Tuesday, August 8, 2017

The Yin and the Yang of Mr. Go (1970)

AKA: The Third Eye

Director: Burgess Meredith

Writers: Burgess Meredith, Joseph Zucchero, Alvin Ostroff

Composer: Robert O. Ragland

Starring: James Mason, Jack MacGowran, Irene Tsu, Jeff Bridges, Peter Lind Hayes, Clarissa Kaye-Mason, Burgess Meredith, Gigo Tevzadze, King Hu, Broderick Crawford, Jay Alder, June Sampson

More info: IMDb

Tagline: "I Was Made in Hong Kong!"

Plot: Buddha has the power to change the nature of a person into their opposite. He uses this power only when the world is in danger. When a villain obtains plans that could be used for peace or war, Buddha turns him into a good guy. Now what?



My rating: 6/10

Will I watch it again?  No.

Introducing Jeffrey Bridges!  Of Bridges' first two films, and both released in '70, I think this one came out first.  At times this movie is a wild ride.  You've got James Mason playing a half Mexican/half Chinese man bent on taking over the world.  It sounds like Fu Manchu territory but there's a twist.  Buddha instantly transforms him from a bad man to a good man.  Along the way you've got Bridges as a man who will do anything for money, including blackmail gay sex.  The music and songs are bonkers and are definitely a product of its time.  The action scenes are equally bonkers.  Meredith throws in a couple of wild angles from his days as The Penguin on the '66 BATMAN show.  The story is a silly spy story but it is entertaining.  I can't see watching this again but when you consider the talent involved, it's definitely worth a look. 





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