Post by lostinlimbo on Feb 27, 2017 6:05:26 GMT
American Ninja (1985)
Yep, an American who's a ninja. That's the plot. Good isn't it? Well it's only part of the plot, as it's a love story at heart and about one following their destiny. How to make it more exciting... Cannon style. Add ninjas. A super bad black-star ninja (a deadly Tadashi Yamashita). Army men of all shapes and sizes. Clueless high-ranking officers. Wishy-washy corruption. The Philippines. Steve James. Oldman ninja mentor. Whinny Colonel's daughter. A French (I think?) crime kingpin. Ninja magic. Lasers… and so on. There's nothing simple here. Cannon productions delivers b-grade, comic-strip action fodder. Enjoyable, fast-paced, no-nonsense and downright random. It's hard not to like, if you're an action junkie.
A patient Michael Dudikoff looking square, although you wouldn't say that to his face. Plays the loner private Joe Armstrong. Who's out there to impress. Although he won't admit; "Glory boys like you, get people killed." He did cope the blame for film's opening massacre. But with that all on his mind. His concentration never sways, completely staring down at anyone who stares back. He mumbles very little. Letting the martial arts do the talking and getting by with his tingling ninja senses, as he seems like a hard man to kill. Yet alone wound. Or maybe his opponents are that incompetent. So why would he need to talk? As now he has become best pals with macho Steve James. Who can talk. But they weren't the best of friends at first, but after their excellent little martial art combat display. Respect is gained. But Joe's not quite there yet in his training. Surprises await. His lost memory awaits. He's mentor awaits. His final lesson awaits. Love awaits. Black-star ninja awaits. His destiny awaits. This epic waiting game simply erupts into a slapdash climax. Prepared to be amazed.
Genre director Sam Firstenberg never lets up. There's so much going on. Does it make much sense? Who knows, but it's a war of the secret clan of tip-toeing ninjas. Not only we get black dressed ninjas, but many colours of the rainbow; Red, yellow, blue and orange reverting to particular training codes. Well only the black dress get to do the good stuff. Awesome, if over-the-top martial arts. Swift, agile and blistering set-ups… well it's clunky looking. Also the drama is evident; a soldier in a monotone manner "Oh, my god". After seeing a dead soldier with a ninja star in the forehead. Dramatic power at its best. Now you know what to expect. But stunt-work is just as game. There's an explosive high-speed… ah slow-speed jeep chase that ends with an almighty explosion when a jeep "taps" a tree. It's a wonderful sight. Actually the film is filled with many, upon many wonderful experiences.
What else is there to say... Cannon productions sell it. And sell it well. And you can always count on Firstenberg. And Dudikoff. Brainless enjoyment.
Yep, an American who's a ninja. That's the plot. Good isn't it? Well it's only part of the plot, as it's a love story at heart and about one following their destiny. How to make it more exciting... Cannon style. Add ninjas. A super bad black-star ninja (a deadly Tadashi Yamashita). Army men of all shapes and sizes. Clueless high-ranking officers. Wishy-washy corruption. The Philippines. Steve James. Oldman ninja mentor. Whinny Colonel's daughter. A French (I think?) crime kingpin. Ninja magic. Lasers… and so on. There's nothing simple here. Cannon productions delivers b-grade, comic-strip action fodder. Enjoyable, fast-paced, no-nonsense and downright random. It's hard not to like, if you're an action junkie.
A patient Michael Dudikoff looking square, although you wouldn't say that to his face. Plays the loner private Joe Armstrong. Who's out there to impress. Although he won't admit; "Glory boys like you, get people killed." He did cope the blame for film's opening massacre. But with that all on his mind. His concentration never sways, completely staring down at anyone who stares back. He mumbles very little. Letting the martial arts do the talking and getting by with his tingling ninja senses, as he seems like a hard man to kill. Yet alone wound. Or maybe his opponents are that incompetent. So why would he need to talk? As now he has become best pals with macho Steve James. Who can talk. But they weren't the best of friends at first, but after their excellent little martial art combat display. Respect is gained. But Joe's not quite there yet in his training. Surprises await. His lost memory awaits. He's mentor awaits. His final lesson awaits. Love awaits. Black-star ninja awaits. His destiny awaits. This epic waiting game simply erupts into a slapdash climax. Prepared to be amazed.
Genre director Sam Firstenberg never lets up. There's so much going on. Does it make much sense? Who knows, but it's a war of the secret clan of tip-toeing ninjas. Not only we get black dressed ninjas, but many colours of the rainbow; Red, yellow, blue and orange reverting to particular training codes. Well only the black dress get to do the good stuff. Awesome, if over-the-top martial arts. Swift, agile and blistering set-ups… well it's clunky looking. Also the drama is evident; a soldier in a monotone manner "Oh, my god". After seeing a dead soldier with a ninja star in the forehead. Dramatic power at its best. Now you know what to expect. But stunt-work is just as game. There's an explosive high-speed… ah slow-speed jeep chase that ends with an almighty explosion when a jeep "taps" a tree. It's a wonderful sight. Actually the film is filled with many, upon many wonderful experiences.
What else is there to say... Cannon productions sell it. And sell it well. And you can always count on Firstenberg. And Dudikoff. Brainless enjoyment.
