You Only Live Twice (Nova Audio Books)

Rating:
Summary: Not as engaging as other Bond fare, but not a total loss.
Review: Sean Connery's fourth adventure as 007 is his least captivating. SPECTRE, headquartered in a spectacularly designed dormant volcano, is meddling with USA and Russian space capsules, raising tensions to a high. With each side threatening action, Bond had his work cut out for him. The film boasts a spectacular look at the people and cultures of Japan, but the screenplay is seriously lacking. Roald Dahl's screenplay discards the elements of the excellent Ian Fleming novel and opts instead for half-hearted attempt at a Bond action thriller. "Twice" isn't at all a bad movie, but it pales in comparison to its predecessors in the series. As far as casting goes, the major problem is with the main villain, Ernst Stavros Blofeld, the head of SPECTRE. Donald Pleasance, a very talented actor, is all wrong for this particular role. His Blofeld speaks in a cold monotone and has a rather bizarre appearance, but is just not suited for the character. He is menacing only in the least, and this is not how Blofeld should come across. However, the film has several memorable action sequences, as well as the previously mentioned volcano set, expertly designed by Ken Adam for the price of $1 million (the entire budget of "Dr. No!"). For these reasons, its worth watching.

Rating:
Summary: Bond in the Orient Falls Flat
Review: Perhaps it was because this was the first Bond book I ever read, having grown up on a steady diet of Sean Connery and the awesome action and violence of the movies, but I found Fleming's last full-length Bond book a yawn. Taking place after On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1963), in which 007's betrothed, Tracy, is murdered at the hands of his arch-enemy Ernst Stavro Blofeld, You Only Live Twice opens with Bond a bit of a wreck and of no use to MI6. M sends him off to Japan in the hopes that "Tiger" Tanaka, head of the Japanese Secret Intelligence Service, can somehow whip him into shape. The otherwise slow, unexciting story involves Bond's investigation of Dr. Shatterhand, a mysterious scientist and botanical genius who has cultivated every form of deadly plant imaginable in a secured garden. In the course of stopping the fiend who breeds poisonous plant life, Bond comes to discover that Shatterhand is in reality Blofeld, giving even the reader sober if perverse satisfaction as 007 literally strangles the life out of him. Not a great tale by and large -- I stuck it out and went on to become a raging Bond aficionado, finding in most of the other books (beginning with Casino Royale) ample justification for my abiding fasination with this character.

Rating:
Summary: Fleming's last Bond novel still packs a punch
Review: Don't skip this book because you didn't like the movie. Here we see Bond's final showdown with Ernst Stavro Blofeld. As always, Fleming thrills us with exciting locations, gorgeous women, and breathtaking action. Wait till you read the ending

Rating:
Summary: Another classic by Ian Fleming, dispite it's age
Review: Bond, normally calm, smooth, and thoughtful, returns from failed mission after failed mission. As a last resort, M sends him to Japan to work with Tiger Tanaka. Bond accepts it, but little does he know that his future nemesis turns out to be his infamous arch-villian, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, who has created a Garden of Death. Detailed throughout, and clearly well written. We see a new perspecive of Bond, one we have never seen before, or may ever see again. He is agitated, and anxious. He even thinks on resigning. In Japan, the plot runs thick enough just to keep us interested until the final meeting between Blofeld and Bond, a duel between titans. No question about it, although this may run slow near the middle, the final chapters all make up for it in a fight that will never be seen in literature or on the big screen ever. Oh, yes. Here's another interesting point that will wet your appetite a little more. Only in this book will you see James Bond's obituary.

Rating:
Summary: the best song in bond,s series
Review: Great locations, intriguing plot, and we finally get to see Blofelt, ughhh! No wonder he was kept hidden! Masterfully played by Donald Pleasance. Does Kissy Suzuki have a face like a pig? I think not! Watch out for the piranhas, but most of all, little nelly! There's also a memorable fight scene with bond on the roof of the docks, they should still have that music in the modern films! Excellent!

Rating:
Summary: They just get better and better...
Review: I'm almost inclined to say that the series gets better and better as I go down the line of sequels. I liked "Dr. No" quite a bit, "From Russia With Love" about the same, "Goldfinger" was awesome, "Thunderball" was equally good and now here we are at "You Only Live Twice". I guess now that I think about it, I can't say that I liked this film better than "Goldfinger" or "Thunderball", but I probably liked it the same.

Sean Connery of course plays the perfect James Bond, always good to see him in the role. I was very happy to see that the support cast regulars were all back (Desmond Llewelyn, Lois Maxwell, and Bernard Lee). The rest of the supporting cast was good as well. I was quite surprised to see Donald Pleasence in the film as the antagonist. Donald did a fine job with his role, although I'm not sure if I was very fond of his voice...not sinister enough, but I can deal with it.

The story was quite interesting and pretty well thought out. I always liked the idea of a third-party attempting to make two super-powers fight each other thinking that each other is responsible for what the third-party did. There are of course a few things throughout the film that I didn't like, but I won't get into them (because I don't want to give away anything to those of you that haven't seen the film).

When reviewing a Bond film, I feel it's required to talk about the cool gadgets used in the film. The gadgets in this film are pretty cool, although there aren't a whole lot of them.

Another requirement of reviewing Bond films is the women of the film. The women in this film were nice, but nothing spectacular.

All in all, I thought this was an excellent fifth installment to the Bond series, and hopefully the later installments can live up to the quality of the first 5 (read my reviews and find out...if I've written them by the time you read this). If you liked any of the previous Bond films, or just like the Bond films in general, I would definitely recommend checking this one out.

Rating:
Summary: "Welcome to Japan, Mr. Bond"
Review: I love this film- it is probably one of Sean Connery's greatest in the role of James Bond. His adventures this time include the Russians and Americans in a popular Cold War theme of the 1960's- both believe that the other country is trying to attack them. On the brink of a third World War, Bond is sent on a mission to find out who is behind all of this. Pretending to be dead during an on-the-job trist, Bond is able to spy on his enemies without them knowing who he is. His adventures take him to Japan, where he works closely with Tiger Tanaka and Kissy Suzuki of the Japanese Secret Service.

Ernest Stavro Blofeld- one of Bond's greatest nemeses (and an inspiration for Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers movies). He is probably one of the creepiest villains of all time, too. Controlling the world takes quite a lot of work- including an underground volcano in which to hide his secret operations. Infiltrating this secret lair is only a part of Bond's job- and he does this seemingly without effort.

True to James Bond format are the chase scenes. Entertaining is the scene in which the thugs chasing Bond and Kissy Suzuki are lifted off the ground by a large magnet and dropped into Tokyo Bay. Improbable? Yes, but highly efficient, too.

Rating:
Summary: Good But Lacking A Little Bit Of The Bond Feeling
Review: Sean Connery Bond films are great, and You Only Live Twice, is no excpetion. This movie takes a big step in the Bond Series, with the first meeting of Bond and Blofeld. This was what the begginging of the series was leading to and it was a great confrontation. Halloween fans will be happy to know that Donald Plecense (sorry I don't know how to spell his name) plays the infamous Blofeld.

But isn't this film missing a little somthing. Bond is never behind the wheel of a car, and in the middle of the movie he goes under cover and we get aside stroy of his life in a small simple village. This part does not seem very Bond. I think it has to do with the man who wrote the screenplay. Famous author Roald Dahl, writter of Charlie and the Chocalte Factory, and Matilda, took a stab at a serious venture and in some ways messed with things that should not have been messed with.

But don't get me wrong I still like this movie a lot, and the movie has a lot of fun moments, like in the end of the movie Ninjas Vs. armed gunmen, Bond is on the side of the ninjas, who is going to win? Stupid fun like this is what makes this movie great. NUFF SAID.

Rating:
Summary: JAMES BOND TURNING JAPANESE...
Review: I really think so. YOLT, with Connery in bad make-up and bowl cut wig no less, is an enjoyable romp that makes no apologies for not taking itself too seriously...Connery in a kimono further supports that theory. Forget the unbelievable story...you have Nancy Sinatra offering proof she was a singer; Bond getting his "first civilized bath" and Little Nellie. Give me this one. some saki served at the correct temperature and a spicy tuna roll and I'm content in any lifetime.

Rating:
Summary: You Only Quit Twice Mr. Connery
Review: Sean Connery's second to last performance as the legendary spy in which there was an intermission starring George Lazenby in 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' before he returned for the final 'Diamonds are Forever.' With a script by Roald Dahl (Willy Wonka; James and the Giant Peach) and under the direction of Lewis Gilbert, Bond is once again face to face with the sinister forces of SPECTER. A fun Bond with the most expensive set design for 1967. A lot of thrills and laughs to make this a pleasant viewing experience.

In this film Bond is out to stop the forces of SPECTER from starting World War III. Space capsules mysteriously disappear and both the US and the Soviets blame each other. Bond goes to Asia to find out the fate of the capsules and their astro/cosmonauts. Bond soon uncovers a sinister plot involving SPECTER and goes undercover to sneak into their mountain base. Will Bond make it in time against the evil Blofeld (Donald Pleasance) and his minions?

True, this Bond doesn't have the best script but the action sequences are fun: especially the grand finale. Donald Pleasance is excellent as the mannered but sociopathic Blofeld. The assassins in this film aren't terribly memorable nor are the Bond girls. Still, Connery's performance as Bond is consistent with the other Connery Bond films.