The Movie Diorama Timothy Dalton's debut was met with some criticism calling him too serious and lacking the campy fun that its predecessors pioneered. Whilst I agree, I can hardly class it as a negative. In fact I'm all for change which is why The Living Daylights works so well. The plot revolves around the KGB and the illegal shipment of opium. Plenty of assassination attempts and the rescue of a cello playing damsel who holds her own against Bond. There are no volcanic lairs, space stations or megalomaniacs, just a realistic plot that is one of the most plausible in the whole franchise. Timothy Dalton's portrayal of Bond was perfect, I really warmed to him. Fully sophisticated, quick witted and an absurd amount of charm, he was the perfect choice after the questionable Roger Moore. There were moments of emotional breakthrough, particularly scenes involving Kara, that were a step forward for the character. The primary antagonist wasn't particularly memorable, but henchman Necros was a good rival for Bond. The physical prowess of Arnold Schwarzenegger but with the hair of Max Headroom, although the acting chops of Tommy Wiseau. Excitingly inventive action set pieces including sliding down snowy mountains on a cello case and the final explosive cargo plane heist (which is one of my favourites from the franchise). Director John Glen's veteran experience with the series shows, he knows how to work the camera and create thrilling scenes. No quick cuts or innovative camera techniques. It was clinical, which I appreciate in the action genre. Everything felt authentic, including the stunt work and explosions. The gadgetry that Q introduces is innovative as well, shame the "ghetto blaster" wasn't explored further! A-Ha's theme tune is one of the stronger songs, but not a personal favourite of mine. The plot is fairly formulaic, but if you can get passed that and the lack of campiness then you are in for one of the strongest entries in the franchise.

LeonLouisRicci The Longest Continuous Franchise in Movie History did an Abrupt About Face with the Departure of an Aging Roger Moore and the Over the Top Tone, Layered with Comedic Fluff that had been the Formula for a Decade. Abandoning for the 1970's, the Cynicism, "Black" Humor, and the Serious Semi-Realism of the Connery Films.Attempting the Change was a bit Risky since the Bond Films all made Money. Some made a Ton of Money. The Mediocre Box-Office of the Two Timothy Dalton Bonds had Them Second-Guessing. But in Retrospect both of the Dalton Deliveries Deserved, and have Subsequently Received, a Better Reputation. In Fact, after the Pierce Brosnan Films, Daniel Craig and the Producers Picked Up on the Timothy Dalton Take once again.While this, the 15th James Bond Movie, is Not as Good as the Next and Final Dalton, it is Leaps and Bounds Better than most of the Goofy Roger Moore Movies. It Suffers somewhat with a Bloated Plot and a Residue from the Previous Over-Kill that was Part of the Formula. However, Overall it is a Thrilling Cold-War Finale.It's not a Perfect Bond Movie (few are), but it Stands the Test of Time, for those that take Their James Bond Seriously.

Leofwine_draca It may not be perfect, but the first of the two Timothy Dalton James Bond films from the late '80s is everything you could want from a Bond film. It's a globe-trotting adventure, packed with action, intrigue, romance, and plenty of engaging characters who spend the movie double-crossing each other. It sets the template for many a Bond flick to follow and many films which have come since have referenced it – from RAMBO III to AIR FORCE ONE, along with THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM and QUANTUM OF SOLACE. Yes, there are a couple of flaws – a bloated running time and some typical '80s excess moments which take the edge off some of the action – but for the most part this is tough pulp fun.I firmly believe that Dalton was and still is the best actor ever to have played the British secret agent – Daniel Craig can't match Dalton's cool exterior and air of quiet professionalism. Roger Moore may have the most fun in the role, but Timothy Dalton is the most believable of the pack and his appearance only serves to remind us of Pierce Brosnan's appalling turn during the 1990s. I didn't think much of Maryam d'Abo as the oddly sexless Bond girl (and this has to be the least sexy Bond flick in existence) despite the fact she made some good turns in other productions, she just seems uncomfortable here and her acting strained. There's good support from dependables like Art Malik and John Rhys-Davies but the villains don't make much of an impact: Joe Don Baker chews the scenery in a couple of instances but Dutch actor Jeroen Krabba is saddled with a weedy, slimy bad guy rather than a challenging one. The good news is that this has one of the best henchmen in a Bond flick: German actor Andreas Wisniewski with his garroting headphones. He's powerful, frightening, icily cold and also made a memorable appearance in the following year's DIE HARD as another henchman. Shame he didn't do more films! THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS has many decent action set-pieces, and they're not all of the predictable blow-em-up variety (like Brosnan's were). Okay, so the Arab attack on the Russian base is a bit too pyrotechnic for its own good, but there's a fantastic opening car chase in which Dalton does some of his own stunts to great effect, and a tremendous extended tussle involving a henchman, a stash of opium, and a bomb on a plane. Others keep the film moving nicely and I didn't get bored for a second – so full kudos to those involved for making this such an entertaining entry in the long running series.

bmldb5 After Moore's final Bond in 1985, EON was on the hunt for their fourth OO7. The famous gun barrel was pointed directly at Pierce Brosnan but due to the revival of Remington Steele, a contract Brosnan was still tied too, EON turned their sights towards Timothy Dalton. The Living Daylights has all the elements that make a classic Bond, a script that uses Flemings original short story within the overall plot.The cast, locations and action sequences are all there but its Daltons portrayal that makes this Bond film one for todays fans. At the time, Daltons performance was not fully accepted by the movie going public, a far more ruthless, cold blooded interpretation of Bond, which was very different to Moores previous character. With todays audiences thirst for originality, Daltons decision to return to Flemings original has eventually paid off, a style that can be mirrored to Daniel Craig"s. EON must have been disappointed that NBC had a "licence to steele" Brosnan back but in hindsight, it was one of the luckiest scenarios in the series, providing the franchise with an actor that Fleming would have approved of.