Timothy Dalton reprises his role as Secret Agent 007, James Bond, and thereby becomes the third actor to play the character of the superspy more than once (the others being Sean Connery and Roger Moore). In his 18th outing, Bond has his license to kill revoked when he goes after a drug dealer who maimed his friend. M informs Bond that "personal vendettas" have no place in the business of Her Majesty's Secret Service. All of the usual elements in a Bond film are here to greater or lesser extent: exotic locales, beautiful women, an evil villain, and the ubiquitous chase scenes by sea, by land, and by air. But, for my money, Dalton's Bond lacks the playfulness of earlier Bonds; and having a Columbian drug lord for a nemesis is a little too run of the mill (the fate of Western Civilization does not hang in the balance, here). The Bond films have always worked because they're largely fantasies, male adolescent fantasies to be particular. Paradoxically, the closer the films come to reality, the more unbelievable Bond becomes. But, what the hey, it's still an enjoyable two hours, despite my complaints. James Bond is a cultural institution. The Rambo's and Freddy's still have a long, long way to go catch up with 007's repeatability at the boxoffice. Recommended. (R. Pitman)
Licence to Kill
color. 133 min. CBS/FOX Video. (1989). $89.98. Rated: PG-13. Library Journal
Licence to Kill
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