American Ninja

Last updated
American Ninja
American Ninja.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Sam Firstenberg
Written byPaul De Mielche (screenplay)
Gideon Amir (story)
Avi Kleinberger (story)
James R. Silke (uncredited)
Produced by Yoram Globus
Menahem Golan
Starring
CinematographyHanania Baer
Edited byAndy Horvitch
Peter Lee-Thompson
Marcus Manton
Marcel Mindlin
Daniel Wetherbee
Music byMichael Linn
Production
companies
Distributed by Cannon Film Distributors
Release date
  • August 30, 1985 (1985-08-30)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1,000,000 (est.)
Box office$10,499,694 (domestic) [1]

American Ninja is a 1985 American martial arts action film produced by Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus's Cannon Films. Directed by Sam Firstenberg, who specialized in this genre in the 1980s, the film stars Michael Dudikoff in the title role and is the first installment in the American Ninja franchise, followed by American Ninja 2: The Confrontation (1987). It had a mixed reception, but it was a financial success, and since then, it has been considered a cult film.

Contents

Plot

As an alternative to prison, young American Joe Armstrong is conscripted into the U.S. Army by a judge. Joe ends up fighting off the Black Star Order of ninjas while stationed in the Philippines. He saves Patricia Hickock - daughter of Colonel William Hickock, Joe's commanding officer - from a kidnapping attempt. But when the rest of Joe's platoon is wiped out by the Black Star ninjas, Joe's popularity with his fellow GIs takes a nosedive even as he is targeted for revenge by the Black Star Master who directs the ninja order.

While they are performing chores on the base, Corporal Curtis Jackson goads Joe into a fight. Jackson proves no match for Joe's ninjitsu expertise, which greatly impresses him and their fellow soldiers. Shortly thereafter, Jackson discovers that Joe is an amnesiac; he remembers very little of his past, other than running with various street gangs and mastering several exotic martial arts. The grateful Patricia organizes a date for herself with Joe. Jackson and another soldier, Charley Madison, sneak Joe off the base. Joe and Patricia are caught during dinner by First Sergeant Rinaldo. Rinaldo is in the middle of a meeting with black marketer Victor Ortega, whose payroll the sergeant is on. To get Joe out of the way, Rinaldo leads him to an abandoned warehouse, ostensibly for dropping off supplies. There Joe is ambushed by ninjas but defeats all of them. Then Joe's truck is stolen, and he gives chase using a motorcycle. The truck driver runs Joe off the road; thinking Joe dead, he brings the truck to Ortega.

Joe, however, hides under the truck. He is brought to the heart of Ortega's operation, which encompasses the Black Star ninja training camp. Ortega is paying the Black Star Order for weapons stolen from the Army, which he then resells to the highest bidder. Joe is discovered but escapes with the aid of Ortega's servant Shinyuki. Returning to the base, Joe is promptly arrested by military police under Rinaldo's false accusation that Joe himself is fencing the arms. Jackson realizes that Joe has been set up, but his protests are wasted on Rinaldo. The Black Star Master infiltrates the base that night and slaughters the on-duty MPs. He then tries to kill Joe, but is thwarted by the sudden arrival of MP reinforcements, none of whom see the Black Star Master fleeing the scene. One of the dead MPs is found with a throwing star lodged in his head, further implicating Joe.

Only Jackson, Charley, and Patricia believe that Joe is innocent of the charges he now faces. They tell Hickock everything they know about the hijacking and murders, but he scoffs at their story. After briskly dismissing them, Colonel Hickock meets Rinaldo privately, revealing that the colonel himself is Ortega's accomplice. Even as Hickock orders Rinaldo to finish off Joe, the Black Star Master kidnaps Patricia since her father is becoming a less-than-reliable partner. Rinaldo attempts to run Joe off the road, only to be killed himself.

Joe returns to Ortega's mansion, where he is reunited with Shinyuki. It is revealed that Shinyuki, a former Japanese holdout soldier, adopted Joe at birth after the boy's parents died. He trained Joe in the ways of ninjitsu until a bomb blast separated the two; each has believed the other to be dead for years. Now Shinyuki completes Joe's training, and they launch a surprise attack on the Black Star training camp. Shinyuki sacrifices his life to help Joe defeat the Black Star Master; meanwhile, Hickock leads his own assault on Ortega's villa to rescue his daughter and to wipe out "loose ends" connecting him with Ortega's weapon-trafficking. Ortega flees by helicopter, with Patricia as his hostage, after gunning down her father. Joe, however, boards Ortega's chopper; he and Patricia jump to safety just before Jackson shoots down the helicopter, killing Ortega.

Cast

Production

Casting

Originally the studio wanted Chuck Norris to star. [2] Some sources stated he didn’t want to have to cover up his face. [3] [4] Michael Dudikoff was cast, but had no martial arts experience. He was, however, already very athletic. Fight choreographer Mike Stone, who was an accomplished martial arts expert, assured the producers that he would pick up the moves. [5]

Post-production

The film was initially called American Warrior and was released in UK cinemas under that title, but was changed to American Ninja for all other releases. The trailer (included on the DVD) contains the original title. In Germany, however, the film was released under the title American Fighter. It was also the first of three films pairing Michael Dudikoff and Steve James, the other two being Avenging Force (1986) and American Ninja 2: The Confrontation (1987).

Reception

Critical response

American Ninja received a mixed-to-negative reception with critics. [6] [7] [8] On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 0% based on 7 reviews, with an average rating of 3.2/10. [9] On Metacritic the film has a weighted average score of 20 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews". [10]

Other media

Sequels

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Harrison (actor)</span> American actor

Richard Harrison is an American actor, writer, director and producer. Harrison was very prolific and worked with most of the well-known names in European B-movies during the 1960s and 1970s, also branching out to exploitation films shot all over the world in the early 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Kelly (martial artist)</span> American athlete, actor, and martial artist

James Milton Kelly was an American athlete, martial artist, and actor. After winning several karate championships, Kelly rose to fame in the early 1970s appearing in various action films within the martial arts and blaxploitation genres. Kelly played opposite Bruce Lee in 1973's Enter the Dragon, and had lead roles in 1974's Black Belt Jones as the title character and Three the Hard Way as Mister Keyes.

<i>Invasion U.S.A.</i> (1985 film) 1985 American film by Joseph Zito

Invasion U.S.A. is a 1985 American action film produced by Cannon Films, and starring Chuck Norris. It was directed by Joseph Zito. It involves the star fighting off a force of Soviet/Cuban-led guerrillas.

<i>The Last Dragon</i> 1985 film by Michael Schultz

The Last Dragon is a 1985 American martial arts comedy film written by Louis Venosta, produced by Rupert Hitzig for Berry Gordy and directed by Michael Schultz. The film stars Taimak, Vanity, Julius Carry, Christopher Murney, Keshia Knight Pulliam, and Faith Prince. Choreography was created by Lester Wilson and Lawrence Leritz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve James (actor)</span> American actor

Steve James was an American actor, stunt performer and martial artist. He starred mostly in action films such as the American Ninja series, The Delta Force (1986), The Exterminator (1980), and Avenging Force (1986). James also portrayed Kung Fu Joe in the 1988 comedy/spoof film I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, and its 1990 television pilot spinoff Hammer, Slammer, & Slade.

<i>The Roller Blade Seven</i> 1991 film by Donald G. Jackson

The Roller Blade Seven is a 1991 cult martial arts film directed by Donald G. Jackson, written by Jackson and Scott Shaw, produced by Jackson and Shaw, and starring Shaw, Frank Stallone, Karen Black, Joe Estevez, Don Stroud, and William Smith.

James Gaines, birth name James Larry M. Gaines Jr., is a character actor, singer, musician, writer, director and producer born on May 18, in Maui, Hawaii. He was sometimes also credited as Jaimes Gaines, Jim Gaines, and James Gainers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Dudikoff</span> American actor

Michael Joseph Stephen Dudikoff Jr. is an American actor and martial artist. Born in New York City, his family later moved to Los Angeles. Dudikoff did different jobs to pay for his education, during this time he became a model. This led him to do acting auditions. He played supporting roles in films and television shows, until he got his break as the lead in the martial arts action film American Ninja (1985).

<i>Heroes of the East</i> 1978 Hong Kong film

Heroes of the East, also known as Challenge of the Ninja, Shaolin vs. Ninja and Shaolin Challenges Ninja is a martial arts film produced in 1978. It starred Gordon Liu and was directed by Lau Kar-Leung. Lau Kar-Leung has a cameo role as So Chan, a master of Zui Quan. It's notable for portraying Japanese martial arts alongside the more typical kung fu used in most Hong Kong martial arts films.

<i>Revenge of the Ninja</i> 1983 American martial arts–thriller film by Sam Firstenberg

Revenge of the Ninja is a 1983 American martial arts–thriller film directed by Sam Firstenberg, and starring martial artist Sho Kosugi, Keith Vitali, Virgil Frye and Kane Kosugi. The plot follows a ninja trying to protect his only son from a cabal of ruthless gangsters.

David Bradley is an American actor and martial artist, known for starring in numerous low-budget action movies beginning in the late 1980s. His best-known films are the American Ninja sequels, and the Cyborg Cop films.

<i>Ninja III: The Domination</i> 1984 film directed by Sam Firstenberg

Ninja III: The Domination is a 1984 American martial arts action horror film directed by Sam Firstenberg, and starring Sho Kosugi, Lucinda Dickey, Jordan Bennett, and James Hong. It is the third film in Cannon Films' Ninja Trilogy anthology series, the first being Enter the Ninja, and the second being Revenge of the Ninja. Like the previous films in the series, it has also garnered a cult following.

<i>Enter the Ninja</i> 1981 film directed by Menahem Golan

Enter the Ninja is a 1981 American martial arts film directed by Menahem Golan and starring Franco Nero, Susan George, Sho Kosugi and Christopher George. The film is about a martial artist named Cole (Nero) who is visiting his friend Frank in the Philippines. On arrival, Cole learns that his friend is being harassed by the wealthy businessman Charles Venarius who wants Frank's land for the oil underneath. Frank and his wife are continuously thwarted by Cole who defends them with his martial arts skills. Learning of Cole's presence, Venarius hires his own ninja (Kosugi).

<i>Cobra</i> (American TV series) American TV series or program

Cobra is an American action/adventure television series starring Michael Dudikoff. It ran for one season in syndication from 1993 to 1994.

<i>American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt</i> 1989 film by Cedric Sundstrom

American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt is a 1989 American martial arts action film directed by Cedric Sundstrom and starring David Bradley. It is based on a story by Gary Conway. A sequel to American Ninja 2: The Confrontation (1987), it is the third installment in the American Ninja franchise, followed by American Ninja 4: The Annihilation (1991).

<i>American Ninja 4: The Annihilation</i> 1990 action/martial arts film directed by Cedric Sundstrom

American Ninja 4: The Annihilation is a 1991 American martial arts action film starring Michael Dudikoff, David Bradley, and James Booth. A sequel to American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt (1989), it is the fourth installment in the American Ninja franchise, followed by American Ninja V and was directed by Cedric Sundstrom. The film marked Michael Dudikoff's final appearance in the American Ninja franchise.

<i>American Ninja 2: The Confrontation</i> 1987 film

American Ninja 2: The Confrontation is a 1987 American martial arts action film directed by Sam Firstenberg. A sequel to American Ninja (1985), it is the second installment in the American Ninja franchise, followed by American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt (1989). It stars Michael Dudikoff, Steve James, Jeff Weston, Gary Conway, Michelle Botes and Larry Poindexter. The film is about two U.S. Army Rangers who are ordered to discover why Marines have been going missing from their posts at the US Embassy. The two discover The Lion (Conway) has been kidnapping the missing marines and having them brainwashed to join his army of assassins. The film was less successful than the predecessor, grossing $4 million domestically in the U.S. vs. $10.5 million, but it developed a cult following.

<i>Tongan Ninja</i> 2002 film by Jason Stutter

Tongan Ninja is a 2002 kung-fu action comedy film directed by Jason Stutter and filmed in New Zealand. The film garnered notoriety at the time for co-starring and being co-written by Jemaine Clement, star of the HBO comedy Flight of the Conchords. The film is a parody of English-dubbed martial arts films, with a plot heavily based on Way of the Dragon. It also features songs written by Jemaine Clement and Flight of the Conchords co-star Bret McKenzie.

American Samurai is a martial-arts action film directed by Sam Firstenberg and starring David Bradley and Mark Dacascos and produced by Cannon Films. Filmed in Turkey, it was released in the United States in 1992.

<i>Avenging Force</i> 1986 American action film

Avenging Force is a 1986 American action film directed by Sam Firstenberg. The screenplay was written by James Booth, who co-starred in the film. It was originally intended as a sequel to the 1985 film Invasion U.S.A., which starred Chuck Norris in the role of Matt Hunter. In Avenging Force, Hunter faces off against a group of far-right extremists known as the Pentangle.

References

  1. ↑ American Ninja at Box Office Mojo
  2. ↑ Ninja Day 2020: Behind the scenes of Cannon's American Ninja
  3. ↑ American Ninja (1985) IMDb
  4. ↑ 10 Things You Didn’t Know about “American Ninja” tvovermind.com
  5. ↑ Moore, David J. "AMERICAN NINJA RETROSPECTIVE". KungFuMagazine.
  6. ↑ Kogan, Rick (1985-09-03). "'Ninja' Has The Fights, But No Fire". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2010-09-04.
  7. ↑ "'American Ninja' an Embarrassment". Sun Sentinel . Fort Lauderdale. 1985-09-02. Archived from the original on 2012-03-30. Retrieved 2010-09-04.
  8. ↑ Blowen, Michael (August 31, 1985). "'AMERICAN NINJA' OFFERS GRATUITOUS VIOLENCE". The Boston Globe .
  9. ↑ "American Ninja (1985)". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  10. ↑ "American Ninja (1985) reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved April 4, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.