Octopussy

Let’s be honest: Octopussy is one of those Bond films where, if you try to explain the plot out loud, you start to sound like you’ve lost your mind. A fake Fabergé egg leads to a circus-themed smuggling ring, which leads to a rogue Soviet general trying to detonate a nuke at a U.S. Air Force base in West Germany disguised as a clown. And that’s the abridged version.

Still, despite the whiplash-inducing storyline, this one works more often than it doesn’t. It’s a 3.5 out of 5 for me. I liked it. It’s a classic Bond cocktail: exotic locales, ludicrous gadgets, a suave Moore performance, and just enough camp to keep it fun. Don’t think too hard. Just enjoy the ride.

From Jewel Thefts to World War III

It starts with a Fabergé egg being auctioned in London and Bond being assigned to track its connection to a murdered agent. The investigation leads him to India, a mysterious woman named Octopussy, and eventually a Soviet general (Orlov) who plans to smuggle a nuclear bomb into a U.S. airbase and detonate it—hoping to trick NATO into disarming, giving the Soviets a green light for invasion.

If you’re thinking, “Wait, what?”—you’re not alone. The movie treats its storyline like a game of international espionage hopscotch. But somehow, all the chaos lands in that sweet spot between convoluted and entertaining.

Roger Moore: Still Got It, Even in a Clown Suit

Moore is older here, yes, but he’s still got the charm and timing. This is peak suave-dad Bond—unflappable, amused, and always five seconds away from a quip. He’s less physical now, but he makes up for it with experience. You believe this Bond has seen it all and still keeps his tux wrinkle-free.

And yes, he does dress up like a clown. And yes, it’s absurd. But somehow, Moore sells it. He manages to disarm a bomb while in full clown makeup and still walk away looking like the coolest man in the room. That’s the kind of magic this era of Bond occasionally pulls off.

The Cult Leader with Style

Maud Adams returns to the franchise, this time as the titular Octopussy—a smuggler, circus owner, and enigmatic leader of an all-female cult that lives on a floating palace in India. Is any of this explained? Barely. Is it kind of awesome? Absolutely.

She’s not the most dynamic Bond woman, but Adams gives her enough poise and mystique to make her memorable. She’s competent, elegant, and doesn’t just exist to fall into Bond’s bed—though that still happens, because of course it does.

Orlov and Khan: A Two-Villain Combo Platter

General Orlov (Steven Berkoff) is basically a walking cartoon. He yells. He monologues. He gesticulates like he’s in a Cold War stage play. Subtle, he is not. But as a power-hungry Soviet cliché, he fits right in.

Kamal Khan (Louis Jourdan), on the other hand, is all silk and sneers. He’s charming, dangerous, and very aware that he’s in a Bond movie. He plays it smooth, and his back-and-forth with Bond is some of the best in the film.

Together, they make a decent pair of villains—Khan brings the style, Orlov brings the volume.

Elephants, Trains, and Tightropes

There’s no shortage of action here. The tuk-tuk chase through Indian streets is pure slapstick chaos, and the train sequence in the final act is surprisingly tense and well-executed. Bond has to leap between cars, fight off henchmen, and stop a nuclear bomb—all while wearing a circus disguise. It’s ludicrous, but in a fun, high-stakes way.

There’s also a backflip off a rooftop onto a horse, an escape using crocodile camouflage, and a fight in a literal hall of mirrors. If you wanted a grounded Bond film, you took a wrong turn somewhere.

The Camp Factor: High but Manageable

There’s a lot of humor in Octopussy, and not all of it works. Bond swinging on vines while doing a literal Tarzan yell? Not ideal. A tennis match-style fight scene complete with spectators turning their heads back and forth? Very on the nose.

But here’s the thing: the movie knows it’s ridiculous. It leans into the absurdity with enough self-awareness that you’re more likely to laugh with it than at it. Most of the time.

Overstuffed, Over-the-Top, and Overlooked

Octopussy is a lot. The plot makes zero sense if you stop to think about it, and the tone shifts wildly from serious spy thriller to circus comedy. But underneath all that noise is a solid Bond adventure with memorable villains, exotic locations, and enough classic 007 moments to make it worth the ride.

It’s chaotic, but it’s the right kind of chaotic.

Our Score

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