Unmasking the Idol (1986) User Reviews

One of the Great Bad Movies of the 80s

[FilmIsPwn · 6/10 · 28 December 2008]

Unmasking the Idol falls neatly into that category of "so bad it's good." The film is ideal for late night riffing - a la MST3K - with friends.

Like its sequel, the Order of the Black Eagle, Unmasking the Idol stars superspy Duncan Jax and his pet baboon. Unlike in the sequel, Duncan - who is a middle-aged white guy with a receding hairline - is not only a superspy, but the "world's greatest ninja." No, seriously.

There's too much great stuff here to name, from a cheesy James Bond theme song to a tepid red villain with a legion of hapless henchman. This is one of my favorite train wrecks, well worth going out of your way to see if you enjoy laughing at movies.

-- Daniel Roos film.ispwn.com

Unmasking the Idol (1986)

[jonahstewartvaughan · 8/10 · 4 February 2024]

Cult Cuts Volume 53 (Return to the Video Store: The Undefined Part Three)

#1/4: Unmasking the Idol (1986)

(8/10): So I'm going to start with a extremely simple idea of what is in store for you if you watch this movie; A Discount James Bond who works with Ninjas gets assigned to a mission that has him recruit his own little A-Team of G. I. Joe's to stop an evil terrorist and go treasure hunting with him and his Baboon Sidekick.

If that doesn't sound like a great time I don't know what is.

Secret Agent and expert ninja Duncan Jax and His Baboon sidekick, Boon, are assigned to stop the evil terrorist Scarlet Leader from gaining access to nuclear weapons and initiating another World War.

Jax has to recruit some old colleagues who are not necessarily into the idea of having to work with him again but with his quick wits he manages to convince them to do so, whether they like it or not as the fate of the world rests in his hands.

He takes his team to the island where the Scarlet Leader resides as there is a big exchange between them and another terrorist with enormous amounts of gold and treasure that will be traded for the weapons.

Jax and his team must find a way into the Scarlet Leaders lair and stop them from bringing about World War III but Jax knows of something else that is in their lair, an Idol of Priceless value and he also intends to take that back with him.

So this is taking a ton of different crazes of the Eighties and throwing them in a blender; James Bond, Shinobi-Geddon, Indiana Jones, The A-Team and G. I. Joe. And you would think it wouldn't work as well as it does but it does.

While not a great film by any means it blends all of its crazy ideas quite well and has some great charm to go with it.

It is well paced and has a charismatic performance from the lead actor who, along with Boon, make for a very entertaining ride.

The locations and sets are all well done and are great to look at, and considering it's budget that's a admirable achievement, especially when the costume design is also very solid with sleek suits, well done black and also red ninja suits, a mini suit for Boon, explorer outfits, etc.

The fight scenes are pretty good as well, not the greatest but still good all things considered.

It's a fun film that, if you're open to it, can take you back to your childhood with some great goofy characters and a wild story that only the Eighties could've produced.