Today’s quick review: The Spy Who Loved Me. James Bond (Roger Moore) teams up with Major Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach) of the KGB when submarines from Britain and the Soviet Union go missing. Their investigation takes them to Cairo, where the unstoppable brute known as Jaws (Richard Kiel) is waiting for them. From there the two agents set their sights on the marine laboratory of Karl Stromberg (Curt Jurgens), one of the richest men in the world.
The Spy Who Loved Me is a spy adventure, the tenth film in the James Bond franchise, and Roger Moore’s third. The Spy Who Loved Me hits a sweet spot when it comes to the Bond formula. The pieces of the movie are no different than those of any other Bond flick, but they are assembled with an unusual amount of care. Everything from the plot to the action to the romance works beautifully together, making for a well-balanced and satisfying watch.
James Bond’s team-up with Anya Amasova is one of the best in the series. Roger Moore and Barbara Bach have great chemistry, and unlike many of Bond’s romantic conquests, Anya has more than a passing role in the story. The two spies play off each other wonderfully, ably picking up each other’s slack in a challenging investigation. Their rivalry puts a nice tension in their relationship and gives it just the right balance of push and pull.
The rest of the movie runs just as smoothly. The plot is a globe-trotting investigation that visits a variety of goregous locales. The action ranges from hand-to-hand scuffles to full-blown battles, and its memorable set pieces and creative stunts make it a rich and fulfilling adventure. Stromberg is a Bond villain in the classic mold: dignified, dangerous, and highly ambitious. But it’s his metal-mandibled henchman Jaws who steals the show.
The Spy Who Loved Me is the prototypical Bond film and an excellent pick for anyone who enjoys the bold, fun, and adventurous side of the franchise. Two great leads, a handful of new tricks, and rock-solid execution of a tested formula make The Spy Who Loved Me one of the better entries into the series. Steer clear if you dislike the character or you prefer action that’s more grounded and realistic.
For an earlier take on a similar premise, try From Russia with Love. For more aquatic action, try Thunderball. For an action comedy about rival spies forced to work together, try The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for a healthy mixture of plot, action, and everything else Bond is known for.