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8

NBFCJan 9, 2018

I know this tends to be the most divisive entry in the series but it is my personal favorite of the classic series because it’s James Bond out for REVENGE!!!

Darker and more violent than previous entries, the stakes are smaller than by theI know this tends to be the most divisive entry in the series but it is my personal favorite of the classic series because it’s James Bond out for REVENGE!!!

Darker and more violent than previous entries, the stakes are smaller than by the franchises’ usual (Bond going all Narcos attempting to take down a drug lords empire) but it arguably feels more like a James Bond films than ever before.

It’s such a shame that this ended up being Dalton’s second and last stint as the character because it really felt like he was really nailing down his own unique interpretation of the character. He delivers every line in this movie with the right amount of gravitas with dashes of dark humor (Ex. letting a traitorous friend “keep” the bribe money).

I am also gonna say it right now….Robert Davi’s Franz Sanchez is the second best Bond villain ever!! Not only is the climactic tanker truck sequence probably my favorite action sequence in the whole franchise with countless great moments, the way Sanchez is finally defeated has to rank up there as one of the greatest villain deaths of all time.… Expand

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7

CameJul 17, 2019

An enjoyable bond movie but more realistic because of a drug cartel villian something that not many bond films have dealt with. This can be interesting for those whom like a more realistic approach. It can also be a let down for some fansAn enjoyable bond movie but more realistic because of a drug cartel villian something that not many bond films have dealt with. This can be interesting for those whom like a more realistic approach. It can also be a let down for some fans since it doesn't have that usual world genocide plan that the villians have. The action scenes are good and Timothy Dalton as bond is good on this one (he should have done more films since he only made two in total), I think that the bond girls are descent but not that special.… Expand

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0

Gamepro3093Aug 19, 2020

Timothy Dalton was the worst James Bond. Underrated my ass! George Lazenby was better than this stiff bore was. Now HE’S underrated.

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2

Toasty87Jul 10, 2020

More like the original books which I respect but this movie is very slow and drags for a while.

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8

gracjanskiSep 24, 2021

I like the Bond Dalton is playing, only his acting as a playboy doesnt work. But his action and serious parts are good.
But the main problem of the movie is the story: One guy beats a whole drug mafia. What a **** Of course there were someI like the Bond Dalton is playing, only his acting as a playboy doesnt work. But his action and serious parts are good.
But the main problem of the movie is the story: One guy beats a whole drug mafia. What a **** Of course there were some scenes, that were ridiculous. Another thing I didnt like is the masculin character Bouvier.… Expand

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3

amheretojudgeMay 9, 2019

After Moore, it's Glen's turn to get on stage, with successive dull projects publishing out and about, he is quite the competitor now.

License To Kill Glen claims this chapter to be an improvement and we agree with him finally on something,After Moore, it's Glen's turn to get on stage, with successive dull projects publishing out and about, he is quite the competitor now.

License To Kill

Glen claims this chapter to be an improvement and we agree with him finally on something, but as an individual project, is it really though? The director John Glen starts off, this second and after encountering it, what looks like also the final round of Timothy Dalton, with the Manchurian Candidate theme, a little derivative but a safe way to open any storyline, not that there is anything beyond that. In order to make Dalton empathetic and a guy with a shoulder to cry upon, the narration is made a bit sombre and adaptive, which we encounter through his eyes. Also, he is often wrongfully condemned which then gives him a complimentary arc to prove himself to both the characters and us, a smart move by the makers to keep him in check and convey that he does and will earn himself; it's a drop in the ocean, for sure, but that's a different topic.

Frankly, it would have been a lot better if this chapter was his entry to this exotically sketchy world. The humor is almost non-existent which was good considering the material the film deals with, but the thing that actually goes past mention are the make out scenes. The whole kiss and make up thing is something they don't even bother explaining, at this point, it's part of a charm, the makers counter argue, every single time.

It's like a textbook triangle love story with trust issues spiced up by a revenge driven plot, an eye for an eye action fabricated as a thriller; which so it blatantly has been claiming over the years; that's just misleading. The antagonist is given almost a parallel role that casts quite an impression compared to the previous baddies involved in Bond's memoir where unlike other times, he doesn't have a License To Kill, like that's going to change anything.… Expand

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10

killcounterSep 28, 2019

This bond is my favorite, This bond is dark which is i like, the kills are brutal, the action scenes was intense, and everything in this movie is gold

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8

kheasApr 25, 2019

All in all, this is a great entry to the Bond franchise and one that is well under appreciated. I have to believe that, should Dalton had been given additional films, he would have gone down as one of the most beloved lead actors in theAll in all, this is a great entry to the Bond franchise and one that is well under appreciated. I have to believe that, should Dalton had been given additional films, he would have gone down as one of the most beloved lead actors in the franchise. While he may not have the animal magnetism Connery or even the younger Moore had, Dalton proves that Bond is more than just a pretty face, he is a bad ass agent as well. https://latetothegame.blog/2019/04/25/key-movies-of-my-life-james-bond-edition-licence-to-kill-1989/… Expand

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0

imthenoobNov 15, 2019

It seems to follow the same formula as the last near dozen Bond films. Terrible villain, Unoriginal plot and painfully slow pacing. The film just falls apart, much like the first Dalton film, in the second half and it already wasn't off to aIt seems to follow the same formula as the last near dozen Bond films. Terrible villain, Unoriginal plot and painfully slow pacing. The film just falls apart, much like the first Dalton film, in the second half and it already wasn't off to a good start, to begin with. It may be a "darker" Bond film but, to me, it comes off as cheesy and uninspired. It's definitely up there as one of the worst Bond films IMO.… Expand

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8

VidyaBumOct 22, 2021

Having watched 25 Bonds from Dr.No to Skyfall, I place this one at 11/25.
I might even have placed it much higher, if it weren't for one detail that bothered me, which is the main villain's actor.
Licence to Kill is an all-around excellentHaving watched 25 Bonds from Dr.No to Skyfall, I place this one at 11/25.
I might even have placed it much higher, if it weren't for one detail that bothered me, which is the main villain's actor.

Licence to Kill is an all-around excellent Bond/Dalton movie. It's got some comedy but it's peppered rather than crammed, it has good action, but relies mostly on its lines, wit, and its characters' intelligent decisions and tactics.

Yes, I am saying that a Bond movie is good because Bond is a clever man that wins through wit and not the magic thing in his pants that always wins him his fights.

His actions, his relationships, his manipulations, he's just smart. There's a lot of action with words and manipulations, and a lot of action with guns and fists only when necessary.

It's a movie blessed with great action, great characters, great lines, great pretty much everything. Ok, it does sin a bit with some of the more ridiculous bits, but it's a Bond movie, it's forgiven. Killing a CIA head and his wife and not having the CIA do a single thing about it so Bond has to go do the job himself alone MIGHT be just stretching it too far though. I would place it in the top 5, but as I said, I really couldn't deal with the main villain's actor. Well written and not necessarily poorly acted, I just couldn't deal with his face. I know it's a petty reason, which is why I'm giving it a pretty good grade, because I did like a lot of the movie, but every time I saw the villain's face, all I could tell myself is "how can I take this guy seriously? He looks like he works in a kitchen with oil all day." I just couldn't buy his face as some criminal mastermind, he looked like a henchman at best. Again the actor isn't bad, it's really just his face.

Except that, everything in this movie was excellent.… Expand

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8

Kai82Jan 1, 2021

The sixteenth James Bond movie and a unique one that divided the audience. It is darker, grim and intense. Many called it the revenge James Bond movie. The intro starts when James Bond is together with his friend Felix Leitner on the way toThe sixteenth James Bond movie and a unique one that divided the audience. It is darker, grim and intense. Many called it the revenge James Bond movie. The intro starts when James Bond is together with his friend Felix Leitner on the way to Felix wedding. They take a short detour when they got the rare chance to get drug lord Franz Sanchez arrested. However you do not just simply arrest a man like Franz Sanchez. James Bond wants now to take down Franz Sanchez more than anything else but is sent to another investigation. After he turns that done he is suspended and lost his license to kill but this does not stop a James Bond. From here on the actual story starts. Like I mentioned before it is not a typical James Bond movie. This is a no nonsense approach that breaks with the hallmarks of previous movies. It is darker, colder and more serious than all other movies in the franchise. This is the dividing factor as for many it is the best and most intense movie in the franchise while others even claim it is not a true James Bond movie. To be fair I think both arguments are partly correct or better said have their merits. In modern times we have arguments / discussions about subverting expectations since the awful Last Jedi taught us how to not do it. As opposite examples The Mandalorian and Infinity War / Endgame did it right. For all 3 examples you will find the opposite opinion too. To close the circle I think this is an excellent movie that deserves credit and Timothy Dalton gives a James Bond performance that many including me see as one of the best if not the best in the franchise. On the other hand this is unexpected and left me puzzled when I first watched it. It is a break in style from previous movies and missed my expectation in a way that did not let me enjoy the movie the first time I watched it. There is the realm of masterpieces that are not your taste and I think this was my first experience with that. On the acting side I already praised Timothy Dalton. It was also his last appearance as James Bond and overall I think he was excellent. Robert Davi is one of the most underrate villains in the franchise. He make many others look like lesser evils. For the rest of the cast we got solid to great performances but I will specially praise Carey Lowell, Anthony Zerbe and Frank McRae here. I wont talk about sets, soundtrack or gadgets as these are great but not that relevant for the final rating. Overall I can give you no solid advice. It is a great movie that divided the fans and critiques. Even I am are often divided if I disliked it or if it is one of the best movies in the franchise. Watch for yourself and be open minded about it would be my advice.… Expand

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BroyaxDec 31, 2017

Ce second 007 avec Timothy Dalton est contre toute attente (après un Tuer n'est pas jouer fort médiocre mais regardable) un énorme étron. Tellement mauvais qu'on en revient pas, tellement mauvais que c'en est choquant : je suis sévèrementCe second 007 avec Timothy Dalton est contre toute attente (après un Tuer n'est pas jouer fort médiocre mais regardable) un énorme étron. Tellement mauvais qu'on en revient pas, tellement mauvais que c'en est choquant : je suis sévèrement choqué par tant de nullité nulle à chier.

Certes, Forrest, Forrest Gump a dit que n'est nulle que la nullité, mais la nullité nulle à chier, c'est vraiment à chier. Et on ne pourra pas imputer cette catastrophe au seul Dalton mais à l'ensemble du film lui-même dont le scénario a été écrit par un mongolo, s'inspirant grossièrement de l'actualité d'un Pablo Escobar lu dans un Voici ou son équivalent anglo-amerlocain.

Il ne se passe pas grand-chose ou presque rien pour ainsi dire et les personnages secondaires qui font une grande utilisation des "bimbos" écervelées qui essaient d'avoir l'air intelligent, font à coup sûr l'effet foireux de baudruches qui fuient de toutes parts. En vérité, tout est surjoué comme dans un téléfilm de troisième zone ou une pauvre série policière amerloque à la mords-moi-le-noeud. D'ailleurs, le "méchant" trafiquant est incarné par Monsieur FBI en personne, Robert Davi...

La réalisation très plate en devient morne et carrément abrutissante, y compris dans les quelques cascades plus ridicules que dangereuses à dire vrai... à défaut d'être spectaculaires bien entendu. On voudrait bien en rire mais là aussi, impossible même au 75ème degré : le sous-niveau est tel qu'il est désormais sans fond.… Expand

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7

FilipeNetoFeb 19, 2018

Directed by John Glen and produced by Albert Broccoli, it has script by Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson and is the sixteenth film in the franchise. In this film, besides the central cast inherited from previous films, Timothy Dalton isDirected by John Glen and produced by Albert Broccoli, it has script by Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson and is the sixteenth film in the franchise. In this film, besides the central cast inherited from previous films, Timothy Dalton is James Bond alongside a great cast: Carey Lowell plays the Bond-girl Pam Bouvier, Talisa Soto gives life to the bond-girl Lupe, David Hedison plays Felix Leiter, Anthony Zerbe gives life to Milton Krest and Robert Davi is the villain, Franz Sanchez.

In this film, James Bond pursues the killers of his friend, Felix Leiter, disobeying orders from London. This quest for revenge will lead him to the Caribbean, where he will face a powerful drug lord.

This is probably the best Timothy Dalton's contribution to the 007 franchise. The actor truly embodied the vengeful and loyal spirit of Bond, giving realism to each action scene. This is a Bond that has little to do with the sarcastic gentleman of Roger Moore, and that somewhat resembles the macho killer of Sean Connery. Definitely, this Bond is a ruthless assassin, trained to kill, and who kills without thinking twice. The script puts Bond for the first time in a conflict of loyalties: should he be loyal to his friend and avenge his death or remain loyal to his flag and follow orders? The most similar situation we had seen so far was the resignation that Bond presented to M in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" but, if we consider that he was saved by the intervention of Miss Moneypenny, it ends up not being a conflict between boss's orders and employee's loyalty. We can thus say that Dalton closed well his participation in the franchise, since this was the last film of him in the role. I also liked the approach taken by the film to the anti-drug fight, a hot topic which wasn't seen in Bond films since "Live and Let Die", and was approached with realism and very pertinently, in conjunction with other hot topics, addressed more discreetly, as the use of cults and new religions for dubious purposes or massive corruption of the governments in Latin America. A sequence particularly well done is the final fight, combined with the gradual destruction of tankers. The opening theme of this film, sung by Gladys Night, is remarkable.… Expand

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8

Lowell62Jul 18, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. POPCORN REVIEW LICENCE TO KILL (originally published July 12, 1989)

A warning to children - this 007 adventure is more violent than any of the previous films; this film is more for adults. Needless to say, Licence To Kill, the 18th James Bond film (actually, the 16th produced by Albert R. Broccoli and United Artists) starring Timothy Dalton as the best 007 ever, ranks among the best in the series.

This one begins when Bond’s old CIA buddy, Felix Leiter (played by David Hedison, Who first portrayed him in Roger Moore’s first 007 film, Live And Let Die making him the only actor to reprise the role) is horribly maimed shortly after his wedding to a woman named Della (Priscilla Barnes who replaced Suzanne Somers on TV’s Three’s Company) who is murdered by a revenge-seeking Colombian drug czar named Sanchez (Robert Davi). Bond, who also lost a wife a few minutes after they were married in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in 1969, goes to seek some revenge of his own without the approval of his Secret Service superior, “M” (Robert Brown), Who reprimand him by revoking his Licence To Kill.

Bond, undaunted by this, goes after Sanchez anyway with the help of a beautiful CIA agent named Pam Bouvier (played by newcomer Carey Lowell), and thanks to M’s secretary, Miss Moneypenny (Caroline Bliss Who replaced Lois Maxwell in The Living Daylights), Q (Desmond Lewellyn as usual).

Without giving too much more of the plot away, it is the opinion of this writer that Licence To Kill is the best James Bond adventure in years (since The Spy Who Loved Me), simply because this is more serious than the last two films. In fact, real Bond fans will be delighted to know that all traces of that other Bond, Roger Moore (Who turned the character into a clown with gadgets), is completely gone, therefore bringing back all of the elements of the earlier films starring Sean Connery.

Much of the film’s success is due to Timothy Dalton‘s portrayal of Bond as a more human agent (Who doesn’t worry much about his clothes being rumpled or his hair being messed up). He more than fits Ian Fleming’s description of 007 (minus the scar on his left cheek). Dalton’s 007 is cold, ruthless, and uses his wits more than he uses Q’s gadgets to get out of a bad situation.

Carey Lowell (I just love her last name) is one of the more interesting Bond-women in years. Her portrayal of Pam Bouvier is completely different than the previous bimbos of Roger Moore’s past. She’s tough, and is more than a match for 007. In fact, there hasn’t been anyone like her since perhaps **** Galore (In Goldfinger) and Holly Goodhead (In Moonraker) who were equally tough. The other Bond girl in Licence To Kill, Talisa Soto, as the villain’s reluctant concubine, is good as well. There are also I’m using performances by Bliss as the new Moneypenny. Desmond Llewellyn is always a delight as “Q,” as he has a much larger role in this one. And, Robert Brown is decent as “M.“ There are interesting cameo turns by Las Vegas performer Wayne Newton (Yes, that Wayne Newton); Pedro Armendariz Jr. (Son of the late Sr, who appeared as Bond’s Istanbul contact in the second Bond adventure From Russia With Love), and our Governor Bob Martinez, who has a very brief cameo as a U.S. Customs agent, so look close.

Robert Davi (Who played the somewhat psychotic FBI agent in last year’s Die Hard) is the most convincing Bond villain in years, as his character is a composite of real life Colombian drug lords, he is much more realistic than any other villains in Bond’s past. In fact, Davi’s Sanchez is so sadistic, all of the other villains pale by comparison.

Which brings us to the violent content of the film. This, as mentioned earlier, is the most violent of all the Bond films to date, thereby deserving it’s PG-13 rating. One scene, in particular, after the credits, sets the tone for the entire film. The scene where Felix Leiter is fed to the sharks by Sanchez (A fate met by the character in Ian Fleming‘s second book, Live And Let Die) is particularly disturbing, especially after he is found, still alive, by Bond with a note that reads “He disagreed with something that ate him,” A very grim joke indeed. It goes without saying that young children, and sensitive adults, will find this outing quite tense.

To sum it all up, those who hasn’t been convinced that Dalton’s the best Bond ever, will be by the end of this film.

Excuse me, but my Aston Martin is parked where it shouldn’t be. See ya!

Lowell C Johnson is a former freelance film reviewer in Tampa Florida. And has written for several local publications. This review was originally published in The Temple Terrace Beacon on July 12, 1989… Expand

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6

Onlyclassicvg1Aug 30, 2022

The James Bond production team has found its second wind with Licence to Kill, a cocktail of high-octane action, spectacle and drama...The thrills-and-spills chases are superbly orchestrated as pic spins at breakneck speed through its SouthThe James Bond production team has found its second wind with Licence to Kill, a cocktail of high-octane action, spectacle and drama...The thrills-and-spills chases are superbly orchestrated as pic spins at breakneck speed through its South Florida and Central American locations… Expand