Live and Let Die

With Sean Connery's one-off, lacklustre return as Bond in Diamonds are Forever, 1973 would see the introduction of the third 007 with Roger Moore in Live and Let Die that hoped to keep the success of the eleven year old franchise alive. Guy Hamilton returned to the directing chair for his third time with Bond and the book to be adapted was Ian Fleming's second in the series while Paul McCartney provided one of the most iconic songs for the franchise but how does the rest of the film stack-up?

Following a pre-title sequence entirely devoid of James Bond, the agent finds himself on the trail for the murder of several colleagues in the Caribbean and uncovers a sinister drug operation behind it all. Live and Let Die follows Bond through London, New York, Louisiana and the fictional island of San Monique and is a fairly close adaptation of the book, all be it with a few differences as it continues to break continuity with Fleming's work. 

The book was an interesting adventure from what I remember but a straight adaptation would have been tricky given some of its more problematic elements when depicting African-Americans. Hamilton and the team instead draw a lot of inspiration from what was popular at the time, something future Bond films would continue to do, and in 1973 that was the blaxploitation films which gives Live and Let Die its own unique style when compared against the rest of the franchise. 

Stepping into some big shoes left by his predecessors, Moore hits the ground running as Bond and is suitably suave while also finding the right balance between the cold agent who is ready to kill and the more humourous moments. Oddly, Q is completely absent here but we do get a fun scene as Bond is briefed by M and Moneypenny at Bond's apartment proving to audiences Moore is more than capable in the leading role making for a seamless transition. Unfortunately I would say Jane Seymour's bond girl ranks among the more forgettable characters but the film is supported by Yaphet Kotto's great turn as the villain, Dr. Kananga. 

As for the rest of the film, the action and comedy keep it all very entertaining to watch for the most part with some nice on-location scenes in the Caribbean and America but the story does come to a halt in a protracted boat chase action sequence, which offers some impressive stunts but could have been tightened in the editing room. Meanwhile, George Martin (aka the fifth Beetle) does a great rob providing the score for the film while implementing McCartney's song throughout, which is something any good Bond film should do! 

Live and Let Die is a very fine Bond film with plenty of fun moments and sets Roger Moore's tenure off to a great start. There are flaws within this, whether it be the pacing towards the end or with how some elements have aged, but there is still plenty of entertainment to be had for Bond fans and just enough for newcomers.