Title: Ninja

Starring: Scott Adkins, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Mika Hijii, Todd Jensen, Togo Igawa

Director: Isaac Florentine

Genre: Martial Arts / Action

Run Time: 87 minutes

Language: English

Region Code: 2

Distributor: Lionsgate

Disc(s): 1

Cert: 18

Staff Reviewer: Mike Fury

FILM SYNOPSIS:

American orphan, Casey, has been raised in a traditional Ninjutsu school and studied the martial arts from a young age, earning the approval and acceptance of his Sensei and fellow students. A strong rift between Casey and another student, Masazuka, culminates in a duel gone sour and Masazuka’s expulsion, causing further bitterness and rivalry. When Masazuka becomes a rogue assassin, he targets the Sensei’s closely guarded Yoroi Bitsu, a sacred chest containing the weapons of the last Koga Ninja. With the safety of the Yoroi Bitsu compromised, Casey is sent to New York with the task of escorting the chest to safe storage in a University vault. Accompanied by fellow student, Namiko, Casey will face his greatest challenge protecting the Yoroi Bitsu and preparing for a final showdown with his old nemesis.

DVD EXTRAS:

‘Making of’ featurette

CONCLUSION:

Reflecting on his awe-inspiring physical displays in earlier Florentine projects like Special Forces USA and Undisputed II, Scott Adkins’ first starring role has been a long time coming. In a throwback to classic, old-skool Ninja movies of the 1980s, Isaac Florentine’s Ninja presents dynamic action choreography of the 21st century with classic, stylish genre conventions. The most thrilling aspects of the movie can be seen in the traditional combat techniques being brought to a modern day setting, with Casey, the new American Ninja, taking out villains aboard a moving subway train or battling Masazuka’s high-tech ninja gadgetry on the murky streets of New York City. Fans of action cinema are advised to ignore criticisms of a ‘simple’ story. This is a down and dirty, no-holds-barred action piece with the style and grace to cement Adkins’ reputation as the next generation of action star. Furthermore, Isaac Florentine demonstrates once again what makes great, cinematic fight sequences with real, physical talent and blends stunning unarmed combat and fast paced swordplay with a nice dose of ballistic action. This is exactly what the action genre needs