Ninja (2009) Movie Review, Trailer, Film Still and Poster

USA 2009
Director: Isaac Florentine
Cast: Scott Adkins, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Mika Hijii, Todd Jensen, Togo Igawa, Garrick Hagon, Miles Anderson
Rating: R
Release Date: 2 March 2010 (DVD)
Running Time: 1 hour 27 minutes

The Movie Review

Ninja film still 1


NINJA
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Ninja is one darn good old-style Ninja movie. It's a straight martial arts film following the path of common formula in making an action fighting flick. And since the filmmakers is consistent in that story department, I've gotta say honestly, this movie is a great one! If you love those beloved martial arts movies from the 70s, 80s and 90s (in this case dominantly from the 80s), Ninja is really worth your time and even money. Let's learn deeper about Ninja now.

In Shizuoka, Japan, there is a famous Ninja School with its wise but strict Sensei (Togo Igawa). In his old days, Sensei is looking for the next Soke (leader of the Ninja Dojo) who will replace him and being handed over the most precious thing to him and to all the Ninjas. An authentic box called Yoroi Bitsu, the only remaining object of the last Koga Ninja. The sacred box contains an authentic ninja outfit with all the unique ninja weapons. This box has been handed down generation after generation of leaders. There are only two strong candidates, the first is Masazuka (Tsuyoshi Ihara), a native Japan who Sensei nicknamed him as Tiger for his strong will and hot-headed temper. And the second is a caucassian man named Casey Bowman (Scott Adkins of Undisputed II: Last Man Standing (2006) and The Tournament (2009)), who has been spending almost all his life in the school for being an orphan. Masazuka shows dislike to Casey and his feeling his getting stronger when seeing Casey has had something romantic going with Sensei's daughter, Namiko (Mika Hiji).

After an incident that leads to him being disgraced and ashamed, Masazuka vows revenge instead of trying to learn from his mistake. To avoid something worse, Casey and Namiko are sent to go to America to save the precious box. But apparently in the US, there is also an underground secret society by the name of Temple (cue lotsa thugs as means of kicking/punching targets!). Will Masazuka finds out about their journey? What will happen to the box?

Though the story is rather moth-eaten as you can find something very similar in Enter the Ninja (1981), but that doesn't mean everything in this movie is obsolete. On the contrary, this is the tale of modern ninja. A ninja that has adapted to modern era and using modern technologies but still retains its ninja characteristics. So my favorite character is Masazuka. He really makes use of many ninja equipments.

And being excited furthermore, not only that the fighting scenes are cool but they are also very artistic without being cheesy. Like the combination of 300 (2007) and Kill Bill vol.1 (2001). Thus, the fighting choreography is also a winner.... fast, hard and the use of slow-motion technique is not a cheesy one, it's proven to enhance the artistic feeling. Especially with the rain scene. And with the blood spurting at the right moment, it's just add to the intensity being built! The body count of the sword-fodder is not as crazily high as Kill Bill (2001), but they are really enough.

And I'm pretty dang sure that this pretty darn cool ninja movie was created by writer who knows a lot about Japanese culture and thankfully directed by a man who knows what the fans are craving for... We actually got a straight Ninja flick with awesome additonal elements aforementioned above. I also think that maybe, and just maybe, the director and the cinematorgrapher are avid comic fans, because all the shooting angles are top notch, I had the fun as if watching a motioned comic book! We as the audience will get full view of people getting knocked out, kicked, punched and slashed all from the right angle without making the movie over-stylistic or rudimentary. And if I can take a wild guess, that comic might've been Kung Fu Boy written by Takeshi Maekawa. Maybe it's coincidence maybe not, but I do see a thin red line between them. Or maybe Kung Fu Boy was inspired by older Ninja movies. I'm just saying....

And choosing the fighting location... Ahhh the locations are just cool, really suddenly remind me the days of the 80s or when playing video games with my beloved Nintendo. From the scenic Japan to hustling New York street, the roof of apartments/Buildings, police station and the construction site just to name some.

Surely this movie is not the best martials movie ever to grace the screen, but for me personally I hold it near and dear. And I really think fans of Ninja flicks would think the same.