‘To Kill A Mastermind‘ is a Shaw Brothers martial arts movie from 1979 directed by Sun Chung with Johnny Wang and Yuen Wah. ‘To Kill A Mastermind’ was recently released on Blu-ray by 88 Films.
‘To Kill a Mastermind’ offered a unique exploration of the martial arts genre, inverting traditional storytelling by immersing viewers in the world of villains and bandits.
The movie’s artistic elements were its most compelling feature. Extraordinary art direction and innovative cinematography captured viewers’ imaginations. Costume design emerged as another visual highlight, featuring masked characters and distinctive styling like Johnny Wang’s memorable colored hair streak.
However, the film struggled with narrative coherence. Heroes and rebels remained frustratingly undefined, appearing sporadically without clear motivations.
Some visual elements bordered on the absurd, such as a particularly ridiculous bald cap that seemed more comical than menacing. The cast, comprised mostly of actors who might typically serve as extras, failed to inject significant star power into the production.
Despite its narrative shortcomings, the film culminated in an outstanding final battle, showcasing an impressive array of weapons that partially redeemed the earlier meandering plot. Martial arts enthusiasts might find value in the movie’s unconventional approach, even if casual viewers could find themselves struggling to maintain interest.