License To Kill (1989)
Overall Rank- 9th
Though my favorite of Timothy Dalton’s portrayals of Bond was in The Living Daylights, his second and final film does not disappoint. As an actor portraying Bond, Dalton was really the first one to try the tough guy approach. Though audiences did not take to it (after Moore’s humorous portrayals), Dalton remains one of my favorite actors to portray Bond.
The villain in this film is particularly nasty, and a drug lord as a villain is not as far fetched as some of Bond’s previous encounters. Benicio Del Toro plays a great role as a supporting villain as well.
David Heder is my favorite actor to portray Felix Lighter and I was glad to see him back in this film. Bond finds himself in a more personal situation when Felix (a friend and colleague) and his new wife are attacked. This lends some great emotional appeal to Bond.
As far as the women in this film, it is hit and miss. Before she cuts her hair short, Pam Bouvier is a good choice as a Bond girl. As a fan of longer hair though, she loses her appeal for me once she cuts her hair in the film. I find Lupe Lamomra a very beautiful Bond girl as well.
My favorite gadget of all the Bond films is likely the camera laser. It’s use in this film is both comedic and suspenseful.
The tanker truck chase in the end of this film is another of my favorite Bond action sequences and the fact that real stunt people did the stunts makes it more enjoyable.
Overall, I find this one of the most enjoyable Bond films, and also highly recommend reconsidering Dalton’s portrayal of Bond. It might be a bit different from Connery and Moore, but that does not mean it isn’t good.
I recommend this for an action packed Bond film.