EXPLODING HEADS!!! Support the channel: / calvindyson Also follow me on other social media: / calvin_dyson / calvinmdyson / calvindyson letterboxd.com...
I like how inconsequential Felix was to Sanchez. He's punished him (quite severely) and moved on. Bond is committed to this revenge mission whilst Sanchez has already forgotten about it. "I want you to know it is nothing personal, it is just business."
I just wish Bond had actually said "this is for Felix!" or something like that so that there was a 100% guarantee Sanchez died knowing why Bond turned on him.
Yeah but LTK is not really about Bond getting revenge for Felix, it's about him getting his revenge for Tracy. Revenge for Felix was just a convenient excuse for Bond to unleash his inner predator & release alot of the pain he had carried inside him since his own wife was killed on their wedding day just like Della was killed on the day she married Felix. Bond might even have wanted to take a beating & possibly get killed because if you think about it he could have killed Sanchez perfectly easily. But he didn't want that, he wanted to go crazy & do his job with more difficulty than ever before & handing in his Licence to Kill was him proving to himself he never had to hide behind anything or anyone. He was still the deadliest agent in the world when provoked. Him killing Sanchez was his coming to terms with (presumably) the fact he had failed to kill Blofeld by killing his equivalent.
@Roger Rambo I can but that explanation, but you realize Bond already got revenge on Blofeld at the end of Diamonds are Forever when rammed the midget submarine he was trying to escape in into the satellite control building and killed him. Or perhaps when he dumps him into that smoke stack if you count that as a Blofeld appearance.
The best thing to come from this movie is that any time you kill someone in a FPS with a Speargun, you have to say, “Compliments of Sharkey” in a Welsh accident.
I don't mean to be pedantic but Tim doesn't have a Welsh accent. He grew up mostly in Derbyshire, England. His parents were English and American. If you said it for comic effect, I understand...
The John Gardner novelization handled the final phone call with Felix much better. Instead of just laughing and joking like nothing ever happened, Felix expresses his sorrow, and Bond says, "I know. I've been there."
I simply assumed the reason why Felix's in a cheerful mood had been the fact that Bond was successful in avenging his maiming, the deaths of both Della & Sharkey and (to quote Georgi Koskov from the previous film) "put away" Sanchez for life.
It never occurred to me that the whole murder of Felix’s wife also stirred up memories of Tracy. In some ways, Bond was not only avenging Felix and Della, but also doing what he couldn’t do after OHMSS, and bring a killer to Justice
I love how the actors who played FBI Agents Johnson and Johnson (no relation) in Die Hard were both in this film just a year later as Sanchez and that DEA guy 😂
Definitely still my favourite Bond movie. So glad it’s climbed up your rankings. You know you’re getting old when you see Calvin liking License to Kill 😂 2011 Calvin definitely didn’t hold back. I would say 25% of Bond fans hate this movie, 40% put in the middle, and now 35% love it. Definitely far cry from a decade ago when it felt so lonely to love this movie. Dalton is amazing. Love everything about it. It’s a great double feature with Goldeneye.
@@ughugh351 It still baffles me that David Zaritsky doesn't really care for that film. It seems that some people find it too "unglamorous" a Bond film, but then again I gotta wonder why these same people enjoy the Craig films!
Oooo I don't know, I know loadsa people who hated this movie as it was very polarising back in the day for it straying too far away from the Bond formula, being super Miamivice/ Scarface. Thats whyyy Brosnan and his films (first 3 ) are so beloved. I will say though, I think the film makers would have learn the lessons from this movie and go on to make a better movie for Dalton in his 3rd outing and That would have been his Spy who loved me movie :) I'll forgive License to kill because it had a writers strike and it lost its orginal Location of China and had to reloacte. but still i dont blame people for not being amazed by the movie. For those who dont like QOS, this was that back in the day
@@DafyddBrooks I can't stand this movie for the reasons you stated. It's the 80's "cowboy cop" trope, it's got every 80's cliche crammed into it, and it looks like it was filmed for TV. Doesn't feel very Bond to me at all. I do think Dalton gives a great performance though, and Robert Davi makes a convincing drug lord.
I don't know how you can put Goldeneye in the same category as Licence to Kill. Licence to Kill is one of the best, whilst Goldeneye is one of the worse films in the franchise.
"a SPECTRE yard sale" by "For Your Eyes Only" Blofeld was living in London outskirts, had nobody from his organization alive and probably barely had money to keep himself in a wheelchair, was probably working in a Tesco since he had a plastic surgery every 2 years as a good measure to remain anonymous. i'm pretty sure he would be selling all of the old equipment he has obtained over the span of 20 years at that point. /j
I always assumed the shot of Pam before she shoots Dario was hazy because his eyes were all watery and such and he said “You’re dead” because he assumed she was dead after shooting her in the back at the bar. Also, I think Dario has a bit of a contact high from all the drugs being grinded in his face. That’s how I always read it at least
I assumed it was a more smokey type effect. All the dust around is all cloudy, so of course the vision is hazy. I don’t see much imagery, except maybe an angel saving someone from a pit from hell, and sending a demon back down.
I'm a big fan of the Dalton films. And I think few would disagree that Sanchez was the one Bond villain that everyone wanted to see defeated, and in the most horrid way possible. Davi ruled.
Personally this is one of my favourite Bond movies. I really like how we get to see Bond in a smaller, darker and deeply personal story, which, until 1989, we hadn’t really gotten and arguably haven’t really gotten again, even in the more emotionally intense Craig films, which always had some larger conspiracy at work, whereas this film is essentially any great ‘80s action drama with Bond thrown in instead of, say, Sylvester Stallone. It’s also a smaller story, which I like. Not every movie has to be a big world ending scheme by secret villainous organisations. If anything, this movie basically took Tony Montana and made him into a Bond villain for an action crime drama starring James Bond, and I’m all for it as a darker Live And Let Die. Also, this film is aggressively ‘80s and I’m all for it. Also also, I’m just going to out and out say it, this movie does the whole ‘mid-air plane hijacking’ better than The Dark Knight Rises.
I've always been a big fan of this one, and it's probably my most watched Bond film. It's such a shame that it marks the end of not just Dalton's run, but of Robert Brown's and Caroline Bliss's as well.
People seem to not read that Dalton left Wales aged 4 and grew up in Derbyshire, where the accent has similarities to Northern. He wouldn't have developed a Welsh accent from his parents as his Dad was English and Mum, American.
So I have a fun little story about this film. My parents both love James Bond and for a birthday present, my father got my mother three Bond films. Dr No, Live and Let Die and Licence to Kill. Then when my grandparents came to babysit me while my parents went out for a meal, they asked me if I've ever watched a Bond film when they spotted the films by the TV. They told me to stick one of them on and I went straight for Licence to Kill solely because of the 15 certificate as I knew that my grandparents had no qualms about showing a child a film that was rated 15 or 18. So I put Licence to Kill on and everything was going great until they saw Dalton on screen, to which my grandparents ordered me to switch the film off. I asked him why and my grandfather's response was... "This is a George Lazenby film. He was awful. Put another one on now." So I put on Dr No and felt incredibly bored by the film and was longing to watch Licence to Kill. Of course, a few years later and seeing all of the Bond films up to that point, I told my grandparents that they had gotten the Bond actor in Licence to Kill wrong, but they were having none of it and even told me that George Lazenby was so bad that they got Sean Connery to play Bond and the franchise got better from then on - implying that Lazenby was the first Bond actor which makes absolutely no sense, but my grandparents were adamant that this was the case.
Ha! This is a great story, thanks for sharing. Can totally sympathise with relatives having a really limited grasp on the Bond timeline and the order of the actors!!
woooow how strange is that that they thought it was a George Lazenby movie. given that Tim is on the front cover haha. awww sorry you had to watch boring DR no let me tell you something. Back in May 1999 when the HMV catalogue was released they showed the boxset of all the James Bond films were going to be released that winter in a buy one get one free. I noticed that all the Bond movies were PG rated up until LTK which was 15???!!!! That meant I really had to watch the movie ha, was it going to have more blood, loadsa swearing and boobs?? Well back when the '00 heaven season' was being shown THAT summer in 1999 on ITV , it was great to watch all the Bond movies in order. But by the end of august and a few days before starting year 6, all my freinds and me watched LTK and..........OMG!!!! I dont know if we liked it or hated it as it was very polarising and shocking with all the deaths and vile characters. Certanly by Krest's head popping really made us quite scared :( it was always a facinating one to watch in the years to come because it was released at a time when we were either not born or just wee toddlers and in the early 90's, we had no idea that there were no Bond movies being made at that point. I think it was certanly an eye opener because we were so used to Brosnan at this point, that it made us very suprised that a movie of this kind was actually made before Goldeneye. No way could we have ever thought a Bond movie like this could exist. I actually would have loved to be at the summer of 89 and watched all the movies at the cinema's, including this one, Batman, Indy 3 and see no evil hear no evil, LOL certainly by 2002 and finding out that a 3rd Dalton movie could have been made, I always had to come back to this and other early 90's films and get a feel for what THAT 3rd movie could have been. thanks for sharing that story man :)
Glad to see the video online. Been waiting for this one for ages. Insightful and Hilarious as always, love your videos. Saw the two Dalton films back to back on LD a week before Goldeneye’s release in November 95, and ten year old me ABSOLUTELY LOVED LTK… To this day it is my favourite film of the series. Always considered the grittiest one, it was only whilst watching it on the big screen for the first time in June, I actually noticed how wild and decadent this film truly is.
Thanks very much for this and love hearing that even as a 10 year old you loved the film! I also agree with your point about the film being wild and decadent too. It’s not even as stripped back as some of the early Connery’s despite its reputation but I think it balances all the elements with the grittier stuff really well! Thanks again for the kind words too! 😁😁
@@calvindyson cheers. That Barrellhead Bar fight is just so wild and out of kilter with the rest of the series. Also, a televangelist, winking fishes and exploding heads. Also the scene when Bond and Pam deliver the money to Krest’s decompression tank, Bond unashamedly checks out Pam stripping down to a swimming costume. I mean pure shameless decadent Bond.
Hey Calvin 👋 The scene where Pam reappears to Dario in the drug factory, when they have the fight at the bar earlier and Dario shoots her he thinks he’s killed her, then she reappears wearing the white cloak and the sort of white light around her makes her look angelic and I always thought in his mind he’s wondering whether she’s come back to life, he does sort of sound like he’s both asking her and asserting to her that she’s dead in that moment. That’s always been my interpretation of it anyway 👍
A tip of the hat to my fellow countryman Rémy Julienne, the stuntman and stunt coordination genius who conceived the tanker truck stunts in the climax, the truck on two wheels was one of the stunts he was the most proud of. Died from covid last year, RIP. Without him, 1980s Bond car stunts wouldn't have been so great.
Well done Calvin! I love how your reviews are getting increasingly more in-depth! It's hard putting so much effort into one video, but you've smashed this one. I'm sure you'll enjoy making the GoldenEye one though 😅
that bloody winking fish at the end spoils a really good 007 film and Felix is most definitely on morphine, if he isn't than maybe Mickey G was on a high at the time.
What just killed me was that "fake televengalist" part. Probably one of THE most sophisticated jokes you ever did!!! And besides that, as usual, this is incredible! Such a greatly observed and entertaining experience! Keep the british end up, Sir! I can't wait for the fun you're gonna have with your GoldenEye review. Greetings from Germany! 😎
20:40 Michael Kamen did a fantastic job with the score. The gun barrel score is one of the best tone-setter music I have ever seen, the Latin version of the Bond themes gives you exhilaration and even quieter moments have a sense of ominous danger.
I am actually glad you mentioned the shot with the DEA Officer running toward the camera. It’s always stuck out to me, it has no business being that good and intense 😂.
I always thought M's "Too many people." Was more to cover up his own personal bias towards Bond for the sake of a report or the like. The fact that he watches Bond run off and says, "God speed, Commander." Tells me he still appreciates where Bond's rogueness is coming from.
My take on Truman Lodge’s murder is that it’s meant to show that Sánchez has completely lost it. Bond has screwed with him so much that he doesn’t care about loyalty anymore and he’s just acting on pure id.
21:33 yeah Dalton was terrific. The more I watch Licence to Kill, his and Robert Davi's performances really shine through. The steely eyed Dalton here with his cold demeanour is what Bond is in the Fleming books.
Love this Bond movie, easily a Top 5 for me. Love the title theme, the truck chase, great villain, and one of the best Bond girls. The ninja stuff is pretty dumb though and sticks out so much.
pam is just okay to me, bringing a shotgun to a barfight is pretty badass, her setup is a little forced but it serves the story and the fact that she has a gun holster in her thigh under a dress is double badass
It's one of my absolute favourites in the series, for it's completely brutal and stripped-back take on Bond. It's a Bond picture for the age of Die Hard and Lethal Weapon and while some might think those kind of films are too far out of Bond's wheelhouse Dalton and Glenn absolutely nail it. I think the reference to Tracey is almost the producers apologising for DAF - the impression I've always gotten is that Bond felt bad for brushing off his own wife's death so easily and that's why he goes so hard to get revenge for Felix when his wife is murdered. As for the tonal shift at the end, yes it's definitely jarring especially Felix who seems spectacularly unconcerned about losing his wife and being left maimed. I think the produers knew they wanted to move the series to be darker, more violent, less comedic and telling more personal stories but they were still locked into the conventions of how you make a Bond film; and at that point it was established that you ended the films on a cheeky scene where everyone has a laugh. There obviously wasn't the confidence at that stage to break away from that convention even if it meant a jarring tonal whiplash. They'd get it right in the Craig era but here it's as if the style of film they want to make and the style of film they know how to make are pulling in different directions although I think the final scene is the only one where it really causes a big problem. I love Davi in this and I think Sanchez is one of the greatest villains in the series, but I'm alarmed to find out what Davi has been doing in the last few years (he's now a terrifyingly right-wing Trump supporter who's just directed an anti-Joe Biden movie starring Lawrence Fox).
My guess was that Bond's big hair in the casino was deliberately styled to look like Sanchez's, as clever James was signalling that they were similar and could be buddies...
I've looked forward to a renewed opinion on this film for quite some time, I think it has quite a lot of things going for it, and I can see why John Glen considers this his best made film.
- Hawkins and Sanchez are Agent Johnson and Special Johnson from Die Hard, reunited! - I think the underwater and gear is literally from The Spy Who Loved Me - Isthmus is a real place in Panana, though not an independent city-state like here - The faces in Sanchez's place are based on MesoAmerican masks if I'm not mistaken - Sanchez's face is pockmarked as a nod to General Manuel Noriega, a notorious South American drug lord and dictator - Robert Davi was taken to see Pablo Escobar once because the drug lord was just a huge fan of the movie. - According to Robert Davi, after the fall of Baghdad, "Licence to Kill" was found in Saddam Hussein's VCR
I absolutely love Licence To Kill. Timothy Dalton is excellent, and the writing and overall tone of the movie really plays to his strengths. The story is gritty and emotional with personal stakes for Bond. Davi as Sanchez is amongst my favourite Bond villains, as you said in this review he has remarkable depth to him - yes he is ruthless and violent but also has his own personal sense of ethics and morality and values loyalty and talent in those around him. This film also contains some of my favourite moments for both M and Q in the entire series, with Bond's relationship with M never getting quite as heated as it is here. The action scenes are brilliant, flashy and immensely satisfying to watch. And the title song by Gladys Knight is also one of my favourites of the series. This was my standout favourite Bond movie until Skyfall, which gives it some fierce competition, and honestly I have a hard time choosing between the two.
Licence to Kill is a top 5 Bond film for me and I've always had a hard time understanding why it isn't universally seen as one of the best in the series, despite it not doing well commercially. I've always been especially shocked when people cite The Living Daylights as the better Dalton film. To me it's absolutely no contest.
I always loved the scene where Bond he doodwinks Sanchez into thinking Crest is the villain, it shows his cleverness and not just an agent relying on his gadgets.
I've been watching every Bond movie in the cinema as part of the 60th anniversary and my ritual was to rewatch your in-depth review of the movie when I came home from the cinema. They were always very enjoyable evenings! Obviously that had to stop after The Living Daylights so I can't wait to watch your new review of Licence To Kill.
Thanks Damien! That’s quite an honour, really appreciate it! Also thrilled to hear you’ve been seeing ever my Bond film on the big screen for the anniversary. I now wish I’d made more of an effort to see some of the Connery and Moore’s…
@@damienfenton3880 It's great to see it on the big screen but the Xenia Onnatopp parts were a little awkward. except the dialogue in the spa scene someone was laughing their head off at it.
Dario believed Pam to be dead, having shot her in the back after the bar fight, so when he saw her, I guess it was somewhat of a shock, this angel in front of him! Brilliant review as always.
So glad you've grown to like this one, I've certainly had a similar had a similar experience back when I saw "Octopussy" on the big screen for the 60th anniversary after years of dismissing it. "Licence to Kill" has always been one of my favourites for years to the point of having it in my Top 5 and it's generally well liked amongst my circle of friends.
Yes! Thank you, Calvin! I needed another video to keep me procrastinating on this fine Monday morning. Very much looking forward to your in-depth review of this excellent film, my 6th favorite in the franchise.
I've been waiting for this review for a long time and I'm especially happy with the U Turn Calvin has made about this movie and Timothy Dalton as Bond in General
Another blinding review, Calvin. I'm so pleased you managed to see this film on the big screen in Wimbledon and it certainly sounded like it left an impression, especially with an audience who still appreciates the film like many still do. I always relish your humour and really enjoyed this one. Thank you! 😊
How did you not mention the bizarre reunion of Agents Johnson from Die Hard in the interrogation scene! Did no one else find it weird that those two specific actors were cast as partners in a movie one year previously? Was this intentional by the producers or what?
The franchise was probably taking cues from recent action pictures. They even poached Michael Kamen, who scored Die Hard and Lethal Weapon, for this installment. Not to mention, the whole backdrop of international drug smuggling in the American tropics was very likely a nod to Scarface and Miami Vice, along with the general zeitgeist of the actual drug trade itself and the problems it posed for the authorities, civilians and criminals alike from Miami all the way down to Bogota.
I really like Grand L. Bush in his small role, I wish he either had tagged along Bond and Sharkey when they investigated Krest's activities or that he had been collaborating with the British/Hongkongese agents in Isthmus. Shame he disappears from the movie so early on.
Huge Bond fan here. Roger Moore is also my favorite. Thoroughly enjoying your videos. Your commentary on Frank McRae is very cool. Forgot he was in this film. Knew him rather well while growing up in LA as he was a neighbor. Genuinely a very kind man-a total gentle giant. Have many fond memories of him. My family really adored him. Sad to learn he passed away. Dalton has grown on me. At the time, was disappointed Pierce Brosnan was unable to get out of his RS contract so it put a pall on Dalton. Funny how now I prefer Dalton.
This film certainly gets better with time, and if this was made today, the level of violence would still push it into the 15 range. That said a more hard nosed Bond film was welcome. I would probably put it at 8 or 9 in my list Calvin. An astounding video as always, can’t wait to see what is next.
Fantastic review! I feel almost exactly the same way as you regarding this film. I despised it when I was younger and avoided it as much as possible. However, over the past few years it has become one of my favorites and I think Sanchez is one of the best Bond villains in the franchise. Thank you for all your hard work!
There's something about Felix and Della with their weirdly "friendly" wedding, and the man, the myth, the legend Sharkey, that just works really well as the intro to Dalton's Bond going on a fiery murder-splosion "I will fuck you up" fest. It's like when those dbags killed John Wick's puppy.
Fantastic review. Great humor. Calvin, your reviews get better and better. "The Living Daylights" and especially "License to Kill" have grown on me. As a kid I thought they weren't fun and too dark. Now I see them as really solid entries to the franchise. As for Felix Leiter, I feel as either John Terry should have returned for LTK or David Hedison should have been in TLD from the beginning. Seeing two different actors playing Felix consecutively with the same actor is strange.
I'm so glad you were able to upload this video, Calvin. Hopefully it won't get taken down. I can't wait to see your next Livestream. I'll be watching it, I'll be asking you some questions, and I know you'll answer the questions as best as you can.
Let’s go!!! Been waiting so long for this!! Love you Calvin!! I love this movie so much. It’s my favorite Dalton movie by far and is in my top 5 Bond films.😃
My third favourite Bond film, love Carey Lowell, love that we see more of Q in here than any other Bond film, love John Glen's directing, love love love Michael Kamen's brilliant score, love how he plays with the Bond theme especially during Bond stealing the seaplane, I don't any composer has experimented with the Bond theme like he did except for Tom Newman on Skyfall and Robert Davi is one of the best villains Bond has ever had, also think they did a good job of throwing in humor at the right parts, so its not completely depressing or dark and I've always seen it as the end of an era for Bond with John Glen, Cubby Broccoli, Richard Maibaum, Maurice Binder and Robert Brown not returning for the Brosnan films and only Broccoli returned as a consulting producer. Great review, I have been waiting for a long time for it.
58:32 I wish they had kept that scene. It really shows Dalton's Bond scouting Sanchez and planning on what to do in his quiet moments. Almost like a hunter stalking his prey.
The first movie to get me into Bond at the age of 6. I found a VHS that had the censored movie (mainly the graphic violence) on it! Was thrilled to watch it again at Prince Charles cinema (along with The Living Daylights and Goldeneye) in May. Surprisingly got some laughs in the cinema despite it being a violent movie! Still one of my favourite Bond movies for my money and Timothy Dalton smashes it at Bond!
My screening was the same with the laughs, which was lovely to hear in all honesty. Really helped me better appreciate the comedy and lighter moments all the more!
Ooh, did you see the screening with the Paul Weston (stunt coordinator) Q&A as well? It was very interesting, and indeed thrilling seeing (the best) Dalton on the big screen 😁
Expertly crafted review Mr. Dyson!!!! I'm gonna be so sleep deprived for work tomorrow but it couldn't have been more worth it. The humour was spot on too lol. Well done dude. R.I.P. Sharky
At the time LTK was written/filmed, there was a minor feud going on between author Clive Cussler and the Bond people. Cussler had used a very-thinly-veiled Bond character (along with M and Moneypenny) in one of his novels, and made him the bad guy. The "crass and unpleasant character" that says "his name WAS Sharkey!" was named Clive and is the first one killed in the Wavekrest scene.
Hi mate. I remember you also describing it as an overblown TV episode in one of your debates, I think. The issue of drug cartels was the big thing at the end of the '80s. It was the time of Noriega in Panama and the US's inability to do anything about him. When I watched this at the time, seeing the parallel was instantaneous. The USSR was in the process of collapse (see any movie up to Octopussy) but hadn't yet become a corporate mafia state (see Goldeneye), and international terrorism hadn't emerged. It's a revenge plot, but like the earlier movies it's very much based in its time.
Like with you, this film and Dalton in general took time to grow on me, but is definitely now up there as one of my favourites. Also great video! I don't know if anyone else has ever observed it but these in depth analysis' videos of yours are a bit like the Bond films, mixing the serious concepts but then throwing in the odd cheesy joke, just like the Bond films do...nice work!
* Great review. After the first time I saw Licence to Kill, I knew I liked it more than The Living Daylights. I think it was because Licence to Kill kept me interested and entertained, pretty much, throughout the entire film. The MI6 agent that was sent to intercept Bond, and bring him back in, made me wonder if he was, in fact, a "Double-O Agent" like Bond. The thing that made me think that was that, they're not going to send an "O" Agent to subdue the one and only "007". No, they would've sent another Double-O Agent. Well, which one? * I remembered that they talked about an agent "008" in The Living Daylights, and that he was on an assignment in Hong Kong at that time. Then, in Licence to Kill, we have this MI6 agent, credited as agent "Fallon" in the closing credits(played by actor "Christopher Neame"). In the novel, they give us his full name: "Nick Fallon". He appeared to be working alongside "Hong Kong Narcotics", and since 008 had recently been on assignment in Hong Kong, and 2+2=4, and Bob's your uncle. * I couldn't help but wonder, could this man actually have been *"Nick* *Fallon* *008"* ? If it is him, then this is the first time 008 had ever been given a first and a last name. Prior to this, all we've ever heard about is a 008 who's first name is "Bill". Might as well have been "Bob". I mean, not that it matters, the character is dead now. The cause of death on his death certificate must've read: "Tank" Now that I think about it, Bond is dead too. Well, until the reboot.
You know what? I think you may be right. It would have made so much sense for the scene in Daylights when M threatens to replace Bond with 008, because the latter would be a "by-the-book" character! :P
@@stephenkoranteng6260 * Obviously, 007 was the best Double-O Agent, but who was 2nd best? We could probably all agree that before *Alec* *Trevelyan* *006* started his own organized crime syndicate, he was definitely 2nd best. How do we know that? Because in GoldenEye he even admitted that he believed that he himself was always the best. Well, we know that's not true, but he was probably 2nd best. * After he was believed to have been killed in action, some time after that he was replaced by Major Jack Giddings of the "3 Commando Brigade" who was an "O" Agent that was given the "006" suffix code number that is added to the end of an M.I.6 intelligence officer's service number. It's mentioned in the James Bond novel called *The* *Moneypenny* *Diaries:* *Guardian* *Angel* that *Jack* *Giddings* *006* was 2nd best only to Bond. * He's also mentioned in the "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" novel, and was played by actor *"Peter* *Roy"* in the film "Thunderball", but you can't see his face. However, there *is* a photo of him during that scene, in character as 006 where you can see his face, on the internet. Incidentally, you can also see the face of actor *"Charles* *Price"* who played "008" in that scene. It wasn't Nick Fallon though. I think this 008 was that one named "Bill". * There's only 1 other Double-O Agent sitting to the left of 006(his right), but we just don't know which one he is. He could be "001" to "005". We just don't know. Personally, I think he's *Charles* *Basildon* *001* Yes, the same Charles Basildon that appears in the James Bond *Kiss* *Kiss* *Bang* *Bang* 5 issue comic book series, where they reveal that the number "001" is reserved for their "best" Double-O Agent(until Bond became the best) and that the name that goes with the code number is a default codename(not their real name). * Also, that "Entry" level field agents are called *01* Agents(numbers 100 to 999) like Basildon's understudy Stephanie Shelly, who some believe goes on to become *Stephanie* *Shelly* *008* and is mentioned in the "James Bond 007 Role Playing Game"(called *James* *Bond* *007:* *Role* *Playing* *in* *Her* *Majesty's* *Secret* *Service)* supplement book called *Q* *Manual:* *The* *Illustrated* *Guide* *to* *the* *World's* *Finest* *Armory*
Am I the only one that slightly feels bad for Sanchez when he realizes that Bond is there to kill him. It’s like, he found a compadre, somebody that could be a good enforcer and close friend like Dario, and he really does break when Bond causes everything to go tits up. It’s why he is one of my favorite villains. Completely sadistic, yet you could share a drink with him. If he ignore Felix and goes home to run his empire, nothing ever happens to him.
Great video Calvin, very entertaining. I love that you have been so open in your appreciation/reversal to your initial view. Here's to another 10 years, hopefully if will be in your top 5 by then. Kudos to mentioning the score a number of times too, Kamen's work is hugely underrated. For me personally, the greatest Bond film and the closest we ever got to see Fleming's Bond on screen. Nasty! 😉
REALLY happy to see you come around on this one Calvin! Maybe it's because I'm from the States and I just grew up used to grittier action films but this has always been one of my favorites. LTK was way ahead of its time. Sanchez is a "realistic" villain done right, Dario is one of the slimiest henchmen in the whole series and, I don't care what the Craig contingent says, this is probably the single most "Fleming-esque" portrayl of Bond. As much as I love Brosnan in the role, it's really a damn shame Dalton didn't get at least one more go like this.
While I have definitely warmed to License to Kill, I still have a grudge against it from when I was very young. When I was about 5-8, my cousin (who's much older than I) was over at my grandparents' house and was channel surfing and License to Kill came up right at the moment when Bond is heading for the mincer. This scene freak and scared me so much that I was turned off from James Bond until I watched Casino Royale with my dad when I was a bit older. Anyways, while I still prefer The Living Daylights, License to Kill has grown on me with every additional viewing.
You have a knack for delving into the details of these Bond movies. Very well done, great presentation, and witty humor that never goes to Roger Moore level of campiness.
Calvin as a life long Bond fan I adore all your content and the movie breakdowns are always something to look forward to. Just wanted to say a massive thank you for all the work that you do and the obvious love and care that goes in to everything!
Hopefully we'll get an expanded soundtrack at some point. There's so much great unreleased music including Michael Kamen's original tracks for the tanker chase ("12M1A - Tankers Down-Hill" and "12M1B - Truck Chase") that were replaced with tracked music from earlier in the film, as well as alternates.
YES!!! Yet another top noch quality in depth review of a Bond movie. It’s a challenge not to go mental while waiting for these, but holy hell it’s Christmas comes twice a year feeling when you release a new one. Thanks!!
My personal 4th favourite Bond that actually has some call back (not the "he was married once" line) to OHMSS, a newly married couple where the bride is murdered re-opening Bonds emotional wound from Tracy and he finally has emotional closure when he personally kills Sanchez with the lighter
Can’t believe you didn’t mention the best bit - during the truck chase a bad guy shoots at Bond and the sound of the bullets hitting the truck forms the start of the Bond theme
I know this was years before (and I did see License to Kill in theaters, but I was 14 and didn't pay attention to people leaving), but when it comes to films where people think parents take their kids out of the movie, I never see it. I sat next to a kid who was easily 8 years old during Bad Santa, and a similar moment with Team America World Police.
Calvin, you're humor has been brought to a new level with this video. Keep up the style especially the artificial overdubs.. Seriously I am a hardcore defender of this film I loved it when I came out because it got rid of the slapstick. I've always been a Fleming fan. However your interjection of humor and the style and the way that you're doing it has reached a new level with this video. Good job old man
Of course my hidden sin is I grew up in the '70s watching Rodger Moore so he was always bond to me. Spy who loved me was my first film in the theater. However later in my teens I did read the Ian Fleming novels. And I fell in love with the dark gritty sense of the novels and even the humor was still dark. I've always just wanted to see that on screen. :)
I love your channel. We are kind of polar opposites on perspectives of Bond films, but I always appreciate your view because still deep inside I love all Bond even bad Bond and I've used even the same defenses you've said of say films like Moonraker... Which I love but I should hate
I guess I'm trying to say I can see the true passion of bond where I think you would even defend die another Day to someone who hates James Bond. I'm kind of the same way in my own private envelope I don't necessarily like these films but there are aspects I love and I will defend them to my dying day I see your passion in the films and that is what I love and I think that's what all Bond fans really love
In the 1988 Maibaum-Wilson treatment, it's stated that Leiter has been with the DEA for *five years*. Leiter intends to retire once Sanchez has been caught. Ooops.
Great Video - as always. Thank you. One of my favourites for some time . Like the script and love the soundtrack. But i can see why it isnt for everyone, it is quite flemingesque in comparison to a lot of Bondfilms before. But thats what i like. Anyways as for the Manta shape disguise, in the novelization it is explained that Bond and Sharky build it together out of wood and scuba gear. Further in the book it is mentioned that Bond knew Della from before and if i recall correctly even introduced her to Leiter, which further explains his rage when je finds her and Leiter later on, plus could explain why they were so "intimate" with each other at the wedding. As for the angelic appearence of Pam, as others pointed out , Dario believed her to be dead and he was probably high as kit among all the Cocaine dust. Anyways keep it up Calvin and thx again.
Dalton’s acting when Leighter’s wife reminded him of Tracy is some of the best subtle acting the series has ever had
The “No” with a look of barely contained pain on his face is so sad.
I like how inconsequential Felix was to Sanchez. He's punished him (quite severely) and moved on. Bond is committed to this revenge mission whilst Sanchez has already forgotten about it. "I want you to know it is nothing personal, it is just business."
"The day M. Bison visited your village was the most important day of your life. For me, it was just Tuesday" kind of vibe.
I just wish Bond had actually said "this is for Felix!" or something like that so that there was a 100% guarantee Sanchez died knowing why Bond turned on him.
@@spencerkindra8822 I think he figured it out when he read the lighter, he knew from that “ah shit this is because of that CIA guy I tortured”
Yeah but LTK is not really about Bond getting revenge for Felix, it's about him getting his revenge for Tracy. Revenge for Felix was just a convenient excuse for Bond to unleash his inner predator & release alot of the pain he had carried inside him since his own wife was killed on their wedding day just like Della was killed on the day she married Felix. Bond might even have wanted to take a beating & possibly get killed because if you think about it he could have killed Sanchez perfectly easily. But he didn't want that, he wanted to go crazy & do his job with more difficulty than ever before & handing in his Licence to Kill was him proving to himself he never had to hide behind anything or anyone. He was still the deadliest agent in the world when provoked. Him killing Sanchez was his coming to terms with (presumably) the fact he had failed to kill Blofeld by killing his equivalent.
@Roger Rambo I can but that explanation, but you realize Bond already got revenge on Blofeld at the end of Diamonds are Forever when rammed the midget submarine he was trying to escape in into the satellite control building and killed him. Or perhaps when he dumps him into that smoke stack if you count that as a Blofeld appearance.
The best thing to come from this movie is that any time you kill someone in a FPS with a Speargun, you have to say, “Compliments of Sharkey” in a Welsh accident.
LOL i find myself saying 'Turn the bloody machine off' at work quite a bit
I don't mean to be pedantic but Tim doesn't have a Welsh accent. He grew up mostly in Derbyshire, England. His parents were English and American. If you said it for comic effect, I understand...
@@secretsymphony the name's bond, james bond don't ya know?
@@secretsymphony hmm I’m not from the UK so I don’t know. I just know that he was born in Wales.
Too little phlegm to be a proper Welsh accent.
The John Gardner novelization handled the final phone call with Felix much better. Instead of just laughing and joking like nothing ever happened, Felix expresses his sorrow, and Bond says, "I know. I've been there."
They should have put that in the film. It would doubly pay off the mention of Tracy that was made earlier, making it more tragic and emotional...
That would make the "he was married once" line Felix said in the beginning pay off more
What’s the name of that book? I’ve only watched the movies and only been reading one book: ”Dr No”.
@@steelbear4887 Licence to Kill
I simply assumed the reason
why Felix's in a cheerful mood
had been the fact that Bond
was successful in avenging his
maiming, the deaths of both
Della & Sharkey and (to quote
Georgi Koskov from the previous film) "put away" Sanchez for life.
It never occurred to me that the whole murder of Felix’s wife also stirred up memories of Tracy. In some ways, Bond was not only avenging Felix and Della, but also doing what he couldn’t do after OHMSS, and bring a killer to Justice
Yeah seeing a bride get murdered on her wedding day clearly triggered the darkest memories of his life. It was a brilliant piece of writing
It's the perfect concession for OHMSS not having a proper sequel, and that feels like a small goal of the writers.
oh wow can’t believe i’m not putting this together. definitely adds so much to the film
" Complements of Sharkey "
One of the most satisfying kills in the entire series.
Yesss!!!!
The DEA agent who gets the slo-mo running scene was Rafer Johnson, Olympic gold medalist in 1960 in the decathlon, that’s why he got featured there.
Wasn't he also one of the men who helped apprehend Sirhan Sirhan after he shot RFK?
@@victorguevara9227 yes!
I love how the actors who played FBI Agents Johnson and Johnson (no relation) in Die Hard were both in this film just a year later as Sanchez and that DEA guy 😂
Definitely still my favourite Bond movie. So glad it’s climbed up your rankings. You know you’re getting old when you see Calvin liking License to Kill 😂 2011 Calvin definitely didn’t hold back. I would say 25% of Bond fans hate this movie, 40% put in the middle, and now 35% love it. Definitely far cry from a decade ago when it felt so lonely to love this movie. Dalton is amazing. Love everything about it. It’s a great double feature with Goldeneye.
I don't know if you would call people who hate License to Kill a Bond fan
@@ughugh351 It still baffles me that David Zaritsky doesn't really care for that film. It seems that some people find it too "unglamorous" a Bond film, but then again I gotta wonder why these same people enjoy the Craig films!
Oooo I don't know, I know loadsa people who hated this movie as it was very polarising back in the day for it straying too far away from the Bond formula, being super Miamivice/ Scarface. Thats whyyy Brosnan and his films (first 3 ) are so beloved.
I will say though, I think the film makers would have learn the lessons from this movie and go on to make a better movie for Dalton in his 3rd outing and That would have been his Spy who loved me movie :)
I'll forgive License to kill because it had a writers strike and it lost its orginal Location of China and had to reloacte. but still i dont blame people for not being amazed by the movie. For those who dont like QOS, this was that back in the day
@@DafyddBrooks I can't stand this movie for the reasons you stated. It's the 80's "cowboy cop" trope, it's got every 80's cliche crammed into it, and it looks like it was filmed for TV. Doesn't feel very Bond to me at all. I do think Dalton gives a great performance though, and Robert Davi makes a convincing drug lord.
I don't know how you can put Goldeneye in the same category as Licence to Kill. Licence to Kill is one of the best, whilst Goldeneye is one of the worse films in the franchise.
In America it is common for the bride and groom to give small gifts to the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
The kissing thing is completely made up, though.
Gangbang the bride is also an American wedding tradition. I saw it in Pornhub, so it must be true. 😂
"a SPECTRE yard sale"
by "For Your Eyes Only" Blofeld was living in London outskirts, had nobody from his organization alive and probably barely had money to keep himself in a wheelchair, was probably working in a Tesco since he had a plastic surgery every 2 years as a good measure to remain anonymous. i'm pretty sure he would be selling all of the old equipment he has obtained over the span of 20 years at that point. /j
I always assumed the shot of Pam before she shoots Dario was hazy because his eyes were all watery and such and he said “You’re dead” because he assumed she was dead after shooting her in the back at the bar. Also, I think Dario has a bit of a contact high from all the drugs being grinded in his face. That’s how I always read it at least
Exactly- I just said the same thing. He didn’t understand how she was standing there!
I assumed it was a more smokey type effect. All the dust around is all cloudy, so of course the vision is hazy. I don’t see much imagery, except maybe an angel saving someone from a pit from hell, and sending a demon back down.
I'm a big fan of the Dalton films. And I think few would disagree that Sanchez was the one Bond villain that everyone wanted to see defeated, and in the most horrid way possible. Davi ruled.
This is one of my favorite Bond films:
Timothy Dalton is excellent.
Great Villain.
Great Bond Girl.
Great henchman.
Excellent action.
Etc.
Great soundtrack
The bond theme is cool and it was like no more disco theme and no more 60s Orchestra
And Q is cool in this
Personally this is one of my favourite Bond movies. I really like how we get to see Bond in a smaller, darker and deeply personal story, which, until 1989, we hadn’t really gotten and arguably haven’t really gotten again, even in the more emotionally intense Craig films, which always had some larger conspiracy at work, whereas this film is essentially any great ‘80s action drama with Bond thrown in instead of, say, Sylvester Stallone. It’s also a smaller story, which I like. Not every movie has to be a big world ending scheme by secret villainous organisations. If anything, this movie basically took Tony Montana and made him into a Bond villain for an action crime drama starring James Bond, and I’m all for it as a darker Live And Let Die. Also, this film is aggressively ‘80s and I’m all for it. Also also, I’m just going to out and out say it, this movie does the whole ‘mid-air plane hijacking’ better than The Dark Knight Rises.
I've always been a big fan of this one, and it's probably my most watched Bond film. It's such a shame that it marks the end of not just Dalton's run, but of Robert Brown's and Caroline Bliss's as well.
This film is criminally underrated
Tiny thing but so refreshing to hear someone describe Dalton’s accent slips as northern rather than Welsh
People seem to not read that Dalton left Wales aged 4 and grew up in Derbyshire, where the accent has similarities to Northern. He wouldn't have developed a Welsh accent from his parents as his Dad was English and Mum, American.
So I have a fun little story about this film.
My parents both love James Bond and for a birthday present, my father got my mother three Bond films. Dr No, Live and Let Die and Licence to Kill. Then when my grandparents came to babysit me while my parents went out for a meal, they asked me if I've ever watched a Bond film when they spotted the films by the TV. They told me to stick one of them on and I went straight for Licence to Kill solely because of the 15 certificate as I knew that my grandparents had no qualms about showing a child a film that was rated 15 or 18.
So I put Licence to Kill on and everything was going great until they saw Dalton on screen, to which my grandparents ordered me to switch the film off. I asked him why and my grandfather's response was...
"This is a George Lazenby film. He was awful. Put another one on now."
So I put on Dr No and felt incredibly bored by the film and was longing to watch Licence to Kill.
Of course, a few years later and seeing all of the Bond films up to that point, I told my grandparents that they had gotten the Bond actor in Licence to Kill wrong, but they were having none of it and even told me that George Lazenby was so bad that they got Sean Connery to play Bond and the franchise got better from then on - implying that Lazenby was the first Bond actor which makes absolutely no sense, but my grandparents were adamant that this was the case.
Ha! This is a great story, thanks for sharing. Can totally sympathise with relatives having a really limited grasp on the Bond timeline and the order of the actors!!
@@calvindyson it's funnily one of my fondest memories I have of my grandparents XD
My dad also thinks Lazenby is the first Bond lol
@@justindgbz5588 it's weird isn't it
woooow how strange is that that they thought it was a George Lazenby movie. given that Tim is on the front cover haha. awww sorry you had to watch boring DR no
let me tell you something. Back in May 1999 when the HMV catalogue was released they showed the boxset of all the James Bond films were going to be released that winter in a buy one get one free. I noticed that all the Bond movies were PG rated up until LTK which was 15???!!!! That meant I really had to watch the movie ha, was it going to have more blood, loadsa swearing and boobs??
Well back when the '00 heaven season' was being shown THAT summer in 1999 on ITV , it was great to watch all the Bond movies in order. But by the end of august and a few days before starting year 6, all my freinds and me watched LTK and..........OMG!!!! I dont know if we liked it or hated it as it was very polarising and shocking with all the deaths and vile characters. Certanly by Krest's head popping really made us quite scared :(
it was always a facinating one to watch in the years to come because it was released at a time when we were either not born or just wee toddlers and in the early 90's, we had no idea that there were no Bond movies being made at that point. I think it was certanly an eye opener because we were so used to Brosnan at this point, that it made us very suprised that a movie of this kind was actually made before Goldeneye. No way could we have ever thought a Bond movie like this could exist.
I actually would have loved to be at the summer of 89 and watched all the movies at the cinema's, including this one, Batman, Indy 3 and see no evil hear no evil, LOL
certainly by 2002 and finding out that a 3rd Dalton movie could have been made, I always had to come back to this and other early 90's films and get a feel for what THAT 3rd movie could have been.
thanks for sharing that story man :)
Glad to see the video online. Been waiting for this one for ages. Insightful and Hilarious as always, love your videos. Saw the two Dalton films back to back on LD a week before Goldeneye’s release in November 95, and ten year old me ABSOLUTELY LOVED LTK… To this day it is my favourite film of the series. Always considered the grittiest one, it was only whilst watching it on the big screen for the first time in June, I actually noticed how wild and decadent this film truly is.
Thanks very much for this and love hearing that even as a 10 year old you loved the film! I also agree with your point about the film being wild and decadent too. It’s not even as stripped back as some of the early Connery’s despite its reputation but I think it balances all the elements with the grittier stuff really well! Thanks again for the kind words too! 😁😁
@@calvindyson cheers. That Barrellhead Bar fight is just so wild and out of kilter with the rest of the series. Also, a televangelist, winking fishes and exploding heads. Also the scene when Bond and Pam deliver the money to Krest’s decompression tank, Bond unashamedly checks out Pam stripping down to a swimming costume. I mean pure shameless decadent Bond.
Hey Calvin 👋
The scene where Pam reappears to Dario in the drug factory, when they have the fight at the bar earlier and Dario shoots her he thinks he’s killed her, then she reappears wearing the white cloak and the sort of white light around her makes her look angelic and I always thought in his mind he’s wondering whether she’s come back to life, he does sort of sound like he’s both asking her and asserting to her that she’s dead in that moment.
That’s always been my interpretation of it anyway 👍
A tip of the hat to my fellow countryman Rémy Julienne, the stuntman and stunt coordination genius who conceived the tanker truck stunts in the climax, the truck on two wheels was one of the stunts he was the most proud of. Died from covid last year, RIP. Without him, 1980s Bond car stunts wouldn't have been so great.
Well done Calvin! I love how your reviews are getting increasingly more in-depth! It's hard putting so much effort into one video, but you've smashed this one. I'm sure you'll enjoy making the GoldenEye one though 😅
oh i hope it'll be 2 hours long :)
@@DafyddBrooks nah 5
@@fSebastianRe 5 it is :)
that bloody winking fish at the end spoils a really good 007 film and Felix is most definitely on morphine, if he isn't than maybe Mickey G was on a high at the time.
What just killed me was that "fake televengalist" part. Probably one of THE most sophisticated jokes you ever did!!!
And besides that, as usual, this is incredible! Such a greatly observed and entertaining experience! Keep the british end up, Sir! I can't wait for the fun you're gonna have with your GoldenEye review.
Greetings from Germany! 😎
20:40 Michael Kamen did a fantastic job with the score. The gun barrel score is one of the best tone-setter music I have ever seen, the Latin version of the Bond themes gives you exhilaration and even quieter moments have a sense of ominous danger.
I am actually glad you mentioned the shot with the DEA Officer running toward the camera. It’s always stuck out to me, it has no business being that good and intense 😂.
Great memories of grabbing this fresh off the VHS shelf in 1990, and my Dad quizzing the Video Store clerk on why a James Bond movie was rated 15's 😂
I always thought M's "Too many people." Was more to cover up his own personal bias towards Bond for the sake of a report or the like. The fact that he watches Bond run off and says, "God speed, Commander." Tells me he still appreciates where Bond's rogueness is coming from.
42:58 That's the moment when I lost it and fell from my chair, crying with laughter. Thank you so much for this :)
My pleasure! I’m glad you enjoyed it 😁😁
This videos have gotten very slick. The humour is great and the appreciation of the films is very welcomed
Farewell Mr.Dalton, can't wait to see your take on Brosman's debut as 007 in 1995 when you do your in-depth review on "Goldeneye"
My take on Truman Lodge’s murder is that it’s meant to show that Sánchez has completely lost it. Bond has screwed with him so much that he doesn’t care about loyalty anymore and he’s just acting on pure id.
21:33 yeah Dalton was terrific. The more I watch Licence to Kill, his and Robert Davi's performances really shine through. The steely eyed Dalton here with his cold demeanour is what Bond is in the Fleming books.
Love this Bond movie, easily a Top 5 for me. Love the title theme, the truck chase, great villain, and one of the best Bond girls. The ninja stuff is pretty dumb though and sticks out so much.
Which girl 😂
@@davidhughmiller Pam
pam is just okay to me, bringing a shotgun to a barfight is pretty badass, her setup is a little forced but it serves the story and the fact that she has a gun holster in her thigh under a dress is double badass
Im so glad to see you Calvin warm up to this movie considering that LTK is in my top 3 favorite Bond films. ☺️
It's one of my absolute favourites in the series, for it's completely brutal and stripped-back take on Bond. It's a Bond picture for the age of Die Hard and Lethal Weapon and while some might think those kind of films are too far out of Bond's wheelhouse Dalton and Glenn absolutely nail it.
I think the reference to Tracey is almost the producers apologising for DAF - the impression I've always gotten is that Bond felt bad for brushing off his own wife's death so easily and that's why he goes so hard to get revenge for Felix when his wife is murdered. As for the tonal shift at the end, yes it's definitely jarring especially Felix who seems spectacularly unconcerned about losing his wife and being left maimed. I think the produers knew they wanted to move the series to be darker, more violent, less comedic and telling more personal stories but they were still locked into the conventions of how you make a Bond film; and at that point it was established that you ended the films on a cheeky scene where everyone has a laugh. There obviously wasn't the confidence at that stage to break away from that convention even if it meant a jarring tonal whiplash. They'd get it right in the Craig era but here it's as if the style of film they want to make and the style of film they know how to make are pulling in different directions although I think the final scene is the only one where it really causes a big problem.
I love Davi in this and I think Sanchez is one of the greatest villains in the series, but I'm alarmed to find out what Davi has been doing in the last few years (he's now a terrifyingly right-wing Trump supporter who's just directed an anti-Joe Biden movie starring Lawrence Fox).
My guess was that Bond's big hair in the casino was deliberately styled to look like Sanchez's, as clever James was signalling that they were similar and could be buddies...
I've looked forward to a renewed opinion on this film for quite some time, I think it has quite a lot of things going for it, and I can see why John Glen considers this his best made film.
High Definition Transfers are a godsend for the Dalton Bond films.
I’ve always held it in particularly high regard, so it was rather affirming to read that he considered it to be his best outing in the series.
- Hawkins and Sanchez are Agent Johnson and Special Johnson from Die Hard, reunited!
- I think the underwater and gear is literally from The Spy Who Loved Me
- Isthmus is a real place in Panana, though not an independent city-state like here
- The faces in Sanchez's place are based on MesoAmerican masks if I'm not mistaken
- Sanchez's face is pockmarked as a nod to General Manuel Noriega, a notorious South American drug lord and dictator
- Robert Davi was taken to see Pablo Escobar once because the drug lord was just a huge fan of the movie.
- According to Robert Davi, after the fall of Baghdad, "Licence to Kill" was found in Saddam Hussein's VCR
I absolutely love Licence To Kill. Timothy Dalton is excellent, and the writing and overall tone of the movie really plays to his strengths. The story is gritty and emotional with personal stakes for Bond. Davi as Sanchez is amongst my favourite Bond villains, as you said in this review he has remarkable depth to him - yes he is ruthless and violent but also has his own personal sense of ethics and morality and values loyalty and talent in those around him. This film also contains some of my favourite moments for both M and Q in the entire series, with Bond's relationship with M never getting quite as heated as it is here. The action scenes are brilliant, flashy and immensely satisfying to watch. And the title song by Gladys Knight is also one of my favourites of the series.
This was my standout favourite Bond movie until Skyfall, which gives it some fierce competition, and honestly I have a hard time choosing between the two.
Licence to Kill is a top 5 Bond film for me and I've always had a hard time understanding why it isn't universally seen as one of the best in the series, despite it not doing well commercially. I've always been especially shocked when people cite The Living Daylights as the better Dalton film. To me it's absolutely no contest.
Same. TLD has its moments but man it is a snoozefest
Love Licence to Kill! Robert Davi, who played Sanchez, was my favorite Bond villain for a long while before Safin was introduced.
I always loved the scene where Bond he doodwinks Sanchez into thinking Crest is the villain, it shows his cleverness and not just an agent relying on his gadgets.
"Don't worry. We gave her a nice honeymoon".
*Me watching it as a child:* "Well, that's nice".
*Me watching it as an adult:* "Oh No!"
It's headcanon for me that felix is on painkillers at the end
Paynekillers.
I think people underestimate Moore's Bond. He had a lot of cold moments throughout his tenure.
I've been watching every Bond movie in the cinema as part of the 60th anniversary and my ritual was to rewatch your in-depth review of the movie when I came home from the cinema. They were always very enjoyable evenings! Obviously that had to stop after The Living Daylights so I can't wait to watch your new review of Licence To Kill.
Thanks Damien! That’s quite an honour, really appreciate it! Also thrilled to hear you’ve been seeing ever my Bond film on the big screen for the anniversary. I now wish I’d made more of an effort to see some of the Connery and Moore’s…
In Mahon Point?
@@scottbuckley823 Vue in Liffey Valley, Dublin
@@damienfenton3880 It's great to see it on the big screen but the Xenia Onnatopp parts were a little awkward. except the dialogue in the spa scene someone was laughing their head off at it.
Dario believed Pam to be dead, having shot her in the back after the bar fight, so when he saw her, I guess it was somewhat of a shock, this angel in front of him! Brilliant review as always.
So glad you've grown to like this one, I've certainly had a similar had a similar experience back when I saw "Octopussy" on the big screen for the 60th anniversary after years of dismissing it.
"Licence to Kill" has always been one of my favourites for years to the point of having it in my Top 5 and it's generally well liked amongst my circle of friends.
Sharky's death was rough. One of the few times I felt a genuine chill in the Bond franchise.
Yes! Thank you, Calvin! I needed another video to keep me procrastinating on this fine Monday morning. Very much looking forward to your in-depth review of this excellent film, my 6th favorite in the franchise.
I've been waiting for this review for a long time and I'm especially happy with the U Turn Calvin has made about this movie and Timothy Dalton as Bond in General
Another blinding review, Calvin. I'm so pleased you managed to see this film on the big screen in Wimbledon and it certainly sounded like it left an impression, especially with an audience who still appreciates the film like many still do. I always relish your humour and really enjoyed this one. Thank you! 😊
Thank YOU so much, Mike! Really appreciate it 😁
How did you not mention the bizarre reunion of Agents Johnson from Die Hard in the interrogation scene! Did no one else find it weird that those two specific actors were cast as partners in a movie one year previously? Was this intentional by the producers or what?
The franchise was probably taking cues from recent action pictures. They even poached Michael Kamen, who scored Die Hard and Lethal Weapon, for this installment. Not to mention, the whole backdrop of international drug smuggling in the American tropics was very likely a nod to Scarface and Miami Vice, along with the general zeitgeist of the actual drug trade itself and the problems it posed for the authorities, civilians and criminals alike from Miami all the way down to Bogota.
I really like Grand L. Bush in his small role, I wish he either had tagged along Bond and Sharkey when they investigated Krest's activities or that he had been collaborating with the British/Hongkongese agents in Isthmus. Shame he disappears from the movie so early on.
@@stoogefest16 Haha, LTK has always been "Miami Vice ripoff Bond" in my mind.
@@neohermitist Miami Vice had a better aesthetic than LTK and I love LTK.
Bush and Davi are no relation.
I love Licence to Kill. I think it's so underrated.
Huge Bond fan here. Roger Moore is also my favorite. Thoroughly enjoying your videos. Your commentary on Frank McRae is very cool. Forgot he was in this film. Knew him rather well while growing up in LA as he was a neighbor. Genuinely a very kind man-a total gentle giant. Have many fond memories of him. My family really adored him. Sad to learn he passed away.
Dalton has grown on me. At the time, was disappointed Pierce Brosnan was unable to get out of his RS contract so it put a pall on Dalton. Funny how now I prefer Dalton.
This film certainly gets better with time, and if this was made today, the level of violence would still push it into the 15 range. That said a more hard nosed Bond film was welcome. I would probably put it at 8 or 9 in my list Calvin. An astounding video as always, can’t wait to see what is next.
The opening plane fishing and Sanchez’s escaped were used for The Dark Knight Rises and Mission Impossible 3 respectively
Fantastic review! I feel almost exactly the same way as you regarding this film. I despised it when I was younger and avoided it as much as possible. However, over the past few years it has become one of my favorites and I think Sanchez is one of the best Bond villains in the franchise. Thank you for all your hard work!
There's something about Felix and Della with their weirdly "friendly" wedding, and the man, the myth, the legend Sharkey, that just works really well as the intro to Dalton's Bond going on a fiery murder-splosion "I will fuck you up" fest. It's like when those dbags killed John Wick's puppy.
Dalton is my favourite Bond and for me much closer to the novels. I wish he would have had more.
Fantastic review. Great humor. Calvin, your reviews get better and better. "The Living Daylights" and especially "License to Kill" have grown on me. As a kid I thought they weren't fun and too dark. Now I see them as really solid entries to the franchise. As for Felix Leiter, I feel as either John Terry should have returned for LTK or David Hedison should have been in TLD from the beginning. Seeing two different actors playing Felix consecutively with the same actor is strange.
I'm so glad you were able to upload this video, Calvin. Hopefully it won't get taken down. I can't wait to see your next Livestream. I'll be watching it, I'll be asking you some questions, and I know you'll answer the questions as best as you can.
Thank you, Andrew! Much appreciated and I hope you enjoyed the video 😁😁
Well, Licence To Kill isn't one of my favorite Bond movies for my own personal reasons, but I'll watch it.
You're welcome, by the way.
Let’s go!!! Been waiting so long for this!! Love you Calvin!! I love this movie so much. It’s my favorite Dalton movie by far and is in my top 5 Bond films.😃
One of the most Underrated Bond movies in the series
My third favourite Bond film, love Carey Lowell, love that we see more of Q in here than any other Bond film, love John Glen's directing, love love love Michael Kamen's brilliant score, love how he plays with the Bond theme especially during Bond stealing the seaplane, I don't any composer has experimented with the Bond theme like he did except for Tom Newman on Skyfall and Robert Davi is one of the best villains Bond has ever had, also think they did a good job of throwing in humor at the right parts, so its not completely depressing or dark and I've always seen it as the end of an era for Bond with John Glen, Cubby Broccoli, Richard Maibaum, Maurice Binder and Robert Brown not returning for the Brosnan films and only Broccoli returned as a consulting producer. Great review, I have been waiting for a long time for it.
YES! FINALLY A 15 REVIEW, THANK YOU
58:32 I wish they had kept that scene. It really shows Dalton's Bond scouting Sanchez and planning on what to do in his quiet moments. Almost like a hunter stalking his prey.
terrific commentary, the perfect complement to the movie straight after finishing it @ 4am!
The first movie to get me into Bond at the age of 6. I found a VHS that had the censored movie (mainly the graphic violence) on it!
Was thrilled to watch it again at Prince Charles cinema (along with The Living Daylights and Goldeneye) in May. Surprisingly got some laughs in the cinema despite it being a violent movie! Still one of my favourite Bond movies for my money and Timothy Dalton smashes it at Bond!
My screening was the same with the laughs, which was lovely to hear in all honesty. Really helped me better appreciate the comedy and lighter moments all the more!
@@calvindyson Yeah of course. Kinda helped lighten the mood!
Ooh, did you see the screening with the Paul Weston (stunt coordinator) Q&A as well? It was very interesting, and indeed thrilling seeing (the best) Dalton on the big screen 😁
@@sirnotappearingonyoutube3073 I was there, yes :)
Expertly crafted review Mr. Dyson!!!! I'm gonna be so sleep deprived for work tomorrow but it couldn't have been more worth it.
The humour was spot on too lol. Well done dude.
R.I.P. Sharky
At the time LTK was written/filmed, there was a minor feud going on between author Clive Cussler and the Bond people. Cussler had used a very-thinly-veiled Bond character (along with M and Moneypenny) in one of his novels, and made him the bad guy. The "crass and unpleasant character" that says "his name WAS Sharkey!" was named Clive and is the first one killed in the Wavekrest scene.
Hi mate. I remember you also describing it as an overblown TV episode in one of your debates, I think. The issue of drug cartels was the big thing at the end of the '80s. It was the time of Noriega in Panama and the US's inability to do anything about him. When I watched this at the time, seeing the parallel was instantaneous. The USSR was in the process of collapse (see any movie up to Octopussy) but hadn't yet become a corporate mafia state (see Goldeneye), and international terrorism hadn't emerged. It's a revenge plot, but like the earlier movies it's very much based in its time.
This is one of my favorites. Dalton is so good and all the action is great.
Just back from work and this pops into my recommendations life is good.
Like with you, this film and Dalton in general took time to grow on me, but is definitely now up there as one of my favourites. Also great video! I don't know if anyone else has ever observed it but these in depth analysis' videos of yours are a bit like the Bond films, mixing the serious concepts but then throwing in the odd cheesy joke, just like the Bond films do...nice work!
* Great review. After the first time I saw Licence to Kill, I knew I liked it more than The Living Daylights. I think it was because Licence to Kill kept me interested and entertained, pretty much, throughout the entire film. The MI6 agent that was sent to intercept Bond, and bring him back in, made me wonder if he was, in fact, a "Double-O Agent" like Bond. The thing that made me think that was that, they're not going to send an "O" Agent to subdue the one and only "007". No, they would've sent another Double-O Agent. Well, which one?
* I remembered that they talked about an agent "008" in The Living Daylights, and that he was on an assignment in Hong Kong at that time. Then, in Licence to Kill, we have this MI6 agent, credited as agent "Fallon" in the closing credits(played by actor "Christopher Neame"). In the novel, they give us his full name: "Nick Fallon". He appeared to be working alongside "Hong Kong Narcotics", and since 008 had recently been on assignment in Hong Kong, and 2+2=4, and Bob's your uncle.
* I couldn't help but wonder, could this man actually have been *"Nick* *Fallon* *008"* ? If it is him, then this is the first time 008 had ever been given a first and a last name. Prior to this, all we've ever heard about is a 008 who's first name is "Bill". Might as well have been "Bob". I mean, not that it matters, the character is dead now. The cause of death on his death certificate must've read: "Tank" Now that I think about it, Bond is dead too. Well, until the reboot.
You know what? I think you may be right. It would have made so much sense for the scene in Daylights when M threatens to replace Bond with 008, because the latter would be a "by-the-book" character! :P
@@stephenkoranteng6260 * Obviously, 007 was the best Double-O Agent, but who was 2nd best? We could probably all agree that before *Alec* *Trevelyan* *006* started his own organized crime syndicate, he was definitely 2nd best. How do we know that? Because in GoldenEye he even admitted that he believed that he himself was always the best. Well, we know that's not true, but he was probably 2nd best.
* After he was believed to have been killed in action, some time after that he was replaced by Major Jack Giddings of the "3 Commando Brigade" who was an "O" Agent that was given the "006" suffix code number that is added to the end of an M.I.6 intelligence officer's service number. It's mentioned in the James Bond novel called *The* *Moneypenny* *Diaries:* *Guardian* *Angel* that *Jack* *Giddings* *006* was 2nd best only to Bond.
* He's also mentioned in the "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" novel, and was played by actor *"Peter* *Roy"* in the film "Thunderball", but you can't see his face. However, there *is* a photo of him during that scene, in character as 006 where you can see his face, on the internet. Incidentally, you can also see the face of actor *"Charles* *Price"* who played "008" in that scene. It wasn't Nick Fallon though. I think this 008 was that one named "Bill".
* There's only 1 other Double-O Agent sitting to the left of 006(his right), but we just don't know which one he is. He could be "001" to "005". We just don't know. Personally, I think he's *Charles* *Basildon* *001* Yes, the same Charles Basildon that appears in the James Bond *Kiss* *Kiss* *Bang* *Bang* 5 issue comic book series, where they reveal that the number "001" is reserved for their "best" Double-O Agent(until Bond became the best) and that the name that goes with the code number is a default codename(not their real name).
* Also, that "Entry" level field agents are called *01* Agents(numbers 100 to 999) like Basildon's understudy Stephanie Shelly, who some believe goes on to become *Stephanie* *Shelly* *008* and is mentioned in the "James Bond 007 Role Playing Game"(called *James* *Bond* *007:* *Role* *Playing* *in* *Her* *Majesty's* *Secret* *Service)* supplement book called *Q* *Manual:* *The* *Illustrated* *Guide* *to* *the* *World's* *Finest* *Armory*
@@AlexKnight009 Hmm, very interesting points man!!!
Am I the only one that slightly feels bad for Sanchez when he realizes that Bond is there to kill him. It’s like, he found a compadre, somebody that could be a good enforcer and close friend like Dario, and he really does break when Bond causes everything to go tits up.
It’s why he is one of my favorite villains. Completely sadistic, yet you could share a drink with him. If he ignore Felix and goes home to run his empire, nothing ever happens to him.
He’s a ruthless kingpin, but even he’s not without some recognizably human qualities.
great work on the new video Calvin I love your deep dives in to my favourite bond films.
I love Timothy so much!
Yeah he’s really terrific in this one especially
Very good. Perfect for this film.
Great video Calvin, very entertaining. I love that you have been so open in your appreciation/reversal to your initial view. Here's to another 10 years, hopefully if will be in your top 5 by then. Kudos to mentioning the score a number of times too, Kamen's work is hugely underrated. For me personally, the greatest Bond film and the closest we ever got to see Fleming's Bond on screen. Nasty! 😉
I think the concept of Bond as a rogue agent is interesting, and definitely should be used again in the future
Craig just does that in every film. More or less every one of them just has Bond quitting.
It has no effect on anything in the movie though
Daniel Craig look more roguish than Dalton who look more fatherly.
REALLY happy to see you come around on this one Calvin! Maybe it's because I'm from the States and I just grew up used to grittier action films but this has always been one of my favorites. LTK was way ahead of its time. Sanchez is a "realistic" villain done right, Dario is one of the slimiest henchmen in the whole series and, I don't care what the Craig contingent says, this is probably the single most "Fleming-esque" portrayl of Bond. As much as I love Brosnan in the role, it's really a damn shame Dalton didn't get at least one more go like this.
While I have definitely warmed to License to Kill, I still have a grudge against it from when I was very young. When I was about 5-8, my cousin (who's much older than I) was over at my grandparents' house and was channel surfing and License to Kill came up right at the moment when Bond is heading for the mincer. This scene freak and scared me so much that I was turned off from James Bond until I watched Casino Royale with my dad when I was a bit older. Anyways, while I still prefer The Living Daylights, License to Kill has grown on me with every additional viewing.
One of my favorite Bond films.
Carey Lowell and Talisa Soto and absolutely gorgeous!
You have a knack for delving into the details of these Bond movies. Very well done, great presentation, and witty humor that never goes to Roger Moore level of campiness.
Got to appreciate the work and effort that Calvin put into this review. Top drawer effort! Really polished professional level of video!
53:39 I always assumed it was to make her look like a ghost, last time he saw her he shot her and assumes, as he says, "You're dead."
Calvin as a life long Bond fan I adore all your content and the movie breakdowns are always something to look forward to. Just wanted to say a massive thank you for all the work that you do and the obvious love and care that goes in to everything!
These in depth reviews are always appreciated, cheers Calvin.
Hopefully we'll get an expanded soundtrack at some point. There's so much great unreleased music including Michael Kamen's original tracks for the tanker chase ("12M1A - Tankers Down-Hill" and "12M1B - Truck Chase") that were replaced with tracked music from earlier in the film, as well as alternates.
YES!!! Yet another top noch quality in depth review of a Bond movie. It’s a challenge not to go mental while waiting for these, but holy hell it’s Christmas comes twice a year feeling when you release a new one. Thanks!!
My personal 4th favourite Bond that actually has some call back (not the "he was married once" line) to OHMSS, a newly married couple where the bride is murdered re-opening Bonds emotional wound from Tracy and he finally has emotional closure when he personally kills Sanchez with the lighter
Can’t believe you didn’t mention the best bit - during the truck chase a bad guy shoots at Bond and the sound of the bullets hitting the truck forms the start of the Bond theme
I know this was years before (and I did see License to Kill in theaters, but I was 14 and didn't pay attention to people leaving), but when it comes to films where people think parents take their kids out of the movie, I never see it. I sat next to a kid who was easily 8 years old during Bad Santa, and a similar moment with Team America World Police.
Calvin, you're humor has been brought to a new level with this video. Keep up the style especially the artificial overdubs..
Seriously I am a hardcore defender of this film I loved it when I came out because it got rid of the slapstick. I've always been a Fleming fan.
However your interjection of humor and the style and the way that you're doing it has reached a new level with this video. Good job old man
Thanks very much! Very happy you enjoyed the video and particularly as you're such a fan of the film! :)
Of course my hidden sin is I grew up in the '70s watching Rodger Moore so he was always bond to me. Spy who loved me was my first film in the theater.
However later in my teens I did read the Ian Fleming novels. And I fell in love with the dark gritty sense of the novels and even the humor was still dark. I've always just wanted to see that on screen. :)
I love your channel. We are kind of polar opposites on perspectives of Bond films, but I always appreciate your view because still deep inside I love all Bond even bad Bond and I've used even the same defenses you've said of say films like Moonraker... Which I love but I should hate
I guess I'm trying to say I can see the true passion of bond where I think you would even defend die another Day to someone who hates James Bond. I'm kind of the same way in my own private envelope I don't necessarily like these films but there are aspects I love and I will defend them to my dying day
I see your passion in the films and that is what I love and I think that's what all Bond fans really love
17:48 New theory: Sharky is Quarrel Jr's nickname.
In the 1988 Maibaum-Wilson treatment, it's stated that Leiter has been with the DEA for *five years*. Leiter intends to retire once Sanchez has been caught. Ooops.
Great Video - as always. Thank you. One of my favourites for some time . Like the script and love the soundtrack. But i can see why it isnt for everyone, it is quite flemingesque in comparison to a lot of Bondfilms before. But thats what i like. Anyways as for the Manta shape disguise, in the novelization it is explained that Bond and Sharky build it together out of wood and scuba gear. Further in the book it is mentioned that Bond knew Della from before and if i recall correctly even introduced her to Leiter, which further explains his rage when je finds her and Leiter later on, plus could explain why they were so "intimate" with each other at the wedding. As for the angelic appearence of Pam, as others pointed out , Dario believed her to be dead and he was probably high as kit among all the Cocaine dust. Anyways keep it up Calvin and thx again.