MovieChat Forums > Jung on zo (1993) Discussion > this or Licence to Kill?

this or Licence to Kill?

posted 3 years ago by filmgeek99 (666)
1 reply | jump to latest

For me, these two films feel incredibly similar in that they both made valiant effort in transforming the typically clean, family friendly image their brands were previously associated with (Jackie Chan, James Bond) into a much darker, more serious, more violent action film, while still retaining the odd touch of the usual antics from its lead star every now and then (slapstick humor in Crime Story, Bond's sexual escapades in Licence to Kill).

Another thing they share in common is that both brands would not continue this darker, more violent tone until decades later (The Foreigner, Casino Royale). In both cases, though, neither Chan nor Bond would ever match this level of brutality and violence ever again (even Shinjuku Incident and Quantum of Solace felt somewhat tame compared to these two).

Which film did it better, though? Who made the more successful transition from light-hearted family entertainment to dark and gritty action for adults? Jackie Chan or James Bond?

And just for fun, which film was more violent?

[–] mariomonsieur (301) 2 months ago

Both are classics. Crime story though - I feel like I've seen it before without really watching it. Chan may do more physical damage although I assume Bond has a higher death count. It's a tricky question.