Rent The Living Daylights on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson (screenplay), Ian Fleming (story, uncredited)
Directed by: John Glen
Starring: Timothy Dalton, Maryam d'Abo, Joe Don Baker, Art Malik, Jeroen Krabbé
Rated: PG
Watch the trailer
Plot
James Bond is sent to investigate a KGB policy to kill all enemy spies, and uncovers an arms deal that potentially has major global ramifications.
Verdict
It might have been a good action movie for the time, but it's been lapped a few times since then. Actions scenes just don't have any tension. The only thing holding this together is the character of James Bond, more for what he represents than for what he actually does. Bond movies are also made and broken based on the villain. This antagonist is incredibly boring and his only goal is money. There's no depth whatsoever to that aspect of the story. Dalton is right for the part, he just doesn't get much with which to work.
Skip it.
Review
This was Dalton's first of two Bond movies. Brosnan auditioned for the role, but rumors led to a new season of his show Remington Steele which prevented him from getting the part. This movie also marks the return of Aston Martin, with Bond having used a Lotus in the prior two movies.
The opening scene is a training mission with MI6 agents where an assassin attempts to kill them. James Bond (Timothy Dalton) escapes harm and chases down the killer who perishes in a car crash.
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| Timothy Dalton plays Agent 007 James Bond |
In Moscow, Bond attends an orchestra and then acts as a counter sniper as General Koskov (Jeroen Krabbé) defects. Bond is ordered to kill the sniper, but instead he shoots her gun. The sniper, Kara (Maryam d'Abo) was also part of the orchestra. Everyone jokes he avoided killing her because she's a woman. Bond tracks Kara, suspecting her of being in the KGB. She's Koskov's girlfriend. He eventually saves her when the KGB sends agents after her.
Bond is ever the suave gentleman, but the action leaves a lot to be desired. Granted, I grew up with the Brosnan and Craig Bond movies which are more action focused.
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| Maryam d'Abo, Timothy Dalton play Kara, James Bond |
The plot is Soviets taking out spies as Koskov embezzles funds. Kara betrays Bond, and she's in turned betrayed by Koskov. They're both imprisoned, but Bond escapes of course. He's Bond. What did you expect? Koskov is just after money, and it makes for such a boring villain. He's a generic Soviet general. His motives are shallow. Because of that we're not given a good reason to root against him. Two-thirds of these movies are rooting for Bond to succeed, and the other third is rooting for the outrageous villain to fail. This movie lacks a major component.
The big finale is a fight on a plane that involves nearly all the characters. It's a fun concept that was certainly more original when this movie released. Bond movies are a product of the time, and the action in this movie feels dated. Action movies especially are prone to replication and improvement. Bond endures due to the concept of this super spy where ladies want him and men want to be him. The movies become a time capsule.
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