Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Licence to Kill’

Written by Shae Rufe

​Only in a James Bond movie can a beautiful wedding turn from a happy celebration to a murder. On the way to his friend, Felix's, wedding, James and the DEA agent are asked to assist in the capture of a notorious drug lord. Because, you know, why not. That's what all people do before they get married right? I mean, if you're in a Bond flick. Having done so, all seems well. Yay to the happy couple afterward and on goes life. 

Just kidding, Sanchez the Drug Lord escaped and as part of his revenge plot he captures Felix and his new wife. When James hears of this he goes back, only to find Felix wounded and his wife dead. Nobody messes with the friends of 007. With some help from Felix's friend, Bond finds the dirty DEA agent and pushes him into the shark tank of a great white (the same that maimed Felix). Turns out the aquarium is where Sanchez was storing some of his cocaine.

Shortly after these events, M orders Bond on another assignment, but he refuses. What's going on James? Instead, M suspends him, and James doesn't like that one bit, so he escapes. Don't worry, while his license to kill has been taken from him, Bond does what he wants and Q, ever the good friend, helps him out. There's unfinished business with Sanchez... so going undercover is the next step to stop him. Bond's attempts at killing the drug lord are foiled though. Bond is caught by Hong Kong Narcotics officers and about to be handed over to an MI6 agent sent to get him. He's saved, ironically, by Sanchez, who still believes he's the assassin he hired, and not the ex-Spy out to kill him.

Slowly, but surely, Bond gains Sanchez's trust. He's soon brought closer to the man after he frames Sanchez's partner, and the other man is murdered. The evil drug lord is dissolving cocaine into petrol and selling it to the Asian Drug dealers, for a handsome price. Before Bond can destroy the operation and escape, however, he's captured and nearly killed. Enter some sexy help, and some more murder, and you have the beginning to the end of a Bond movie. This time, with a car/plane chase. In a fitting ending, though, James and Sanchez end up fighting on a tanker. Sanchez ends up soaked in gasoline, and James pulls a lighter. It was a gift to him from Felix for being the best man. Bye-bye Sanchez!

Of course Bond gets his job back. And while the drug lord's ex-girlfriend is trying to sweep him off of his feet, he goes for the other woman that helped him along the way. It wouldn't be the perfect spy movie if there wasn't just a bit of romance in it. But if you think 007 is settling down with this girl, don't worry, she'll be replaced in Goldeneye.

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