Review of Licence to Kill (1989) by Ruby & — 07 Sep 2009

For years I have sworn off this Bond film without viewing it due to the poor box office performance, its poor press, or the fact that Wayne Newton had a bit part in it. I presumed it was as bad as all that and in the summer of 89 there certainly were bigger Hollywood events.

I like so many Bond fans have come around to Dalton's bond films (both of them). I actually am a big fan of the Living Daylights but when it came to License to Kill it seem like Bond was ripping off Miami Vice, or had fallen to second rate spectacle when compared to Spielberg's and Lucas's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Tim Burton's Batman that summer.

However with that said and despite some hoakie acting from minor characters that can be found randomly in any of the Bond flicks this film is a solid action flick, and one that the purists should like as 007 has to rely more on his wits and liaisons in the field than on gadgets. Dalton not only continues the reversal of the funny-man Bond legacy planted by Roger Moore, but takes his own portrayal to a more cynical and rugged existence. As well, naturally, since the plot is dealing with a personal vendetta we do see that darker side of Bond where the character tends to get a bit reckless and mean. How Dalton dishes out the pain at the end to the main baddie with a flick of a lighter is quite satisfying. Lastly, the stunts with the semi rig and the stinger missile was pretty fun to watch.

Everyone still associates Timothy Dalton with his turn as Bond despite him playing other noticeable rolls, despite there being 5 other actors who have played the part and despite the fact he only had two chances at the mantle. Each one of his performances added a real grit to the character that had only been present before in the earliest Bond adventures meanwhile keeping up the polished trademark personality of the cinematic Bond. Not to mention introducing a more cynical edge to the character that would later be adapted by Brosnan as well as Craig.

So yes some times its good to second guess your assumptions about a movie.