James Bond - Licence to Kill (Ultimate Edition 2 Disc Set) [1989]

James Bond - Licence to Kill (Ultimate Edition 2 Disc Set) [1989]
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Reviews


Thunderball meets Live and Let Die
Review date: 2008-04-23 Rating: 8 out of 10

This is the sixteenth in the series and the second and last outing of Timothy Dalton as Bond. (Everyone apparently wanted and expected him to do the next one too, but delays and timetable clashes meant that Pierce Brosnan would step into the frame for "Goldeneye".) This was also the fifth and final Bond movie to be directed by John Glen, and for once he has left us with a Bond movie that suffers from no undercranking.

Dalton was a good Bond, bringing a seriousness to the role that had almost verged into self-parody under Roger Moore. It's pointed out in the accompanying commentaries and other extras that Dalton here becomes a mere citizen in this film, that we see a different Bond than normal: an angry Bond, a darker Bond, more human and self-doubting. He wears open collars and his first erotic kiss does not take place until 54 minutes into the film. The dreadful one-liners are this time spoken by the bad-guy. Dalton explains his role in this film as that of "a murderer, a killer: cold, cruel, ruthless killer. He just happens to be working for the side that's called `good'."

Filmed and set in Florida and Central America, it seemed clear to me that Colonel Noriega's control of the state of Panama was the inspiration for the tale of drug-trafficking and money laundering. This time Bond steps out of his professional role and embarks on a personal vendetta. I took the proposition with a pinch of salt that the original title was "Licence Revoked" and that it was changed to "Licence to Kill" on the studio's suggestion because many Americans would not understand it. But in an interview amongst the extras the story is confirmed by John Glen.

Because of the heavy use of underwater shots, together with the setting around the Caribbean Sea and the subject of drugs, I view this film as a cross between "Thunderball" and "Live and Let Die": indeed, it features the same actor (David Hedison) playing the same role (CIA operative Felix Leiter) in both "Live and Let Die" and "Licence to Kill".

There are two commentaries, one by the front of camera team and director, the other by the production team. Much of the commentary is obscenely full of back-slapping. There is a short documentary on location-scouting, as well as the usual `on-set with the director' kind of featurettes. "Bond 89" has interviews with the key players (including Cubby Broccoli).


Impressive!
Review date: 2008-03-26 Rating: 10 out of 10

Whilst not the greatest Bond film of the series it is a worthy addition. Dalton is excellent as the super spy and in this film manages to up the grit level he had set in the Living Daylights. This is a revenge film pure and simple and unlike any Bond films previous to this it is much more violent and contains swearing if you can believe it.

The storyline is ropey in places but i have to say that this is an extremely enjoyable way to spend an evening, plus the main female lead is hot as! All in all it is just a shame that Dalton didn't do more because he was one of the better bits of casting.

Dalton grows into the character
Review date: 2008-02-24 Rating: 8 out of 10

"The Living Daylights" was a disappointment. But in "Licence to Kill", Timothy Dalton grew into the character and made it his own rather than trying to mimick Roger Moore. It's a darker James Bond than before, this time motivated by revenge. The story is less extravagant than some of the earlier movies - the villain is no super terrorist or megalomaniac but a South American drug lord - but the action is great. Robert Davi is a good villian and a young Benicio del Toro plays one of his henchmen. It is a pity Dalton quit after this movie. It would have been interesting to see more of him as Bond.

First complete release on DVD
Review date: 2008-01-18 Rating: 10 out of 10

Many other reviews here have listed LTK's excellent qualities very well. In sum, you really get a sense of a film that has been put together by a team who believes in what they're doing - the script is well constructed, the baddies and their interaction with Bond have plausible depth psychologically, and there's enough grit and darkness to make watching the film an edge-of-seat experience (unlike so many over-contrived situations in other Bond films, not least Die Another Day).

I feel a bit of a ghoul saying this, but this DVD release - the 2-disc Ultimate Edition - is the first I'm aware of which presents the pre-censored cut of Milton Crest's demise (unlike the Special 007 Edition). I'll just add that the picture quality has been noticeably improved plus there's further extras (including on location footage, and deleted scenes - most of them no loss, though a scene where Bond in his hotel room watches his enemy, Sanchez, on TV has a certain frisson). Altogether a must-buy for those who, like me, think this has been a woefully underestimated film in the Bond series.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Timothy Dalton
Carey Lowell
Robert Davi
Talisa Soto
Anthony Zerbe

Creators:
Timothy Dalton (Primary Contributor)
Carey Lowell (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: Mgm Home Ent. (Europe) Ltd.
Manufacturer: Mgm Home Ent. (Europe) Ltd.
EAN: 5035822702196
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Box set, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2006-07-17
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 127 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1989
Language: Greek (Subtitled)
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: Norwegian (Subtitled)
Language: Finnish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Danish (Subtitled)
Language: Swedish (Subtitled)
Language: Hindi (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)

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