The Living Daylights (1987)
Base of Galactic Science Fiction :: SCIENCE FICTION CINEMA :: Semi-Science Fiction Films :: Super Agents - James Bond and his ilk
Page 1 of 1
The Living Daylights (1987)
BOND#15: Scaring the Daylights Out of a New 007
Of course, Bond himself, as interpreted by Dalton, seems more vulnerable throughout this film. He's on the other end of an extreme from the Moore version: whereas Moore waltzed through the dangers without breaking a sweat, Dalton has a genuine look of fear on his face during several of the action scenes. There are, for example, a couple of tense moments when some animal unexpectedly appears, a loud noise attached, and Dalton looks like he's nearly had a heart attack. This naturally adds to the tension, something lacking in the Moore version, but, on the other hand, we also get an uneasy sense that this is no longer the supreme agent we're observing, but just another British spy, barely getting by.
As another contrast, check out Brosnan's version in the teaser of Goldeneye - he tenses when bullets are hitting close, but there's also a steely resolve and experience to counter the on-rush of fear. Dalton, however, reminds of the 'deer-in-the-headlights' during some of the dangerous sequences. His self-introduction ('Bond. James Bond') is way too casual and inferior to the Connery & Moore versions, despite his solid dramatic credentials.
The other point about Dalton is that he just simply seems better suited to playing classy villains rather than the central hero; he would've been good as the treacherous 006 in Goldeneye, for example. Others have described his looks as 'serpentine' and he does suggest someone who would cross the line (which he indeed does in the next one License to Kill), not stay the course for Queen and Country.
On the plus side, his human Bond is most effective when he needs to show rage or offense, such as when a fellow agent is killed right in front of him. But, you worry for him; it's telling that the most brutal fight scene involves Necros (non-too subtly named, another super-Aryan henchman) and another agent, not the almost-fragile Bond.
The plot takes him to exotic Tangier and then war-torn Afghanistan, where he teams up with the rebels against the occupying Soviets. The story meanders here and there, but overall it's a fairly effective spy adventure, with Bond having to figure out that a supposed defecting Soviet general may not be on the up-and-up (actor Krabbe in a hammy yet entertaining performance). Joe Don Baker, also hammy, pops up as a secondary villain, a failed West Point cadet/merc/arms dealer who likes to apply military theory to his machinations. Rhys-Davies, of "Sliders" fame, does well as another colorful Soviet general.
The action kicks in very well in the 2nd half, including a nuts-and-bolts escape from a Soviet jail, with Bond accompanying/protecting a young female cellist for most of the way. M & Q and even General Gogol continue from the Moore era in much the same way, but there's a new Moneypenny, who doesn't make much of an impression. But, she's better than the new Leiter, probably the least effective of all the Leiters over the past 25 years. Dalton, as Bond, would return once more in License to Kill.
BoG's Bond Scores: Bond:7 Villains:7 Femme Fatales:7 Henchmen:7 Leiter:4 Fights:8 Stunts/Chases:8 Gadgets:5 Auto:6 Locations:7 Pace:8 overall:7
Similar topics
» Episode #120: Cost of Living
» House of the Living Dead (1974) a.k.a.Curse of the Dead
» Robocop (1987)
» Survivor (1987)
» Predator (1987)
» House of the Living Dead (1974) a.k.a.Curse of the Dead
» Robocop (1987)
» Survivor (1987)
» Predator (1987)
Base of Galactic Science Fiction :: SCIENCE FICTION CINEMA :: Semi-Science Fiction Films :: Super Agents - James Bond and his ilk
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|