The Living Daylights: Critic Reviews

Mr. Dalton, the latest successor to the role of James Bond, is well equipped for his new responsibilities. He has enough presence, the right debonair looks and the kind of energy that the Bond series has lately been lacking.

Dalton, with his athletic sort of Brit-yuppie work ethic and romantic streak, comes out all right.

A snazzy spy thriller.

The raw materials of the James Bond films are so familiar by now that the series can be revived only through an injection of humor. That is, unfortunately, the one area in which the new Bond, Timothy Dalton, seems to be deficient.

Expect the expected.

Timothy Dalton, the fourth Bond, registers beautifully on all key counts of charm, machismo, sensitivity and technique.

Has there ever been a weaker Bond villain than Whitaker? A more fatuous performance than Joroen Krabbe's Koskov? A less endearing Bond girl than Maryam D'Abo's Kara?

This Bond is as fast on his feet as with his wits; an ironic scowl creases his face; he's battle ready yet war-weary.

It was somehow more entertaining than how it sounds.

...ultimately comes off as one of the most ineffective and flat-out dull entries within the ongoing series.

With its weak plotting and distinterested performances, this is a misfire on nearly every level.

After the fizzle of the later Roger Moore Bonds, The Living Daylights brings in a new 007 in Timothy Dalton, who manages the Connery trick of seeming suave and tough at the same time.

Dalton is an engaging Bond, d'Abo is coolly alluring, and Krabbe is the epitome of the double-dealing spy master.

A very weak entry

The casting of Timothy Dalton as James Bond in this 15th entry into the adventures of 007 is widely considered a classic mistake: Dalton isn't suave like Sean Connery or even Roger Moore.

Confused plot and digressive globe trotting notwithstanding, the best Bond in years.

I'm one of the few people who really liked Timothy Dalton as James Bond.

Typical Bond action but it's one of the spy's worst.