Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Unmasking the Idol Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 27, 2022

If you were a filmgoer in the 1980s, perhaps you were thinking, “This James Bond movie needs more ninjas.” Or maybe, “This ninja movie needs more James Bond.” Well, 1986’s “Unmasking the Idol” is going to be your best friend, as director Worth Skeeter attempts to merge the worlds of martial arts and superspy adventures, delivering all the excitement he can with a very limited budget, unknown actors, and sets left over from previous productions. Ambition runs pretty high here, as Skeeter strives to make a big impression with his action extravaganza, trying to deliver furious battles and elaborate escape plans while offering a tongue-in-cheek take on 007-style antics featuring a British secret agent. “Unmasking the Idol” isn’t sturdily built, lacking a great deal of momentum in the second act, but it’s a fun romp for the most part, as Skeeter really wants to entertain with this effort, doing what he can to delight viewers. And if you’re thinking, “Does this James Bond movie about ninjas contain a supporting performance from a baboon wearing a gi?” The answer is yes.

Duncan Jax (Ian Hunter) is a master ninja working with a small team of martial artists to retrieve goods and thwart evil for his employer, Star (C.K. Bibby). He has a loyal right-hand man in Sato (Shiangtai Tuan) and a partner in Boon, a baboon offering expert animal help in sticky situations. Jax’s latest assignment involves the mysteries of Devil’s Crown Island, which is home to a fort filled with gold, located in a lair built by the villainous Scarlet Leader, who’s teamed up with fellow terrorist Goldtooth (Ronald Campbell) for a ransom operation involving missiles pointed at America. Jax needs help making his way to the island, picking up demolition expert Bugs (Vernond Littleton) while pursuing Whale (William Hicks), who owns a map of the fortress, leading to the gold treasure. Setting out to save the day, Jax is confronted by Scarlet Leader’s ninja forces, using his own martial arts training and special team to take on aggressors while finding his way through a maze-like compound teeming with physical challenges.

Jax is a ninja, and a suave one who tries to maintain something of a secret identity, wearing a mask to cover his face, but he also uses elaborate tools to help evade capture, including use of balloons, which seems very un-ninja-like. Still, it’s quite a visual, and one that opens “Unmasking the Idol,” with Jax stuck in a pool after dodging gunmen, reduced to using inflatables to avoid being shot to death. The character is also smooth with women, taking a lover in China (Shakti Chen) while winning a small fortune at a casino, giving the feature a heavy Bond-ian tilt that’s amusing to watch. What breaks the fantasy is the arrival of Boon, emerging as a pal and lifesaver for Jax, who works closely with his baboon buddy, even defending him in full ninja gear (during the day! in public!) from a pack of hicks looking to make the creature do some tricks. Jax and Boon: their love is eternal.

“Unmasking the Idol” has more wackiness to share, including Jax’s dwelling, which is home to a collection of ninjas who frequently hot tub together. And we meet Scarlet Leader, who resides inside an island castle with a throne room used to eliminate enemies via a pool filled with (unseen) piranhas. Skeeter can’t quite deliver a global adventure while shooting in North Carolina, but “Unmaking the Idol” has a few visual highlights as it repurposes film sets and deals with broad genre events, including the recruitment of experts and a plan to storm the island, resulting in a big beach brawl that does well with scrappy stunt work.

Unmasking the Idol Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 2K scan of the 35mm interpositive. "Unmasking the Idol" is generally a brightly lit adventure film, and detail reaches as far as it can go, delivering softer textures on sets and skin particulars. Exteriors remain dimensional, and interiors are open for inspection, exploring the strange lairs used by the main characters. Colors are compelling, with deep reds on enemy ninjas and distinct primaries elsewhere. Golden glow for treasure is preserved. Greenery is exact, and skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is heavier but film-like. Source is in good condition.

Unmasking the Idol Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix delivers a mostly crisp listening experience. Dialogue exchanges are clear, handling a variety of accents and performance choices without issue. Scoring delivers distinct support, with decent instrumentation and emphasis during ninja battle sequences. Sound effects register as intended. Some age-related wear is detected, but it's very mild and brief.

Unmasking the Idol Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Worth Keeter.

• "The Mission Begins" (68:29, HD) is an extended making-of for "Unmasking the Idol," featuring interviews with director Worth Keeter, assistant camera Irl Dixon, cinematographer Steve Shaw, animal trainer Gerry Therrien, stunt performers Art Newkirk and Steve Wingard, and actors Shiangtai Tuan and Louis Dula (aka "Ian Hunter"). The picture was brought to life in Charlotte, North Carolina, making use of Earl Owensby's new studio space, which employed a year-round crew and collected a large amount of equipment. The story of Keeter is recalled, with the young man working his way up at E.O. Studios, eventually finding a script to generate an adventure film much like other adventure films. The experience of baboon Typhoon is recalled, with the beast bonding with Dula, although the actor took some time to get comfortable with an animal often worked up in a mating season frenzy. Casting stories are recalled, with Dula a stage actor trusted to carry the feature, undergoing a name change to seem more star-like. Characterization is analyzed, and time with stunt coordinator Monty Cox is detailed, who masterminded many of the endeavor's big shots. Sets and locations are detailed, with local crew utilized to bring the movie to life. Production challenges are shared, and the interviewees offer an appreciation for "Unmasking the Idol" and its Blu-ray resurrection.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Unmasking the Idol Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There are issues with "Unmasking the Idol," which noticeably loses steam in the middle act, unable to make dry character interactions as enjoyable as martial art showdowns and cartoonish villainy. There's an extended finale to invigorate the last act, following the heroes as they deal with the castle's traps, which involves hungry alligators, and the action takes to the sky once again as balloons reenter the feature. "Unmasking the Idol" is madness in search of wilder execution, but Skeeter provides an appealing viewing experience that will likely be catnip to fans of B-movie weirdness. Oddly enough, the Duncan Jax saga doesn't end here, with 1987's "The Order of the Black Eagle" continuing the adventure for the spy/ninja, giving Skeeter a second chance to play in this sandbox, though it's hard to believe there's anywhere to go after watching 90 minutes of a man and his baboon beating up brightly colored enforcers while planning their balloon escapes.