Featured Audience Ratings

• Josh L

  
  Despite Timothy Dalton's welcome change as a more serious Bond after the cartoonish Roger Moore era, The Living Daylight's is one of the least satisfying productions of the entire series. It's just run of the mill across the board. It lacks energy, wit, and charm.… More
  Despite Timothy Dalton's welcome change as a more serious Bond after the cartoonish Roger Moore era, The Living Daylight's is one of the least satisfying productions of the entire series. It's just run of the mill across the board. It lacks energy, wit, and charm. There's only a couple of decent action sequences and for Bond, that is not going to cut it. Part of the problem is with the script, but also that Dalton isn't given anything to liven up all the dullness, therefore making his performance also part of the problem because there's no personality. There's also no good villains, a lack of Bond girls, and the plot is outright boring. The filmmakers tried to go as straight as possible after the relatively bombastic Moore installments, but it was clear that they were not ready for such an undertaking and it would mean that Dalton got the short end of the stick because audiences hated this version of Bond. It's really too bad because I think Dalton could have done something with the character in the vein of what Daniel Craig is doing now. We'll see how things change in his second and final performance in Licence to Kill, before Bond had to take a 6 year hiatus due to lack of interest from paying audiences.

• Chris W

  
  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… More
  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.

• Everett J

  
  "The Living Daylights" is Timothy Dalton's first(of two) turn as Bond, James Bond. He does a decent job, but comes off as too serious for the role. The plot is pretty much in line with the rest of the Bond films, and features some of the better action sequences up to… More
  "The Living Daylights" is Timothy Dalton's first(of two) turn as Bond, James Bond. He does a decent job, but comes off as too serious for the role. The plot is pretty much in line with the rest of the Bond films, and features some of the better action sequences up to this point in the franchise. The finale on the plane is pretty awesome. I would say this movie is better than most of the Moore movies, but Moore was a better Bond(well, some of the time).

• Al S

  
  A tremendously entertaining action-packed adventure. A sharp, stylish, and wickedly entertaining thrill-ride that delivers the goods. Timothy Dalton is a Bond that would make Ian Fleming proud, he`s charming, lean, mean, swift, cool and tough as nails. Dalton is a much more darker and… More
  A tremendously entertaining action-packed adventure. A sharp, stylish, and wickedly entertaining thrill-ride that delivers the goods. Timothy Dalton is a Bond that would make Ian Fleming proud, he`s charming, lean, mean, swift, cool and tough as nails. Dalton is a much more darker and edgier Bond that gives fans what they want from this cool assassin. Dalton is dazzling and effective. It deliver some very searing action scenes and compelling romance to its plot. Just a good time for Bond fans all around

• EightThirty .

  
  20/09/2012 (DVD)

• Alexander D

  
  Timothy Dalton takes the throne as a fresh, new, witty, clever (without using too much of the typical innuendo that has now gotten old and bland), slick, fourth take on James Bond. His memorable quote from this fifteenth film (and final to receive the well-undeserved PG rating, since… More
  Timothy Dalton takes the throne as a fresh, new, witty, clever (without using too much of the typical innuendo that has now gotten old and bland), slick, fourth take on James Bond. His memorable quote from this fifteenth film (and final to receive the well-undeserved PG rating, since the PG-13 rating was invented three years before this film), "Brace yourself," applies well to this one especially, because it is an intense, action-crazy, fast-paced thriller. Also, the quote is probably the third best quote of the series (well, at least in my humble opinion), behind, "Bond. James Bond," which is used in every film and somehow never gets old, and, "Vodka martini. Shaken, not stirred," which also has been used for nearly every single 007 film and stayed fresh all the way until about the nineteenth or twentieth film. That said, despite most people's irrational and asinine hatred toward Timothy Dalton (forgive me for my unpleasantness if you are one of those people), I think he hits it around the second or third best portrayal of MI6 Agent 007 (behind Daniel Craig and Roger Moore, respectively), and I pity those who can't sit back, relax, and enjoy a nice, good, thrilling spy film such as THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS. It's just a must-see--can I make it any clearer for you?

• Lenny M

  
  Like A View to a Kill, best thing about it is the song, A-ha man. And also props to using Gibraltar in the opening sequence, for some reason I frickin' love Gibraltar.

• Jeff "

  
  A thrilling rejuvinated Bond film with a new actor, the living daylights is a thrill a minute film with plenty of rousing action and thrilling, suspenseful scenes. Although not the best Bond film, Timothy Dalton gives the series new blood after the last few Roger Moore films that… More
  A thrilling rejuvinated Bond film with a new actor, the living daylights is a thrill a minute film with plenty of rousing action and thrilling, suspenseful scenes. Although not the best Bond film, Timothy Dalton gives the series new blood after the last few Roger Moore films that didn't deliver quite on the thrills. This is a fine Bond film, and the best one of Dalton's short stint as James Bond.

• Anthony L

  
  Timothy Dalton was a totally underrated Bond in my opinion!

• Khris N

  
  Dalton's first outing won't be remembered for being the best Bond movie, but despite his short presence as Bond, he will be remembered as the dark humored and doubly dangerous 007, the 80's paving the way for high powered stunts and visuals and setting a new level of… More
  Dalton's first outing won't be remembered for being the best Bond movie, but despite his short presence as Bond, he will be remembered as the dark humored and doubly dangerous 007, the 80's paving the way for high powered stunts and visuals and setting a new level of action and boom. Dalton is very underrated, I guess because he only got to play Bond twice, due to the legal fight that lasted 5 years and the passing of producer Albert Broccoli. But Dalton gave us the cruel, cold hard 007 to which Daniel Craig brings back (and ultimatley owns) to which 007 fans who know the character best must agree with. Anyways, this is an action movie of sorts, with plenty of tension and stunts, though the movie was in bits and pieces floating around the world.... not John Glens best movie, but I guess the cast kinda pulled it off. NOTE: Joe Don Barker is one of the few actors to ever appear in more than one Bond movie as a different character - here he played the villian Whitikar, and appeared again in Goldeneye and Tommorow Never Dies as CIA agent Jack Wade. who was supposed to be Felix Leiter's replacement. Anyways, you also have John Rhys Davies (aka Gimili from LOTR) and Art Malik as the mujahadeen leader filling out the famous name list. I guess this movie finally turned away from the silliness Roger Moore's movies had, which was probably a good change due to A View to a Kill's poor performance and Moore clearly showing his age. But License to Kill might be Dalton and director John Glen's best pairing, keep an eye out for that one. Enjoy!

• Chris G

  
  Timothy Dalton's premiere in his short lived term as 007 (hey, it was twice as long as Lazenby!) After Bond aides a defecting Russian General to the west and said general is kidnapped it's up to Bond to find out what happened and how deep the whole situation goes. After… More
  Timothy Dalton's premiere in his short lived term as 007 (hey, it was twice as long as Lazenby!) After Bond aides a defecting Russian General to the west and said general is kidnapped it's up to Bond to find out what happened and how deep the whole situation goes. After looking at Timothy Dalton as 007 again I've come to realize that his portrayal of Bond is a darker and brooding Bond, but it still has the charm and charisma that seems to be missing from the newest installment of the reboot. He plays the role vastly different from Roger Moore and carves out an era in 007 mythos that was all to short. Other than Dalton the film is slightly a mess. I know Bond movies have a lot going on but this one seems to have too much. Was Brad Whittaker and Feliz Leiter really necessary? There's no point to them being in the film that could have been tighter and better paced by cutting a few scenes. Dalton shines, but the story flounders in his first outing as James Bond.

• Cassandra M

  
  Quite simply put The Living Daylights is one of the best James Bond films they have ever made & if Wilson & co are smart they'll do more like this one. Having decided to give up the role of 007 in 1985 Roger Moore stepped down,Moore had saved the series in the early… More
  Quite simply put The Living Daylights is one of the best James Bond films they have ever made & if Wilson & co are smart they'll do more like this one. Having decided to give up the role of 007 in 1985 Roger Moore stepped down,Moore had saved the series in the early 70's but had stayed in the role a movie to long(they should have left it with the excellent Octopussy),the hunt was now on for a new actor who could take the role into the 90's....Thankfully Dalton was the man they found. As soon as he got the part Dalton went straight back to the source material..ie Ian Fleming's novels & it shows on the screen...the bond in the Living Daylights is the Bond character jumping right out of the books. The film really shows how keen everyone involved in it wanted to say that this was a fresh start but at the same time still show that this is a Bond picture & they pull it off very well..John Glen's direction is excellent,he really found his feet by now & all the aspects of the film are done well...A special mention must also go to John Barry who's score for the film is one of his best...oh if only they couyd bring him back rather than have his clone do the new ones.... Timothy Dalton is very much undervalued in his contribution to the Bond movies but i do feel that in about 10 years & his films will be seen in a different light on how they are looked on today. The producers of the Bond movies really need to do the same again now as they did back in 1987...make Bond a character & no more films like Die Another Day..OK it made them tons of money but is it worth selling the sole of Bond to do it..... Give the role to Clive Owen & make Bond a character again.

• Dean !

  
  One of the less memorable Bond films.

• Sanjaya &

  
  It just a typical James Bond movie... But it still pretty interesting to watch... Timothy Dalton looks cool as James Bond in this movie...

• Derek D

  
  When it comes to playing Bond, nobody had down the overall feel of 007 like Timothy Dalton, who was committed to playing him like he was protrayed in the books. Directed by 007 vet John Glen, this was the first movie to star Dalton in the role and he clearly took it in a much… More
  When it comes to playing Bond, nobody had down the overall feel of 007 like Timothy Dalton, who was committed to playing him like he was protrayed in the books. Directed by 007 vet John Glen, this was the first movie to star Dalton in the role and he clearly took it in a much different direction than the tired Moore had. A very underrated entry into the franchise. Too bad Dalton had to get lost between Moore and Brosnan in 007land.

• Curtis L

  
  Well, it had Joe Don Baker in it as a bad guy, although he has like 5 minutes of screen time. The best part has to be the KGB agent who listens to 80's rock music on his headphones and then strangles people to death with the cord. Timothy Dalton makes the whole series different… More
  Well, it had Joe Don Baker in it as a bad guy, although he has like 5 minutes of screen time. The best part has to be the KGB agent who listens to 80's rock music on his headphones and then strangles people to death with the cord. Timothy Dalton makes the whole series different by taking no crap from anyone and not sleeping with anyone. It's kinda like Bond in the future when he's bored of eveything.

• Ross C

  
  This Bond movie has it all, not only a great theme tune, a cool car, clever gadgets, and gripping action scenes but also a really quite absorbing complex plot. One of my favourites.

• Sarah G

  
  I have to say Dalton is the most under-rated Bond,plus he is very convincing as bond and totally believable. Love the soundtrack to this! Dalton's best Bond outing. This is far superior to Dalton's next outing, Licence to Kill One of my favourite Bond Films.

• Lafe F

  
  It was strange seeing someone replace Roger Moore. But two minutes later, I was liking the new Bond, Timothy Dalton, big time! A-Ha provided the title song, which was just as cool as Duran Duran's hit in the previous film. Bond has a nice blonde cello player as a love… More
  It was strange seeing someone replace Roger Moore. But two minutes later, I was liking the new Bond, Timothy Dalton, big time! A-Ha provided the title song, which was just as cool as Duran Duran's hit in the previous film. Bond has a nice blonde cello player as a love interest. The plot is complicated and not very memorable, but the action scenes were well done. Timothy Dalton seemed more realistic in personality and action. He is my favorite James Bond. I wish he had stayed on for a bit longer than two movies.

• Pierluigi P

  
  the hard-boiled 007 was back on this thrilling-suspenseful joy ride. excellent...

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