You Only Live Twice (1967) Review

Tile: You Only Live Twice 
Year: 1967
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Country: UK
Language: English

With the harsh reality of the Vietnam War permeating the West, the producers of the James Bond Franchise sought to make their productions increasingly escapist. More of the film's budget would be spent on lavish sets, exotic locations and big explosive special effects. You Only Live Twice (1967) was quite an absurd Bond film for the time. 

James Bond  (Sean Connery) and the Japanese Secret Service must find and stop the true culprit of a series of space hijackings, before war is provoked between Russia and the United States.

The concept of "Bond in Japan" is quite fascinating considering the historical context. Just two decades prior, Tokyo was a mess of rubble and debris. Post-war, the country built itself into shape & was becoming an economic powerhouse. In the 70's their industry would see a boom. This movie provides a time-capsule moment of a country on the verge of greatness. 

Ninjas, Sumo Wrestlers, Volcano lairs, and Helicopters in a suitcase! Only Roald Dahl, writer of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, could make the absolute absurdity of You Only Live Twice work. As a travelouge film, it works. As a Spy thriller, it works as well. The producers needed Bond to survive the 60's and this "throw everything, including the kitchen sink" approach is effective. 

You Only Live Twice straddles the line between admiration for Japanese culture, and mockery of it. I personally feel it does a good job of presenting Japan, but your mileage may vary. I enjoy Bond flicks for their "over the top" premises and this does deliver some wild times.