Review of Licence to Kill (1989) by Henry P — 24 Jun 2009

Licence to Kill is clearly a Bond film written to tailor Timothy Dalton's portrayal, and it shows, being the most personal since 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' and the most gritty and dark up to that point in the series.

Timothy Dalton again brings a realistic, hard edge to Bond which solidifies him as a personal favourite, someone believable as an experienced killer, rather than a smooth dandy. His embodiment of anger an rage of his friend Felix's (David Hedison) mauling by a shark (in a scene taken from the novel of Live and Let Die), and the murder of bride Della (Priscilla Barnes)is exquisite, and shows the Bond franchise taking a new, far superior turn. If only it had continued like this, and not taken ten years to get close, and then another seven to return to it fully.

The plot is quite simple, and features a very believable villian in Robert Davi's Sanchez, a dangerous and efficient Drug Baron, in control of Isthmus, a banana republic. He is backed by Benicio Del Toro, as the frightening, though refreshing psychopath Dario, who wields a flick-knife throughout most of the film.

Something else thoroughly refreshing was the rather less chauvinist plot tendancies, with Pam Bouvier (Carey Lowell) as the main Bond girl, a hardened ex-CIA pilot who has flown to the 'toughest hell holes of South America'. Not a woman to be trifled with. Then there is a more traditional 'damsel' in Lupe (Talisa Soto), who is rather a lazy character addition to the film.

Humour is on hand to contrast the dark tone, however, with 'Q' (Desmond Llewellyn) making his largest appearance in the 'field' when visiting Isthmus to help Bond. His moments with Bond are touching, and make for some of the warmest moments in the franchise.

Overall, this film is a highly impressive, realistic affair, that racks up the intensity and grit, but still manages to reatin the traditional elements of classic Bond. An excellent entry.