408 replies to this topic

[Trident]

It seems to have been styled with lots of gel. Can't say, I liked it. And I'm certain, Bond would have disaprooved.

[Quartermaster007]

I'd have to say that my favorite was License to Kill, the most serious film in the series, and that's why it's so great!

By the way I'm new here!

[Qwerty]

Welcome to the CommanderBond.net Forums QuartermasterMI6.

[Loomis]

THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS is the better film (with much more of a "Bond movie feel"), but LICENCE TO KILL is definitely my favourite of the Daltons. And, in a way, LTK is one of my favourite films of the series, even though I'd not only say it's neither one of the best films, nor one of the most entertaining, but I'd also say it's the only Bond film I have to keep reminding myself is a Bond film when I watch it.

A sort of forgotten cult movie buried (incredibly enough) in the most popular franchise of blockbusters in history, LTK is a bold and largely successful attempt to break from formula (well, the Eon formula, at least - the film is still mired in action/gangster movie cliche), and is one of very few Bond flicks to deliver genuine suspense. The writing is terrific (in places), Robert Davi superb as perhaps the most complex and interesting villain of the series, and the locations and action first-rate. You get the feeling that they did at least try to make a Bond film for grown-ups, who might at one point have flicked through a Fleming paperback. And the fact that LTK is part of the same series as A VIEW TO A KILL (a film I'm also very fond of), which was released just four years earlier, is something I find strangely wonderful.

[Skudor]

Feel like tossing a coin on this one... They are such different movies, and both good. I'd have to go for LTK, purely because I always found Whitaker in TLD idiotic (the one played by the irritating Joe Don Baker). Easily a memember of "the (elastic)top ten idiotic characters in a Bond film" gallery.

[Loomis]

Yes, the villains are a bit of a let-down in THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS (with the exception of Necros, who's cool), as are some of the goodies (notably Leiter, who comes across as an extremely dull fellow who'd probably blow away in a gale). Whereas LICENCE TO KILL has the best (and best-acted) lineup of bad guys in any Bond film.

Actually, on reflection.... is TLD the better film? Yes - just. I remain of the view that a Bond film without a Barry score isn't really a proper Bond film (then again, I also remain of the view that a Bond film without Connery isn't really a proper Bond film ). Also, TLD has more of a globetrotting, "epic" feel, and Dalton's debut performance is better than his second turn as 007 - more charming, less stagey.

[Turn]

Yes, the villains are a bit of a let-down in THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS (with the exception of Necros, who's cool), as are some of the goodies (notably Leiter, who comes across as an extremely dull fellow who'd probably blow away in a gale).

I still don't think this Leiter is that bad. He's only in a couple of scenes. And let's be honest, Jack Lord came across as rather stiff in Dr. No although a lot of people praise him. Although I liked Rik Van Nutter in TB, the only Leiter who seemed like he was really close to Bond was David Hedison.

[Glor (009)]

Living Daylights. I hated LTK. Much too Lethal Weapon. Trucks popping wheelies? Just stupid.

[TheBritishEnd]

I have to go with LTK, which just seems to get better with time. Dalton is just so dead on in the role here, and really does leave his mark on the character with this single film. The fact that the film is uncoventional only adds to its theme: Not only is Bond forced to work alone, he doesn't even have his trademark 'formula' to rely on!

I also like the way it incorporated the kind of lavish sets Moore might've visited, without them ever seeming out of place from the film's realistic tone (Sanchez's home; the mediation resort).

And I have to disagree about his choice of hairstyle in the casino. Remember, his whole cover was that of an arrogant, flashy, gun-for-hire, and he was attempting to stick out on purpose. Beyond that, let's face it, he just looked like a total badass in those scenes! I mean, how often do you see a hero brandish a tiny little gun and still look completely deadly?

Edited by TheBritishEnd, 02 April 2005 - 06:29 PM.

[Byron]

Just watched the Living Daylights after more than a year with the girlfriend (her for the first time).

We both loved it and for me it was better than ever! Best Dalton Bond even though i also like LTK.

[trumanlodge89]

LTK is my favorite in the whole series. im actually watching it right now. the writing is brilliant, especially the opening third. the scenes with della, felix and james are more heart-wrenching every time i watch it. the suspense is unmatched.

i dont understand why people say it broke from the formula. theres no moneypenny scene, and Q has a larger role, but he still gets the bad guy and he still gets the girl(s). yes, he is a rogue agent, and theres no humor, but he's still a ruthless spy.

and lets face it, many bond movies are personal on some level. Goldfinger is, OHMSS is, AVTAK is. LTK is just moreso. (although i'd like to see the personal vengence stuff cut down some in CR... it was a bit overdone by DAD)

so it strays from the norm a little, but just the right amount to make it really fresh. great movie.

[Taro Todoroki]

I think both films are gaining more appreciation and fans than ever. There was so much lost potential with Dalton.

[tdalton]

Both films are great, but The Living Daylights is the better of the two. Licence To Kill is #4 on my list, though.

[Qwerty]

I think both films are gaining more appreciation and fans than ever.

I think you're right. Kind of like On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, which seems to just get better and better with the fans.

[Taro Todoroki]

Agreed Devin.

[Tuxedo wearing Bond]

I love the two. But I find that The Living Daylights is superior in having a normal, yet also original Bond plot.

[Taro Todoroki]

The only thing about Daylights is that the last 30-40 minutes kinda drags. The plot also can be a bit confusing.

[Donovan]

I know I've written this before in other theads, but my opinion is the same and on topic, so I'll summarize.

"The Living Daylights" and "Licence To Kill" feel more like two parts of a single superior Bond film. In TLD, you have great action sequences, great music, great locations. On the other hand, the plot, characters, and 'realism' are all very very weak. Brad Whitaker and Georgi Koskov are a couple of bumbling, giggling buffoons (I'm having a hard time recalling worse villain(s) in the Bond films...those two make Charles Gray look like Robert Davi). Kara Milovy is a like a teenage little sister of a Bond girl. The Soviet air base in Afghanistan is like a Disney theme park ("Rambo III", while also cartoonish, at least presents a ruthless and dangerous setting by contrast). Imagine "The Living Daylights" as a novel written by Ian Fleming where the first scenes in Afghanistan are described as "a bright, sunny day. The Soviet airbase had maybe two or three fighter planes parked in it. General Koskov merrily skipped along, meeting Colonel Feyador, handing over Bond and Kara while effortlessly aquiring men and trucks without question...all this in the oppressive, paranoid regime of the Soviet Union." A far cry from cold "From Russia, With Love" to be sure.

"Licence To Kill", as if in direct reaction to its predecesor's short-comings, offers a menacing, well-conceived villain who is perfectly cast. The two main Bond girls are both strong and have their own motivations and agendas (apart from tagging along with Bond...both basically want to use him). Also, the plot and tone of the film is gritty and fairly realistic. However, other important facets of the film fall by the wayside. The music, cinematography, and editing do not meet Bond film standards. I think this is what people mean when they say "The Living Daylights" feels more like a Bond film. Attempts at punching up the dialogue ring phony...especially with Pam ("Look, pal, I was an Army Pilot! I've flown through some of the toughest hell holes in South America! And I will NOT have you lecture me about professionalism!") Although the first two acts of the story move along at a good clip, everything (namely the pace and tension) comes to a crashing halt when Pam meets Joe Butcher.

So which do I prefer? For me, they're really a draw.

[licensetostudy]

I voted for Licence To Kill. The villains in the Living Daylights are the series worst, and are complete boring nerds. Joe Don Baker tries to make Whitaker funny and entertaining, but he is just an obnoxious boring loud mouth. Dalton tried to be cute and nice acting which is a bad mistake, but Bond needs to be a little dirtier and he is not cold enough during the scene where he has the gun on Pushkin. Kara is also just too cute for a Bond girl as far as the way she acts and looks, and Pam and Lupe are more believable and tough for the action film genre. Licence To Kill is more tough in general and has better acting, while the writers for The Living Daylights had too many warm fuzzies up their noses. If I wanted to watch something cute with warm fuzzies I would watch Love Actually.

Edited by licensetostudy, 05 July 2005 - 04:08 AM.

[pieffra]

BOTH HAVE A VERY GOOD PLOT

TLD MAYBE IS BETTER

[Skin 17]

I think whenever that question is posed you will most likely hear The Living Daylights. It happens to be my personal favorite but I think LTK wasn't that bad either. I'm just a big Timothy Dalton enthusiast.

[bryonalston]

I think that both of them are equal in quality and intrigue. Even though I picked TLD (only because it's closer to being a standard Bond film than LTK) I think that LTK is better, since it improves many, if not all of the faults that TLD had, even though it strayed a slightly too far from the Bond formula (which isn't necessarily a bad thing.)

[Buck]

The Living Daylights. As mentioned previously I love it when spy movies are in the Soviet Union even if it's only in the beginning.


Buck

[Gri007]

Licence To Kill. It's how Bond should be. Dalton portrayed him fantasically.

[The Richmond Spy]

I like them both so it is really difficult for me to choose. But, then again I like all of the Bond movies. There really isn't one I can't sit through and enjoy. If I had to give an edge then I would pick TLD, but Dalton was good....not my fav, but good. I wish he could've had one or two more Bond movies in the early 90's but I guess I'm satisfied with two.

[Gri007]

I like them both so it is really difficult for me to choose.  But, then again I like all of the Bond movies.  There really isn't one I can't sit through and enjoy.  If I had to give an edge then I would pick TLD, but Dalton was good....not my fav, but good.  I wish he could've had one or two more Bond movies in the early 90's but I guess I'm satisfied with two.

If only Property Of A lady was a Bond film with Dalton

[hcmv007]

The Living Daylights, the first Bond film I ever saw in a theater. BTW, it is one of my top five favorite Bond films and I think Dalton was excellent as Bond. If only he could have been Bond in either Octopussy or A View to a Kill.

[So Play The Violins]

I prefer LTK, myself. It's one of my favorite Bond films.

[tdalton]

I prefer LTK, myself.  It's one of my favorite Bond films.

LTK is also one of my favorites. TLD is my #1, but LTK is also in my Top 5.

Also, welcome to the forums.

[Bondesque]

Both films are flawed.

TLD introduced a very handsome dashing Timothy Dalton as James Bond, however the villians were about as threatening as the Village People. Although pretty Kara Molova seemed like a virgin nun candidate on her way to take her final vows of chastity. On the positive side the score and production values were pretty good.

LTK had pretty poor production values, and messed up a good personal revenge premise that was original at the time in the Bond series. Robert Davi was good as were most of the baddies, however, the plotline of the drug cartel was too Miami Vice. Carey Lowell was absolutely horrible. Dalton did not age well. His hair stylist should have been whipped, and the all important casino scene was flat.

I found Daltons James Bond frustrating. He nailed the intensity and angst of the man but fell flat on his face when it came to sophistication and seduction. Dalton had no chemistry with the ladies...at all. He was average in the fight scenes (better then Moore worse then Connery and Lazenby)

I never had the feeling that he was enjoying being James Bond. He was/is a wonderful actor with incredible skills but I sadly found him a bit mis-cast in the role.