Cannon Group Golan-Globus Productions were having great success with their previous ninja films, "Enter the Ninja," "Revenge of the Ninja," and "Ninja III: The Domination," so why not start a new franchise? Michael Dudikoff plays the titular American Ninja, a G.I. on a U.S. Army base in the Philippines. He keeps his ninja skills a secret, even when fellow soldier Steve James challenges him to a fight (don't worry, the two become fast friends after Dudikoff repeatedly flips James and chokes him out), but when Dudikoff uncovers arms dealers colluding with military officials, he is one ninja who's had all he can stands and can't stands n'more. To be clear, this is a terrible film, but if you enjoy campy 1980s ninja films, which I most certainly do, you will enjoy this ridiculous ninja/Rambo hybrid. FUN FACT: Director Sam Firstenberg has said this is one of his two favorite films he's directed, the other being "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo." Personally speaking, I think "Ninja III: The Domination" is his career high point.
American Ninja
1985
Action / Adventure / Romance
American Ninja
1985
Action / Adventure / Romance
Synopsis
Joe Armstrong, an orphaned drifter will little respect for much other than martial arts, finds himself on an American Army base in The Philippines after a judge gives him a choice of enlistment or prison. On one of his first missions driving a convoy, his platoon is attacked by a group of rebels who try to steal the weapons the platoon is transporting and kidnap Patricia, the base colonel's daughter, who happens to be along for the ride. Joe rescues Patricia and gets her safely back to the base, but everyone else in the platoon is killed, leading his superiors to conclude that Joe is guilty of cowardice, collaboration or simple incompetence. At the same time, the rebel leader vows revenge against the serviceman who disrupted his plans, and sends an army of ninjas to assassinate him and bring back Patricia. If he wants to survive and save the girl, Joe's going to have to draw on every last ounce of his training.
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April 30, 2015 at 11:40 PM
Movie Reviews
Ridiculous, but ridiculously enjoyable Ninja/Rambo hybrid
It's what lazy Sunday afternoons were made for
This being a Cannon production, I think my problem is I was expecting something like "Revenge of the Ninja". And that's just not being fair. What it does have is Steve James, ably stealing all of his scenes and, well the whole movie to be honest.
There's entertainment here, you just have to work for it. The movie doesn't really get going until the first good fight scene 45 minutes in. And the real ninja fun is kicked to the tail end. It's probably just me, I don't think I was prepared for the Tao of Dudikoff; the scowl, the saunter, it's a heady stew of low-rent charisma.
6/10
So Darn Awesome
An American soldier, obviously very skilled in martial arts, single-handedly takes on mercenaries in the Philippines.
If you don't think this is a great movie, you clearly don't understand what 1980s action films were all about. Great acting? Plot? Well, no, we don't have those things. But the cheese is thick here and very much in keeping with the sort of thing we want from Cannon.
Interestingly, this title escaped my notice for a long time despite it having many sequels. I suppose with Arnold, Stallone and Norris dominating the 80s, it makes it hard for others to stand out. But if you want a white ninja (who looks like Dennis from "Always Sunny") this is for you.