Licence To Kill [1989] | ![Licence To Kill [1989]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41RGJKGB5ML._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: John Glen (ii)
Actors: Timothy Dalton, Carey Lowell, Robert Davi, Talisa Soto, Anthony Zerbe
Studio: MGM Entertainment
Category: Video
List Price: £9.99
Buy Used: £0.01
You Save: £9.98 (100%)
New (11) Used (36) Collectible (3) from £0.01
Avg. Customer Rating:  35 reviews
Sales Rank: 1537
Format: Dolby, Pal, Surround Sound
Languages: English (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 127
Discs: 1
EAN: 5024165922019
ASIN: B00004CZI1
Theatrical Release Date: July 14, 1989
Release Date: May 28, 1996
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: very good condition Sent within 1 working day by UK seller, available by email for queries.
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
Timothy Dalton's second and last James Bond assignment in Licence to Kill is darker and harder-edged than anything from the Roger Moore years, dropping the sometimes excruciating in-jokes that had begun to dominate the series in favour of gritty, semi-realistic action. When CIA colleague and close friend Felix Leiter (David Hedison) gets married immediately after arresting villainous drug baron Franz Sanchez (with a little help from Bond), the crime lord's retribution is swift and terrible. Bond goes on a personal vendetta against Sanchez after his licence to kill is revoked. There are plenty of spectacular stunt scenes, of course, but the meaty story of revenge is this film's distinguishing feature. Dalton's portrayal of the iconic hero as tough but flawed was a brave decision that the producers subsequently retreated from after Licence to Kill's relatively poor box-office showing. On the DVD: Timothy Dalton's insistence that Bond was a man not a superhero, and "a tarnished man" at that encouraged the producers to redefine Bond with a tougher edge more in keeping with Fleming's original conception of the character. Licence to Kill is Bond's darkest assignment. The production team experienced their usual difficulties in bringing it to the screen, the "making-of" documentary reveals, including a haunted road in Mexico and a mysterious flaming hand that appeared out of the fire during the climactic tanker explosion. There are two commentaries here, both montage selections of interviews from cast and crew. The first features director John Glen and many of the actors; the second has producer Michael G Wilson and the production team. Gladys Knight pops up in the first music video, Patte La Belle in the second ("If You Asked Me To"). There are the usual trailers, gallery of stills and a feature on the Kenworth trucks specially adapted for the movie's stunt work. --Mark Walker
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 30 more reviews...
 CLASSIC BOND August 7, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I really liked Timothy Dalton as Bond. I really thought the guy did a great job. The Living Daylights was an excellent Bond thriller, more in line with Dr No and From Russia With Love in tone and style, but with Licence To Kill you can tell that Broccoli decided to compete with the big boys with this action packed spectacular that aims high and scores. What we have here is Bond with spectacular action scenes and a more nastier steak with regards to the violence that is more in line with Hollywood action blockbusters than with quintessential British spies. This is why the film works. Licence To Kill is much more darker than any of the Bond films that has come before, and after the silliness of the Moore era, that was what this franchise needed. Why have world domination craving villains when you can just p*ss Bond off, big time. Having Felix Lieter maimed and his wife killed on their wedding day is inspired and immediately puts the film on a darker streak. The script here is very strong as we watch a darker more violent Bond infiltrate the bad guy's lifestyle and then proceed to work from there.
Don't make any mistakes this is not a Bond film that would be broadcast during a Bank Holiday afternoon. What we have here is a film that is graphically violent. Check out the head explosion scene or the nasty incidents involving sharks. Having Bond on the revenge path makes for a more interesting tale than just another villain trying to take over the world. The more personal element fits in with this more darker Bond. Dalton really rises to the occasion here and ensures that he will be remembered as a fine actor who played the part of James Bond. The ice cool look of anger as he dumps a bad guy into a shark tank with a case fool of money is fantastic as is his reaction to finding Lieter's dead wife. It may not be said, buy OHMSS is being referenced. Helping Dalton along the way is a great support cast. Robert Davi is superb as Franz Sanchez, without doubt the nastiest Bond villain there has ever been. We have two Bond girls too. Talisa Soto is beautifully sultry, but Carey Lowell just pips her to the post as Pam Bouvier who really gives Bond a run for his money. Another great casting point is an increased role for Q. Desmond Lewellyn appears here more than he ever has done before, helping out in the mission that makes one wonder the Bond writers never thought of it before, or why they never did it after.
Licence To Kill is classic Bond. Purists may give of with the more American touch to the narrative (you just know that any theatrical trailer is crying out for voice over man to go "this time it's personal"), but the more darker narrative suits the film and it shows that Dalton was a good Bond no matter what his critics say. With some of the most spectacular action sequences at the time, this is a genuine Bond classic.
Shaken and stirred most definitely.
Great Bond film July 8, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Released in 1989, Licence to Kill, remains the darkest and most violent of any of the James Bond films. It is also the most underrated. John Glen, directing this his fifth and final James Bond, opted to make a more realistic thriller, clearly influenced by the success of the then recent Die Hard movie. As with Die Hard, Licence to Kill would show the hero being injured and bleeding after confrontations with the villains.
The film was also to feature further scenes of violence including a man's head exploding after he is thrown into a decompression chamber, Bond setting a man alight and Bond's friend, Felix Leiter, being shown fed to As a result of this approach, the film was given a 15 rather than the usual PG certificate, and therefore generated some of the lowest box offices receipt of any Bond film. In particular Licence to Kill did not do well in America, although this was also a result of a poor marketing campaign there, as well as the film competing against the huge success of the Batman movie.
A further link to Die Hard, is that film is scored by Michael Kamen, who also undertook music duties for the Bruce Willis thriller, and here replaces long term composer John Barry. Kamen's score is excellent. There is a nice dramatic twist on the Bond theme at the start, underlying the seriousness of this movie. It is a shame that Kamen did not return for the next movie Goldeneye, which featured a somewhat mediocre score.
As well as being John Glen's final film, this also marks the last appearance of Robert Brown as M and although no one knew it at the time, this would be Timothy Dalton's second and last outing as Bond. After the films release, a lengthy legal dispute woudl prevent another Bond from being made for five years. By the time the dispute was resolved, Dalton's contract had expired and he elected to leave the series, bringing to an end a short-lived but nonetheless significant contribution to the series.
The film basically starts with Bond attending the wedding of his best friend Felix Leiter. Felix now working for the Drug Enforcement Agenct, is determined almost to the point of obsession, of arresting a South American Drug Lord called Sanchez. On the way to his wedding, Felix gets word that Sanchez is in Florida, he sets to apprehend him, with Bond joining him, although "strictly as an observer". After being captured, Sanchez escapes custody after bribing another DEA officer. He takes revenge on Leiter, maiming him and killing his new bride. Bond decides to avenge hi friends, by resigning from M16, and as a rogue agent, he goes after Leiter.
Dalton is more assured here than in his debut. In contrast to Connery, Moore and later Brosnan, Dalton is not particularly comfortable in delivering one liner jokes and therefore these are restricted in the film. Instead the film plays to Dalton's strengths. Dalton is very good at displaying anger, particularly when a colleague is killed. In The Living Daylights, cold anger is displayed when fellow agent Saunders is killed, and here when Bond realises his friend Sharky has been murdered, he snaps to the central villains girlfriend that she "better find a new lover".
In his book, For My Eyes Only, John Glen states that he considers Licence to Kill to be the best film that he has directed. It is easy to see why he said this. The film does not waver during 120 minutes, with some superb sequences, in particular a tanker chase at the climax. The villains are also particularly good. Robert Davi, as Sanchez, actually undertook research for his role, and future Oscar winner Benicio Del Torro, is particularly menacing as Sanchez's henchman.
The only slight criticism of the film, is that bar a very brief scene in London, it is set entirely in The Florida Keys and South America. Normally Bond films are set in more varying locations around the world.
Great movie, whether its 'Bond' or not! May 12, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I've always loved Licence to kill, and have never tried to treat it as 100% Bond movie, simply because Timothy Dalton doesn't have the character for the job. As its own film, its extremerly entertaining, and combines great stunt sequences at the end with the tanker chase, while their are som nice gadgets curtesy of Q. The 'bad guy' for this outing, Sanchez, is probably one of the best villains for years in the bond series, and the actor who plays him is superb!
Its truly under-rated, and I still feel its one the best Bond films for a strong plot, great stunts, and acting. But I'm sure like any other sane person, you'll agree Timothy Dalton takes him self way to seriously! :)
 IAN FLEMING'S James Bond July 24, 2006
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Licence To Kill was released in 1989 on the back of The Living Daylights. Timothy Dalton was back for his second turn as James Bond. This film continued the trend set in the previous Bond outing by taking it's inspiration from Ian Fleming's original creation rather than the traditions set by the earlier Bond films like Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice. The result is good, but it feel lacking in some way. The biggest trouble is that it feels like a standard action movie rather than a 007 film. The usual elements are mostly there, and Dalton plays the role well, but I'm not a fan of the South American drug scenario as a plot for a James Bond film. The plot is not a total loss though, and the way in which Bond gets into the villains inner circle and misinforms him is a great bit of screen writing. I really like that part of the film. The finale truck chase is pretty good and exciting. Dalton comes out of the bloody and tired. This is Ian Fleming's James Bond, and even if he is not as popular at the box office, this is how Fleming intended it to be.
Good on producers Broccoli and Wilson for taking such a bold step. It could have killed the franchise, but the result is a good film artistically, even if not as financially succesful.
The DVD is a good release, boasting a decent selection of special features, including the usual 'making of' documentary narrated by Patrick Macnee. A worthwhile purchase, and a good Bond movie. You can't go wrong with 007!!
Bond gets a 15 certificate and is all the better for it! March 16, 2006
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
Why do so many people dislike this film? Sure, it has a few flaws-the over-the-top truck chase and the lack of a John Barry score, to name a few. The trouble is Dalton's Bond followed immediately afer Moore's. Although Moore's films were enjoyable, they were completely different to Flemings original vision. All his gadgets and gags would have been better suited to Thunderbirds and the 'Carry on' films. in many ways Moore's Bond bastardized the character.Once again Dalton plays bond as a moody, mean and cold character and again I think he is great. The supporting cast is also good with both Robert Davi and Benecio Del Toro playing very real and very sadistic characters, (not your usual meglomaniacs). The plot itself is a tale of revenge, heavily inspired by Yojimbo and a Fistful of Dollars. It sees Bond going after a drugs baron(Davi as Sanchez), after Sanchez brutally mames his friend Felix Leiter. What ensues is a dark and gritty adventure-Bond swears for the first time-which is only let down by its silly climax (a truck doing a wheeley). Give this film a chance, with an open mind. On a seperate note, the casting of Daniel Craig is inspired, as, I believe he will continue the legacy set by Dalton, in bringing a real and believable Bond to the screen.
|
|
|
