Director: John Glen
Year of Release: 1987
Should you watch it? Yes
Why?
The first film for a new James Bond is pretty much worth watching by definition. It is such an iconic role (for better or worse) that seeing what someone else does with it is always going to be interesting. This film has the added the benefit of having James Bond team up with the Taliban to take on the Soviet Union which is the type of unintentionally hilarious geopolitical plot that you can only dream happens in a James Bond movie nowadays.
How is the Bond?
Timothy Dalton really did a strong job of making Bond his own in his debut role. He conveys a real A-B mentality to the role. He is singularly focused on his mission and that is the only thing he cares about. He is not here for a good time. It is to the point where the few moments where he is supposed to act like the more traditional Bond feel incredibly forced and unneeded.
How is the Bond Woman?
Maryam d’Abo had the thankless role of playing the rube archetype of Bond Women. The character usually works much better when they are someone in on the action. She was fine in the role though.
How is the Bond Villain?
The rogue Soviet general bit was very tired by this point, and I think Bond generally works better when it is some asshole who is trying to get rich or has some sort of grudge against Bond. That being said, Richard Kimble’s future nemesis did fine work overall here.
Does the film irresponsibly present the West as the hero of the world and thus promote imperialism and colonialism as inherently positive?
Yes.
The Reel World 