Moonraker Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of Moonraker showcases a meticulously restored 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 transfer, preserving the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Overall, the image quality is striking, with vibrant and robust colors that enhance the iconic Bond film's visual appeal. The initial freefall sequence, with its deep blue skies and lush green countryside, looks exceptionally vivid. Flesh tones are predominantly accurate but can appear overly polished in certain scenes, causing Roger Moore's face to seem unnaturally detailed during the helicopter flight to Drax’s Chateau.

Detail retrieval is significantly improved, offering remarkable sharpness that brings out aspects like architectural details and fabric textures, albeit sometimes making stunt doubles and matte painting backdrops more apparent. While some over-contrast issues were noted, particularly affecting skin tone fidelity in darker scenes and reverse angle shots on Roger Moore, these instances are relatively rare. The space scenes feature crisp whites and deep blacks, although minor banding issues occur sporadically.

Lowry Digital's restoration effort ensures a film-like appearance with minimal digital artifacts. Edge enhancement, macroblocking, and ringing are notably absent, though artifacts such as minor ringing and frozen grain due to Digital Noise Reduction are present upon close inspection. Contrasts might be on the lighter side and artificial sharpening occasionally leads to minor moiré patterns visible in specific scenes (e.g., window blinds at time code 17:40). Despite these nitpicks, the Moonraker Blu-ray disc is a visually appealing release that successfully revitalizes the film's vintage charm.

The audio presentation of the "Moonraker" Blu-ray offers two distinct options: a Dolby Surround mix for purists and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track for those seeking up-to-date sound fidelity. While the Dolby Surround mix is nostalgic and sounds good, the lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 track is generally clearer, with effects more precisely placed in the sound field. The latter provides a substantial upgrade over previous versions, enhancing clarity and creating a more convincing soundstage. Highlights include Shirley Bassey’s robust vocal performance in the title song and a dynamic use of surrounds during the space station battle, although there is a noticeable lack of deep LFE during shuttle launches and explosions.

Dialogue throughout the film is crisp and easily discerned, benefiting from the cleaner, more modern audio mix. Fans will appreciate the abundance of directional effects in many action sequences, though it should be noted that the ADR work is occasionally too obvious. Despite being derived from original seventies-era Dolby Stereo recordings, the DTS-HD Master Audio track does not resort to overly gimmicky or inappropriate usage; it remains faithful to the movie's tone while offering notable improvements. However, audiophiles might find the overall fidelity slightly dull but adequate for a film of such vintage.

Overall, while "Moonraker" will never match modern action soundtracks, its Blu-ray audio overhaul via the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track does significantly enhance its auditory experience without detracting from the film's essence. The enclosed Dolby Digital 2.0 option provides an alternative for traditionalists, yet the lossless DTS track remains preferable for its superior clarity and immersive quality, especially during intense scenes like the laser battle, which effectively utilizes surround sound to engage viewers.

The Blu-ray extras for "Moonraker" offer an extensive and engaging range of bonus features, preserving both technical details and behind-the-scenes insights. The disc includes two audio commentaries: a solo track by Sir Roger Moore, sharing his vivid memories and anecdotes, and a dynamic group discussion featuring director Lewis Gilbert, writer Christopher Wood, and producers Michael G. Wilson and Bill Cartlidge, which delves into the production nuances. Additionally, several high-definition reconstructed documentaries provide rich historical context and fascinating production stories, such as "Inside Moonraker" and "The Men Behind the Mayhem." Other highlight features encompass a blend of original production footage, insightful narrations by Michael Wilson and Ken Adam, and alternative storyboards, all contributing to a comprehensive exploration of the film's creation.

Extras included in this disc:

• Feature-Length Audio Commentary with Sir Roger Moore: Solo insights and reminiscences by the actor.
• Feature-Length Audio Commentary with Director Lewis Gilbert & Crew: Screen-specific chat with key production figures.
• Inside Moonraker: HD documentary offering in-depth production insights.
• 007 in Rio: Production promo with cast and crew interviews.
• Bond '79: Vintage interviews during the film's production.
• Ken Adam's Production Films: Home movies narrated by the production designer.
• Learning to Freefall: Skydiving test footage narration.
• Circus Footage: Unused alternate edit of pre-title sequence.
• Storyboard Animatics: Animated storyboards for key sequences.
• The Men Behind the Mayhem: Documentary on special effects artists.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original cinematic trailer.

"Moonraker" presents itself as one of the lighter and more humorous entries in the Roger Moore era of James Bond films. The film seeks to indulge in pure family fun, paralleling the 'Star Wars' craze of its time with an outlandish yet imaginative storyline. Set against a backdrop of ambitious stunts and extravagant spectacle, the 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 widescreen 2.35:1 picture quality is generally excellent, with occasional overindulgences in contrast and sharpness. This transfer looks spectacular on larger screens, offering the best visual presentation of the film in years. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround sound mix shines, particularly in the outer space battle scenes, where effects are skillfully steered to enthrall the viewer, and dialogue remains clear and crisp throughout.

Despite technical merits, the film struggles under its own ambitions. "Moonraker" has often been criticized as one of the weakest Bond films, suffering from a convoluted plot that overly relies on sci-fi elements and campy humor. Roger Moore's portrayal of Bond veers into self-parody, detracting from the heroic aura traditionally associated with the character. Michael Lonsdale delivers a compelling performance as the antagonist Hugo Drax, but even this cannot mitigate the absurdity of certain scenes, such as Jaws (Richard Kiel) engaging in a preposterous romantic subplot. Key action set pieces, like the skydiving sequence and cable car fight, offer moments of genuine excitement but are offset by the ludicrous finale.

For Bond enthusiasts, "Moonraker" remains a polarizing experience. Some may appreciate its unique blend of 70s sci-fi nostalgia and traditional spy elements, while others might find it frustratingly misguided. An array of compelling extras on the Blu-ray, including behind-the-scenes practice jumps and archival footage from Production Designer Ken Adam, provide valuable context and are sure to engage dedicated fans. However, the film's inherent flaws render it more a piece of cinematic curiosity than a definitive Bond adventure.

"Moonraker", while often lambasted as one of the worst entries in the James Bond series, retains a peculiar charm that may appeal to certain audiences. The plot's mashup of James Bond espionage with space-faring science fiction results in a bizarrely entertaining blend, albeit often verging on the absurd. Roger Moore's portrayal of Bond comes off as campy, fitting well with the film’s overall tone, which may delight audiences looking for a guilty pleasure. Despite its shortcomings, "Moonraker" provides ample action sequences and moments of levity that can engage less critical viewers.

Technically, the Blu-ray transfer of "Moonraker" is top-notch. The video quality is crisp and clear, preserving the visual aesthetic of the original production while enhancing it with modern high-definition standards. The audio mix is robust, delivering clear dialogue and immersive sound effects. Furthermore, the collection of supplements included with this release offers a deep dive into the movie's production, making it a valuable asset for die-hard fans and collectors.

In conclusion, while "Moonraker" may falter in narrative and coherence, it excels as a Blu-ray presentation. Fox has provided exceptional video and audio transfers that bring the best out of this contentious entry in the Bond franchise. Although it may not be universally acclaimed, "Moonraker" offers enough spectacle and nostalgia to be worthy of exploration, particularly for dedicated James Bond aficionados and enthusiasts of vintage science fiction hybrids.