I know there's probably a slew of movies with this same title, but a friend and i rented this pretty bad, early 80's ninja movie this weekend and had a riot of laughs. pretty cheap story, excessive violence (a lot aimed at children shockingly), and a little bit of your typical, cheap, cultural insight into "the ways of the ninja" made it all good camp fun. Sho Kosugi, a proclaimed real ninja, is in it. From what i've read Sho was one of the people that was responsible for the world's renewed interest in Ninjitsu. the scene that really made this worth the $1.50 was a tiny Japanese kid, spin-kicking another kid off a bike, LoL. oh and the mob boss looked and dressed like a leprechaun.
I saw this at the movies when it was originally released. Sho Kosugi was a pretty hot martial arts star for a few years back in the 1980s. He faded fast, though.
Odd but the whole "Ninja rush" seems to start in the early 1978 (or around 1979) and ended after "American Ninja" (1985)
wow interesting. i never new Kosugi was even that much popular. what do you think led to his demise?
Blame michael dummikoff for that, yuck.
What a tremendous movie Revenge of the Ninja is. If only Pray for Death could come out on DVD, then all would be right in the world. I'm all for a Sho Kosugi comeback.. I think that's what the world needs nowadays.
Unfortunately, Sho's demise could be attributed to the passing of a fad. He had a slew of great bad ninja movies (Enter the Ninja, Revenge of the Ninja, Ninja III, Pray for Death), unfortunately, the shelf life for ninja movies probably couldn't have lasted much longer. Just like this new super hero/comic movie craze. One company is going to put a load of money into an unknown comic book and it's going to bomb. Maybe ninja movies will become the "in" thing again someday. Let's hope so.
And Burgo, that's awesome that you saw Revenge of the Ninja in the theatre. I couldn't even imagine what that would be like, let alone to see ads on TV hawking ninja movies. Must've been a great time.
Nick
hell yeah! i would so direct a ninja movie. the cast would have to include Sonny Chiba though.
Are you kidding me??? I LOVE American Ninja 1 and 2!!!! Great bad flicks!!
Sonny Chiba would definitely have to be in it. The guy's still around these days, and last time I checked, he still looked like he could kick some ass. Haven't seen Kosugi in years.. last thing I heard he did was the Playstation game Tenchu, so he still must be in some sort of decent shape.
And I enjoyed American Ninja for what it was, mindless bad action. Haven't seen part 2 yet, but I'll get around to it soon enough. Does part 2 still have Steve James in it?
Nick
Yup..Michael D and Steve James are in part 2.....Part 3 also has Steve James but mins Michael D
As an historical aside, this was filmed in Salt Lake City -- a fact I realized when I recognized the butt-ugly fountain in which the one thug dies. I used to work half a block from it.
I might have to check out part 2 then. James was the best part of part 1, IMO. It's a shame that his life was taken so early.. I have a feeling he would still be churning out some classics with Dudikoff and other b-movie staples like Busey and Speakman today.
Now THAT'S a classic story to tell the grandkids, Nathan. To have worked near a part of such a classic movie, you must be so proud. I would bring it up during everyday conversation, but that's just me.
Nick
If I were to make a Ninja movie in an 80's likeness, the following would have to be in the cast:
Michael Dudikoff
Sho Kosugi
Keith Vitale
Chuck Norris
Jet Li
Sonny Chiba
Jacky Chan
David Carridine
and let's not forget the ever-popular cast from Shaolin Vs. Llama!!!!!! That would make the best crew possible...
Helluva list there, Noodle. You can't go wrong with any of those choices. Good move by including Chuck Norris too. The poor guy doesn't get much respect or props, so it's good to see him on a list full of 80's "stars". You can hate him all you want, but Chuck Norris = action god in the 80's.
Nick
I still think Chuck Norris best movie is "Good guys wear black" but that was durring the 70's... I think in early 80's he was in the Octagon which was about a ninja underground...
David Carridine... I could only guess Circle of Fire (but that movie was durring the 70's... also wasnt Circle of Fire supose to star Bruce Lee) and Lone Wolf (with Norris) otherwise then that I dont recall any martial art movies he was in...
Sonny Chiba... sorry, but I dont think his movies has past the 70's... I could be wrong... but I dont recall any.
Jacky Chan... he did made several American screen attempts and failed, until Police Story... I dont recall any ninja's in his movies...
Jet Li... was he around durring the 80's????
The Carrradine one was CIRCLE OF IRON. I think Bruce Lee wrote it but died before it could be made, if I remember right [and I probably don't.]
CIRCLE OF IRON... boy I feel stuped... I think the story was written for Bruce Lee... well, anyway I do know if Bruce Lee didnt die, he would be in Circle of Iron...
yes, i believe Sonny Chiba's still a serious martial artist in many arts, and i also hear he's supposed to be in Tarantino's new film: "Kill Bill". i'm sure Kosugi still practises his art, the Japanese are very serious about that stuff.
Whoops, I forgot Billy Blanks (too many movies to name, but TC 2000 comes to mind) and Mark Descasos(sp?) from "Only the strong", the first (and last) mainstream movie to feature the martial art of Capoera!!!