Nice article about a deserving underrated Bond film. I agree with most everything the author says except perhaps "it's better than some of the Sean Connerys." I might be willing to concede that it's better than one of the Sean Connery's, i.e. Diamonds Are Forever. Wait - on second thought, nah! ) But License to Kill is definitely a top tier Bond film, and I'm always glad to see it getting the love I think it deserves.
- locations
- spectacular score (which gets annoying on repeatedly hearings and in the second half)
- great story
- awesome leading lady developement
- Carey Lowell is simply gorgeous!
- Q played by Llewelyn and getting loyal to Bond
etc.
Besides my usual beef with Misty Dalton, it has some flaws which make it pretty boring to me in the second half:
The story with the HK agents is unnecessary and makes the movie even longer
Generally you can see the low budget, particularly in the underwater scenes, the mexican temple etc.
The entire Crest ship scenes are too lenghty and not really thrilling imo
The tanker chase - though being technically challenging gets boring to me after having seen it once.
Hedison as Felix never convinces me
The Casino scene and the entire Istmus sequence looks relatively cheap and boring compared to other 007 movies.
I really liked LTK a lot at the beginning but it's now on the bottom of my list. Though I prefer it to DAD and DAF and NSNA of course.
With a change of Name, comes a change of Heart? )
1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
I still criticize Dalton in many ways but I've never been a fundamentalist (now who disagrees here?).
But the mentioned weak parts plus Dalton's annoying appearance (which is far more than his looks) ruin a movie to me which I really wanted to like. I still find it better than TLD.
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
How the Heck did they snag him for that role- I mean, who's idea was it? FRWL wouldn't be half the great movie it is with some stupid silent tough non-actor as Grant...
I was on about the Train Fight with Grant, it's already brutal with Connery. But with Craig and today's standards in Fight Scenes, it would be even better ) -{
1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
I was on about the Train Fight with Grant, it's already brutal with Connery. But with Craig and today's standards in Fight Scenes, it would be even better ) -{
Have to disagree with you there, my friend. As much as I admire Craig's fight scenes, especially the stairwell fight in CR, the Bond/Grant fight in FRWL is a classic that stands alone. Of course we'll never know if it would have been better with another actor, but we do know that scene is an absolute thriller that stands the test of time.
I was on about the Train Fight with Grant, it's already brutal with Connery. But with Craig and today's standards in Fight Scenes, it would be even better ) -{
Have to disagree with you there, my friend. As much as I admire Craig's fight scenes, especially the stairwell fight in CR, the Bond/Grant fight in FRWL is a classic that stands alone. Of course we'll never know if it would have been better with another actor, but we do know that scene is an absolute thriller that stands the test of time.
I would tend to agree with you there BL. I wouldn't try and re-shoot that scene knowing that magic of the first time around, even though Craig does do a great job at the physical stuff.
I was on about the Train Fight with Grant, it's already brutal with Connery. But with Craig and today's standards in Fight Scenes, it would be even better ) -{
Have to disagree with you there, my friend. As much as I admire Craig's fight scenes, especially the stairwell fight in CR, the Bond/Grant fight in FRWL is a classic that stands alone. Of course we'll never know if it would have been better with another actor, but we do know that scene is an absolute thriller that stands the test of time.
Agreed -{
1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
Just as Moore made Bond his own, but in a more acceptable way to modern audiences
Yes, because modern audiences don't want to see a racist, chain-smoking, drug-addict, substance abusing, unfunny Bond.
Gee…go figure. :007)
Because modern audiences are too politically correct and can't stomach the possibility that their hero is flawed. Or perhaps modern audiences cannot distinguish between fiction and reality. Personally, I see nothing wrong with depicting Bond as a chain smoking, substance abusing heavy drinker. That's the way he was written.
Incidentally, Bond isn't a drug addict, and while I agree that there are racist connotations in the Fleming novels - some of which makes me cringe - Bond isn't overtly racist.
Comments
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
Yes, because modern audiences don't want to see a racist, chain-smoking, drug-addict, substance abusing, unfunny Bond.
Gee…go figure. :007)
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
+1 -{
With a change of Name, comes a change of Heart?
No? :v
I still criticize Dalton in many ways but I've never been a fundamentalist (now who disagrees here?).
But the mentioned weak parts plus Dalton's annoying appearance (which is far more than his looks) ruin a movie to me which I really wanted to like. I still find it better than TLD.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
FRWL better with Craig as Bond than Connery??? Wow! Just wow! ?:)
*falls off chair*
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Jason Statham!
I like " The Stath " -{ but he's no Robert Shaw!
True, but who is?!!!
I like the Tom Hardy idea, he could be a great villain. -{
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Have to disagree with you there, my friend. As much as I admire Craig's fight scenes, especially the stairwell fight in CR, the Bond/Grant fight in FRWL is a classic that stands alone. Of course we'll never know if it would have been better with another actor, but we do know that scene is an absolute thriller that stands the test of time.
I would tend to agree with you there BL. I wouldn't try and re-shoot that scene knowing that magic of the first time around, even though Craig does do a great job at the physical stuff.
No, it does not need nor could it BE re-done with any real success.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
It's really intense ! {[]
Agreed -{
Because modern audiences are too politically correct and can't stomach the possibility that their hero is flawed. Or perhaps modern audiences cannot distinguish between fiction and reality. Personally, I see nothing wrong with depicting Bond as a chain smoking, substance abusing heavy drinker. That's the way he was written.
Incidentally, Bond isn't a drug addict, and while I agree that there are racist connotations in the Fleming novels - some of which makes me cringe - Bond isn't overtly racist.