If you read my last post you’ll know that Ninja Assassin is about to be released to great expectation. Whether it is a worthy addition to the ninja movie cannon, we’ll have to wait and see. I definitely think it will be worth the watch, but that’s just me. I’m easily pleased as you will gather from my list of all time favorite ninja films (in no particular order) coming at you now…
1. Enter the Ninja
Made back in 1981 this is the first ninja movie I ever saw and is probably responsible for the flood of similar movies that came later throughout the eighties. The movie centers around a westerner, Nero, initiated into the arts of the ninja, and finds himself up against greed and an old rival in the form of Sho Kosugi, the now legendary actor who appeared in a lot of these movies. Spectacular martial arts battle with explosives ensue, ending with a decapitation by sword. Sweet.
2. American Ninja
Starring Michael Dudikoff as an American G.I. in the Philippines suffering from amnesia for the last six years and who is aloof from everyone in his army unit. He meets a girl, the daughter of the commanding officer, and saves her from a group of Ninjas who are in the service of an illegal arms dealer. He then manages to capture the dealer with help from his first sensei, who ironically is employed by the arms dealer. Cheesy as hell, especially with Steve “Action Jackson” James on the scene. Who could forget the bucket over the head scene?
3. Sukra Killers
Two ninjas steal a top secret videotape containing highly classified developments in gene-splicing. “The Colonel” dispatches two secret agents to recover the tape and return it to the laboratory, safe from evil minds with delusions of world supremacy. Cue lots of eighties ninja action like ninjas burrowing underground and use of artful dialogue like this:
“Manji, can we ask you a few questions?”
“Sure”
“We think you can help us with the answers”
4. Nine Deaths of the Ninja
Once again starring Sho Kosugi and once again another ludicrous plot involving terrorists. Worth watching just for the (hee-hee) midget attack squad (I kid you not). You will also learn to deny your first instinct when splashed in the face with industrial superglue. Plus, we have gems of dialouge like this:
Spike: “I want a clean girl.”
Madame: “Are you kidding? My girls are sterilized, sanitized, and lobotomized.”
Genius!
5. Azumi
A more recent addition to the ninja movie cannon this one and one which is actually well made and pretty watchable. A young orphan is raised to be a deadly assassin in Azumi. With Japan at war the only hope is for the murder of the deadly warlords who wreak havoc on the country, leading to some fearsome battle scenes as the young, female assassin goes to work. The action is pretty good and blood is spilled everywhere. Catch the second movie as well, Azumi 2.
6. Ninja 3: The Domination
Guess who stars in this one again? Yes, that’s right, it’s everybody’s favourite ninja for hire, our old friend Sho Kosugi. A young woman becomes possessed by the spirit of an evil ninja, and begins murdering his enemies with an extraordinary level of skill. Only a good ninja can save her by driving the evil spirit from her curvaceous body. So bad it’s actually good…
7. The Octagon
A blast from the past this one. I saw this back when I thought Chuck Norris was the god of all things (though obviously not acting). When a rich woman realizes that she is the target of an assassination by a ruthless band of Asian revolutionaries, she asks a revered karate expert ( Chuck) to wipe them out for her. The black belt (Chuck) accepts the assignment after he learns that his former classmate (and hated rival) is the ringleader of the killers. The martial arts master (Chuck) pursues his enemies to the octagonal-shaped room where they spar — and soon he’s deep in blood and violence, fighting for his life. Great fight scenes and loads of ninjas. Oh, and Lee Van Cleef is in it as well.
8. Ninja Scroll
A classic piece of Japanese animation with more blood and action than you can shake a ninja sword at. Better than most of the live action ninja movies, it has to be said.
9. The Super Ninja
A masterful modern-day ninja must defeat dozens of enemies in a violent world of drugs, bombs, torture and machine guns. An exciting Rambo-style action movie filled with hard-core violent action against killers and dirty cops. Cool.
10. Mafia Versus Ninja
I’ve saved the best for last here. This one has it all -- from bizarre realization to the insane look and feel of it and the really memorable stunts and action that sometimes go truly over the top -- especially in the great finale that comes with some insane fights that have to be seen to be believed. It looks trashy, the dubbing is a joke (not to mention hilarious) but it is fun to watch.
See this keychain kubaton by KD Elite.
