It’s remarkable how much impact someone so young—Guillermo del Toro was just twenty-one during this film’s production—could make, creating a truly memorable and dangerous Bond villain, arguably among the most effective in the series' history. For those deeply invested in the James Bond mythology, this installment is significant because it acknowledges events from *On Her Majesty's Secret Service*, reinforcing the idea that Bond is an individual rather than simply a designation, unlike attempts to reshape the franchise with contemporary political themes at the expense of narrative and enjoyment. Similar to *The Living Daylights*, this film feels like the most faithful representation of Fleming’s original 007 and echoes the detached, ruthless nature of early Sean Connery portrayals. It's always struck me as strange that fans who appreciate Connery’s Bond often dislike Dalton’s interpretation. The movie deviates from standard MI6 operations, depicting Bond acting independently to seek retribution for Felix, his American counterpart. It departs from many familiar elements in the 007 formula both in terms of plot and by presenting a Bond that aligns more closely with the original written material than any previous adaptation. I can appreciate why some people dislike it, but I personally consider this one of the strongest James Bond films to date.

Source on TMDB