90 replies to this topic

[YOLT]

YOLT or DAF?

My vote goes to YOLT. In the first half of YOLT Bond is at its best. Connery is great. I couldnt understand why some people say Connery was not giving his best performance. It was considered as his last so he tried much. Much more than DAF. Especially the "out of business and waiting for news " scenes in DAF really disturbs me. This cant be Bond. He musnt wait, he has to do something. Also some people complain about Bond being Japanese in YOLT. He is a spy so whats the problem. I think the people who dont like Moore being a clown in Octopussy are the same. This is his job, isnt it?

[Qwerty]

I just watched You Only Live Twice last night, and I find these two films to be rather difficult to choose aq complete favorite from. I think I slightly prefer You Only Live Twice, but my opinion on these two changes so rapidly, that they're both usually too close to call.

[Harmsway]

YOLT without question is the better film of the two. I love YOLT from start to finish, and it has one of the best atmospheres of any Bond flick. John Barry is at his best, the cinematography is gorgeous, and it has a travelogue feel that no other Bond film has.

[Turn]

I've tried to like YOLT, but I find it probably my least favorite Connery film of the EON series. DAF is important to me since it was the first Bond film I saw when it was new when I was just 5.

Not that it requires any thinking to enjoy a Bond film, YOLT is just filled with too many moments where we're just supposed to sit back and take what's happening in, even when it's blatantly ridiculous. From pulling out pocket-sized safecrackers to dumping cars into Tokyo Bay to having convenient artificial volcano climbing equipment, it's just all too much.

I do think it's Connery's least satisfying performance too. Not that he is necessarily bored, but he's so busy moving from location to location, vehicle to vehicle, gadget to gadget, we don't spend that much time with him as a person so much as with Bond the action hero.

[Brian Flagg]

It's funny that the comparisons emerge between YOLT and DAF. I suppose this is because they are often seen as "lesser Connery." Do we ever compare YOLT with say, GOLDFINGER? Not really. When someone mentions DAF, they inevitably mention YOLT. I can see why people like YOLT, it's a triumph for Ken Adam, Freddy Young and John Barry, but not so for Sean Connery. YOLT is also the tail end of the classic Connery run, so with his return in DAF it might be viewed as "the best days for him were in the 1960s." At least with DAF, we have the Connery charm back and his most engaging performance since THUNDERBALL.

[SPECTRE ASSASSIN]

I agree, Brian. Connery did look more lively (despite his weight) then he did in YOLT, where he looked uninterested in the proceedings.

[Qwerty]

Connery just looks bored out of his mind in some of the scenes in You Only Live Twice. It's rather odd to just see him shuffling around, or just standing there. Although he looks much better than he did in Diamonds Are Forever. It's a give and take.

[Brian Flagg]

Connery just looks bored out of his mind in some of the scenes in You Only Live Twice. It's rather odd to just see him shuffling around, or just standing there. Although he looks much better than he did in Diamonds Are Forever. It's a give and take.

Especially when he delivers the "what's a nice girl like you doing..?" line to Helga. Watch his face, and how thoroughly bored he is. I'm serious.

Yeah, Spectre Assassin, despite the weight gain and gray sideburns, Connery appeared quite happy to strap on the Walther again.

Edited by Brian Flagg, 01 July 2004 - 01:43 AM.

[YOLT]

I find YOLT, especially its first half better than DAF, GF or TB. I agree that YOLTs second half is weak, but with a storng first half its no.2 in overall and Connery s after FRWL.

[Qwerty]

Connery just looks bored out of his mind in some of the scenes in You Only Live Twice. It's rather odd to just see him shuffling around, or just standing there. Although he looks much better than he did in Diamonds Are Forever. It's a give and take.

Especially when he delivers the "what's a nice girl like you doing..?" line to Helga. Watch his face, and how thoroughly bored he is. I'm serious.

Yes, I noticed that. I don't think Helga's line to her men: "Wake him up" worked. His face expressions in some of these scenes just make him look utterly bored in some of them, but there you are.

[Moonraker]

I love the film. Sean Connery isn't at his best but turns in a decent performance. A little too heavy but doesn't stop him from making great one-liners. Jill St. John is great in the role, the only problem is the screenwriting in the last half but otherwise great. In her defence, I don't think she was a dumb idiot as people say. At the beginning, She seems very intelligant and knows what shes talking about. When she puts the real tape back people usually think she's an idiot for duing it but how was she to know he switched the tape and she just switched the tape to be a hero.

[Ario]

I can't really chose between the two because they were completely different bond films. I like them both about equally

[DLibrasnow]

I prefer YOLT a billion times to DAF.

Same here. I've never understood why YOLT seems to get such a rough ride in fandom. It seems to be the one Bond film that Bond fans just don't mention. And I really don't know why - it's terrific stuff.

In complete agreement...I love You Only Live Twice

[PrinceKamalKhan]

I love the film. Sean Connery isn't at his best but turns in a decent performance. A little too heavy but doesn't stop him from making great one-liners. Jill St. John is great in the role, the only problem is the screenwriting in the last half but otherwise great. In her defence, I don't think she was a dumb idiot as people say. At the beginning, She seems very intelligant and knows what shes talking about. When she puts the real tape back people usually think she's an idiot for duing it but how was she to know he switched the tape and she just switched the tape to be a hero.

ITA, Moonraker(cool name, BTW). Tiffany's very underrated. Her character's infinitely smarter than the "dingy" Bond girls like Rosie Carver, Stacy Sutton, Bibi Dahl, etc. she usually gets classified with. In fact, I think her American cockiness and brassiness foreshadows Bond girls Holly Goodhead and Paris Carver.

[Qwerty]

I love the film. Sean Connery isn't at his best but turns in a decent performance. A little too heavy but doesn't stop him from making great one-liners. Jill St. John is great in the role, the only problem is the screenwriting in the last half but otherwise great. In her defence, I don't think she was a dumb idiot as people say. At the beginning, She seems very intelligant and knows what shes talking about. When she puts the real tape back people usually think she's an idiot for duing it but how was she to know he switched the tape and she just switched the tape to be a hero.

ITA, Moonraker(cool name, BTW). Tiffany's very underrated. Her character's infinitely smarter than the "dingy" Bond girls like Rosie Carver, Stacy Sutton, Bibi Dahl, etc. she usually gets classified with. In fact, I think her American cockiness and brassiness foreshadows Bond girls Holly Goodhead and Paris Carver.

She starts off brilliantly, her only downfall for me is on that oil rig.

[YOLT]

I prefer YOLT a billion times to DAF.

Same here. I've never understood why YOLT seems to get such a rough ride in fandom. It seems to be the one Bond film that Bond fans just don't mention. And I really don't know why - it's terrific stuff.

In complete agreement...I love You Only Live Twice

The difference between YOLT and DAF is like a Mercedes and a Lada.

YOLT is a Mercedes ofcourse

[Loomis]

Connery just looks bored out of his mind in some of the scenes in You Only Live Twice. It's rather odd to just see him shuffling around, or just standing there. Although he looks much better than he did in Diamonds Are Forever. It's a give and take.

Especially when he delivers the "what's a nice girl like you doing..?" line to Helga. Watch his face, and how thoroughly bored he is. I'm serious.

Yes, I noticed that. I don't think Helga's line to her men: "Wake him up" worked. His face expressions in some of these scenes just make him look utterly bored in some of them, but there you are.

Re: that Helga Brandt scene, might that air of boredom not have been in character? In other words, Bond was deliberately trying to come across as bored, unimpressed and unafraid, in order to piss Helga off and weaken her defences.

I mean, I know Connery was bored during the making of YOLT, and it certainly shows at various points in the film. But I reckon a bored-looking Bond was just what the doctor ordered for that particular scene.

[Qwerty]

Connery just looks bored out of his mind in some of the scenes in You Only Live Twice. It's rather odd to just see him shuffling around, or just standing there. Although he looks much better than he did in Diamonds Are Forever. It's a give and take.

Especially when he delivers the "what's a nice girl like you doing..?" line to Helga. Watch his face, and how thoroughly bored he is. I'm serious.

Yes, I noticed that. I don't think Helga's line to her men: "Wake him up" worked. His face expressions in some of these scenes just make him look utterly bored in some of them, but there you are.

Re: that Helga Brandt scene, might that air of boredom not have been in character? In other words, Bond was deliberately trying to come across as bored, unimpressed and unafraid, in order to piss Helga off and weaken her defences.

I mean, I know Connery was bored during the making of YOLT, and it certainly shows at various points in the film. But I reckon a bored-looking Bond was just what the doctor ordered for that particular scene.

I did too think of that possibility, although I'm not sured which it was. But if there was a scene in Bond film for Connery to look board in, he did the job in You Only Live Twice alright.

[Brian Flagg]

Connery just looks bored out of his mind in some of the scenes in You Only Live Twice. It's rather odd to just see him shuffling around, or just standing there. Although he looks much better than he did in Diamonds Are Forever. It's a give and take.

Especially when he delivers the "what's a nice girl like you doing..?" line to Helga. Watch his face, and how thoroughly bored he is. I'm serious.

Yes, I noticed that. I don't think Helga's line to her men: "Wake him up" worked. His face expressions in some of these scenes just make him look utterly bored in some of them, but there you are.

Re: that Helga Brandt scene, might that air of boredom not have been in character? In other words, Bond was deliberately trying to come across as bored, unimpressed and unafraid, in order to piss Helga off and weaken her defences.

I mean, I know Connery was bored during the making of YOLT, and it certainly shows at various points in the film. But I reckon a bored-looking Bond was just what the doctor ordered for that particular scene.

I'd almost buy that, Loomis! Maybe Dalton's Bond could get away with the bored approach, but never Connery. Bond at his best would be wisecracking with a smile, a glint in his eye or the proverbial spring in his step! None of this is in evidence in YOLT. It's just a flat performance.

I would like to take this YOLT moment to express my delight in the scene when Bond uses the couch as a battering ram against the goon...

Edited by Brian Flagg, 07 July 2004 - 03:19 PM.

[Loomis]

I would like to take this YOLT moment to express my delight in the scene when Bond uses the couch as a battering ram against the goon...

Yes, nice fight scene, that.

[Qwerty]

Connery just looks bored out of his mind in some of the scenes in You Only Live Twice. It's rather odd to just see him shuffling around, or just standing there. Although he looks much better than he did in Diamonds Are Forever. It's a give and take.

Especially when he delivers the "what's a nice girl like you doing..?" line to Helga. Watch his face, and how thoroughly bored he is. I'm serious.

Yes, I noticed that. I don't think Helga's line to her men: "Wake him up" worked. His face expressions in some of these scenes just make him look utterly bored in some of them, but there you are.

Re: that Helga Brandt scene, might that air of boredom not have been in character? In other words, Bond was deliberately trying to come across as bored, unimpressed and unafraid, in order to piss Helga off and weaken her defences.

I mean, I know Connery was bored during the making of YOLT, and it certainly shows at various points in the film. But I reckon a bored-looking Bond was just what the doctor ordered for that particular scene.

I would like to take this YOLT moment to express my delight in the scene when Bond uses the couch as a battering ram against the goon...

You know, when watching that scene, I almost get the impression that if Bond hadn't come across that statue to whack him over the head with, he'd be close to dead.

It's good fight that is seldom spoken about.

[Brian Flagg]

It's a good fight that is seldom spoken about.

I was thinking the same thing. Maybe I should restart the YOLT thread, as the "couch as weapon" fight may spawn some more comments on this film. There is a lot to like.

[Qwerty]

It's a good fight that is seldom spoken about.

I was thinking the same thing. Maybe I should restart the YOLT thread, as the "couch as weapon" fight may spawn some more comments on this film. There is a lot to like.

Haha. It's a rather hard hitting fight with lots going on. Reminds me of the Glass museum fight in Moonraker to an extent.

[Turn]

YOLT does have some nice physical action. I've always thought the one with Hans at the end was one of the more underrated fights.

[Qwerty]

YOLT does have some nice physical action. I've always thought the one with Hans at the end was one of the more underrated fights.

I think so also. Perhaps because he is hardly known at all as a Bond villain? Red Grant, Oddjob, Mayday...

Seems to be less recognition when it comes to the fight in Osato's office, or with Hans.

[SPECTRENumber1]

I think Diamonds are Forever is one of the worst bond films. It is terribly tacky and is to funny to follow a film like OHMSS.

[YOLT]

I think Diamonds are Forever is one of the worst bond films. It is terribly tacky and is to funny to follow a film like OHMSS.

I totally agree.

[AAMD11]

Well I guess im not with the crowd when I say I love DAF. The locations are cool, Vegas come on people VEGAS. I really like the soundtrack especially the casino themes, when he first goes into the Whyte House and the one when he discovers the comedian is dead, its so Vegas style. I love Vegas myself thus why this movie ranks top on my fav Bond films.

[CharlieBind]

I don't think that YOLT is a 'lesser Connery", for a start it's up there with Goldfinger as the movie which typerfies Bond to the public (how many parodies have used the Pleasence Blofield or the Volcano lair?)

As for Diamonds, well I love it. It's one of the movies which always cheers me up whenever I feel down.

[Loomis]

I don't think that YOLT is a 'lesser Connery", for a start it's up there with Goldfinger as the movie which typerfies Bond to the public (how many parodies have used the Pleasence Blofield or the Volcano lair?)

At last! A CBner who likes YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE and recognises its importance in moulding the image of the cinematic Bond! I was beginning to despair.