The Living Daylights 1987

Dave Kehr, Chicago Tribune: In The Living Daylights, Dalton establishes his claim to the role; in the films that will follow, he'll have the chance to dig deeper. Read more

Gene Siskel, Chicago Tribune: The result is a film that is not so much bad as mechanical and uptight. Read more

Sheila Benson, Los Angeles Times: I feel just rotten about this, but I'm afraid I've outgrown James. Read more

Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel: Dalton shows a serious side that's been missing from the role since Sean Connery's earliest 007 days. And as a whole, the new picture is less of a special-effects affair than most of Roger Moore's Bond films. Read more

Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer: As with other Bond movies, the locations in The Living Daylights are more remarkable than its plot. Read more

Janet Maslin, New York Times: 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. Read more

Pat Graham, Chicago Reader: Expect the expected. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: 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? Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: 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. Read more

Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine: 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. Read more

Brian Case, Time Out: Confused plot and digressive globe trotting notwithstanding, the best Bond in years. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: Timothy Dalton, the fourth Bond, registers beautifully on all key counts of charm, machismo, sensitivity and technique. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: Dalton, with his athletic sort of Brit-yuppie work ethic and romantic streak, comes out all right. Read more

Rita Kempley, Washington Post: A snazzy spy thriller. Read more