Licence to Kill Blu-ray

Licence to Kill

 (1989)

Action | Adventure | Crime | Thriller



James Bond catapults into his most passionate adventure — not for country, not for justice, but for personal revenge. Timothy Dalton brings urgency, charm and deadly determination to his role as 007.

For more details about Licence to Kill on Blu-ray, see the Licence to Kill Blu-ray Review

Licence to Kill Blu-ray, Video Quality

 


The picture quality of Licence to Kill is among the best of MGM's 007 Blu-ray releases. Black level, contrast, detail and color heat are all spot on. The softness of the transfers from Bond films of the 1960s and '70s is gone and replaced with a precise definition that is near reference quality. The result: skin and clothing textures appear ultrarealistic and the action packs a presence that I have never seen before in a film made in the 1980s. The transfer is that good. Watch the night scene with the boat docking at the harbor. The low-light detail appears nuanced and defined. Motion and textures in the rippling water are rendered with palpable realism and the blacks add a depth that makes you think you could jump right into the screen and go for a moonlight swim. Even on scenes with more dramatic motion, like the boat chase and plane chase, I see no indication of banding or motion artifacts. The picture appears on the boarderline of being unnaturally noise-free which would raise suspicions about DNR, but no signs of digital processing are present. Just a remarkably clean, vivid picture with good depth and definition.

Licence to Kill Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 


While not quite as good as the video performance, MGM's DTS HD Master Audio track delivers a powerful punch. It may not be the most dynamic surround mix--in fact only reverb and the rare miscellanious sounds appear to have been assigned to the rear channels. But that does not significantly detract from the overall soundstage experience. The audio has a disarming presence and forward attack anchored in the front three speakers. The dialog and other sounds from the boats and planes have accurate timbral cues and good resolution. The engines have a more open, throaty sound compared to the audio track on The Man with the Golden Gun, which MGM released simultaneously. Unlike that film, Licence to Kill delivered a bit more bass wallop and more extension in the treble, which are essential for good HT performance.

The film's music is highlighted by the DTS HD MA track--particularly the theme song by Gladdys Knight, which later became a top 10 hit in the UK. Her voice appears lush and defined, and the instruments have good articulation. I can't escape the feeling that DTS HD MA bloats the upper midrange-to-lower treble, and this is my major complaint of all such tracks, but it really will not get in the way of one's enjoyment. Like Knight's voice, Patti LaBelle's singing is paid off on the closing track, "If You Asked Me To", as the credits roll. In between the two divas' bookends, the audio backing is mostly comprised of instrumental tracks rather than a true score.

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Licence to Kill Blu-ray, Forum Discussions

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