Mastermind (1976) (Coll)

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VHS Movie Reviews of Mastermind (1976) (Coll)

Movie Review: Good, Old-fahioned Comedy with Mostel & Fabulous Chase
Summary: 3 Stars

The film consists of two parts; Zero playing a detective (with a normal suit) in modern-day Kyoto, and Zero playing "samurai," who saves the princess Kishi (in his dream) and those two sections appear one after another. Here Zero Mostel delivers a good comic act even though my very personal favorite of his film is always "The Producers" with Gene Wilder.

My complaints (and the reason for giving only 3 stars) are these: some scenes are too silly for us Japanese -- for example, Frankie Sakai, popular Japanese actor playing a man with death-wish trying to do "harakiri" is a too predictable idea and it only embarrasses us. And secondly, there is no chemistry between Mostel and Kishi, respected actress famous for her long-standing collaboration with director Kon Ichikawa. Of course, whether or not you share these views are another matter. Just an opinion from a Japanese movie fan living in Kyoto.

But don't get me wrong. These things aside, "Mastermind" gives you a lot of good laughs especially when you like those old-fashioned, visual comedy. And the climax car chase scene, with the backdrop of the city of Kyoto, is a hair-raising masterpiece on a par with the crazy act of the legendary Keystone Cops. It's a real treasure!

Movie Review: Samurai in dreamland
Summary: 5 Stars

If you want a good laugh, then this movie is a must.

Parody & Spoof Video

• Genres > Action & Adventure > By Theme
• Police & Detective Films
• Slapstick
• Crime
• Comedy > Comic Criminals
• Parody & Spoof
• Slapstick
• Mystery & Suspense > Detectives
• Comedy - Parody & Spoof - General