Love it in the right mood. Pretty powerful song, and it is original (as a Bond theme). I also like "If You Asked Me To" from the end-credits.
Original? The opening chords are lifted straight from Goldfinger. But it's a good song, even though it's one of the more dated theme songs.
Original or not, I like it when the theme songs are vague/slight variations on notes from the Bond theme...FRWL, GF, TB, GE, Surrender, TWINE, YKMN, AWTD, SF.
I'm saying "original" in the sense that while it has some similarities to Bassey's powerful voice, the song blends elements of 60s black-soul with late 80s early 90s power-ballads. A move away from the very similar AVTAK/TLD and the run of slow love-songs/ballads of TSWLM to OP.
Interestingly enough, just read that Daniel Kleinman directed the music video for the title song!
I have recently watched the licence To Kill title sequence and i love the song. When you watch it, does the song sound sped up to anyone here?
i also think that for such a brilliant theme song that it is a shame that Gladys didn't even get a credit in the titles for singing the song. She deserves more credit.
Have you ever heard of the Emancipation Proclamation?"
I have recently watched the licence To Kill title sequence and i love the song. When you watch it, does the song sound sped up to anyone here?
i also think that for such a brilliant theme song that it is a shame that Gladys didn't even get a credit in the titles for singing the song. She deserves more credit.
The song in the movie is shortened isn't it? The original recording is the longest Bond title song.
* Great story. Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson managed to use LALD. Consequently LTK is very Ian Fleming flavoured, which is always great.
* Locations. They make good use of the Mexico City location. It's there and it's nice, but it does not overshadow the story.
* The first time Bond goes rogue. That was really cool.
* Timothy Dalton's best performance. I might like TLD more overall, but here Timothy is at his very best.
* Carey Lowell and Talisa Soto. Fantastic Bond girls.
* Robert Davi. Memorable villain and probably the most realistic of them all. The duel with Dalton is the core of LTK.
* Supporting cast, specially Anthony Zerbe. Desmond Llewelyn's largest role ever is great too. Benicio del Toro, menacing and memorable.
* Action scenes. Believable, well integrated in the plot.
Cons:
* Timothy Dalton's haircut and sideburns.
* Michael Kamen's score.
* Title. "License to kill"? "Licence to Kill"? It should have been "Licence Revoked". The final title is probably the most boring ever.
* Just maybe a tad too "Miami Vice", but that's ok.
* Marketing strategy. This was the year to begin releasing Bond movies for Christmas, not in 1995, with a strong marketing campaign. Nothing worked. Title changes, posters,.. The movie did not have a fighting chance
I'm very fond of this movie anyway. The first Bond you see in a theatre, in widescreen, leaves a mark. Sadly, after that it was six long years, and then Brosnan. Luckily I caught the last movie of an era that ended right then in 1989.
I thought the cut was better (more timeless) in TLD, but I didn't really mind it here.
* Michael Kamen's score.
Barry would have rocked the hell out of this one... sadly it was not to be. Given that, I have come to not dislike Kamen's score.
I agree fully with everything else you wrote; I really think you like this movie almost as much as I do... ?:)
Those are very minor cons, nothing distracting or diminishing. I agree that Kamen's score is not horrible. I actually have it on vinyl! But you got it right, it's more the fact that Barry didn't do it, not that Kamen did a bad score.
As for Dalton's haircut and sideburns, again they are not horrible, just I don't think they suit the character much. But hey, Bond was going rogue in Latin America, so it might have been an conscious decision on Dalton's part. And I love when he greases it back for the Casino scenes.
I love the movie. "I'm more of a problem eliminator". And he means it. He conveys real danger.
I have recently watched the licence To Kill title sequence and i love the song. When you watch it, does the song sound sped up to anyone here?
i also think that for such a brilliant theme song that it is a shame that Gladys didn't even get a credit in the titles for singing the song. She deserves more credit.
The song in the movie is shortened isn't it? The original recording is the longest Bond title song.
I mean the tempo of thesong itself
Have you ever heard of the Emancipation Proclamation?"
I agree. He's seedy and acts it seedy without being too greaseball. He's disgustingly funny too.
* Just maybe a tad too "Miami Vice", but that's ok.
I agree. I find the beginning of the movie very unBondian, it actually does feel like Miami Vice or CSI: Miami. The clearly low production budget further dates these scenes too. It improves after the meeting with M.
* Marketing strategy. This was the year to begin releasing Bond movies for Christmas, not in 1995, with a strong marketing campaign. Nothing worked. Title changes, posters,.. The movie did not have a fighting chance.
* Title. "License to kill"? "Licence to Kill"? It should have been "Licence Revoked". The final title is probably the most boring ever.
They go into detail about why the film wasn't commercially successful in the original Making Of docos. Very interesting. Also, it was Licence Revoked because apparently test audiences in the United States thought that meant the revocation of a driver's licence.
I really like LTK, I enjoy it each time I watch it and the more I watch, the more fond I get. Despite this, there are clear missteps in the production of this film - almost as if the break of 6 years following it was needed. It's almost like a rough-cut of something that could've been much better.
I can understand why the film wasn't commercially successful, yep a good film in the series as a fan, but it does feel a bit tired.
Don't bite my head off, I do like the film!! :007)
"There's 2 million dollars in that suitcase. I'll split it with you!"
"You want it, you keep it, old buddy!"
*shark kills Killifer*
"What a terrible waste... of money!"
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
'License Revoked' just doesn't work as a title. You need big emotive words- that's why License to Kill just works better. It promises action. For me Bond titles have three basic semantic fields; the first to do with violence: License to Kill, The Man with The Golden Gun, Live and Let Die, etc. Then you have the money/greed field: Diamonds are Forever, Goldfinger, Casino Royale, The World is Not Enough. Then there's the romantic field: The Spy Who Loved Me, From Russia with Love. This one includes more subtle examples- rather than using particular words, you have particular attitudes. For Your Eyes Only and Octopussy present Bond as intimate- the woman feels as if she is in on Bond's secret.
Violence, money and sex are the big cinema staples so it's no wonder that the novels made such a successful film franchise. The Craig film titles fall into a different semantic group: Skyfall and Spectre are clear images of doom, with Bond as the victim. Instead of bringing the goods as other invented titles did- we know that in Die Another Day, Bond is not going to be a victim and he will find a way to cheat death- Skyfall and Spectre as titles do not indicate that Bond will necessarily triumph.
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
A list assembled by Mighael G. Wilson for LTK, taken from text of the novels:
"High Tension"
"Time for Decision"
"Take it easy, Mr.Bond"
"The Eye that never sleeps"
"The Job comes second"
"The Pipeline closes"
"The Fuse burns"
"Background to a spy"
"All to play for"
"Writing on my heart"
I think that "Licence Revoked" would have worked in the sense that it implies that something has happened to Bond, and it makes you wonder what. It's mysterious.
"Licence to kill" is a phrase that by 1989 had been used a million gazillion times in marketing, only not as title. When the general movie going public heard that title they didn't have new information, it wasn't mysterious. It sounded like the same old same old. The title was another marketing blunder. The movie was shot as "Licence Revoked" in 1988, and even in 1989, the first movie magazine specials with picture galleries and such used "Licence Revoked". Now it sounds weird, just because we aren't used to it.
The winking fish statue was rather weird for an ending, but oh well.
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Comments
Love it in the right mood. Pretty powerful song, and it is original (as a Bond theme). I also like "If You Asked Me To" from the end-credits.
"Better make that two."
Original? The opening chords are lifted straight from Goldfinger. But it's a good song, even though it's one of the more dated theme songs.
"Better make that two."
"Greatness From Small Beginnings."
Original or not, I like it when the theme songs are vague/slight variations on notes from the Bond theme...FRWL, GF, TB, GE, Surrender, TWINE, YKMN, AWTD, SF.
Interestingly enough, just read that Daniel Kleinman directed the music video for the title song!
"Better make that two."
i also think that for such a brilliant theme song that it is a shame that Gladys didn't even get a credit in the titles for singing the song. She deserves more credit.
" I don't listen to hip hop!"
The song in the movie is shortened isn't it? The original recording is the longest Bond title song.
"Better make that two."
* Great story. Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson managed to use LALD. Consequently LTK is very Ian Fleming flavoured, which is always great.
* Locations. They make good use of the Mexico City location. It's there and it's nice, but it does not overshadow the story.
* The first time Bond goes rogue. That was really cool.
* Timothy Dalton's best performance. I might like TLD more overall, but here Timothy is at his very best.
* Carey Lowell and Talisa Soto. Fantastic Bond girls.
* Robert Davi. Memorable villain and probably the most realistic of them all. The duel with Dalton is the core of LTK.
* Supporting cast, specially Anthony Zerbe. Desmond Llewelyn's largest role ever is great too. Benicio del Toro, menacing and memorable.
* Action scenes. Believable, well integrated in the plot.
Cons:
* Timothy Dalton's haircut and sideburns.
* Michael Kamen's score.
* Title. "License to kill"? "Licence to Kill"? It should have been "Licence Revoked". The final title is probably the most boring ever.
* Just maybe a tad too "Miami Vice", but that's ok.
* Marketing strategy. This was the year to begin releasing Bond movies for Christmas, not in 1995, with a strong marketing campaign. Nothing worked. Title changes, posters,.. The movie did not have a fighting chance
I'm very fond of this movie anyway. The first Bond you see in a theatre, in widescreen, leaves a mark. Sadly, after that it was six long years, and then Brosnan. Luckily I caught the last movie of an era that ended right then in 1989.
I agree fully with everything else you wrote; I really think you like this movie almost as much as I do... ?:)
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Those are very minor cons, nothing distracting or diminishing. I agree that Kamen's score is not horrible. I actually have it on vinyl! But you got it right, it's more the fact that Barry didn't do it, not that Kamen did a bad score.
As for Dalton's haircut and sideburns, again they are not horrible, just I don't think they suit the character much. But hey, Bond was going rogue in Latin America, so it might have been an conscious decision on Dalton's part. And I love when he greases it back for the Casino scenes.
I love the movie. "I'm more of a problem eliminator". And he means it. He conveys real danger.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
I mean the tempo of thesong itself
" I don't listen to hip hop!"
I agree. He's seedy and acts it seedy without being too greaseball. He's disgustingly funny too.
I agree. I find the beginning of the movie very unBondian, it actually does feel like Miami Vice or CSI: Miami. The clearly low production budget further dates these scenes too. It improves after the meeting with M.
They go into detail about why the film wasn't commercially successful in the original Making Of docos. Very interesting. Also, it was Licence Revoked because apparently test audiences in the United States thought that meant the revocation of a driver's licence.
I really like LTK, I enjoy it each time I watch it and the more I watch, the more fond I get. Despite this, there are clear missteps in the production of this film - almost as if the break of 6 years following it was needed. It's almost like a rough-cut of something that could've been much better.
I can understand why the film wasn't commercially successful, yep a good film in the series as a fan, but it does feel a bit tired.
Don't bite my head off, I do like the film!! :007)
"Better make that two."
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
"You want it, you keep it, old buddy!"
*shark kills Killifer*
"What a terrible waste... of money!"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Violence, money and sex are the big cinema staples so it's no wonder that the novels made such a successful film franchise. The Craig film titles fall into a different semantic group: Skyfall and Spectre are clear images of doom, with Bond as the victim. Instead of bringing the goods as other invented titles did- we know that in Die Another Day, Bond is not going to be a victim and he will find a way to cheat death- Skyfall and Spectre as titles do not indicate that Bond will necessarily triumph.
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
I agree. That title isn't succinct like the others. Even Dr. No despite how short it looks, is a good title.
There's nothing wrong with Licence To Kill as a title IMO, the licence that's revoked is his licence to kill - so it is a perfectly fine alternative.
"Better make that two."
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
"High Tension"
"Time for Decision"
"Take it easy, Mr.Bond"
"The Eye that never sleeps"
"The Job comes second"
"The Pipeline closes"
"The Fuse burns"
"Background to a spy"
"All to play for"
"Writing on my heart"
I think that "Licence Revoked" would have worked in the sense that it implies that something has happened to Bond, and it makes you wonder what. It's mysterious.
"Licence to kill" is a phrase that by 1989 had been used a million gazillion times in marketing, only not as title. When the general movie going public heard that title they didn't have new information, it wasn't mysterious. It sounded like the same old same old. The title was another marketing blunder. The movie was shot as "Licence Revoked" in 1988, and even in 1989, the first movie magazine specials with picture galleries and such used "Licence Revoked". Now it sounds weird, just because we aren't used to it.
The eye that always weeps
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Tell Ian Fleming that. He wrote it.
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Why doesn't Robert Davi get more accolades?
The scene where he comes in and tells them that the meeting of the Wavekrest went well
Bond: "Only one was involved"
He digests this information - mind spilling with new possibilities.
Seriously, this guy is good
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS