86 replies to this topic

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

I can't understand why Licence To Kill receives so much criticism. It is a brilliant addition to the Bond series, a gritty and hard-edged thriller, something which is rarely seen in the Bond series. Casino Royale touched on these elements, Quantum Of Solace looks like it will go one step further and hopefully offer the same amount of entertainment that Licence To Kill offered. Definitely Dalton's best film, although The Living Daylights was also a wonderful movie, and it was a great prelude to Dalton's serious approach in Licence To Kill. The Living Daylights was almost a movie of transition, it offered a way of maintaining some of Roger Moore's characteristics but subtly injected the grittiness of Dalton, which helped fans adjust in time for Licence To Kill.

John Glen also gets a lot of stick, but this is another thing I can't understand. He was a thoroughly good director, and versatile. Licence To Kill is very different from For Your Eyes Only, yet both films really satisfy me as a Bond fan. The fact that he was brave enough to direct a film with so much more violence than he was used to including should be commended. The scene where Krest's head explodes sums this up! It's scenes like this that make the film more realistic, something which the series needed more of. Now with Daniel Craig, it looks like this is going to be a permanent feature of the series, thank God!

The tanker chase for me is the best part of the film. It's a chse with a difference, we'd never seen Bond use this kind of vehicle before and it was refreshing to see him in a more challenging driving situation than usual.

I liked seeing Hedison return as Felix, as well as seeing Q get a much bigger role in the action, rather than just presenting Bond wih his latest gadgets. Maybe Hedison should have played Felix in The Living Daylights as well, to really achieve some continuation in the role. It's surprising that this next film will be the first time Felix has appeared in two consecutive Bond movies played by the same actor. As for Q, it was equally alarming that 27 years into the series' run, this was the first time Q really had anything significant to do other than hand over gadgets. Sadly, this would be the first and last time such a role was granted to Desmond Llewelyn.

I think Gabriel summed it up perfectly that Licence To Kill was a great one-off for the Bond films, but hopeflly, it won't be a one-off for much longer! Who knows, Bond 23 may go back to these elements, I bloody hope so! It's a shame Dalton only did 2 films, but it was one hell of a send-off! Long live Timothy Dalton and long live Licence To Kill!

[Red Barchetta]

LMAO I've always wondered about that scene...

James Bond: Then you have my resignation, sir!

M: [incensed] We're not a country club, 007!

[pause]

M: Effective immediately, your licence to kill is revoked, and I require you to hand over your weapon. Now. I need hardly remind you that you're still bound by the Official Secrets Act.

Why change his mind in a split second and revoke his licence to kill?

He didn't change his mind- he is just shocked that Bond resigned, so it took M a second to recover.

BTW- my favorite scene in my 2nd favotite Bond film!

[Publius]

Why change his mind in a split second and revoke his licence to kill?

I always took it to mean that he'd rather fire Bond than have him resign (it's like when your boss tells you he's letting you go, but instead you flip him off and tell him he can't do that because you've just quit... it's a matter of principle) and/or that he was simply demoting him back to ordinary agent status (which Bernard Lee's M threatened to do to Bond in Dr. No).

[Mr. Blofeld]

I think there are too many campy moments in LTK, as well as M blatantly acting out of character; not the best moment in cinema history...

[byline]

Maybe Hedison should have played Felix in The Living Daylights as well, to really achieve some continuation in the role.

Good point. If Hedison had appeared in "The Living Daylights" (and if he'd had more time to work on his "Licence to Kill" script), then I think I'd feel very differently about him returning to the role.

[byline]

I don't like any of the above. The locations are among the blandest in franchise history (only to be out-done by the Brosnan era), the score is wholly uninteresting and rather dated, and Talisa Soto couldn't act her way out of a paper bag (attractive, though).

Basing this entirely on "Licence to Kill," I would agree with you wholeheartedly. And, truth be told, I'd assumed that "Licence to Kill" probably put to rest any acting aspirations she might have had. However, hubby and I watched a 2001 film we'd taped last week called Piñero. The first time I saw her, I asked, "Is that Lupe from 'Licence to Kill'"? Turns out it was. Benjamin Bratt turned in a pretty amazing performance, and believe it or not, she was pretty darned good, herself. She is still quite beautiful -- more beautiful now, IMO, than she was in "Licence to Kill" -- and she and Bratt are a couple. Turns out they're both far more than pretty faces. I watched "The Cleaner" last week and was actually impressed by Bratt. Back in his "Law & Order" days, I thought he was good, but was hired more for his looks than his acting skills. He's a better actor than I'd given him credit for.

Edited by byline, 22 July 2008 - 09:11 PM.

[Stephen Spotswood]

I coulda done without Wayne Newton. When did he start looking like a Tejano star?

"Bless you."

[Aris007]

No! I think it's the only Bond film I don't fancy watching!

[DaveBond21]

As for Q, it was equally alarming that 27 years into the series' run, this was the first time Q really had anything significant to do other than hand over gadgets. Sadly, this would be the first and last time such a role was granted to Desmond Llewelyn.

What about in Octopussy? He monitored Bond on Octopussy's island, flew a hot air balloon and potentially shagged at least one of Octopussy's girls!!!

[Turn]

As for Q, it was equally alarming that 27 years into the series' run, this was the first time Q really had anything significant to do other than hand over gadgets. Sadly, this would be the first and last time such a role was granted to Desmond Llewelyn.

What about in Octopussy? He monitored Bond on Octopussy's island, flew a hot air balloon and potentially shagged at least one of Octopussy's girls!!!

Yeah, and it worked so much better in OP than it did in LTK. It just seemed natural to pair Q with Moore's Bond as opposed to Dalton's.

Personally, I am not a big fan of any of the MI6 office personnel going into the field with Bond.

[Mr. Blofeld]

Personally, I am not a big fan of any of the MI6 office personnel going into the field with Bond.

And, yet, they did it in Thunderball...

...and YOLT...

...and TSWLM...

...and FYEO...

...and Octopussy...

...and LTK...

...and TND...

...and TWINE...

...and Casino Royale ! Gosh, that's a lot of movies!

[Turn]

Personally, I am not a big fan of any of the MI6 office personnel going into the field with Bond.

And, yet, they did it in Thunderball...

...and YOLT...

...and TSWLM...

...and FYEO...

...and Octopussy...

...and LTK...

...and TND...

...and TWINE...

...and Casino Royale ! Gosh, that's a lot of movies!

Well, I probably wasn't as clear as I meant by field I meant literally on the front lines as Q was in OP and LTK. Being at a safe house or on a ship doesn't really count in my view. TWINE is nonwithstanding as M is kidnapped and not voluntarily in the field as Q is in OP and LTK.

[DamnCoffee]

Since 2009 marks the 20th Anniversary of Licence to Kill, I've decided to throw a trailer together. Using music from The Dark Knight, Immediate Music and Licence To Kill.

I've used music from TDK. Some music from Immediate Music (Slash & Burn I think) And some of the Licence To Kill Score.


Licence To Kill 20th Anniversary Trailer (HD)

[Tybre]

Since 2009 marks the 20th Anniversary of Licence to Kill, I've decided to throw a trailer together. Using music from The Dark Knight, Immediate Music and Licence To Kill.

I've used music from TDK. Some music from Immediate Music (Slash & Burn I think) And some of the Licence To Kill Score.


Licence To Kill 20th Anniversary Trailer (HD)

Now see if LTK had had trailers like that and this instead of this, it probably would've done a fair bit better at the BO.

[The Ghost Who Walks]

It fascinates me that this film, twenty years after its release, sill splits Bond fans in the middle. No wonder John Glen is proud of it!

[dee-bee-five]

It fascinates me that this film, twenty years after its release, sill splits Bond fans in the middle. No wonder John Glen is proud of it!

Quite. Although I like both Dalton films a lot, I actually prefer LTK to TLD.

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

It's my second favourite Bond movie. Love it! It's got a retro feel about it, Dalton is dark and cold like Fleming's Bond should be, and the villains are probably the most realistic of the series. In fact, I believe Sanchez and Dario steal the show.

[dee-bee-five]

Why change his mind in a split second and revoke his licence to kill?

I always took it to mean that he'd rather fire Bond than have him resign (it's like when your boss tells you he's letting you go, but instead you flip him off and tell him he can't do that because you've just quit... it's a matter of principle) and/or that he was simply demoting him back to ordinary agent status (which Bernard Lee's M threatened to do to Bond in Dr. No).

Of course, it is merely a testosterone fuelled exhibition of power. It's what men do so I am told.

As for Q, it was equally alarming that 27 years into the series' run, this was the first time Q really had anything significant to do other than hand over gadgets. Sadly, this would be the first and last time such a role was granted to Desmond Llewelyn.

What about in Octopussy? He monitored Bond on Octopussy's island, flew a hot air balloon and potentially shagged at least one of Octopussy's girls!!!

Yes, though it was not a good idea to give DL too much screen time !

It fascinates me that this film, twenty years after its release, sill splits Bond fans in the middle. No wonder John Glen is proud of it!

Quite. Although I like both Dalton films a lot, I actually prefer LTK to TLD.

Yes me too, but it took some time. I didn't like them much until recently when they have grown on me!

Oddly enough, I went the other way a little. At the time, I really, really rated Dalton's Bond. But as I've grown older, I've found his performance just a tad too theatrical and mannered. It's Daniel Craig that's done it for me, I'm afraid. For me, Craig is a much better screen actor than Dalton (who is a fantastic stage actor, in my view). So while it might be argued that Craig is building on what Dalton tried to do with the role, I think Craig is doing it better.

That said, I still rate the Dalton films highly.

[The Ghost Who Walks]

Oddly enough, I went the other way a little. At the time, I really, really rated Dalton's Bond. But as I've grown older, I've found his performance just a tad too theatrical and mannered. It's Daniel Craig that's done it for me, I'm afraid. For me, Craig is a much better screen actor than Dalton (who is a fantastic stage actor, in my view).

Off topic, but have you seen Dalton on stage? What play was it?
I'd love to see him perform "live" one day.

[dee-bee-five]

Oddly enough, I went the other way a little. At the time, I really, really rated Dalton's Bond. But as I've grown older, I've found his performance just a tad too theatrical and mannered. It's Daniel Craig that's done it for me, I'm afraid. For me, Craig is a much better screen actor than Dalton (who is a fantastic stage actor, in my view).

Off topic, but have you seen Dalton on stage? What play was it?
I'd love to see him perform "live" one day.

Yes. There was one play he did with Vanessa Redgrave - A Touch of the Poet - between his Bond films. Very heavy going, but he was excellent.

[O.H.M.S.S.]

Licence to Kill is in the top 10 of Bond movies. It's a fantastic episode in which the character gets a lot of emotional depth. Timothy Dalton is undeniably great. Robert Davi and Benicio Del Toro unforgettable villlains. The grils are great, especially Carey Lowell gives a very strong, confident performance. Desmond Llewelynn's screentime is another positive aspect. And the casino scene and the tanker truck chase are brilliant. Peter Lamont did some great work on the design of Isthmus. Michael Kamen's soundtrack is not the best in the series, but it suits the movie, plus it has a great main title and end title song. This is a highlight in the series and too many times people overlook this magnificent entry.

[Tybre]

It fascinates me that this film, twenty years after its release, sill splits Bond fans in the middle. No wonder John Glen is proud of it!

Quite. Although I like both Dalton films a lot, I actually prefer LTK to TLD.

Ditto. It makes my top 5, actually.

[tdalton]

It fascinates me that this film, twenty years after its release, sill splits Bond fans in the middle. No wonder John Glen is proud of it!

Quite. Although I like both Dalton films a lot, I actually prefer LTK to TLD.

I prefer LTK to TLD as well, although both films appear in my top 5. LTK was my favorite film until QOS was released, now it sits alongside CR as either my second or third favorite.

[Dekard77]

I love LTK. But to be honest I think J Glen was giving Dalton a hard time on screen. Most of the Bond scenes except the tanker chase , Bond is quickly dismissed. Preference is given to Davi Lowell and Soto. All whom are wonderfully crafted and absolute scene stealers. During the Brosnan era I did think Dalton was losing his appeal but since Craig came aboard I appreciate him more.
One superb line 'compliments of Sharkey' which Dalton delivers beautifully cold, is cut and chopped on screen. You hardly see Bond saying that line. Another thing is the way Bond is dressed down. I really doesn't suit him(hair style changing every ten mins). No matter the environment or the realistic situations he is suppose to be in he must look Bond. The Florida scenes are quite bad. There is no smoothness about him.
Love the chemistry between Dalton and Lowell. Wish the Ninja fight was longer.
This Bond film despite a few flaws is still very much Gold. I will never forget the summer of '89. What a movie. Gets better every-time you see it.
One more thing. This film was bashed for not having much marketing and good budget but I admire the fact that will all the difficulties Eon decided to make LTK.

[byline]

Since 2009 marks the 20th Anniversary of Licence to Kill, I've decided to throw a trailer together. Using music from The Dark Knight, Immediate Music and Licence To Kill.

I've used music from TDK. Some music from Immediate Music (Slash & Burn I think) And some of the Licence To Kill Score.


Licence To Kill 20th Anniversary Trailer (HD)

Now see if LTK had had trailers like that and this instead of this, it probably would've done a fair bit better at the BO.

Wow, these fan-made trailers have so much more energy than the original theatrical trailer. They really make me want to see "Licence to Kill" . . . while the actual one just gives me a lackluster vibe.

[Turn]

I love LTK. But to be honest I think J Glen was giving Dalton a hard time on screen. Most of the Bond scenes except the tanker chase , Bond is quickly dismissed. Preference is given to Davi Lowell and Soto. All whom are wonderfully crafted and absolute scene stealers.

I don't know, I differ on a few of these. Davi is quite underrated and excellent in the role, especially when it comes to mention of the top Bond villains.

Lowell is okay, but gets drug down by having to play jealous is one of the script's wrong moves, IMO. And I absolutely can't think of a thing Soto did to distinguish herself. She's more distrating than interesting.

If anybody steals scenes for me it's Wayne Newton and the understated Benicio del Toro. As far as Newton goes, it's the surreal feeling of seeing one of the top acts in Vegas playing a sleazy televangelist and seeing it's more than just a cheap cameo.

As for del Toro, I like how the script establishes him as an evil presence early, he disappears then reappears at a critical moment. I can't think of any other Bond films that made use of a character like that. Dario is as underrated as a henchman as Sanchez is as a main villain.

[sthgilyadgnivileht]

As for del Toro, I like how the script establishes him as an evil presence early, he disappears then reappears at a critical moment. I can't think of any other Bond films that made use of a character like that. Dario is as underrated as a henchman as Sanchez is as a main villain.

I agree. Davi's Sanchez is what drives Bond and then consequently the whole film.
For del Toro to be as equally menacing with less screen time and against the host of other supporting villains that appear in LTK, really shows his talents as an actor.

Edited by sthgilyadgnivileht, 11 June 2009 - 10:01 PM.

[DamnCoffee]

Dario was just there for me.

I didn't find him particuarly menacing nor special at all.

[Tybre]

I don't find Dario all that special either, but he's better than a few other henchmen we've had and he's a fairly easily overlooked flaw in the scheme of an overall great film.

[Mr. Blofeld]

Am I the only one who really loved the score by Michael Kamen? Some of the big Bond cues, with the inclusion of that standout Spanish guitar, sound better than late-period Barry (Moonraker, Octopussy, and A View to a Kill come to mind)!