Rating: 
Summary: First rate finale to Fleming's 007 thrillers.......
Review: People familiar with JAMES BOND only as film icon might be surprised to see how good 007 novels are. Ian Fleming was an accomplished...often excellent...writer. His pantheon of villains(Blofeld; Rosa Klebb; Goldfinger; Dr. No, etc.) are fully developed personalities not single dimension psychopaths or criminal megalomaniacs. Bond's colleagues (M; Moneypenny; Leiter) and famous femmes fatales have recognizable characters and distinct "voices". Fleming, indeed, used formula in plotting exploits of Agent James Bond of the British MI-6: this was to devise some of the most entertaining THRILLERS ever written and create the most famous adventure hero (in the English language) since Conan Doyle's, SHERLOCK HOLMES. DR. NO & FROM RUSSIA with LOVE are regarded as the superior novels of the series which introduces the intrepid secret agent in CASINO ROYALE. In the first half-dozen, 007 is a cold warrior; "professional terrorist and spy" (KGB Dossier/SMERSH).With "Thunderball", Fleming transforms his character into a mythological hero. THUNDERBALL; ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE (perhaps the best Bond book & film); and YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE constitute an action-packed saga pitting epic Good against Evil. Ernst Stavro Blofeld and his nefarious criminal syndicate SPECTRE are defeated by Bond in two battles which threaten world-order. In Thunderball, an H-bomb extortion plot is thwarted. In OHMSS, nothing less than a world-wide biological warfare attack is contained. But the cost is personally tragic for super hero Bond revealed as quite vunerable when his wife (Tracy) is murdered on their Wedding Day. YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE concludes the original Fleming series, with final, vicious confrontation between James Bond and his arch enemy... Ian Fleming divides the story("IT IS BETTER TO TRAVEL HOPEFULLY"; Pt I..."THAN TO ARRIVE"; Pt II). Perhaps the build-up...007 assists US and Britain in resolving a "European" CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS (with JFK alive!)... preparing Bond to face his foe disguised as "Dr. Shatterhand", a sadistic mass-murderer, is resolved too swiftly. Yet Flmeming's craft as writer is evident in this last great adventure. (THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN is basically an extended short story with a rather pedestrian plot after its promising beginning: 007 is brainwashed by the KGB into attempting to assassinate M) YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE presents 007 being...again ...intiated to quest against Evil. Ian Fleming was no John Le Carre. Neither Bond nor M have the gravitas of George Smiley. But Fleming's Bond...unlike the screen "superman"...is recognizably human. He has some snobbish affectations but is never foppish.He is a lady-killer. But, ultimately, he is a traditonal gentleman not a sexual predator.The fact the movies continue fascinating the world after 40 years suggests the novels will experience major re-reading. Other Bond-essaying authors (including Kingsley Amis in COLONEL SUN)lack Fleming's touch. They write stories "starring" James Bond but do not...in my estimate...reincarnate one of the best-in-the-West heroes of popular literature. Fleming was wrong: JAMES BOND does not "only live twice". He is a hero destined to live as long as mythical adventure is acknowledged and enjoyed...
Rating: 
Summary: The Bond Franchise shows it's First signs of Staleness.
Review: Sean Connery looks Very Tired of playing James Bond in "You Only Live Twice"; it's not Surprising that it was one of his Last Outings in the Character that Made him Known to the World. The film lacks decent Bad guys, decent Babes, decent One Liners. It lacks everything that makes a Bond film Enjoyable. The Story and Screenplay are two of the Weaker of any Bond film, and Donald Pleasance as Blofeld appears Far too late in the film to make an Impression. After having Built up the character for so long, he Really comes as a Disappointment. The Pacing leaves a lot to be desired as well, as I often found myself searching Elsewhere for entertainment. (eg, paint drying, grass growing) "Little Nelly" is the films one saving grace, but its screen time is too limited. As a Bond fan, I have only been let down by a Hand full of Bond films. "You Only Live Twice" is, unfortunately, one of them.
Rating:
Summary: Better than the movie version.
Review: This novel is better than it's screen adaptation because it is the way Fleming wanted it to be told. In this novel Bond is mourning the loss of his wife Tracey and his carrer is failing. He has one chance at redemtion and thats to go to Japan and put an end to Blofeld(The man who murdered his wife)once and for all.
Rating:
Summary: Only ONE Person We Know Carries This DVD
Review: They finally got it correct. The gun barrel that is. The previous widescreen Laserdisc and VHS copies had the bottom of the gun barrel out of frame. The bottom of the gun barrel was cut off! Not anymore! The transfer is much improved with crisper images and increased resolution. The sound is digital 2.0 mono. As for the movie, the odds have never been greater or the stakes higher. World War Three hangs in the balance of the success or failure of James Bond. This is the 'Big One' and it looks every bit of it. We thought all the stops had been pulled out for "Thunderball" but not quite, "Thunderball" was just practice! "Thunderball" was the pinnacle of the James Bond phenomena and rightly so. However, "You Only Live Twice" pushes the envelope continuing in the same vein as "Thunderball." Still, Sean Connery is James Bond, the contemporary hero in today's age of uncertainty. S.P.E.C.T.R.E. continues to harass James Bond by day and disturb his tranquility by night. The script by Roald Dahl, based in-very-little-part on the Ian Fleming novel, is refreshing, imaginative and in some respects innovative. Bond finally comes face to face with Blofeld in the form of Donald Pleasence. I believe there are at least two schools of thought on his portrayal usually in extreme approval or disapproval. In any event, we get a good dose of S.P.E.C.T.R.E.'s usual form of justice that it doles out to its unsuccessful employees the same as we have seen in "From Russia With Love" and "Thunderball." The scene between Osato and Helga Brandt and Blofeld in his incredible lair accompanied by John Barry's haunting score is one of the best in the entire series. In fact there are quite a few good scenes in this film filled with very witty yet intelligent dialogue. This is a step up from "Thunderball" in that respect. One feature perhaps not that noticeable is the extraordinary flow and pace of "You Only Live Twice" or more accurately the reason for that flow and pace. This can be attributed to editing and the film's combination of plotting, action, dialogue and its great visuals and music. I think the contribution of Ken Adam's massive yet simple production designs, John Barry's continuing incredible innovation in scoring, Bob Simmons' incredible stunts and choreography and Sean Connery's perfect portrayal of James Bond make "You Only Live Twice" one of the most memorable of the series. Yes, I thought Connery gave a perfect performance. Connery does not walk through this one. If you separate and examine his performance from the rest of the film I think you will find that it is very credible. Connery gives us a perfect balance of the best of what he brought to the first four films. It is not 100 percent Fleming but is perfect for the cinema version of his creation. For that reason I think many fans find it hard to say they like "Thunderball" over "You Only Live Twice" and visa versa. I think that "Thunderball" has a real Fleming feel to it while Connery though very energetic and captivating approaches that assignment with unusual aplomb. And that is not a bad thing. "Thunderball" is a very beautifully filmed aquatic adventure and John Barry's score melds the whole experience into some type of Fleming aura for the viewer. I think the overall premise of "You Only Live Twice" is so incredible yet brilliantly delivered cinematically that Sean Connery's performance is overlooked.
Rating:
Summary: Weak and Strong
Review: Many elements go into the construction of anything artistic; any work of art (or entertainment!) must necessarily focus on some aspects to the exclusion of others. The plot and characterizations of YOLT are both weak. Why then do I rate this work at five stars? Because the mood achieved throughout the film is nearly unsurpassed by other Bonds which are stronger in other areas. I see this Bond as being perhaps the most visually stunning of all of the collection with one of the most powerful soundtracks. If stunning visual imagery with magnificanet operatic background music does it for you, then you will love this movie. If you want a great plot and dark suspense, go for From Russia With Love. If you want larger than life yet engaging characters and plot, go for Goldfinger. Between the three above cited films, I think the three great Bond formulas are well represented, and for what each of the films does, nobody does it better.
Rating: 
Summary: Bond assimilates poorly to Japanese culture
Review: Sean Connery starred as James Bond 007 in the first five Bond films. YOLT is the 5th and Connery originally meant for it to be his last. He was replaced by the Australian George Lazenby who starred in OHMSS. After George Lazenby asked for too much money to make a second Bond film, Connery agreed to DAR. Connery was tired of the role and wary of being typecast. YOLT takes place almost entirely in Japan. In fact, there isn't a single scene set in England. Japan is beautifully shown, as is its culture. Connery himself seems bored and out of sorts. His worst efoort at Bond. His delivery is clipped and matter of fact. Story has it Connery wasn't particularly attracted to Asian women and wasn't terribly keen on the plot either. He just seems uncomfortable. As if he knew he should have stopped after Thunderball but felt committed to seeing YOLT through. For instance, Bond submits to being made Japanese but doesn't seem to take it with his usual good humor. The Bond of the first four films would have gotten into the act and enjoyed it for what it was. Furthermore, throughout the entire wedding scene and until he reaches the target island, he is hunched over, sweating and grimacing, as if his back or side hurts. I guess he's trying to look shorter, like most Japanese men. I am a short man myself and, trust me, its much easier to look taller than look shorter. The Bond girls are cute but unremarkable as individual characters. The plot is basic. Roald Dahl, who wrote the screenplay, should have stuck to surreal childrens' lit. Several action scenes liven things up a bit. The "Little Nellie" sequence is a Bond classic and the climatic battle is well handled. I enjoyed the martial arts and the ninja camp. The volcano lair is one of my favorites in the series. The car magnet is a clever moment. Donald Pleasence plays Ernst Stavro Blofeld, head of SPECTRE and Bond's mortal enemy. I liked Pleasence's portrayal. He portrays Blofeld as smart, treacherous, cruel and cowardly. A bully when things are going well and a scared rabbit who runs at the first sign of trouble. The locale, the action and Pleasence save this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: All the ingredients, but Connery's heart wasn't in it
Review: This was the fifth in the Bond series, released in 1967. Producer Albert "Cubby" Broccoli had quite a challenge on his hands outdoing the runaway success of "Thunderball". He undertook to surpass it by increasing the budget, trying more elaborate gadgets and stunts (an ultralight heavily armed one man helicopter being chased by 4 other helicopters), gargantuan sets (a launch pad inside a volcano) and exotic locations (Japan). At almost $10 million (that's about $50 million in today's dollars), this was one of the highest budgeted films at that time. The launch pad set alone cost over $1 million to build. Despite great box office results, ($110 Million worldwide in 1967 dollars) it fell short of Cubby's ambitions to exceed "Thunderball" financially ($140 Million worldwide) and it proved to be lackluster among the early Bond films. Although having established himself as a pop icon in his 007 roles, Sean Connery was tired of being James Bond. Before the release of this film, he announced his intention to retire from the role. His lack of enthusiasm was evident throughout the film and his onscreen demeanor lacked verve. He didn't even show much interest in the love scenes, looking more bored than passionate. The critics declared that this would be the end of his career and the end of James Bond films, probably the worst twin predictions in the history of film. As it turns out, Connery returned to the role twice more in 1971 (Diamonds Are Forever) and 1983 (Never Say Never Again). I have a great deal of respect for Sean Connery, indeed he is one of my favorite actors. His Bond films set a standard that was never equaled by any of the actors that followed. However, his performance in this film displayed so much ennui that it bordered on unprofessional. This film had all the elements necessary to make it one of the better Bond films. It finally gave a face to Blofeld, and though the choice of Donald Pleasence was roundly criticized, I liked him in the role. The story was intriguing. Astronauts and their spacecraft were being abducted by a rogue predator ship that was gobbling them up whole. Bond was dispatched to find out who was behind the plot. The screenplay written by Roald Dahl was full of clever double entendres like Aki's (Akiko Wakabayashi) great line just as Bond swept her into his arms, "I think I will enjoy very much serving under you." It had majestic locations and great photography. However, the elements didn't gel, mostly because of Connery's Bond fatigue. The DVD contains a good featurette that gives some interesting retrospective looks at the difficulties making the film and insight into what the producers were trying to accomplish. Overall, this was a good Bond film, although it could have been much better but for Connery's malaise. Still, the story was stronger than contemporary Bond films, which have resorted to nonstop action and visual effects with flimsy scripts. I rated it a 7/10. If you want to see Connery at his best, see "Goldfinger" or "From Russia With Love".
Rating:
Summary: James Bond Goes to Hell
Review: Some fans complain that You Only Live Twice is a strange, slightly illogical Bond film with a wooden performance by Sean Connery. I don't agree. I think YOLT is a wickedly clever Bond film with a playful and devious subtext. Ready for this? I say You Only Live Twice is REALLY about James Bond's death and journey through purgatory. (If one thinks I'm reading too much into YOLT, one only has to be reminded that the author of the screenplay is Roald Dahl, who wrote such psychedelic journeys as "Charlie & the Chocolate Factory" and "James & the Giant Peach.") As a rule, subtext is communicated with metaphors and YOLT is full of them! Bond starts the movie in familiar 007 surroundings -- in bed with a woman -- except this conquest is Asian, a fact unusual enough for Bond to comment on it: "Why do Chinese girls taste different from all other girls?" His instincts prove correct when this woman turns out to be his Angel of Death. Bond is "killed" before our eyes, and we drift i!nto the title sequence. But are we seeing puffy clouds and harps? No. We're in a world of volcanoes and lava. James Bond has gone to Hell. The movie, as a metaphor really begins here as Bond's corpse, having been buried at sea, is retrieved by two divers (angels) who bring it not back to the surface but aboard a submarine. "Permission to come abroad?" asks Bond. After a briefing (where M and all are dressed in white uniforms and Bond is in black) Bond is ejected from the sub's torpedo tube (do I even need to tell you what this represents?). Appropriately, Bond surfaces in a world that's entirely unfamiliar to him, a world in which he is constantly trapped and fooled. In this strange new upside-down world, Bond is called "Zero Zero" instead of 007, and even his martini order is mysteriously reversed, "stirred, not shaken," which Bond confirms as "perfect." Bond admits he's never been to Japan, which is odd for a man as worldly as James Bond, and didn't he mention an affair with! "Ann in Tokyo" in From Russia with Love? Also revealing is the fact that YOLT is the only single location Bond film. There's no globetrotting here. He's stuck. "I just might retire to here," he tells Tiger. Things get even more surreal when Bond must "become Japanese." He's operated on in a womblike room, married, and given a home in a pearl diving village where, strangely enough, he fits in and seems perfectly content! But a violent reminder of his own death (again in a bed) snaps Bond out of his passivity, and it's off to the volcanic lair of the villain. Here, for reasons not explained, Bond thinks the answer to the crisis at hand is to board a rocket and go into outer space (ascend into the heavens). But just as Bond is about to escape this world, the master of the volcano recognizes him and shouts, "Stop that astronaut!" It's appropriate that Blofeld is seen for the first time in YOLT. Up to this point in the series, Blofeld has only been an unseen, omniscient presence, !who motivates other men to commit his evil deeds. The clearest metaphor of the film is that Blofeld is the Devil. Who else would live in a volcano? This prompts Bond to pretty much admit to the subtext of the film when he tells Blofeld, "This is my second life." Of course, it all ends in a fiery destructive explosion after which Bond finds himself back where he was at the end of the last film: in a raft with a bikini-clad woman. Back to the familiar world of 007. Back to the surface.
Rating:
Summary: O-Bond Odori
Review: This is the greatest 007 movie ever. What I really like about it is the way a big, hairy-backed Scotsman manages to pass himself off as a Japanese pearl diver. People's disbelief was suspended from a much higher ceiling in those days! The storyline is a big improvement on the book which was very low-key and wabi sabi compared to the wonderful idea of a satellite gobbling rocket hiding out in a Volcano ( I think the original story concerned someone growing poisonous flowers in his garden.). This is one film that Austin Powers could never touch because it's so wonderfully far-fetched already. With its ninjas and svelte Japanese maidens slipping in and out of kimonos, this movie is largely responsible for getting me hooked on Japan.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Follow Up
Review: After "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" ends, this book follows up on it brilliantly. This book is an excellent novel of revenge. Taking place in Japan, there is a lot of interesting information about the setting, a trait found in all of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels. The plot is very exciting and suspenceful, and the ending rivals "On Her Majesty's Secret Service's". One point may be that the film version does not tie in very close to the book. The ending is much different in both, as is the villians plan. I don't like giving them away, but don't expect Bond and Kissy lying getting happily picked up by a British submarine as the ending. And the scenes with Blofeld, which were bungled in the "OHMSS" follow up, "Diamonds are Forever" (in the film series), are handled exceptionally. All in all, this is probably my second favorite Fleming novel, and is an excellent read.
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