MovieChat Forums > Licence to Kill (1989) Discussion > It Simply Isn't a Bond Film

It Simply Isn't a Bond Film

posted 8 years ago by nihilistdude2000
43 replies | jump to latest

Other than the fact that the main character is named James Bond, and Q shows up with some gadgets, there is nothing "Bond-like" about this film. I'm not surprised it didn't do good at the box office. I know fans of the Fleming books seem to like Dalton, but he just lacked the suave charm that other Bonds have had. He did well enough in The Living Daylights, I suppose, but this film was just way too generic 80's action flick. Without the charm of Bond, then there is nothing special about Bond, hence why Dalton was not a good choice to continue the series. If Timothy Dalton had played Bond in the original Dr. No, I don't think there would even be a Bond franchise, to tell you the truth.

[–] Quint (957) 6 years ago

It was by far the worst Bond movie ever released. At least we thought so ...... but then the Cragin "Bond" movies were released and LTK appeared like a Bond movie for the first time :) .

[–] tanyalawrence (352) 6 years ago

Maybe try to watch it with your eyes open and your ears listening and you find License to Kill is very much a Bond film and one of the better ones. Great set pieces, vicious bad guy/s and two of the most beautiful Bond girls of the series. Gladys Knight does the theme and Patti LaBelle finishes things up. It's a shame Timothy Dalton didn't do more Bond movies, he's my favourite actor in the role.

[–] LebronCorleone (63) 6 years ago

Bond purists are like the Star Wars nerds who are writing manifestos against Disney and Rian Johnson. A Bond movie that adheres to its tropes and conventions is what made Moonraker, Quantum of Solace, and Spectre. License to Kill is a great action film with Bond in it - hence, a great action Bond film.

[–] Martoto (5024) 6 years ago

It's better than a Bond film. So maybe you're right.

[–] Wuchak (8732) 6 years ago

With "Licence to Kill" they at least they tried something different to stir things up. Unfortunately, it didn't work. "Licence to Kill" performed weakly at the box office and is easily the worst Bond flick up to 2008's "Quantum of Solace." It seems less like a Bond film than any other in the franchise up to "Die Another Day." Still, it's interesting as an atypical part of the series -- darker and grittier, albeit still comic booky. Plus Dalton's striking as the vengeful protagonist and, if you can hang around for the final act, it's pretty exciting.

[–] LordBAElish (2015) 6 years ago

You can play James Bond in a serious manner and still have a quality Bond film, see Dalton in the Living Daylights. I like this film, but I agree it almost doesn't feel like a James Bond movie. Dalton is too serious, too hard edged, which is why it did so poorly at the box office and fans rejected Dalton. With the popularity of the Craig movies, Dalton has become more accepted and popular in the role, perhaps if LTK came out today it would be more popular. Coming off a decade plus of Moore, fans weren't ready and didn't want to accept a more serious Bond.

[–] AnubisRaydeen (7897) 5 years ago

"which is why it did so poorly at the box office"

... I disagree. I think it did poorly because it was not a very good movie. The later Bond successes prove that "bring back campy" is not the recipe for good 007. Campy Bond sucks. Occasional quips are just right.

[–] R_Kane (15828) 6 years ago

Folks, the OP named himself nihilistdude2000. Can you say “troll born in the year 2000”? Sure you can.

[–] Stratego (30500) 5 years ago

I do think the one flaw of Dalton is that isn't as suave as some of the other Bonds. Otherwise, I actually like his more serious interpretation of the character. I think the real problem of this movie is that it doesn't really feel like a Bond movie until after the first act when Pam Bouvier shows up. They also could've given Dalton some more witty lines throughout the movie.

[–] Heisenberg (6730) 5 years ago

I agree with your analysis, but considering your points, why is Craig, playing a charmless monkey, succesfull?