| Product: |
James Bond - The Living Daylights (Ultimate Edition, 2 DVDs) |
| Date: |
17/05/08 (57 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Decent action and beautiful scenery
Disadvantages: Confusing plot, some dull and dreary acting
The 15th Bond film to be made saw a change in the lead role, with Roger Moore hanging up his boots as the smooth MI6 agent James Bond, and Timothy Dalton taking up the role, for what was to be the first of only two outings for him as Bond.
The Plot
Bond is sent to ensure the safe passage of Koskov, a KGB defector from Austria to England, where he realises that Russian KGB General Pushkin has reinstated the Russian policy of 'smert' spionam', meaning 'death to all spies'. He is forced to team up with Russian agent Kara Milovy to combat Pushkin, but all is not as it seems with Koskov's defection, and his business dealings with arms dealer General Whitaker are suspect enough to make Bond think something deeper, is going on.
The Cast and Performances
Timothy Dalton does not really cement his first film as Bond, and although he certainly looks the part, there is something of the charm or suave exterior we have been used to from Connery and Moore, and even Lazenby. Dalton's Bond is much more hard-hitting, run of the mill agent than the smooth talking ladies man with a mean streak.
Maryam d'Abo is very sexy as Russian agent Kara, but her acting leaves a little to be desired. Jeroen Krabbe gives a good performance as Koskov, as does John Rhys-Davies as Pushkin. Robert Brown, Desmond Llewelyn and Lois Maxwell return as M, Q and Miss Moneypenny. The remainder of the cast support very well.
My Opinion
First up, I am not really a fan of Dalton as Bond. He pales into insignificance in comparison to Moore and Connery, and perhaps this is an unfair judgment from me as I have been used to the other actors as Bond for so long. However, there are elements about Dalton that I liked. He looks the part, definitely, but I was not convinced of the acting and the lack of Bond's humour in this film from him, and he was not well supported by a rather pretty but bland performance from Maryam d'Abo.
Director John Glen took the hot seat again for this film, and has actually engineered an okay film, but this, too, is not up to the standard of other Bond films. The story does come from the pen of Ian Fleming, but it is not one of the better ones.
There was much controversy over Dalton playing Bond, and he was actually not the first choice for the role. It was originally offered to Pierce Brosnan, but he could not accept due to a clause in his contract with the producers of the show Remington Steele.
The scenery of the film is once again beautiful, as are all the Bond films, and I did still enjoy the film, although I will say it is probably one of my least favourite Bond films. Another good soundtrack, with the title track this time being performed by A-Ha.
Conclusion
Not my favourite by a long shot.
The DVD is available from amazon.co.uk for £6.98.
This review may also be posted on ciao.co.uk.
Thanks for reading.
Summary: The Living Daylights (1987)
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