Ninja, the film which really introduced me to Scott Adkins. Now I don’t want this review to be completely biased towards Scott Adkins, which is probably why it has taken me this long to actually review it. Ninja is a throw back to those classic 80’s martial arts films, it has the outsider, Casey studying at a Ninjutsu school and becomes enemies with a fellow student. The Sensei trusts Casey to protect the armoured chest Yoroi Bitsu which contains weapons from ancient Ninja’s. This sends Casey to New York, and his enemy is on the trail for the Yoroi Bitsu feeling that he should be the chosen one not Casey.
Sounds simple enough, as Ninja starts off introducing us to its characters and the Ninja school. We find out about Casey, the man who becomes his enemy Masazuka (Tsuyoshi Ihara) and the love which blossoms between Casey and female student Namiko (Mika Hijii). You really start to feel for these characters, and you might even side with Masazuka, which I felt was something a bit different. You can see his point of view and why he feels the way he does towards Casey. Casey is a really likable character, and it helps that Scott Adkins has such a great look too. Unlike in Ninja Assassin, the female character is not annoying at all and I quite enjoyed her. The acting isn’t bad for this type of film, everyone tries their best with what they have been given, but a film like this, the acting is second place.
This is all about the action and martial arts, and this film has fantastic fight choreography. Director Isaac Florentine certainly knows his stuff, and he can direct action and fight scenes in such an exciting way, I had a blast watching it. Scott Adkins and Tsuyoshi Ihara are both fantastic martial artists, and they worked extremely well off each other. Both impress big time with their skills and screen presence. I would love to see these two work together again, because it works. While the film does suffer from some typical cliches, especially when it comes to the end you can forgive them because the film has heart. It has the usual on the run stuff, the ‘good guys’ get mistaken for the ‘bad guys’ and so forth, and it makes for some great action scenes. There is one in a police station which is pretty cool but it also comes off as a pretty stupid police station.
Definitely check this out if you like Ninja’s, martial arts films, action films, this one is a blast and it is better than Ninja Assassin. Scott Adkins is certainly someone to keep an eye on, I’d like to think he is the future of martial arts films. I also really want to see more of Tsuyoshi Ihara, that man is fantastic as well. In my opinion you can’t go wrong with this film and it felt in a way it was tailor made just for me.
One thing I loved about this film the most is that it’s a true homage to the old ninja flicks of the ’80s. I adore the “American Ninja” series, for example, with all of its cheesiness and bad script and predictability. What they did in “Ninja”, was to keep all these “ingredients” (the simple story, cheesiness) and improved on what was lacking – the action scenes. And the result is just wonderful!
Although, my only gripe is with Adkins’ acting. Somehow, he seemed like he was never truly at home with the character. On the other hand, as Boyka in “Undisputed”, he’s a beast.
The Super Network 
One thing I loved about this film the most is that it’s a true homage to the old ninja flicks of the ’80s. I adore the “American Ninja” series, for example, with all of its cheesiness and bad script and predictability. What they did in “Ninja”, was to keep all these “ingredients” (the simple story, cheesiness) and improved on what was lacking – the action scenes. And the result is just wonderful!
Although, my only gripe is with Adkins’ acting. Somehow, he seemed like he was never truly at home with the character. On the other hand, as Boyka in “Undisputed”, he’s a beast.
Still, “Ninja” is a must-see in my opinion.
LikeLike