Even if I didn't like ' 60s (and some later) spy movies, I would still hate that "Bond rip-off" label that they almost all get (at least, the "escapist" ones). Even fans of them always seem to be saying that. Sure, they owe a lot to the Bond movies, but they aren't copies. Having said that, this one maybe owes more than most, but in a good way. Of course, Richard Harrison always seemed to fit very well into these Italian adventure films of all kinds. And Dominique Boschero was very good as the "damsel in distress". And especially, Wandisa Guida was very good as the "villainess", as was the actor (I can never think of his name) who played her partner - though when they're together, I can't help thinking of a serious version of Boris and Natasha (he even has the same coat and hat!). But this had one down side. That actress and character seemed just right as an all-out "villainess", the kind who actually seduces the hero, like "Fiona" in Thunderball (a movie that this one seems to be inspired by more than a little). There was even a scene that seemed to set up that idea, but it didn't go anywhere else with it (as opposed to the big showdown between him and her & her partners). I have a real prejudice for adventure stories with "femme fatale" characters, but even considering that, this one seemed to really miss an opportunity when it came to that one thing. This brings up a question that someone might be able to help me with (though it's kind of a general one). Since European films are supposed to have been very free with bedroom scenes and things like that, earlier than American ones (though I'm sure that's a generalization), and since these movies are SUPPOSEDLY Bond rip-offs, I've always wondered why most of them are only SLIGHTLY titillating in that way, or not at all. In other words (rip-off or not), why aren't they full of "Bond girls" in the thorough-going sense?
Review of Secret Agent Fireball
