Truly Dreadful Film

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Blistering performances.

The Living Daylights is a good movie with a reasonably well developed plot a very talented cast. It adds an interesting new spin to the James Bond franchise, taking the series in a darker, more realistic situation. As much as I adore Roger Moore's films, it was nice to see the series go in a direction where it was not afraid to get darker. However, I will say that the film was not consistently entertaining, there were plenty of dull moments and parts that had me bored. Say what you will about the later Roger Moore films, but they were always consistently enjoyable, this movie did have me yearning for more than just dialogue to happen quite often. Timothy Dalton is excellent as Bond, his presence is undeniable and he has a great ease in the role, making it look effortless. Dalton has a very nice take on the character that is very refreshing, it is both grounded, as well as complicated. Enjoyable while it lasts, but forgettable. There is a lot to like about The Living Daylights, but it certainly is not my favorite 007, still worth the watch if you are a fan of the franchise. Agent 007 is sent to aid the defection of a KGB general involved in a drugs deal with an American arms dealer. Best Performance: Timothy Dalton

After 7 films, it was clear that Moore was done, and the series needed to be refreshed. Cut then, to this: Timothy Dalton making his 007 debut, and the series making a return to a more grounded and less ridiculous approach to the spy thriller. Dalton gets dumped on, but I rather like his brief era, but maybe that's because I'm a fan of a more realistic and dark approach. That's also why I dig Daniel Craig. I will concede that each Bond has their good and bad points though. And Dalton is fine here. He was criticized for being humorless. Well, he's not entirely, but he is really dry with his quips. Okay, the plot. Well, it's immense: Bond is signed on to aid in the defection of a Soviet, only to find himself stuck in the middle of a complex plot that also involves tons of Cold War intrigue, lies, deception, arms smuggling, the opium trade, and the Soviet war in Afghanistan (later revisited in Rambo III). Yeah, it's a lot, but it's all handled surprisingly well, and during its 131 minute run-time the film moves along at a pretty brisk pace. For the most part that is. It does start to drag some and get real drawn out during the final act, but it does conclude quite satisfactorily. Like I said, Dalton is good, but you can tell it's his first film, as he is a bit stiff at times. Again though, I like him. Maryam d'Abo isn't the worst Bond girl, but she struck me as really wooden and rather blah. She's nice looking though. The film fares better with the supporting cast, with top honors going to Joe Don Baker, Jeroen Krabbe, and John Phys-Davies. The stunts and action are staged and executed fairly well, the direction is fairly assured, and overall, this is a really enjoyable, sadly underrated romp. Give it a go.

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.

So this is the new reboot of the Bond franchise with Timothy Dalton taking on the role as James Bond. After Roger Moore retired from the Bond roles or was forced to. Roger Moore's adaptation of Bond was leaning towards a corny Bond that gets put in super campy settings. No offense to Roger Moore, but I just couldn't picture super beautiful women finding him irresistible in some of the Bond films he is in. Timothy Dalton wanted to go in a bit more serious and darker Bond direction. Timothy Dalton wanted to stay true to the Bond in the Ian Fleming novels. A Bond that is cold and has a bit of inner turmoil and dilemma he is dealing with. He also did most of his own stunts as the character James Bond. Plus he is actually quite believable when women fall for him. However I picture Timothy Dalton playing one of the other 00's like 009 or 004 in the reboot over playing 007. The action in this can be ridiculous at times. Where Bond has all the gadgets needed for just about every circumstances (such as his Aston Martin having a car ski mechanism in it). But it's not as outrageous as the previous Bond films. And the action clearly got a lot better in this, thanks to new technology that could be used for filming. There are few tension filled moments in this, just about everything in this is executed quite well. Maybe it's the lack of iconic parts or over the top scenes like the previous Bond movies. But this is a Bond movie that not many people seem to bring up when it comes to the Bond franchise. Although this is quite a well written Bond film with entertaining action sequences and direction. Plus it has a cold and cool Bond to go with it all. I personally was entertained and focused on the screen the whole time. "The Living Daylights" also introduces a new Moneypenny played by Caroline Bliss. Who is not just the prettiest Moneypenny in the franchise but is one of the prettiest girl in Bond franchise. Overall this is a underrated, cool, darker and entertaining Bond film that I thoroughly enjoyed. This is Timothy Dalton's solid entry into the "007" franchise.7.9/10