Search - Licence to Kill on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Content Advisory: Violence Movie Release: 1989 DVD Release: 10/22/2002 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 13 mins Studio: MGM Members Wishing: 0 Genres: Spy Film, Action, Action Thriller, Glamorized Spy Film See Also: Licence to Kill [Widescreen], Licence to Kill [Ultimate Edition] [Blu-ray]

Timothy Dalton is better in Licence to Kill than in his first James Bond endeavor (The Living Daylights), but he still seems uncomfortable on the right side of the law. This time around, Bond is working on his own rather than on behalf of the British Secret Service. His American friend Felix Leiter (David Hedison), an agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration, has been seriously injured by drug dealer Robert Davi, and 007 is out for blood. There is precious little time for the usual Bondian quippery and directorial campiness, resulting in a marked increase in bloodletting (including the "implosion" of secondary villain Anthony Zerbe). A climactic highway chase involving an oil tanker and a helicopter is stretched slightly beyond its value, but is still one of the best action setpieces in any Bond film. Licence to Kill was a refreshingly serious change of pace for the series, albeit one that tended to lessen Bond's box-office value. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Timothy Dalton - James Bond
Carey Lowell - Pam Bouvier
Robert Davi - Franz Sanchez
Talisa Soto - Lupe Lamora
Anthony Zerbe - Milton Krest

Arguably the darkest and most violent film in the history of the Bond franchise, =License to Kill features a new anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen master and Dolby Digital Sound. As part of the initial wave of Bond films on DVD, the disc provides two commentary tracks. Both are in the usual edited interview style, the first featuring director John Glen and his cast (with the notable exception of Timothy Dalton) and the second featuring producer Michael G. Wilson and members of the crew. Both commentaries drag towards the middle as they begin to come up short on information about the film. The behind-the-scenes featurette "Inside License to Kill," on the other hand, offers a much more manageable and interesting look into the making of the film that focuses on the challenge of creating the first original story line in the series as well as the film's more violent edge. "The Kentworth Truck" promotional featurette is outdated and cheaply made, but remains an interesting look at the stunt trucks built for the film. The additional 1989 behind-the-scenes featurette lacks any substantial purpose on the disc next to the better and more complete "Inside License to Kill." Two music videos, trailers, and a photo gallery are also featured. While not an essential Bond film, =License to Kill offers enough on DVD to make it a valuable member of the series. ~ Oliver Thornton, All Movie Guide