The Living Daylights (1987) Review in 2025
The Living Daylights is a 1987 action-spy film directed by John Glen, starring Timothy Dalton as James Bond. The movie follows Bond as he helps a group of Afghan rebels and gets entangled in a complex web of espionage and counter-intelligence.
Family-Friendly Rating
Is this movie suitable for family viewing?
This movie is not suitable for family viewing due to its mature themes, violence, and some suggestive content.
CineReview Recommendation
This movie is worth watching for fans of the James Bond franchise, but it's not particularly memorable or original. It's best enjoyed in theaters or on a big screen, but it's not essential viewing.
Spoiler Alert!
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The movie takes off with Bond helping a group of Afghan rebels, led by Kamal Khan, to rescue a defecting KGB agent, General Georgi Koskov. However, things take a turn when Bond discovers that Koskov is not what he seems, and he's actually working with a group of rogue KGB agents to sell a valuable piece of Soviet technology to the highest bidder.
Review Details
story8.00/10
The story is engaging and well-paced, with a good mix of action, suspense, and intrigue. However, it's not particularly original or memorable, and some plot twists feel a bit predictable.
acting8.00/10
The acting is generally strong, with Timothy Dalton delivering a solid performance as Bond. However, some supporting actors feel a bit miscast or underutilized.
characters7.00/10
The characters are well-developed and complex, with Timothy Dalton delivering a solid performance as Bond. However, some supporting characters feel a bit one-dimensional and underutilized.
direction8.00/10
John Glen's direction is solid, with a good sense of pacing and tension. However, some scenes feel a bit overly long or drawn out, and the action sequences could be more intense.
cinematography8.00/10
The cinematography is excellent, with a good use of lighting and composition. However, some scenes feel a bit overly reliant on CGI, and the film's color palette is a bit muted.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Timothy Dalton's performance as Bond, the film's engaging story, and its solid direction make it a worthwhile watch.
Cons
Some plot twists feel predictable, some characters feel underutilized, and the film's pacing could be tighter.
Notable Quotes
"I'm afraid I'm a bit of a relic from the past, but I'm still quite useful, I hope."
"The name is Bond. James Bond."
"The world is not enough. It's too much."
