Post by ck100 on Jul 14, 2024 3:41:30 GMT
Any fans of the James Bond movie "Licence to Kill"? How has it held up for you in 35 years?
This is a James Bond film that was certainly ahead of its time with its tough, gritty look and tone since it’s a prelude to what Daniel Craig has later done during his current James Bond tenure. I think audiences didn’t embrace this film 35 years ago because they were so used to Roger Moore’s lighthearted Bond interpretation and also because of the stiff competition from the Summer of 1989 blockbuster films (Batman, Ghostbusters II, Star Trek, Back to the Future II, etc.)
I will say Timothy Dalton seems more at home here than in The Living Daylights. It would have been interesting to see how much more he’d grow into the character if he could have made Bond movies in 1991 and 1993 before Pierce Brosnan took over in 1995. Not everyone has liked his interpretation of Bond, but he did help make the role closer to Ian Flemming’s Bond and put his own spin on the character in his short Bond tenure. I do like Robert Davi as Sanchez and think he’s one of the most ruthless, menacing Bond villains. Other appealing things to this film are the down-to-earth storyline, top action, tough women like Pam Bouvier, Benicio Del Toro, nice locations, etc. Some have felt this movie may have been too dark and violent, but they have also praised it for its gritty realism.
While likely not among the top James Bond films nor a great film, but Licence to Kill is certainly an above average James Bond film. I’d have it ranked in the upper half of all the Bond films and it might even be in a Top 10 list for me. I do think it’s the best of Timothy Dalton’s two Bond films. Audiences weren’t exactly ready for a Bond film like this 35 years ago, but it’s nice that Bond fans, critics and moviegoers have over the years grown to see the virtues of Licence to Kill. I appreciate a long-running franchise taking a chance on a Bond film with a different style and tone. One of the reasons the James Bond franchise has lasted so long is for out-of-the-norm entries like this here and there. They may not please everyone, but they do give the franchise some legs and show off creativity.
Leonard Maltin Movie Guide Review:
Licence to Kill (1989) - 3 out of 4 stars
"Tough, mean James Bond adventure, with Dalton pursuing a drug kingpin to avenge an attack on his best friend. Dazzling stunts, high adventure, and a sexy companion for Bond (Lowell) make this one of the best of the series since Sean Connery's departure (yet it still lacks that old time panache). Panavision."
This is a James Bond film that was certainly ahead of its time with its tough, gritty look and tone since it’s a prelude to what Daniel Craig has later done during his current James Bond tenure. I think audiences didn’t embrace this film 35 years ago because they were so used to Roger Moore’s lighthearted Bond interpretation and also because of the stiff competition from the Summer of 1989 blockbuster films (Batman, Ghostbusters II, Star Trek, Back to the Future II, etc.)
I will say Timothy Dalton seems more at home here than in The Living Daylights. It would have been interesting to see how much more he’d grow into the character if he could have made Bond movies in 1991 and 1993 before Pierce Brosnan took over in 1995. Not everyone has liked his interpretation of Bond, but he did help make the role closer to Ian Flemming’s Bond and put his own spin on the character in his short Bond tenure. I do like Robert Davi as Sanchez and think he’s one of the most ruthless, menacing Bond villains. Other appealing things to this film are the down-to-earth storyline, top action, tough women like Pam Bouvier, Benicio Del Toro, nice locations, etc. Some have felt this movie may have been too dark and violent, but they have also praised it for its gritty realism.
While likely not among the top James Bond films nor a great film, but Licence to Kill is certainly an above average James Bond film. I’d have it ranked in the upper half of all the Bond films and it might even be in a Top 10 list for me. I do think it’s the best of Timothy Dalton’s two Bond films. Audiences weren’t exactly ready for a Bond film like this 35 years ago, but it’s nice that Bond fans, critics and moviegoers have over the years grown to see the virtues of Licence to Kill. I appreciate a long-running franchise taking a chance on a Bond film with a different style and tone. One of the reasons the James Bond franchise has lasted so long is for out-of-the-norm entries like this here and there. They may not please everyone, but they do give the franchise some legs and show off creativity.
Leonard Maltin Movie Guide Review:
Licence to Kill (1989) - 3 out of 4 stars
"Tough, mean James Bond adventure, with Dalton pursuing a drug kingpin to avenge an attack on his best friend. Dazzling stunts, high adventure, and a sexy companion for Bond (Lowell) make this one of the best of the series since Sean Connery's departure (yet it still lacks that old time panache). Panavision."
