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View Full Version : You Only Live Twice ... or post reams


Ted Pikul
01-19-2005, 03:03 PM
Back when quoth was moderator he instigated a series of threads where we could post our thoughts on the various Bond films.

The last such thread was for Thunderball so after a suitable EON style production hiatus of several months I wondered if we should kick off again with You Only Live Twice.

I've mixed feelings about this entry.

Yes it's a good film in many respects but Connery's disenchantment with 007 is evident & he sleep walks through a good portion of the proceedings. The slanty eyed Japanese make up doesn't help in this respect either.

I've also never liked Donald Pleasence as Blofeld. What a wuss. Give me Telly Savalas any day of the week.

Still the ninjas are cool as is the volcano lair.

I suppose in hindsight this film will be viewed primarily as the template for Austin Powers and marks the point where (notable exceptions like OHMSS aside) the franchise began to slip into parody.

bob
01-20-2005, 06:32 PM
My main problem with this film is that it handles its over-the-topness in the wrong way. The follow-up to this film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, is over the top as well, but it maintains a sense of class that this film definitely doesn't have.

Many interesting things about this film, though. Roald Dahl as the screenwriter is one of those bizarre little Hollywood tidbits you grin at during the credits. And this is also the last time we see Sean Connery as Bond (I prefer to pretend Diamonds are Forever never existed).