, but trapped in the early 70 s. Moore has no idea what he s doing yet. He got there, but not in this film. Nice mystical quality, though.
Paul Baack --
True story -- immediately after seeing this film for the first time, I went home and read one of Don Pendleton's "Executioner" novels, because I felt so completely burned on James Bond. I've come to hate it a little less since then; actually, I'm an admirer of Yaphet Koto's portrayal of Dr. Kananga/Mr. Big; and also the "Jack the Giant Killer" template that screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz imposed over the otherwise pedestrian drug lord story. Jane Seymour is cute but forgettable, as is Gloria Hendry. Of course, Paul McCartney's theme song still holds up as a way-cool Bond theme. Other good stuff -- George Martin's rock tinged music score, and (I'm grasping at straws here,) the poster is among the series' best.
Oh yeah-- Roger Moore fails to impress.
Bill Koenig --
Roger Moore's debut is OK. There are times he's trying to look tough. He's OK but not the most convincing. His best moments are exuding cool under stress (looking unflappable while about to be executed by Mr. Big's thugs). The boat chase is amazing. But the death of Dr. Kananga is ridiculous.
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Ed Werner --
OK, here we start treading on the slippery slopes of the Moore era. Before we get into
disecting the film, let's talk about Roger Moore. Physically, he's always looked to me like
he never outgrew his baby fat. He is far from convincing in fight scenes. His acting scope ranges
from eyebrow up to eyebrow down and he is just too much of a pretty boy and he smokes
cigars! That said, I will refrain from commenting on Moore/Bond for the rest of his run with the
exception of FYEO.
That said, the movie is rather enjoyable in certain scenes, but there is a smarmy feel to this
film that continues throughout the entire Moore era that is difficult to put a finger on.
We are also introduced to the first really stupid character of the series, in the guise of Sheriff
J.W. Pepper.
Michael Reed --
No plot, an unsure Roger Moore and ridiculous gimmicks abound. The first time the baddies had more gadgets than Bond, yet they were written for specific scenes and not feasible. A boat chase that runs 5 minutes too long kills the midsection.
Tom Zielinski --
Roger Moore's debut. Though he seems earnest in trying to bring a unique depiction, he just isn't believable as an agent with a licence to kill. Again, director Guy Hamilton's and Mankiewicz's comedic tone is unforgivable. The good: Jane Seymour, Bernard Lee, Geoffrey Holder, Paul McCartney's theme song, and a couple interesting stunts. The bad: hmmm .a very long list that is not limited to Sheriff Pepper and the unattractive and weak Gloria Hendry, but they would be near the top. At the very top is the ill-conceived demise of Yaphet Kotto's Kananga. His inflating like a balloon, rising into the air, and exploding is juvenile, cartoonish, idiotic, and embarrassing. That scene alone dooms this film completely. It barely rates a D
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