*May contain minor spoilers*
I'd recommend the Mr Moto movies to anyone who likes a good low-budget adventure piece. The movies feature exotic places and folks, decent story lines, some action and - above all - good actors, Mr Peter Lorre in the lead. You might say, of course, that due to the time those movies were made in you find some clichés, but no more than in movies made later or even today. Since Mr Motos adventures mostly are set in the Middle East or East, stereotypes seem unavoidable. Yet the authors show some effort to present Chinese, Indian or Japanese figures as real figures, as far as the storyline allows it.
As a great fan of Mr Lorre I like his performance very much. He isn't allowed too much room for his talent, but plays his Kentaro Moto with elegance and a sort of gentle humor. Again, considering the time of production, it is nice to see how the small Japanese gentleman whom most people tend to completely underestimate, outsmarts blundering acquaintances and foes alike. I've been slightly disappointed to find out Mr Lorre didn't do the stunt scenes himself, but remembered he was supposed to be seriously ill for many years - so might have been while he played Mr Moto as well.
If you're looking for picturesque, old-time entertainment, a Mr Moto movie might be just the thing for you.
I'd recommend the Mr Moto movies to anyone who likes a good low-budget adventure piece. The movies feature exotic places and folks, decent story lines, some action and - above all - good actors, Mr Peter Lorre in the lead. You might say, of course, that due to the time those movies were made in you find some clichés, but no more than in movies made later or even today. Since Mr Motos adventures mostly are set in the Middle East or East, stereotypes seem unavoidable. Yet the authors show some effort to present Chinese, Indian or Japanese figures as real figures, as far as the storyline allows it.
As a great fan of Mr Lorre I like his performance very much. He isn't allowed too much room for his talent, but plays his Kentaro Moto with elegance and a sort of gentle humor. Again, considering the time of production, it is nice to see how the small Japanese gentleman whom most people tend to completely underestimate, outsmarts blundering acquaintances and foes alike. I've been slightly disappointed to find out Mr Lorre didn't do the stunt scenes himself, but remembered he was supposed to be seriously ill for many years - so might have been while he played Mr Moto as well.
If you're looking for picturesque, old-time entertainment, a Mr Moto movie might be just the thing for you.