“Then I guess it’s a farewell to arms.” —James Bond
Today’s quick review: Licence to Kill. When drug kingpin Franz Sanchez (Robert Davi) attacks Felix Leiter (David Hedison), British secret agent James Bond (Timothy Dalton) goes rogue to get revenge. Traveling to South America, Bond recruits the help of Pam Bouvier (Carey Lowell), a tough pilot and one of Leiter’s informants. But when Sanchez proves tougher to kill than expected, Bond must go undercover into the heart of Sanchez’ operation.
Licence to Kill is a spy action movie and the sixteenth film in the James Bond franchise. Timothy Dalton reprises his more serious take on Bond, this time on a personal mission of revenge against a ruthless drug lord. Licence to Kill tels a compelling story with clear stakes and plenty of action. However, the movie’s darker tone and more realistic conflict will make it a hard sell for fans of the classic version of the character.
Licence to Kill takes a much more grounded approach than other Bond films. There are few of the series’ stylistic flourishes, with only a couple of gadgets and a few returning characters to mark it as a Bond film. Robert Davi makes for a suitably menacing drug lord as Franz Sanchez, but he lacks the eccentric, memorable quality of other Bond villains. And while the action is still flashy, it’s less grandiose than other films in the series.
For all that Licence to Kill changes, it still gets a lot right. The plot is tense from start to finish, with several stages to Bond’s revenge and a few important setbacks along the way. The film finds ways to work in series staples like Q (Desmond Llewelyn) without compromising its serious tone. The only real drawback of Licence to Kill is how much of its identity it sacrifices; there is very little to distinguish it from other action flicks.
Licence to Kill is worth a shot for anyone in the mood for a serious action thriller that still has plenty of spectacle. The movie’s solid craftsmanship when it comes to its plot and action makes it a worthwhile pick for anyone who doesn’t mind the darker tone. But those expecting a classic Bond romp may want to steer clear.
For another Bond film in the same style starring Timothy Dalton, try The Living Daylights. For a more fanciful showdown between Bond and a drug lord, try Live and Let Die. For a modern, dramatic take on Bond, try Casino Royale and its successors. For an even darker thriller about a battle with a drug cartel, try Sicario. For another action movie about the drug trade, try Bad Boys or Miami Vice.
6.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for solid thrills without Bond’s usual flair.