The James Bond film "Licence to Kill" opened in the summer of 1989. Although it was a hit worldwide, American grosses were anemic- at least by James Bond standards. The film marked Timothy Dalton's second and final appearance as 007 as the movie opened against a number of blockbuster films that saw it wither by comparison in terms of boxoffice. Critics were also largely unimpressed with the new, realistic tone of a revenge plot and a grim James Bond in a fairly humorless story. But some of us knew we were seeing something exciting an innovative here. Roger Moore had a very successful run over a twelve year period but even he admitted he went a film too far, bowing out after the goofy "A View to a Kill" in 1985. Dalton took over the reigns with "The Living Daylights" in 1987. Fans and critics seemed relieved to have a more realistic portrayal of Bond on the big screen. "Licence to Kill" dared to upset the formula completely, paving the way for Daniel Craig's somber version of Bond that premiered to wide acclaim in 2006. "Licence" is the Rodney Dangerfield of Bond movies: it don't get no respect. Many Bond fans loathe it but perhaps a critical reassessment is underway. The film is far from perfect and there are some loose ends that could have been improved, but Dalton is terrific, as is Robert Davi as his nemesis, Sanchez. It's also director John Glen's most assured achievement in the Bond canon. Writing in the Hollywood Reporter, Phil Pirrello provides a thoughtful and positive article about the film's ultimate impact on the franchise, albeit it the innovations were deemed to be unacceptable at the time. Click here to read.