I grew up with Roger Moore being who I'll always view as the "real" James Bond; handsome, dashing Moore was who starred in the franchise during the '70s when I was (eventually) in my teens and a fledgling frequent film-goer. (Although I eventually came to realize otherwise, Sean Connery, back then, was, to me, "the old guy". ) I tremendously enjoyed the humour and general good nature of the Moore era of 007.

I fully agree with you, that the voodoo aspects of this film are very effectively portrayed. When I much later (circa 1990) eventually visited New Orleans, I found myself readily remembering this movie and the strong voodoo components of it.

Definitely this film's vivid sheriff character sticks in the memory. I'm pretty sure I remember that actor subsequently (same general era) in another film or two - perhaps also on t.v. - portraying a similar character.

@rudely_murray said:

suggest what a strong film this could have been without the crocodile-hopping, endless speedboat chase, racist sheriff, etc.

Revisionist rubbish.

The crocodile hopping, speedboat chases, etc are what make this a quality James Bond film.

And that sheriff isn't a racist, he can't be - he's a democrat!

@Damienracer said:

@rudely_murray said:

suggest what a strong film this could have been without the crocodile-hopping, endless speedboat chase, racist sheriff, etc.

Then it wouldn't have been a Bond film would it? It would've been wicker man with voodoo.

Well, yes, true (incidentally, The Wicker Man with voodoo would be something to see!) but I very much admire the slightly darker/grittier tone which this film still does attempt, at times, to maintain. The balance is reasonably well maintained here, with even Moore attempting to show some toughness through his trademark smirking/eyebrow-raising. But the croc-hopping, while fun, is essentially a stepping stone towards the double-taking pigeons and trained tigers which would overwhelm the series in silliness over the years to come.

I agree with much of what the OP said. Tho I would add that the goofy 'humour' was there from the very beginning of the franchise. That and ridiculous plots. That is why it was always ripe for parody from the get go. The rebooted franchise from the Craig era wasn't a reset to the Connery era, it was a rethink of the concept, even a rethink of the 'literary' source material. Beats me what sort of person bought Fleming books- they must have been tragics of one sort or another. The movies were of course 100 or so minutes of popcorn and explosions and eye candy. Mindless diversion.

Live and Let Die might have hit some sort of sweet spot but for the poor SFX and the really overlong speedboat chase. Still in the better half of Bond movies imo.