Often maligned on release, is the 14th Bond movie worthy of reassessment?

The result was 1985sA View To A Kill, the 14th movie in the Bond canon.

To say this wasnt the best received entry into the franchise would be something of an understatement.

This writer believes, though, that Moore did protest too much.

In fact, Bond all but invents snowboarding to get away from the Russians.

Bond replies that the trip back from Siberia took a lot out of me.

To which the ever-innocent Moneypenny responds, Your dedication when on the job is commendable, James.

Its got its tongue-in-cheek, English humour down to a tee.

Bond first sets eyes on Max Zorin during a trip to Ascot racecourse.

Only on a couple of occasions during the film does Walken allow Zorin to show anger.

Zorin is a joy to watch.

The meeting, however, is taking place on Max Zorins personal airship, and outside means precisely that.

Just think how the landscape of fantasy cinema would have been altered if he hadnt…

The trip to Ascot also introduces us to Zorins chief henchman, or in this case, henchwoman.

The henchman is almost as important in Bond lore as the main villain.

Bond has a close encounter with Mayday during his investigations.

As minions go, Mayday is pretty unforgettable.

The action stays in France as Bond blags an invite to Zorins chateau for his horse sale.

Tibbett is nicely played by formerAvengers(not the Joss Whedon one) star Patrick McNee.

Bond is greeted upon arrival by Jenny Flex, prompting the familiar Bondism, Of course you are.

at all the right moments.

Moore said of his co-star that he felt there was little chemistry between them.

Its hard to imagine the film building to a bigger finale than it does.

Firstly theres the bonkers yet brilliant plot.

Max Zorin was perhaps the last Bond villain to set his sights on true destruction on a global scale.

Even though its preposterous, its damn good fun.

We expect to see James Bond in glamorous locations, andA View To A Killdoes not disappoint.

Thirdly, the film is stuffed with great supporting characters.

There are few other Bond movies with such a rich character set.

And then there is Duran Durans theme song.

When its time to deliver the action goods, the movie doesnt hold back and ramps up the thrills.

The tie-in videogame was awful, though.

The Bond 50 boxset is available on DVD and Blu-ray now.