LICENCE TO KILL (1989)

Film of the Day #163

Sep 29, 2023

LICENCE TO KILL
1989 • John Glen
Screenplay: Michael G. Wilson, Richard Maibaum; Based on James Bond characters by Ian Fleming
Cast: Timothy Dalton, Carey Lowell, Robert Davi, Talisa Soto, Anthony Zerbe, Everett McGill, Frank McRae, Desmond Llewelyn, Robert Brown, Caroline Bliss, Benicio del Toro, David Hedison, Wayne Newton
Cinematography: Alec Mills
Music: Michael Kamen

MGM/UA

This private vendetta of yours could easily compromise Her Majesty’s government. You have an assignment, and I expect you to carry it out objectively and professionally!

When CIA operative Felix Leiter is left for dead by vicious drug kingpin, Sanchez, James Bond makes it his personal vendetta to take him down… going so far as becoming a rogue agent.

In the illustrious history of James Bond films, one entry has often been overlooked and unfairly maligned - Timothy Dalton's portrayal in the 1989 film Licence to Kill. Despite being a stellar and gritty Bond, Dalton’s take on the iconic character often falls under the shadow of his predecessors. Dalton, however, brought a raw intensity to Bond that was remarkably close to Daniel Craig’s later interpretation. His Bond, true to Ian Fleming’s original vision, was ruthless and embittered, making him a refreshing departure from the suave, debonair Bonds of the past. License to Kill doesn’t portray Bond as a guy who needs gadgets, but rather as what he’s supposed to be: a highly-skilled, cunning, secret agent. There are one or two cute little Q-Gadgets, but for the most part, the movie Bond has to rely on his training and skills.

Despite Dalton's phenomenal performance, Licence to Kill faced a tough battle at the box office. It became the worst-performing Bond film in terms of grosses, leaving many to wonder why. Perhaps it was because the movie deviated significantly from the traditional Bond formula. While it retained some quintessential elements such as the presence of Q, it ventured into uncharted territories with its extreme violence. This film showcased a level of brutality not seen before in the Bond franchise. From a man being maimed by a tiger shark to another being trapped in a decompression chamber resulting in a ghastly explosion, the movie pushed the boundaries of what Bond fans were accustomed to.

What truly set Licence to Kill apart was its more well-rounded “Bond Girls”. The Bond series, until then, had often been criticized for its one-dimensional female roles. This departure from the norm was refreshing and added depth.

Furthermore, this film features something that is lost in today’s cinema: STUNTS. In fact, some of the most incredible stunts ever seen in the Bond universe to that point. The film pushed the envelope in terms of action, leaving audiences both shocked and exhilarated. My lord, in a day and age where EVERYTHING is CG’d to death, this film relies on stuntmen doing dangerous stunts, on REAL buildings and vehicles exploding. What a freaking concept! It looks so much better and cooler when you know that the 18-wheeler at the end of the film was actually blown up by a stunt coordinator and not a laptop.

Additionally, the villain of the film, Franz Sanchez, is criminally underrated. While Goldfinger, Dr. No, Trevelyan, and Blofeld will go down as the more famous Bond villains, it’s a shame that Sanchez gets ignored. Again, he’s a more realistic villain. He’s not out to conquer the world or blow up a country, he’s a drug lord out to make money. Pure and simple.

In retrospect, Licence to Kill might not have been a commercial success, but it undeniably left its mark on the Bond legacy. Dalton’s fierce portrayal, the intense violence, the great Bond girls, and the jaw-dropping stunts all contributed to making it a unique and memorable installment in the franchise. It might not have resonated with everyone at the time, but its daring approach and willingness to break conventions have earned it a special place among Bond enthusiasts, showcasing that there’s more to 007 than just martinis and charm. Anyway, you can hate on Dalton if you want, but Licence to Kill is a fun, ass-kicking movie with lots of explosions and sweet stunts. And really, what more can you ask for?