Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Octopussy’

Written by Scott Edwards

I have never tried to hide my feelings about the circus in the past. Although I do not go on a consistent basis when they are in town, I have such respect for the performers that take the stages day after day to make a living. But not the clowns, I had a bad run in with a clown at a circus and am pretty sure that is where my coulrophobia or clown-a-phobia stems from. Without the clowns, the circus can be one of the greatest times you will ever have, even as an adult. It is worth checking out whenever a show comes to town, and you need to experience it at least one time in your life. 

General Orlov has his sights set on taking over Europe and he has the troops in place to do just that. But when he is shut down in the Russian war room, Orlov has a plan to fund his war, with or without the approval of his government. The forging of priceless Faberge eggs has been a beneficial practice for him and getting the payouts at auctions will be more than enough to set his plan in motion for his country. But he does not know that 007 has been assigned to the case and when Bond finds out what is really going on, he will be hard to dismiss. 

At an auction, Bond sits at the table with the real bidders and gets to inspect the Fabergé egg and while in a bidding war with Kamal Khan is able to replace the original with the fake he has in his possession. Knowing he will meet Khan again; Bond secures his egg and travels to India to follow his leads. Meeting Khan while playing high stakes backgammon, Bond also meets young Magda who seems to be with the wealthy man and is able to gain some valuable information from her. But Magda has her own purpose for being there and when she is able to escape Bond’s hotel room with the egg, she thinks that she is in the clear, but the Q branch has been able to fit the egg with a tracking device that will lead Bond right to where it is being held. 

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​Being knocked out before he can go through with his plan, Bond finds himself in Khan’s palace on the hill. Watching and listening, he finds out that Orlov is running a jewelry theft ring. After escaping this discovery in classic Bond fashion, 007 is drawn to the Floating Island where no men are allowed and is inhabited by beautiful women. Drawn to this opportunity, Bond is able to sneak onto the island and meets with Octopussy, the leader of the group of performers and finds out that he and Octopussy have a little bit of history together. After Orlov finds out what is happening between the two, he puts a hit on Bond, hoping to get him out of the way, but Bond is not to be swayed and will stick the course as long as he can.

Finding some of his helpers dead, Bond follows Octopussy to Germany where the real plan is set to take place. Orlov has all of the diamonds in his possession and is ready to make his move while leaving Octopussy in the dust. Making a switch of train cars that should be keeping the diamonds safe, Octopussy is given an atomic bomb that is set to go off before her latest show ends, but 007 is wiser and finds out the plot before Orlov can follow through. Getting into the circus disguised as a clown, Bond has to convince all of the members of rank in the crowd that they will be blown away unless they listen to him, 007 has to defuse the bomb, along with find out where Octopussy is being held and rescue her before it is too late.

This movie holds a very special place in my heart for two reasons, one, Maud Adams returns for her second run as a Bond woman and the second, well, it features the circus which should be everyone’s second home. I also like the group that was brought in to help Bond on his adventures, especially Vijay who is able to fight off Khan’s henchmen with nothing more than a tennis racket. Khan has plenty of help at his disposal as well and his main enforcer Gobinda is a beast and even though he is not Jaws, he does a fine job in making his presence known. Along with the gadgets getting a little more advanced, you get to see where the series is trying to go and even with some of the worst innuendos, it is just a joy. And I think that Q even got some play, so that is a huge plus going forward since Bond was partially the reason for it. Until next time, keep it Shaken, not Stirred.

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