The Spy Who Loved Me (film) big budget was not wasted. Interestingly, while the sets and gimmicks were the most spectacular to date, Bond and the other characters are toned down (there's a minimum of slapstick humour) so that they are more realistic than in other Roger Moore films. Moore gives his best performance in the series ... [Bond and Anya Amasova] are an appealing couple, equal in every way. Film is a real treat – a well acted, smartly cast, sexy, visually impressive, lavishly produced, powerfully directed mix of a spy romance and a war-mission film." Janet Maslin of "The New York Times" considered the
The Spy Who Dumped Me grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale, while PostTrak reported filmgoers gave it 3 out of 5 stars. "Variety"s Owen Gleiberman praised McKinnon's performance but criticized the film for favoring violence over comedy, writing, ""The Spy Who Dumped Me" is no debacle, but it's an over-the-top and weirdly combustible entertainment, a movie that can't seem to decide whether it wants to be a light comedy caper or a top-heavy exercise in B-movie mega-violence." Barbara VanDenburgh of "The Arizona Republic" called the film "a tonally incongruous, plodding and graphically violent comedy" and gave the film 2 out of 5