Better than I remembered!
I saw this film back in the 1980's on release and promptly forgot about it. I recently rewatched it a few months back and was pleasantly surprised at how well it holds up. It is certainly not the worst Bond film, despite its reputation, and in fact I'd even argue that it is a more enjoyable film to watch than some of the recent dour Daniel Craig movies.
PROS:
1 - Great theme song by Duran Duran. Probably the thing I remembered most about the film for years.
2 - Tanya Roberts looked incredibly beautiful in this film and was a far more credible American Bond girl than Jill Saint John in Diamonds are Forever. Or the dreadful Denise Richards.
3 - Some very beautiful scenery, especially in the early stages involving the horses.
4 - Solid action sequences, despite the use of stunt doubles and obvious backdrop shots.
CONS:
1 - Beach Boys song? I love this song, but really, it didn't belong in the film. I cringed and ignored it for the few seconds it was in the film, then I moved on.
2 - Oomps and Ooohs. A bit too many goofy sound efforts from Moore during the action sequences, but again not a big deal.
3 - Grace Jones??? Nothing against the singer, but she seemed out of place to me in the film. Like Madonna in Die Another Day.
A View to a Kill feels like a James Bond movie in the classic mode. Most of the films to come afterwards haven't really felt like James Bond to me, with the exception of The Living Daylights and Casino Royale. But I suppose even Bond must change with the times.