United Artists | Release Date: July 31, 1987
6.8
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Generally favorable reviews based on 72 Ratings
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10
Kai82Dec 31, 2020
The fifteenth James Bond movie and debut of Timothy Dalton. It is rated divisive from favorite Bond movie to one of the worst by fans and critics alike. For me it is one of the best in the franchise and a strong first performance by TimothyThe fifteenth James Bond movie and debut of Timothy Dalton. It is rated divisive from favorite Bond movie to one of the worst by fans and critics alike. For me it is one of the best in the franchise and a strong first performance by Timothy Dalton. After the end of the Roger Moore era they wanted a more serious approach. Do not worry as there are also bits of humor but far less than before. In the intro James Bond and two other 00 agents are performing a test infiltration on the British military base on Gibraltar (The guards have just paintball weapons for this occasion). This goes horribly wrong as a third party uses this for their benefits and after the events it seems that the Soviets were starting an escalation that could turn the cold war hot. He is send out on an investigation to get more information. I stop here to avoid spoilers. The overall story is one of the best in the franchise. It has good twists and when the allegiances unfold you notice they also have good schemers. The actors were used well and added to the experience. Lets start with Timothy Dalton as new James Bond. After Roger Moore was not available many names were thrown in the ring. There are rumors that even Mel Gibson was a candidate at one time. At the end Timothy Dalton who was a candidate before when George Lazenby took the role and Pierce Brosnan were left. Because Pierce Brosnans contract for Remington Steele prevented him Timothy Dalton was chosen. I think he does a great first performance and deliver. Most criticism for me is the fact that he is not like Sean Connery or Roger Moore. Joe Don Baker as Brad Whitaker is a good villain with human flaws and an ego to big for him. Enjoyable to watch and I think they could / should have done more with him. Art Malik as Kamran Shah was a positive surprise for me. He has not the biggest role but won me over easily and became a remarkable character. Maryam d’Abo as Kara Milovy is also good. They avoided the damsel in distress really good 8mostly) as she has some remarkable talents but not the best knowledge of human nature (Cant blame her as most of us fail in life with this too). John Rhys Davies as General Pushkin is also a great addition. He is such a talented actor and performed remarkably. An often underappreciated character is Andreas Wisniewski as Necros. He is one o the most capable henchman in the franchise. He has a no nonsense approach and is skilled enough to impress even James Bond (Think he would do well as 00 agent). These characters / actors in combination with the story are the reason for my rating as one of the best movies in the franchise. The rest is good as always for franchise standards. The gadgets by Q are again so enjoyable. I just say Ghettoblaster. Bonus points for the soundtrack. The Living Daylight from a-ha and the performances of The Pretenders are in the top region for the franchise. Overall this is a highlight for many including me. It has a great cast and delivers. I repeat my warning that it is also for many one of the weaker entries in the franchise but that makes it also a good topic for fans;-). I recommend it and rewatch it once in a while. Expand
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8
NBFCJan 9, 2018
I have an unusual confession….Timothy Dalton is my favorite actor to have played James Bond.

I don’t quite know why but this and License to Kill strike that right balance for me between the gritty nature of the Craig films while still
I have an unusual confession….Timothy Dalton is my favorite actor to have played James Bond.

I don’t quite know why but this and License to Kill strike that right balance for me between the gritty nature of the Craig films while still adhering to the “Bond Formula”. I personally love the intensity Dalton brought to the role and he was prime ready for a movie such as TLD, which dials the camp back in order deliver a sincerely good spy thriller.

The plot is intricate and intelligent, the romance between Bond and Kara Milvoy feels refreshingly credible for once, and the ensemble of villains is great. The fight between Bond and the token henchman Necros on a cargo plane is one of the franchises best action sequences.

It was also the last to feature a score from the great John Barry and boy is it stellar!!
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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 fifteenth film in the franchise. In this film, besides the central cast inherited from previous films, Timothy DaltonDirected by John Glen and produced by Albert Broccoli, it has script by Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson, and is the fifteenth film in the franchise. In this film, besides the central cast inherited from previous films, Timothy Dalton embodies, for the first time, the role of James Bond, alongside a great cast: Maryam d'Abo plays the Bond- girl Kara Milovy, Jeroen Krabbé gives life to General Koskov, John Rhys-Davies plays General Pushkin and Art Malik plays Kamran Shah.

In this film, Bond is tasked to assist in the defection of a Russian general who, as in London, announces the resumption of "Smert Spionam" (Death to Spies) policy by the USSR. However, after several setbacks and after meeting the girlfriend of the fugitive general, Bond discovers that the defection was nothing but theater and there is someone interested in triggering a new world war.

For the first time, Timothy Dalton gave body and life to James Bond. and, despite his way was quite different from the polite and courteous Moore, its not difficult for us, after some minutes of film, see Dalton as the new 007. Hard, violent and seductive at the right time, the actor was able to give a new impetus to the spy and bring Bond definitely to the eighties. And, although Maryam d'Abo doesn't fit the usual pattern of Bond-girls (super attractive, fatal, curvaceous and sexy), its impossible don't think that her sweet, gentle and loving ways blends very well with the vigorous and virile Dalton's Bond. The script is very interesting and addresses some issues that are still present in our society: the fear of a new world war or arms trafficking, for example. Some scenes in this film are iconic, such as the escape of Bond and Kara to the border with Austria by skiing inside a cello case, or the incredible fight scenes in the Afghan airport. Also great is the opening theme, sung by A-ha, in my opinion one of the best achieved in the franchise.
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10
tintin1Dec 20, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Una película que vuelve a traer al Bond espía, ambientada en el Telón de Acero, combina elegancia, espionaje y acción. Algunos de los elementos más característicos de la saga Bond. Expand
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7
Toasty87Jul 10, 2020
Not brilliant but not bad I enjoyed the fast action and seriousness of it all.
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7
stevekmFeb 26, 2023
Good Bond film, the usual action and fast pace, but Dalton gives off an impish vibe that is not right for Bond.
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9
511andahalfFeb 7, 2021
One of the most underrated films of the whole series. Dalton is perfect as Bond, he manages to come off as gritty but not overly gritty, and still maintain charm and class as 007. The action scenes are fantastic too, like the opening chaseOne of the most underrated films of the whole series. Dalton is perfect as Bond, he manages to come off as gritty but not overly gritty, and still maintain charm and class as 007. The action scenes are fantastic too, like the opening chase and the fight on the plane. You really feel the stakes in this one, and the whole thing really does feel like an actual SPY film. Whitaker and Koskov are rather weak villains, but besides that, an extremely underrated and superb film. Expand
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7
HeroicAge616Oct 26, 2021
An entertaining Bond outing that is refreshing after a decade of campiness, Dalton brings Bond into a gritty new era.
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