Movie/Blu-Ray Review: Revenge of the Ninja

 

Revenge of the Ninja is a 1983 action film starring Sho Kosugi, Kane Kosugi, Ashley Ferrare, Arthur Roberts, and Keith Vitali. It is the second movie in the well-known (at least if you were into martial arts in the 1980s) trilogy of ninja movies released by the Cannon Group/Golan Globus productions that starred real-life ninjutsu practitioner Sho Kosugi. It was a trilogy in name only, as none of the movies were interconnected, and Kosugi played different characters in each film.

In this one, he plays a Japanese immigrant to America. At the beginning of the movie, his family (save for his mother and newborn son) is killed by a ninja hit squad. He moves to the US and opens a gallery that imports Japanese dolls with the help of an American partner (played by Roberts), who turns out to be an evil mask-wearing ninja.

This is definitely an 80s B-movie and has that feel, including the racist stereotypes (basically the over-the-top Italian mobsters and the hatchet-wielding Indian), the hot damsel in distress, and some nudity. What passed for the local gang hanging out in the park was hilarious, though. They looked more like the Village People than a threatening gang. 

The movie has been around long enough that it has been released on VHS, DVD, and blu-ray (in 2015). The blu-ray version had some extras, including a commentary track with the director and stunt coordinator Steven Lambert, the trailer, an intro by the director, and a stills gallery.

Overall, the movie is enjoyable if you take it for what it is. A B-level, totally unrealistic action movie with some very good action/fight sequences. Kosugi was a very accomplished martial artist. Arthur Roberts, who played the evil ninja, not so much. However, during the action scenes, he was mostly replaced by a stunt performer, which worked since he wore a mask (in addition to the ninja mask). If you do not expect award-winning acting or writing and want to watch a decent, but now out-of-date, action film, this is a good choice.