James Bond, like few other fictional character has proven himself to be a lasting and enduring figure in popular culture. You all know the name of everyone's favorite chain smoking, drink guzzling, womanizing, super spy, and you probably know his face(s) too. In fact Bond movie number 19 just went into production so it seamed only natural that I should review an movie from the spy's earlier career.

You Only Live Twice begins in space with the abduction of America's Jupiter 16 space capsule. What's strange about this is the fact that the capsule is abducted while in orbit by some weird looking space capsule that opens up and swallows the American ship whole.  

Back on earth America (predictably) blames Russia for the theft. The Russian's deign all responsibility and only good old England knows the truth. Their satellites tracked the unknown shuttle and saw it come down in the sea of Japan. Are the Japanese responsible for this? If so, then why? The only man who can find out is (you guessed it) James Bond (Sean Connery).

After faking his own death Agent 007 goes to Tokyo and unravels the mystery, leaving a mile wide swath of satisfied women and empty martini glasses behind him. And since Bond is played by Connery we see lots of scenes of him womanizing. Unlike men in the real world womanizing actually helps Bond get chicks to go to bed with him. Some guys have all the luck.

But Bond still remains one of Connery's best characters. And this is one of the best of his Bond movies that I have yet to see. He knows his role well and plays Bond in a very sly, cool manner.

The only major complaint I have with this movie is the fact that all the women must insist on coming along. Since they don't do any thing (besides Bond) they get in the way real fast. And they get annoying even faster. However it is enteresting to see Mie Hama, King Kong's love interest from King Kong vs. Godzilla make an apearance. You don't see actors from Godzilla movies everyday.

And what to my wondering eyes should appear but Donald Pleasence as our head villain. I have a small problem with him as well, namely that he doesn't have enough screen time. We don't get to see scenes of him walking about his lair (a quite impressive set, I assure you) talking about how horrid he's deeds will be and patting himself on the back for being so darn evil. *Sigh*.

But on to the good stuff. Special points go to Tetsuro Tamba as Japanese secret service head Tiger Tanaka. Besides being as sly a spy as Bond he's also a ninja master, who's trained a whole boat load of ninja warriors the become very handy in the last 10 minuets of the movie.

All the other classic Bondisams (sounds kinky, doesn't it?) are here too, the cool gadgets, the interplay between Bond and his bosses secretary, bikini babes with guns! This here is some classic Bond that can be enjoyed by all ages. Well. . .feminists might have a problem with it, but other then that. . .

RATING (OUT OF A POSSIBLE FIVE)

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