Saltzman and Broccoli had long been building up the SPECTRE
storyline first introduced in Dr. No, and this was the beginning of the end of
that saga. You Only Live Twice is interesting in the way that it had some
strange decisions behind its production. Chief among this was the fact that the
script was written by author Roald Dahl, who most readers would know best as
the author of Matilda, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, and Fantastic Mr.
Fox. Some could argue that he was out of
his element, but what he turned in isn’t all that bad. It’s incredibly silly at
times, but it at least has some much needed stamina behind it.
Sean Connery returns for the fifth time as James Bond, who
is sent to a small location in Japan to investigate a case of spacecrafts which
mysteriously disappear hours into orbit, and no one is sure who the cause of it
all is. Eventually, the trail, and newfound allies eventually lead Bond to a
small hanger operated by SPECTRE, where the head of the organization, Blofeld,
lies in wait.
It’s no secret that I’ve never really cared for the SPECTRE
storyline in previous films, but I won’t complain about that. They’re not
really THE focus until quite a considerable way through the film. Despite a
sometimes ludicrous narrative, it’s got everything we love to see of Bond, and
does it well. The action can be strong and engaging, the talent fun to watch,
there’s some good jokes in here, and the visuals look lovely. This is probably
the prettiest looking entry of the Connery films, although a lot of the effects
shots are pretty dated, some embarrassingly so.
For several movies, the 007 films had been building up the
head of SPECTRE, and I can safely say it didn’t disappoint. I’ve never thought
much of the other villains of the organization, but Donald Pleasance brings the
very best out of Bloefeld. He even managed to get Mike Myers to parody him in
the Austin Powers trilogy, playing the role of the comically nefarious Dr.
Evil. This is more along the lines of a villain I want to see. It makes me feel
that this is how Thunderball should have been. More along the lines of the delightful
Auric Goldfinger, and less along the lines of the sedated Rosa Klebb, Pleasance
makes the wait worth it, and he’s responsible for one of the most grotesquely
creative deaths in the series. By way of piranha.
And before concluding, I must make note of the ever so
popular title song. The song here is performed by Nancy Sinatra, daughter of
music legend Frank Sinatra. This is one of the best of the library of Bond
music, as her beautiful voice works well with the graceful sway of the music.
In short, You Only Live Twice is a silly, but freshly
entertaining entry, and what would have been a fitting conclusion to a trend. Sean
Connery had finally reached the end of his five picture deal with EON
Productions, and retired from the 007 character. Or so he thought, because four
years later, he would be proven wrong. But before he would play the role again,
he had to give a turn to the living definition of a one hit wonder. Stay tuned
for more on that…
**** / *****
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