***

One reviewer at the time of this film's release commented that it resembled an episode of the children's television series THE THUNDERBIRDS. One can see why, for YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE has all of the subtlety of a ramjet. One wonders why the producers didn't adapt Ian Fleming's novel Moonraker at this time if they really wanted gee-whiz space technology and assorted 60s Popular Mechanics type gadgets. It is also a mystery why the producers dropped screenwriter Richard Maibaum, who had co-written all five previous BOND films, and picked up British author Roald Dahl. Dahl is best known for his rather twisted and sadistically macabre children's stories. But the end result is still rather predictable, after all, for YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE is just a big, bloated comic book adventure instead of a true Ian Fleming James Bond thriller.

Even so, YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE is a beautiful film to watch and enjoy because of the wonderful Japanese locales. This film earns a three-star rating from me due almost entirely because of the Japanese cast and the brilliant location work in Japan. Whereas Connery's portrayal of James Bond is at its lowest ebb, the entire Japanese cast is engaging and bright. It is very clear that Sean Connery is completely bored by it all and I think this is his worst performance as Agent 007. But just as in THUNDERBALL, bad Connery is better than no Connery at all, in my very humble opinion. There are moments when the Connery charm comes through here to be sure, but overall it is a strangely indifferent performance. But it doesn't help matters that the film's screenplay by Roald Dahl is so completely lame and lazy, either.

The BOND producers continue with all of the problems that plagued THUNDERBALL completely intact. But to make matters worse, Roald Dahl's complete lack of finesse only magnifies the inept plot line. The cavalier "We don't care, so why should you?" attitude is ladled even more heavily here than in the previous BOND film adventure. The whole faked death ploy and the Japanese fisherman disguise for 007 appear totally ridiculous. The last straw (for me, anyway) occurs within a scene where Bond miraculously discards his fisherman garb and suddenly reveals a Ninja/suction cup climber outfit hidden underneath! Stupefyingly subtle, no? It's really about as convincing as Bond's cover as a chemical company representative in the first half of the film. Remember, my friends, grown men produced this fatuous film. When I want a Jonny Quest type level of sophistication, I'll seek out this particular cartoon series. But what all of us BOND fans really need here in this film is Ian Fleming based 007 excitement.

The tried and true Fleming BOND formula is discarded and a contemptuous, unbelievable fantasy world grafted on in its place. Unfortunately, this grave error will become, with only a couple of exceptions, the new BOND formula for the next eighteen years. Overblown, comic book plots with far too many gadgets and juvenile kinetics replaces the Fleming formula of highly incredible, but still engaging stories told with wit and panache. Sure, it's just a male fantasy, but within Ian Fleming's Bond novels there is an undertone of drollness and intelligence. None of these vital Fleming ingredients can be found in this film. Needless to say, it was mainly due to this insipid BOND film that we were assaulted with all of those Austin Powers films. Likewise, YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE is just a collection of vapid visual jokes instead of true BOND thrills. There is also absolutely no attempt to develop a convincing story within an actual BOND type framework here.

Speaking of not being at all convincing, British actor Donald Pleasance is exactly that as he vainly attempts to portray supervillain Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Pleasance can convincingly play timid husbands or meek banker types, but not your ultra megalomaniac. Donald Pleasance was actually a last minute replacement for the part of Bond's arch nemesis. The original actor had to bow out of this film because director Lewis Gilbert wasn't convinced by the performance. Unfortunately, Pleasance is no second stringer -- he doesn't even rate as a fourth stringer! Pleasance as Blofeld is a total failure. The meeting between Blofeld and Bond is so anticlimactic that it almost completely derails the film's climax. Fortunately, there are more than enough pyrotechnics to make up for it. Ken Adams' superb set design never fails to impress, but here he outdoes himself. Blofeld might be lame, but certainly not his secret volcano crater rocket base! This is where the money was amply spent, not on the screen writing or directorial talent. 'Tis a pity.

As I mentioned in my review of THUNDERBALL, I also still see YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE through a lens of nostalgia. This is partly the reason I give it a three-star rating. But what is even more important is the culture and the atmosphere established within all of the excellent location work on the incredible islands of Japan. Not enough can be said about how vital this particular component is to the success of YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE. But another major contributing factor is the superb performances by all of the Japanese cast members. Even though some of these Japanese actors are dubbed over, the characters they portray are still very engrossing. Both Mie Hama and Akiko Wakabayashi are particularly warm and charming. This film may fail as a true James Bond adventure, but the beauty and wonder of Japan totally succeed here.