Licence to Kill most underrated 007 flick

toddthatcher · January 2013

I've been writing posts about entry Bond film on my movie blog (all others thru Licence to Kill) can be found on the site.

I feel strongly that Licence is the most under appreciated film in the franchise. Here's my post:

http://toddmthatcher.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/the-007-files-licence-to-kill/

Barbel · January 2013

It's a misunderstood film more than an underrated one. With MGW gradually easing his way into the driving seat both as writer and producer, his view of Bond in contemporary cinema began to take prominence. Still mining Fleming for inspiration, the script attempts to put 007 in a more personal situation and avoid the (even then seen as) cliched 007-saves-the-world scenario which was the public perception of the Roger Moore vehicles.
Where it falls down is the motivation behind Bond's personal revenge mission. While Felix Leiter is a beloved character of Bond fans, the too-frequent changes of actor and his infrequent appearances (TLD was his first showing since LALD) prevented the general audience from knowing his importance to Bond. Leiter is his best friend, but the great cinema-going public hadn't been allowed to grasp that fact.
Learning from this, the recent Bond films have used Bond's emotional attachment to more easily recognisable characters (Vesper and M) as their core with enormous success. I'd go so far as to say that QoS is a refinement of the intentions of LTK, building on the earlier film's strategy.

Firemass · January 2013

No argument here. very well written review. I would say the John Glen era is underrated in general.

The violence was pretty extreme for a Bond film. The gory forklift death, Leiter being eaten alive, Sanchez being set on fire, Dario stuck in the grinder, and Milton Krest's head exploding. It certainly earned the PG-13 rating. I heard they had to edit down the scenes with Leiter and Krest to avoid an R.

I also share your "minor quibbles" about the love triangle being superfluous. Especially at the end when Bond apparently can't make up his mind about which girl to choose. Wayne Newten had a bit too much screen time. Maybe they were desperate to add some comic relief since the rest of the film was so dark.

I would like to add the barfight scene would have fit better in a Steven Segal movie. Although I love the bit where Dalton slams the dude's head into the table and tells the waitress, "he's had enough!"

AVTAK was a good transition film to enter the Dalton era because it delivered a harder edge to the violence and Rog was focused and serious throughout.

Pity Dalton wasn't able to do a couple more 007 films for us in the early 90's!!

PS- Benicio Del Toro is definitely one of best henchmen ever. I love the way he says, "honeymoooon"

Firemass · January 2013

Barbel wrote:

Where it falls down is the motivation behind Bond's personal revenge mission. While Felix Leiter is a beloved character of Bond fans, the too-frequent changes of actor and his infrequent appearances (TLD was his first showing since LALD) prevented the general audience from knowing his importance to Bond. Leiter is his best friend, but the great cinema-going public hadn't been allowed to grasp that fact.

I felt the PTS with Bond being his best-man at the wedding gave the casual audience goers enough information about the importance of their friendship. However, I can definitely see your point. It would have been great if Hedison also played Leiter in Living Daylights.

(that other guy was a terrible actor anyway. "What are you trying to do James, start World War Three?!" makes me laugh every time )

Interesting points about QoS and Bond's emotional attachments. Thanks for posting.

toddthatcher · January 2013

good responses. very interesting point, Barbel, about the 007/Leiter emotional attachment with the audience. Firemass, appreciate the compliment on the blog post. As I mentioned, my blog has postings on all Bond pictures through Licence so far. Getting ready to re-watch Goldeneye as we speak

http://toddmthatcher.wordpress.com/category/the-007-files/

toddthatcher · January 2013

Firemass - good point as well about the bar fight scene. Benicio was great and really all the villains worked for me.

Firemass wrote:

No argument here. very well written review. I would say the John Glen era is underrated in general.

The violence was pretty extreme for a Bond film. The gory forklift death, Leiter being eaten alive, Sanchez being set on fire, Dario stuck in the grinder, and Milton Krest's head exploding. It certainly earned the PG-13 rating. I heard they had to edit down the scenes with Leiter and Krest to avoid an R.

I also share your "minor quibbles" about the love triangle being superfluous. Especially at the end when Bond apparently can't make up his mind about which girl to choose. Wayne Newten had a bit too much screen time. Maybe they were desperate to add some comic relief since the rest of the film was so dark.

I would like to add the barfight scene would have fit better in a Steven Segal movie. Although I love the bit where Dalton slams the dude's head into the table and tells the waitress, "he's had enough!"

AVTAK was a good transition film to enter the Dalton era because it delivered a harder edge to the violence and Rog was focused and serious throughout.

Pity Dalton wasn't able to do a couple more 007 films for us in the early 90's!!

PS- Benicio Del Toro is definitely one of best henchmen ever. I love the way he says, "honeymoooon"

Barbel · January 2013

Firemass wrote:

I felt the PTS with Bond being his best-man at the wedding gave the casual audience goers enough information about the importance of their friendship. However, I can definitely see your point. It would have been great if Hedison also played Leiter in Living Daylights.

It works to a certain extent, but makes it seem that Leiter is a one shot character introduced for this film only (in the manner of a TV series) and thus it lacks the accumulation of audience familiarity that Dench's M built up.

zaphod · January 2013

I like the film more for what it tried to do rather than what it delivered. I think the shift in Production to Mexico was a problem. It looks cheap and Television like to me. Great villain, superb performance from Dalton, one great and one daft love interest. spoiled by some cheap comedy (Professor Joe, Q turning up etc) it is a conflicted and transitional film that failed to completely ditch the Moore legacy of naff humour.

StraightUpWithATwist · January 2013

Licence to Kill is so underrated it makes me want to cry. Dalton nailed his portrayal of Bond with this film and it always saddens me knowing that he never got to do the vaunted 3rd film that usually allows the Bond actor to really be at home with the role like it seems to do with other actors (Connery, Moore, Brosnan and Craig). Michael Kamen's score is fantastic and is overlooked as well. It definitely gives a more intense feel to the film and while John Barry would've been nice to listen to I wonder how he would've been able to showcase Bond's darker side. Listen to Kamen's 'Licence Revoked' tune and you'll get lost in the music.

LastRatStanding · January 2013

I love Licence to Kill! It's my favourite Bond film. I can agree it's not 'traditional' on a lot of levels but thats what makes it stand out to me. There are many entries in the series that can relate a lot to each other a lot and also many that feel like 'just another Bond film' (all enjoyable though I should add). I have to admit it's a tough choice between Licence To Kill and The Living Daylights on which is my favourite Dalton entry but Licence to Kill takes the gold for me. It's just engaging! I've always enjoyed the score, it has a very latin american feel to it and suits the enitre film perfectly. It's also very intense at parts and compliments the action scenes really well. The music being underwhelming has spoiled many an action scene in the series. I also love the reality of the plot line, it's pretty simple on the whole, a lot more easy to follow than TLD and many others too. The action is good, Dalton looks great and Robert Davi makes an excellent villain; very menacing and scary on many levels. I also like both Carey Lowell and Talisa Soto and their respective characters although Lupe can be somewhat annoying in parts - however Pam Bouvier's jealousy towards Lupé (sp?) is pretty funny. I really just can't fault Licence To Kill on anything really. Perhaps the scene where Bond is using the plastic explosive toothpaste and the signature gun is ruined a little bit by the ninja's 8-) as I feel it spoils the suspense of the scene but other than that I can't think of anything!

I can respect the opinions of others on Licence To Kill as it is admittedly pretty intense for a Bond film and it seems to be a bit of a Love or Hate entry, but I just can't see how people can really hate it! -{

Blackleiter · January 2013

I think License To Kill is an unusual, but very good Bond film. I agree with the strong points that others have identified (Dalton's performance, a great villain and menacing henchmen, nice action scenes, Carey Lowell, etc.). My only real complaint is Talisa Soto - an absolutely gorgeous woman, but a weak actress.

StraightUpWithATwist · January 2013

LastRatStanding wrote:

I love Licence to Kill! It's my favourite Bond film. I can agree it's not 'traditional' on a lot of levels but thats what makes it stand out to me. There are many entries in the series that can relate a lot to each other a lot and also many that feel like 'just another Bond film' (all enjoyable though I should add). I have to admit it's a tough choice between Licence To Kill and The Living Daylights on which is my favourite Dalton entry but Licence to Kill takes the gold for me. It's just engaging! I've always enjoyed the score, it has a very latin american feel to it and suits the enitre film perfectly. It's also very intense at parts and compliments the action scenes really well. The music being underwhelming has spoiled many an action scene in the series. I also love the reality of the plot line, it's pretty simple on the whole, a lot more easy to follow than TLD and many others too. The action is good, Dalton looks great and Robert Davi makes an excellent villain; very menacing and scary on many levels. I also like both Carey Lowell and Talisa Soto and their respective characters although Lupe can be somewhat annoying in parts - however Pam Bouvier's jealousy towards Lupé (sp?) is pretty funny. I really just can't fault Licence To Kill on anything really. Perhaps the scene where Bond is using the plastic explosive toothpaste and the signature gun is ruined a little bit by the ninja's 8-) as I feel it spoils the suspense of the scene but other than that I can't think of anything!

I can respect the opinions of others on Licence To Kill as it is admittedly pretty intense for a Bond film and it seems to be a bit of a Love or Hate entry, but I just can't see how people can really hate it! -{

Oh yeah, that's another thing as well. People say Licence to Kill is the darkest and most serious Bond film ever (until the Craig films), yet you have ninjas attacking Bond and exploding toothpaste. It's still a Bond film because of that! If it wasn't I can guarantee that Q wouldn't have turned up in Isthmus City at all.

ZorinIndustries · January 2013

It usually comes in at the bottom of everyone's list, but the characterization is fantastic and TD delivers a solid performance! I think it's a very strong film.

Smiert-Spionam · January 2013

It's my joint favourite film with FRWL. I absolutely love it! Dalton absolutely nails it as Bond, Heddison is by far my favourite Felix, both of Bonds love interests are gorgeous and feisty, and the cast of villains is top drawer! Robert Davi is one of my all time fave bond villains and Benecio Del Toro is irresistable as Dario!

I honestly can't see why people put this film down, surely it can only be because it strays away from the traditional 'Bond saves the world from a power hungry maniac' formula. Personally I prefer my Bonds more realistic and gritty hence why I love the Dalton and Craig films so much!

Nick37 · February 2013

"Where it falls down is the motivation behind Bond's personal revenge mission. While Felix Leiter is a beloved character of Bond fans, the too-frequent changes of actor and his infrequent appearances (TLD was his first showing since LALD) prevented the general audience from knowing his importance to Bond. Leiter is his best friend, but the great cinema-going public hadn't been allowed to grasp that fact."

Actually, the motivation for Bond's revenge being Leiter's maiming isn't the half of it, I don't think. In reality, I think it's more Bond's personal demons over Tracy's death. Oh, Leiter's a part of it, to be sure, but basically Bond is watching a repeat of his own wedding day with a new cast of characters. His own wife died in a much more humane way then Della did, gange raped and stabbed, and he walked away with a lot less damage than Leiter.

From that angle, Bond's motivations and why he does what he does completely synch. He's not only getting revenge for Leiter, he's getting revenge for the death of his own wife, and the guilt associated with that. It's the proper OHMSS send-off, just from a slightly different perspective. The sequence of events jar Bond from quiet reality, and dealing with a protected killer who seems untouchable, just like Blofeld.

The scene with the garter is there for a reason. It's to remind the audience Bond lost his wife, and to bring Tracy's memory back to the forefront of his mind (Though I'm sure the wedding itself did that). Despite the fact it appears Della and Bond had some sort of relationship, it's telling that she didn't find out from Bond his wife was killed. She didn't even know he was married until Leiter tells her. The memory is still too raw, and when confronted with it, while certainly Dalton is classy about it and doesn't make a scene (He just smiles sadly and takes the garter) he does make a hasty retreat, seemingly trying to run from the memory. But later, when he walks through Leiter's house, and sees the shambles, he can't run from it anymore.

Further proof of the motivation is revealed in the scene with M. M quickly shoots Bond down when he tells him he "Owes it to Leiter". But then Bond quickly counters with "Did his WIFE?" M then changes tactics, telling Bond it will jeopardize MI-6. M, at that point it seems, knows that this is about much more than Leiter's injury, and tries to reign Bond's emotions in another way. He doesn't make any attempt to discuss Della, or any of the risks she may have known. He tries to quickly change the subject away from wives and to the organization instead.

But let's be honest. I think M knows from the start that Bond is going after Sanchez one way or the other, that it's personal, and this visit is merely for show. He has no reason to bring all that firepower along with him otherwise. Certainly if he thought Bond could be convinced, he'd have just come alone. But no, he brings a sniper and two packing agents along, and only stops them from incapacitating (Or even killing) Bond because there's "Too many people".

And the underlying emotion fueling Bond, making him make mistakes...It's much to raw to be just over Felix. He may be trying to convince himself it is, because Bond is a master at burying loss, but he can't entirely bury this. The repeated insistence that Q and Pam leave....I don't think it's because he wants to be solo, or just because Sharkey's already died It's because he doesn't want either of them to meet Tracy's fate, and their are certainly shades of Tracy in Pam's independent streak.

He knowingly goes on a suicide mission, chasing a man on his own turf. He lucks into help and Q gadgets, but for the most part, Bond is resigned to get peace, or die trying. When confronted with the fact that others were after Sanchez and the vendetta has ruined all other options, leaving him as the sole fly in the ointment, he regains focus, takes over the reigns of the others, and doesn't make any more screw-ups (He certainly couldn't have predicted Dario would show up at the operation, and it's not like he could have told Sanchez no to going anyway). And so dedicated is he to silencing the heartache of Tracy and "Winning" that he's the most resourceful we've ever seen him. He doesn't use a gun or a gadget to destroy the operation, the tankers, or Sanchez. It's strictly what he has available to him.

The end of the tanker chase, when Bond is sitting on the rock, and it seems like he's a hair away from tears...There's too much relief to be just happiness Sanchez is gone and Felix is avenged. No, he almost seems to be saying, "Finally." There will never be entire peace involving Tracy's loss, but he's gone a far way to getting it, at least.

LoGabrielle · February 2013

Nick37 wrote:

"Where it falls down is the motivation behind Bond's personal revenge mission. While Felix Leiter is a beloved character of Bond fans, the too-frequent changes of actor and his infrequent appearances (TLD was his first showing since LALD) prevented the general audience from knowing his importance to Bond. Leiter is his best friend, but the great cinema-going public hadn't been allowed to grasp that fact."

Actually, the motivation for Bond's revenge being Leiter's maiming isn't the half of it, I don't think. In reality, I think it's more Bond's personal demons over Tracy's death. Oh, Leiter's a part of it, to be sure, but basically Bond is watching a repeat of his own wedding day with a new cast of characters. His own wife died in a much more humane way then Della did, gange raped and stabbed, and he walked away with a lot less damage than Leiter.

From that angle, Bond's motivations and why he does what he does completely synch. He's not only getting revenge for Leiter, he's getting revenge for the death of his own wife, and the guilt associated with that. It's the proper OHMSS send-off, just from a slightly different perspective. The sequence of events jar Bond from quiet reality, and dealing with a protected killer who seems untouchable, just like Blofeld.

The scene with the garter is there for a reason. It's to remind the audience Bond lost his wife, and to bring Tracy's memory back to the forefront of his mind (Though I'm sure the wedding itself did that). Despite the fact it appears Della and Bond had some sort of relationship, it's telling that she didn't find out from Bond his wife was killed. She didn't even know he was married until Leiter tells her. The memory is still too raw, and when confronted with it, while certainly Dalton is classy about it and doesn't make a scene (He just smiles sadly and takes the garter) he does make a hasty retreat, seemingly trying to run from the memory. But later, when he walks through Leiter's house, and sees the shambles, he can't run from it anymore.

Further proof of the motivation is revealed in the scene with M. M quickly shoots Bond down when he tells him he "Owes it to Leiter". But then Bond quickly counters with "Did his WIFE?" M then changes tactics, telling Bond it will jeopardize MI-6. M, at that point it seems, knows that this is about much more than Leiter's injury, and tries to reign Bond's emotions in another way. He doesn't make any attempt to discuss Della, or any of the risks she may have known. He tries to quickly change the subject away from wives and to the organization instead.

But let's be honest. I think M knows from the start that Bond is going after Sanchez one way or the other, that it's personal, and this visit is merely for show. He has no reason to bring all that firepower along with him otherwise. Certainly if he thought Bond could be convinced, he'd have just come alone. But no, he brings a sniper and two packing agents along, and only stops them from incapacitating (Or even killing) Bond because there's "Too many people".

And the underlying emotion fueling Bond, making him make mistakes...It's much to raw to be just over Felix. He may be trying to convince himself it is, because Bond is a master at burying loss, but he can't entirely bury this. The repeated insistence that Q and Pam leave....I don't think it's because he wants to be solo, or just because Sharkey's already died It's because he doesn't want either of them to meet Tracy's fate, and their are certainly shades of Tracy in Pam's independent streak.

He knowingly goes on a suicide mission, chasing a man on his own turf. He lucks into help and Q gadgets, but for the most part, Bond is resigned to get peace, or die trying. When confronted with the fact that others were after Sanchez and the vendetta has ruined all other options, leaving him as the sole fly in the ointment, he regains focus, takes over the reigns of the others, and doesn't make any more screw-ups (He certainly couldn't have predicted Dario would show up at the operation, and it's not like he could have told Sanchez no to going anyway). And so dedicated is he to silencing the heartache of Tracy and "Winning" that he's the most resourceful we've ever seen him. He doesn't use a gun or a gadget to destroy the operation, the tankers, or Sanchez. It's strictly what he has available to him.

The end of the tanker chase, when Bond is sitting on the rock, and it seems like he's a hair away from tears...There's too much relief to be just happiness Sanchez is gone and Felix is avenged. No, he almost seems to be saying, "Finally." There will never be entire peace involving Tracy's loss, but he's gone a far way to getting it, at least.

That is really a great evaluation! I have to admit, though I knew it was about Tracy to some extent, I always thought it was mostly about Felix. Thanks for that

DEFIANT 74205 · February 2013

Nick37 wrote:

"Where it falls down is the motivation behind Bond's personal revenge mission. While Felix Leiter is a beloved character of Bond fans, the too-frequent changes of actor and his infrequent appearances (TLD was his first showing since LALD) prevented the general audience from knowing his importance to Bond. Leiter is his best friend, but the great cinema-going public hadn't been allowed to grasp that fact."

Actually, the motivation for Bond's revenge being Leiter's maiming isn't the half of it, I don't think. In reality, I think it's more Bond's personal demons over Tracy's death. Oh, Leiter's a part of it, to be sure, but basically Bond is watching a repeat of his own wedding day with a new cast of characters. His own wife died in a much more humane way then Della did, gange raped and stabbed, and he walked away with a lot less damage than Leiter.

From that angle, Bond's motivations and why he does what he does completely synch. He's not only getting revenge for Leiter, he's getting revenge for the death of his own wife, and the guilt associated with that. It's the proper OHMSS send-off, just from a slightly different perspective. The sequence of events jar Bond from quiet reality, and dealing with a protected killer who seems untouchable, just like Blofeld.

The scene with the garter is there for a reason. It's to remind the audience Bond lost his wife, and to bring Tracy's memory back to the forefront of his mind (Though I'm sure the wedding itself did that). Despite the fact it appears Della and Bond had some sort of relationship, it's telling that she didn't find out from Bond his wife was killed. She didn't even know he was married until Leiter tells her. The memory is still too raw, and when confronted with it, while certainly Dalton is classy about it and doesn't make a scene (He just smiles sadly and takes the garter) he does make a hasty retreat, seemingly trying to run from the memory. But later, when he walks through Leiter's house, and sees the shambles, he can't run from it anymore.

Further proof of the motivation is revealed in the scene with M. M quickly shoots Bond down when he tells him he "Owes it to Leiter". But then Bond quickly counters with "Did his WIFE?" M then changes tactics, telling Bond it will jeopardize MI-6. M, at that point it seems, knows that this is about much more than Leiter's injury, and tries to reign Bond's emotions in another way. He doesn't make any attempt to discuss Della, or any of the risks she may have known. He tries to quickly change the subject away from wives and to the organization instead.

But let's be honest. I think M knows from the start that Bond is going after Sanchez one way or the other, that it's personal, and this visit is merely for show. He has no reason to bring all that firepower along with him otherwise. Certainly if he thought Bond could be convinced, he'd have just come alone. But no, he brings a sniper and two packing agents along, and only stops them from incapacitating (Or even killing) Bond because there's "Too many people".

And the underlying emotion fueling Bond, making him make mistakes...It's much to raw to be just over Felix. He may be trying to convince himself it is, because Bond is a master at burying loss, but he can't entirely bury this. The repeated insistence that Q and Pam leave....I don't think it's because he wants to be solo, or just because Sharkey's already died It's because he doesn't want either of them to meet Tracy's fate, and their are certainly shades of Tracy in Pam's independent streak.

He knowingly goes on a suicide mission, chasing a man on his own turf. He lucks into help and Q gadgets, but for the most part, Bond is resigned to get peace, or die trying. When confronted with the fact that others were after Sanchez and the vendetta has ruined all other options, leaving him as the sole fly in the ointment, he regains focus, takes over the reigns of the others, and doesn't make any more screw-ups (He certainly couldn't have predicted Dario would show up at the operation, and it's not like he could have told Sanchez no to going anyway). And so dedicated is he to silencing the heartache of Tracy and "Winning" that he's the most resourceful we've ever seen him. He doesn't use a gun or a gadget to destroy the operation, the tankers, or Sanchez. It's strictly what he has available to him.

The end of the tanker chase, when Bond is sitting on the rock, and it seems like he's a hair away from tears...There's too much relief to be just happiness Sanchez is gone and Felix is avenged. No, he almost seems to be saying, "Finally." There will never be entire peace involving Tracy's loss, but he's gone a far way to getting it, at least.

-{

What can I say to that?! Fantastic post.

I'll also add one observation: like the world's most dangerous criminals, James Bond is a dangerous man to cross. At least, that's part of the message I got from watching Licence to Kill. The way Dalton delivered the "problem eliminator" line is brilliant.

If there's one thing I didn't like about Licence to Kill, it's the change in the fanfare during the gunbarrel sequence and the disappointing Gladys Knight theme song.

Halcon · February 2013

DEFIANT 74205 wrote:

Nick37 wrote:

"Where it falls down is the motivation behind Bond's personal revenge mission. While Felix Leiter is a beloved character of Bond fans, the too-frequent changes of actor and his infrequent appearances (TLD was his first showing since LALD) prevented the general audience from knowing his importance to Bond. Leiter is his best friend, but the great cinema-going public hadn't been allowed to grasp that fact."

Actually, the motivation for Bond's revenge being Leiter's maiming isn't the half of it, I don't think. In reality, I think it's more Bond's personal demons over Tracy's death. Oh, Leiter's a part of it, to be sure, but basically Bond is watching a repeat of his own wedding day with a new cast of characters. His own wife died in a much more humane way then Della did, gange raped and stabbed, and he walked away with a lot less damage than Leiter.

From that angle, Bond's motivations and why he does what he does completely synch. He's not only getting revenge for Leiter, he's getting revenge for the death of his own wife, and the guilt associated with that. It's the proper OHMSS send-off, just from a slightly different perspective. The sequence of events jar Bond from quiet reality, and dealing with a protected killer who seems untouchable, just like Blofeld.

The scene with the garter is there for a reason. It's to remind the audience Bond lost his wife, and to bring Tracy's memory back to the forefront of his mind (Though I'm sure the wedding itself did that). Despite the fact it appears Della and Bond had some sort of relationship, it's telling that she didn't find out from Bond his wife was killed. She didn't even know he was married until Leiter tells her. The memory is still too raw, and when confronted with it, while certainly Dalton is classy about it and doesn't make a scene (He just smiles sadly and takes the garter) he does make a hasty retreat, seemingly trying to run from the memory. But later, when he walks through Leiter's house, and sees the shambles, he can't run from it anymore.

Further proof of the motivation is revealed in the scene with M. M quickly shoots Bond down when he tells him he "Owes it to Leiter". But then Bond quickly counters with "Did his WIFE?" M then changes tactics, telling Bond it will jeopardize MI-6. M, at that point it seems, knows that this is about much more than Leiter's injury, and tries to reign Bond's emotions in another way. He doesn't make any attempt to discuss Della, or any of the risks she may have known. He tries to quickly change the subject away from wives and to the organization instead.

But let's be honest. I think M knows from the start that Bond is going after Sanchez one way or the other, that it's personal, and this visit is merely for show. He has no reason to bring all that firepower along with him otherwise. Certainly if he thought Bond could be convinced, he'd have just come alone. But no, he brings a sniper and two packing agents along, and only stops them from incapacitating (Or even killing) Bond because there's "Too many people".

And the underlying emotion fueling Bond, making him make mistakes...It's much to raw to be just over Felix. He may be trying to convince himself it is, because Bond is a master at burying loss, but he can't entirely bury this. The repeated insistence that Q and Pam leave....I don't think it's because he wants to be solo, or just because Sharkey's already died It's because he doesn't want either of them to meet Tracy's fate, and their are certainly shades of Tracy in Pam's independent streak.

He knowingly goes on a suicide mission, chasing a man on his own turf. He lucks into help and Q gadgets, but for the most part, Bond is resigned to get peace, or die trying. When confronted with the fact that others were after Sanchez and the vendetta has ruined all other options, leaving him as the sole fly in the ointment, he regains focus, takes over the reigns of the others, and doesn't make any more screw-ups (He certainly couldn't have predicted Dario would show up at the operation, and it's not like he could have told Sanchez no to going anyway). And so dedicated is he to silencing the heartache of Tracy and "Winning" that he's the most resourceful we've ever seen him. He doesn't use a gun or a gadget to destroy the operation, the tankers, or Sanchez. It's strictly what he has available to him.

The end of the tanker chase, when Bond is sitting on the rock, and it seems like he's a hair away from tears...There's too much relief to be just happiness Sanchez is gone and Felix is avenged. No, he almost seems to be saying, "Finally." There will never be entire peace involving Tracy's loss, but he's gone a far way to getting it, at least.

-{

What can I say to that?! Fantastic post.

I'll also add one observation: like the world's most dangerous criminals, James Bond is a dangerous man to cross. At least, that's part of the message I got from watching Licence to Kill. The way Dalton delivered the "problem eliminator" line is brilliant.

If there's one thing I didn't like about Licence to Kill, it's the change in the fanfare during the gunbarrel sequence and the disappointing Gladys Knight theme song.

Agree with you Defiant. Great post. And yes, Bond is a dangerous man to cross. What an absolute and efficient way of delivering revenge, NOTHING remained of Sanchez and his organization when it was all said and done, and Sanchez' death was about the worst he could of suffered.

What i don't agree with is the idea that Gladys Knight's theme song was bad. Her theme song appears to be most underapreciated element of LTK. This song is fantastic!!!
and its r&b vibe fits perfect with the Miami, tropic, feel of the movie.

Thunderpussy · February 2013

I too agree with Nick37 and DEFIANT 74205 and their views on LTK. -{
Brilliant Bond film.
But have to also agree with Halcon. I love the Gladys Knight theme song.

Think it's one of the Best in the series.

Nick37 · February 2013

The Gladys Knight theme isn't my favorite, but I like it. I do for sure like the change of gunbarrel fanfare. It clues you in right from the start that you're about to watch a very different Bond film.

And yes. James Bond is definitely not a man you want to cross.

Dutchfinger · February 2013

Great to see some love for my all time favorite movie in the franchise! When I first came to this forum I was happy to see that LTK is pretty appreciated here!

Robert Davi's role in Franz Sanchez (Who, dare I say is one of the best villians in James Bond history) is one of the strongest Assets of this movie!

chrisisall · February 2013

Every time I watch LTK I like it better than the last time. -{

Blackleiter · February 2013

It's most definitely worthy of repeat viewings.

chrisisall wrote:

Every time I watch LTK I like it better than the last time. -{

chrisisall · February 2013

Blackleiter wrote:

It's most definitely worthy of repeat viewings.

I just kind of try to not hear the last phone call Felix makes to Bond, and it's all good.

)
But Dalton's focus in it is riveting, only other to hit that level has been Craig IMO.
Or maybe Connery in his first two.

Nick37 · February 2013

"But Dalton's focus in it is riveting, only other to hit that level has been Craig IMO.
Or maybe Connery in his first two."

All three are the most focused, but IMO, Dalton edges them out by being half-deranged, and fully enraged, nearly from start to finish. He's like a tightly wound spring from the moment he leaves MI-6. He doesn't unwind until Sanchez is burning and he's near weeping on the rock.

"Robert Davi's role in Franz Sanchez (Who, dare I say is one of the best villians in James Bond history) is one of the strongest Assets of this movie!"

He and Blofeld, top two villains. Only ones to hit Bond on a personal level.

ChromeJob · February 2013

I'll have to watch LTK again. I remember liking the edge to it, and wished it didn't have some of the old staples of the Moore era. The "happy ending" last scene never felt right after the emotional freefall that Bond goes through. But watching it in 1989, I was thinking, "Wow. Why didn't anyone think of casting Bond in a 'Yojimbo' sort of storyline before?"

i didn't care about Talisa Soto's performance. Having seen her a year earlier in SPIKE OF BENSONHURST, I was delighted to see more of here (even if we saw less of her in the PG-13 film). Gorgeous young lady; probably still is.

I guess I'm getting old, because in my memory Della wasn't stabbed, or raped (depends upon how you interpret Benicio's line, but then a lot of toughs exaggerate to inflict hurt).[1] I recall when Bond finds her, she has a single, small caliber bullet hole dead center in her forehead, presumably an execution style shooting. I don't remember seeing any indication that nastiness preceded it. So okay, if you want to imagine the worst for what happens off-screen, great. I prefer to presume little more than the film gives me directly.

[1] Remember Dr. No, "I'm sure the guards will keep her amused...." Doesn't mean it really happened.

Dutchfinger · February 2013

ChromeJob wrote:

I'll have to watch LTK again. I remember liking the edge to it, and wished it didn't have some of the old staples of the Moore era. The "happy ending" last scene never felt right after the emotional freefall that Bond goes through. But watching it in 1989, I was thinking, "Wow. Why didn't anyone think of casting Bond in a 'Yojimbo' sort of storyline before?"

i didn't care about Talisa Soto's performance. Having seen her a year earlier in SPIKE OF BENSONHURST, I was delighted to see more of here (even if we saw less of her in the PG-13 film). Gorgeous young lady; probably still is.

I guess I'm getting old, because in my memory Della wasn't stabbed, or raped (depends upon how you interpret Benicio's line, but then a lot of toughs exaggerate to inflict hurt).[1] I recall when Bond finds her, she has a single, small caliber bullet hole dead center in her forehead, presumably an execution style shooting. I don't remember seeing any indication that nastiness preceded it. So okay, if you want to imagine the worst for what happens off-screen, great. I prefer to presume little more than the film gives me directly.

[1] Remember Dr. No, "I'm sure the guards will keep her amused...." Doesn't mean it really happened.

Good point on the raping part with Della. They let that part open for interpertation and that's kind of a good thing.
I am actually one of the view people who thought Talisa Sota did a pretty good job. She's one of the best looking Bond girls the franchise has seen to be honest, and I once posted in the 'controversial thread' that I am actually one of view people who doesn't think her "I love James, so much" line is bad acting. I always thought of this line as an obvious taunt towards Pam. Of course she doesn't really love him, but she knows Pam fancies him, and just wants to taunt her by deliberatly mentioning that she has spent the night with him. It's not for nothing that Pam gets annoyed when she leaves...

Well, thats how I always looked at it...

Higgins · February 2013

When I am reading all this, my impression is that LTK is them most OVERrated 007 flick

Dutchfinger · February 2013

Bondtoys wrote:

When I am reading all this, my impression is that LTK is them most OVERrated 007 flick

Touché

) I always get these type of reactions when posting my oppinion on that line! :P - Maybe some things are best kept to ourselves! :P

toddthatcher · February 2013

Honestly, I didn't expect to love LTK as much as I did when I rewatched it. I really do think it contains a lot of the elements that have been celebrated in the DC era. I also think it may have been a little ahead of its time and definitely not what moviegoers were expecting so shortly after the RM era.

Licence to Kill most underrated 007 flick

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