Title: Licence to Kill
Year: 1989
Director: John Glen
Country: UK
English: English
While Roger Moore's Bond was busy shagging every lady who could find, Timothy Dalton's James Bond was practically abstinent. Reporters at the time wondered if the AIDS epidemic had contributed to 007's reduced sexuality. Dalton initially denied these claims, but decades later he admitted this was true. Dalton's Bond would be darker, grittier and more of a killer-for-hire than the previous incarnation.
A vengeful James Bond (Timothy Dalton) goes rogue to infiltrate and take down the organization of a drug lord who has murdered his friend's new wife and left him near death.
Licence to Kill feels like the true sequel to On Her Majesty's Secret Service, rather than the atrocious Diamonds are Forever (1971). The events of Lazenby's film gave 007 a relentless desire for revenge against his enemies. It turned this quirky ladies man into a cold blooded killer. Dalton really has an intensity that no other Bond actor has had since. Its easy to tell that he came from a Shakesperean acting background.
While the story & acting is great, the visual presentation of Licence to Kill feels quite dated. It looks, and sounds, like a late 80's television show. It's like the cinematographer, set designer and costumer designer all decided to model this outing after Miami Vice. While a View to a Kill (1985) reminds viewers of the fun Cyndi Lauper era of the 80's that everyone is nostalgic for, Licence to Kill resembles a part of the 80's that only your grandmother liked.
If Licence to Kill had a visual presentation that didn't look like Dallas it would be a top tier Bond flick. Unfortunately, it looks dated & won't age gracefully as time goes on. I love the story however & I would tell everybody to watch it at least once.
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