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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 24, 1987)
mNew James Bond introduces himself well I By Geoff McMurtry Staff Reporter__ "Bond. James Bond.” For the first time since "Live and Let Die,” 14 years and several films ago, a new 007 introduced himself. Movie Review "The Living Daylights,” the latest film based on Ian Fleming’s novels and iort stories about the British secret agent, is a Bond film with something new. Besides Timothy Dalton as the new leading man, the obvious, this is the first Bond film in at least five attempts in which it actually doesn’t seem that everything in it has been done in a previous episode. There are new stunts, new villains, some new toys and even an intriguing new heroine. So the plot and locations may seem a bit fimiliar, but once you’ve been to all four comers of the giobe, the moon and back, you’re bound to retrace a few steps here and there. The best thing about “The Living Daylights” is not the new ground it breaks, but the way it disquises the old ground. Sure, it borrows from a couple of old plots, but this time they’re used as subplots swirling around the real action. The strongest part of the earlier films was a knack for making you believe the impossible — (sure, they r mid maybe have this huge under ground headquarters with shark tanks and stolen nuclear weapons and . . . ). Add to that just enough of Fleming’s historical, political dogma, and you had a Bond film. When the filmmakers started to run out of novels, believability went out the window — just watch the car chase and look at the girls. “The Ljying Day lights” tries to bring back some of the , plausibility from the early films. As always, there are stunts. All Bond films, even the boring ones, were known | for great stunts. One scene in “The Living Daylights” is as exciting, origi nal and realistic as any previous Bond i stunts. James should feel lucky to be alive. Another element that seemed lack ing of late was a really great villain. But this movie has a classic Bond villain —evil and believable, a sociopath on a crusade. Another welcome sight was a heroine who was a step above the empty models who had hounded poor James over the last few weary adventures. Maryam d’ Abo, as Kara, actually acts. She even has a character to portray. Who’s Tanya Roberts? My only complaint is that he some times seems fidgety and irritable under stress. Downright humorless, even. In the books, Bond did get scared, worried Watch the glamour set dine at Julio’s JULIO’S from Page 15 After opera at the Lied Center, the re’ll be fruity specialty drinks at Bar rymore’s and a late meal at Julio’s. And just so I can be the first to say it about a Lincoln restaurant, there’s high visibil ity here. That’s the Minneapolis term. That’s the Denver term. It means pea pie can watch you eat and that you want people to watch you eat, because your status In the community may have a lot to do with whether you ordered the Meatloaf Monterrey or a little something off the gringo menu. •s a free, complete instructional package to help teach hrgh school students their tax rights and responsibilities, including how to prepare a tax return The redesigned course can be used in math, economics, civics, history, business and vocational education dasees Contact your IRS office for details A pubke M<v«c« iwwmi ham **• Warnsl Ravanua Ssrvtca and remorseful and had many of the real feelings often associated with real people. But James Bond 007 never would let it show. One thing James Bond could be counted on especially in the books, was to remain veddy, veddy British, keeping a stiff upper lip in a crisis. And that stiff upper lip always could be counted on to have a good one-liner behind it. While it may be tough te convey thoughts like that on film through a stream of one-liners, James Bond never would allow himself to show nervousness, especially around women or enemies. While it’s no “From Russia With Love” or "Man With the Golden Gun,” “The Living Daylights” is James Bond’s return to the excitement that had slowly been slipping away. This mostly is because it seemed as though the writers and producers were interested in the film they were making for the first time since “The Spy Who Loved Me.” Dalton, the fourth actor to play Bond (remember George Lazenby?), handles a tough job well. Following Roger Moore, who had to overcome the memory of Sean Connery, is ajob for, well. . . James Bond. As far as favorites go, I still have trouble deciding between Moore and Connery. Dalton doesn’t have Connery’s sardonic grin or Moore’s elegant wit, but he manages to bring his own pies ence to the screen. Let’s just say I didn’t want to like him, but I did any way. Of course, he’s James Bond. Alas, there is one final note of sad ness for nostalgics. They finally retired the actress who played the aging Miss Moneypenny, the Secret Service’s long time secretary and James’ blatant admirer, and replaced her with a new, younger Moneypenny. Oh well, that’s to be expected when the new regime takes over. She may never have gotten James, but at least she outlasted three of them. “The Living Daylights" is playing at the Plaza Four Theaters. At Havelock Bank we make it easy for college students to pick up credit. Just come in with your application and we’ll loan you up to $7,500 for college. We’re even easy to get to at 14th and M. Pick up some easy credit this semester at Havelock Bank. _ Before you choose a long distance service, take a dose look. I You may be thinking about choosing one of the newer carriers over AT&T in order to save money. Think again. Since January 1987, AT&T’s rates have dropped more than 15% for direct-dialed out-of state calls. So they’re lower than you probably realize. For infor mation on specific rates, you can call us at 1 800 222-0300. And AT&T offers clear long distance connections, operator assistance, 24-hour customer service, and immediate credit for wrong numbers. Plus, you can use AT&T to call from anywhere to anywhere, all over the United States and to over 250 countries. You might be surprised at how good a value AT&T really is. So before you choose a long distance company, pick up the phone. I AT&T The right choice.