Doing a complete backflip on this since I watched it properly this time. In front of the TV...no phone, no computer, no distractions.
The pros and cons largely still stand.
Cons:
- The villiains and henchmen/women are poor imitators of previous villains or done better in future movies. Spectre 3 and 4 are a joke
- Japanese fisherman was pointless and ridiculous, Kissy not named
- As if they did not name the main Bond girl. At least QoS gave us "Fields"
- Very obvious stuntmen flipping from explosions
- Ninja scenes are embarassing
- Blofeld reveal not as exciting as it was when I was young.
- Magic monitors showing the helicopter and spaceships in flight
Pros
- Aki's death scene
- Little Nellie
- Ken Adam's sets
- "Drop in the ocean"
- Mr Henderson
- Beautiful locations
- How the score is integrated with the action.
The difference is it was an enjoyable epic adventure if you sit back and enjoy the ride and don't think too much. Looks like it won't be at the bottom of the ranking for once...
Doing a complete backflip on this since I watched it properly this time. In front of the TV...
YOLT is one of the Bond films that really should be seen on the big screen to do it justice. One of its strengths is spectacle and that doesn't come across as well as it should on TV (unless you have a gigantic screen).
YOLT is one of the Bond films that really should be seen on the big screen to do it justice. One of its strengths is spectacle and that doesn't come across as well as it should on TV (unless you have a gigantic screen).
My screen isn't HUGE, but when I throw on the Blu Ray & darken the room, the epic quality is right there in most of its glory. Say what you will about it- but the movie should visually impress the heck out of any Bond fan watching it under the proper conditions IMO.
I just recently rewatched this one and am recording a podcast on it tonight. Most people have summed up the pros and cons but here are a few that I noticed.
Cons:
.This is the first film to stray dramatically from the books which in turn lead the film to be pretty much Bond being attacked by henchmen everywhere he goes, scene after scene with some plot details thrown in here and there.
.Donald Pleasance is still my favourite Blofeld but I feel he is seriously under utilized here. We have already had 2 past films hiding his identity and while the reveal is great I would have preferred it be earlier.
.Kissy Suzuki
Pros:
.The film is grand and has some seriously impressive large scape visuals. Bond fighting the goons on the rooftop is one of my favourite shots.
.Aki and Tiger are great and I like the fact they didn't go the Dr No route and actually cast Japanese actors in the roles.
For me this film will never be a classic and is one that I don't watch too often but it is fun to watch whenever I do though.
"Mango, banana and tangerine. Sugar and ackee and cocoa bean!"
If I was in charge of the film I would follow the tradition of DR NO/FRWL and have Tiger be the one killed (obviously not in bed with Bond! ) and completely ditch the Kissy character and have Aki join Bond to the volcano to seek her revenge for Tiger.
"Mango, banana and tangerine. Sugar and ackee and cocoa bean!"
If I was in charge of the film I would follow the tradition of DR NO/FRWL and have Tiger be the one killed (obviously not in bed with Bond! ) and completely ditch the Kissy character and have Aki join Bond to the volcano to seek her revenge for Tiger.
If I was in charge of the film I would follow the tradition of DR NO/FRWL and have Tiger be the one killed (obviously not in bed with Bond! ) and completely ditch the Kissy character and have Aki join Bond to the volcano to seek her revenge for Tiger.
If I was in charge of the film I would follow the tradition of DR NO/FRWL and have Tiger be the one killed (obviously not in bed with Bond! ) and completely ditch the Kissy character and have Aki join Bond to the volcano to seek her revenge for Tiger.
-{ It would have been perfect that way...
It would've been stirred not shaken )
I honestly thought for the longest time that line was on purpose to show Henderson as a bumbling fool haha...
"Mango, banana and tangerine. Sugar and ackee and cocoa bean!"
I honestly thought for the longest time that line was on purpose to show Henderson as a bumbling fool haha...
It's a stupid line because Henderson isn't a fool (he knew it wasn't Japan or Russia making those spaceships disappear), and no-one on production bothered to correct it
Ironically enough, stirred not shaken would have been the more correct...
a) as Bond may become 'stirred' by events in the films but he would never become 'shaken' by them; and
b) a martini would be better stirred as shaking it would warm it too much.
Or so I've been led to believe over the years. Thusly, the 'accepted norm' of shaken not stirred could well have been the franchise's original gaffe...
I honestly thought for the longest time that line was on purpose to show Henderson as a bumbling fool haha...
It's a stupid line because Henderson isn't a fool (he knew it wasn't Japan or Russia making those spaceships disappear), and no-one on production bothered to correct it
The line was obviously not a mistake on the writer's part. Henderson saying "That was right, wasn't it?" and Bond's hesitant but gentlemanly response all proves that there was no mistake. It's a joke to the audience about Bond's iconic drink, and one that you didn't find all that amusing.
Pros
- Love Japan as a setting
- Really excellent theme tune and a good score
- I love Blofeld in this. Creepy and camp but also quite sad.
- The innuendo is a guilty pleasure.
- Aki is all right
Cons
- The racial stereotypes towards Japanese women
- Kissy Suzuki has nothing to do but run around in a bikini
- I found that the space stuff dragged and was boring
Whilst there are bits I like and I enjoy the campiness, some parts are a bit dull.
Since the film is not at all a Fleming story, does that make it bad? It's not like they ruined a Fleming story (which is what I feel CR06 did). I don't think it is fair to judge the films based on how closely they follow Fleming's stories, since that's not the point of the films. If you think Fleming's stories are better than the other writers' stories, I think that's fair. But I don't think it's fair to judge a film for what it is not rather than what it is.
Casino Royale did change the novel but I don't think it did so in a way that was completely untrue to the novel's spirit. They just had to make it 'bigger' and make it fit comfortably into the modern era whilst retaining a classic feel.
Viewed this last night for the first time in probably 5 years or so.
Pros:
PTS
Titles
Music
Moneypenny
Aki
Japanese setting
Fight at Osako office
Dockside chase/fight
Little Nellie
Aki Death
Volcano set
Cons:
Modelwork on exploding helicopters is poor
Matte work as volcano explodes is poor
Hans
Kissy
Observations:
Sean looks a little overweight.
Conclusion:
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this - the movie rattles on at a fair old pace and if you omit the sensibilities of using a volcano as a base the movie is spectacular and a lot of fun. It's John Barry's best score to that date - the music is a real highlight and very impressive. I love the Japanese setting and the volcano is a magnificent set. Aki is a great character and Moneypenny never looked better. It's a shame that Aki was killed it would have been better for her to help Bond throughout the movie instead of Kissy who is very lovely but has no screen presence. Hans (like Vargas in TB) is underdeveloped and shows no menace.
All in all this ranks higher than TB and is the first change in my new rankings from my old list.
CHB will return reviewing OHMSS soon
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
-Some nice Connery moments ("Oh, the things I do for England", "Just a drop.in the ocean.").
-Great scene with Little Nellie fighting the other helis.
-Visually impressive film for the most part.
-Pleasence's Blofeld is a great villain (imo)
-Tanaka's a cool character
-Aki's an okay Bond girl (imo)
Cons:
-Bond "gets married"
-Bond gets disguised as a Japanese (these are the 2 biggest flaws for me)
-Aki gets killed
-Bond's "wife" is a forgettable character
-When the volcano lair explodes, you can see footage of a real volcano with lava coming out (I think they should've left that out)
Overall, I like YOLT. It's an 8/10 for me.
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Comments
The pros and cons largely still stand.
Cons:
- The villiains and henchmen/women are poor imitators of previous villains or done better in future movies. Spectre 3 and 4 are a joke
- Japanese fisherman was pointless and ridiculous, Kissy not named
- As if they did not name the main Bond girl. At least QoS gave us "Fields"
- Very obvious stuntmen flipping from explosions
- Ninja scenes are embarassing
- Blofeld reveal not as exciting as it was when I was young.
- Magic monitors showing the helicopter and spaceships in flight
Pros
- Aki's death scene
- Little Nellie
- Ken Adam's sets
- "Drop in the ocean"
- Mr Henderson
- Beautiful locations
- How the score is integrated with the action.
The difference is it was an enjoyable epic adventure if you sit back and enjoy the ride and don't think too much. Looks like it won't be at the bottom of the ranking for once...
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Biggest secret base on screen ... YOLT
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
In real life it's quite tiny.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
I don't think 6x10 miles with a 12,000 ft runway is exactly tiny
( only joking Chris)
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
YOLT is one of the Bond films that really should be seen on the big screen to do it justice. One of its strengths is spectacle and that doesn't come across as well as it should on TV (unless you have a gigantic screen).
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Cons:
.This is the first film to stray dramatically from the books which in turn lead the film to be pretty much Bond being attacked by henchmen everywhere he goes, scene after scene with some plot details thrown in here and there.
.Donald Pleasance is still my favourite Blofeld but I feel he is seriously under utilized here. We have already had 2 past films hiding his identity and while the reveal is great I would have preferred it be earlier.
.Kissy Suzuki
Pros:
.The film is grand and has some seriously impressive large scape visuals. Bond fighting the goons on the rooftop is one of my favourite shots.
.Aki and Tiger are great and I like the fact they didn't go the Dr No route and actually cast Japanese actors in the roles.
For me this film will never be a classic and is one that I don't watch too often but it is fun to watch whenever I do though.
Fornicate that felgercarb! X-(
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
If I was in charge of the film I would follow the tradition of DR NO/FRWL and have Tiger be the one killed (obviously not in bed with Bond! ) and completely ditch the Kissy character and have Aki join Bond to the volcano to seek her revenge for Tiger.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
It would've been stirred not shaken )
I honestly thought for the longest time that line was on purpose to show Henderson as a bumbling fool haha...
It's a stupid line because Henderson isn't a fool (he knew it wasn't Japan or Russia making those spaceships disappear), and no-one on production bothered to correct it
to argue over for years to come ?
DAMN YOU GILBERT!!
a) as Bond may become 'stirred' by events in the films but he would never become 'shaken' by them; and
b) a martini would be better stirred as shaking it would warm it too much.
Or so I've been led to believe over the years. Thusly, the 'accepted norm' of shaken not stirred could well have been the franchise's original gaffe...
The line was obviously not a mistake on the writer's part. Henderson saying "That was right, wasn't it?" and Bond's hesitant but gentlemanly response all proves that there was no mistake. It's a joke to the audience about Bond's iconic drink, and one that you didn't find all that amusing.
- Love Japan as a setting
- Really excellent theme tune and a good score
- I love Blofeld in this. Creepy and camp but also quite sad.
- The innuendo is a guilty pleasure.
- Aki is all right
Cons
- The racial stereotypes towards Japanese women
- Kissy Suzuki has nothing to do but run around in a bikini
- I found that the space stuff dragged and was boring
Whilst there are bits I like and I enjoy the campiness, some parts are a bit dull.
Casino Royale did change the novel but I don't think it did so in a way that was completely untrue to the novel's spirit. They just had to make it 'bigger' and make it fit comfortably into the modern era whilst retaining a classic feel.
Pros:
PTS
Titles
Music
Moneypenny
Aki
Japanese setting
Fight at Osako office
Dockside chase/fight
Little Nellie
Aki Death
Volcano set
Cons:
Modelwork on exploding helicopters is poor
Matte work as volcano explodes is poor
Hans
Kissy
Observations:
Sean looks a little overweight.
Conclusion:
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this - the movie rattles on at a fair old pace and if you omit the sensibilities of using a volcano as a base the movie is spectacular and a lot of fun. It's John Barry's best score to that date - the music is a real highlight and very impressive. I love the Japanese setting and the volcano is a magnificent set. Aki is a great character and Moneypenny never looked better. It's a shame that Aki was killed it would have been better for her to help Bond throughout the movie instead of Kissy who is very lovely but has no screen presence. Hans (like Vargas in TB) is underdeveloped and shows no menace.
All in all this ranks higher than TB and is the first change in my new rankings from my old list.
CHB will return reviewing OHMSS soon
-Some nice Connery moments ("Oh, the things I do for England", "Just a drop.in the ocean.").
-Great scene with Little Nellie fighting the other helis.
-Visually impressive film for the most part.
-Pleasence's Blofeld is a great villain (imo)
-Tanaka's a cool character
-Aki's an okay Bond girl (imo)
Cons:
-Bond "gets married"
-Bond gets disguised as a Japanese (these are the 2 biggest flaws for me)
-Aki gets killed
-Bond's "wife" is a forgettable character
-When the volcano lair explodes, you can see footage of a real volcano with lava coming out (I think they should've left that out)
Overall, I like YOLT. It's an 8/10 for me.
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later