Review of You Only Live Twice (2007) by Brendan A — 18 Oct 2012

Bond's first adventure in the Far East is a mixed affair, there's several spectacular and fun moments to be had yet it also falls foul of shoddy effects and a mediocre script.

An action sequence seeing Bond escape four helicopters in "Little Nellie" is evidence of the producers having more fun with their hero, yet the volcanic finale feels rushed, lazily thought out and disappointing.

The opening sequence sets in motion an entertaining and interesting concept of "killing Bond off" yet seems to only serve as a reason to use one of Fleming's titles; it adds nothing whatsoever to the plot.

Connery himself announced his retirement from the role mid-way through filming, and it is evident here that he is jaded with the role; gone is the swagger and sophistication that made his womanising behaviour fun or his action scenes sparkle.

That being said, there's enough humour to keep your mouth smirking, theres several well choreographed fights to put you on the edge of your seat and enough of a threat to keep the stakes high. The films main flaw is it feels like the first Bond film to just go through the motions; we've come to expect better from Britain's most lethal weapon.