Product Details

• Actors: Michael Dudikoff, Steve James, Judie Aronson, Guich Koock, John Fujioka
• Directors: Sam Firstenberg
• Writers: Avi Kleinberger, Gideon Amir, James R. Silke, Paul De Mielche
• Producers: Avi Kleinberger, Gideon Amir, Ken Metcalfe
• Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
• Subtitles: Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• DVD Release Date: October 2, 2001
• Run Time: 95 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005N89J
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,514 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "American Ninja" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Get ready for breathtaking action and electrifying martial arts magic as a young American becomes one of the greatest masters of Ninjitsu, the deadliest art of the Orient. American Ninja is entertainment as swift and sure as the flashing blade of a samurai's sword! Stationed in the Philippines, 18-year-old U.S. Army private Joe Armstrong (Michael Dudikoff) is escorting a supply convoy when it is ambushed by rebelsone of whom he recognizes as a Black Ninja warrior. Instinctively, Joe defends himself using the esoteric martial art of Ninjitsuan ability that puts him under suspicion by his commander and fellow soldiers. Alone in his fight against corruption, the boy finally discovers the secret of his mysterious pasta secret that pits him against the evil Black Star Ninja in the ultimate martial arts battle.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Simplistic Kung Fu Fun. April 24, 2003

By derek glidewell

Format:DVD

American Ninja is a simple-minded little Kung Fu action flick that is here simply for entertainment, no more no less. And let me start off by saying that American Ninja is by no means a film to be taken to heart, it's cheesy and hokey and is pumped full of the most annoying sword sound effects since The Street Fighter, but, American Ninja can be a fun little 80's flick that will keep you on the edge of your couch cushion for an hour and a half if you view it with all your logic in suspension and a nice bag of Act III. With all that said, let me get to the plot run down. Pretty boy Michael Dudikoff (with bulging biceps and all) plays new Army recruit "Joe", who, on only his second day on the job, gets caught up in a weapons heist while delivering Military supplies by a group of rogue guerrillas and a few Ninjas. Using his martial arts skills to fend off the lethal Ninjas, he saves himself and the colonel's daughter, Patricia Hickock, while 4 American soldiers are killed by the Ninjas. Upon his safe return to base, his fellow soldiers seem to have a newfound hatred for their "hero". All the while, a secret Military weapons exchange is being conducted among certain dirty Military head honchos and a local crime lord who feel that "Joe" is a threat to their operation and must be silenced. In addition to that sub-plot, we also learn a vague description of "Joe" and his past while the all too suspicious Black Star Ninja hounds his every move.... American Ninja just tries too hard sometimes, I'm sure the minds who conceived this neato little Kung Fu flick intended for the film to be taken seriously, but deep down American Ninja is no more than a simple popcorn flick with a cute actor who bears his biceps nearly 90% of the film that by no means is meant to give us a new view on life and a warm-hearted feeling upon completion. By no means will you ever enjoy an ounce of American Ninja if you watch it expecting the likes of "Philadelphia". View it as nothing more than entertainment, or a WWE match with a plot, otherwise you'll be on here crying a river about how you got ripped for 10 bucks, just turn off your mind and relax.

As for the DVD quality of American Ninja, I must say MGM pumped out a nice budget title and put some faith in a relatively forgotten film. The transfer is pure and crisp, flesh tones are bright and the picture is clear and vibrant with no sign of aging. A high quality 1.85:1 transfer for such a lost 80's hit. As for the sound, well, I guess the quality is fine; as good as it's going to get for a Mono mix. But I guess the constant, cheesy little sword slashes and fake punches got to me, not that this has anything to do with the quality of the mix, it's the sound effects that got bothersome in those few scenes. So other than that, the mix is great and the sounds are well divided and decipherable from one another. As for features, we get an interesting little trailer that die-hard American Ninja fans will adore. The trailer is an old little 80's trailer with that booming voice we are so familiar with that narrated half of the 80's Action flicks way back when that bears the original title American Warrior. Kind of nostalgic and one for the fans. Plus the trailer itself is in great shape and has some decent, if not tiresome and aged sound.

American Ninja is a simple film that will keep you munching on popcorn for a good 95 minutes. If you are a fan of Martial Arts films or the cheesy Action films of the Reagan era then I can give a full-hearted recommendation for American Ninja. Those who have the viewing mentality of Roger Ebert need to steer clear, you'll only be complaining of the lack of relevance American Ninja fails to hold. Simply put, American Ninja is simply for the Action fans or those who feel like adding another mindless title to their growing collection, and for the Budget price and the high quality transfer I can easily say it's worth the price. Thanks for reading my lengthy review of American Ninja; I hope it helps in your decision. Read more ›

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars "The Black Star Ninja has betrayed the code. " February 24, 2005

By Dymon Enlow

Format:DVD

Just like Greta Garbo in GRAND HOTEL and Chuck Norris in INVASION U.S.A., American Ninja just wants to be left alone. But, oh no, the bad guys can't have that. One day American Ninja is driving a truck when his convoy (he's in the military) is attacked by ninjas! American Ninja kicks a bunch of ass, but then when the colonel's daughter runs off in the jungle he has to go save her. Stuff happens and American Ninja discovers that the ninjas who attacked his convoy actually work for an arms dealer who is in cahoots with his girlfriend's dad. Lots of asskicking ensues including all kinda of awesome ninja stuff like throwing star fu, two sword stab fu, laser fu, electrician fu, fire fu, water hose fu, helicopter fu, motorcycle jumping fu, hook fu, chain fu, needle fu, climbing on moving truck fu, arrow fu, smoldering look fu, testicle squeezing fu, climbing fu, pointy stick fu, rock hard abs fu, disappearing fu, swing set fu, smoke bomb fu, hand signal fu, bucket on head fu and so on.

Call me crazy but I liked this movie and had a lot of fun watching it. The pace was quick and the story wasted no time on nonsense. The film opens with a big fight scene and it's just nonstop action all the way through. I loved how they kept trying to kill American Ninja by sending ninjas after him over and over. Yeah, the budget was kinda low and the fight scenes looked staged, but it's still a lot of fun. Fans of 80's action movies will love it. And fans of FRIDAY THE 13TH will like it cause Julie Aronson (Samantha from THE FINAL CHAPTER) is American Ninja's love interest. Check it out!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars THIS WAS A GOOD MOVIE, SCREW WHAT THEM CRITICS SAID! November 4, 2003

By MICHAEL TAYLOR

Format:DVD

IN THIS CULT CLASSIC, AN ARMY RECRUIT [MICHAEL DUDIKOFF] MUST STOP THE ARMY FROM DOING A MAJOR WEAPONS DEAL WITH SOME RICH BAD GUYS. THOUGH THERE REALLY ISN'T MUCH TO THE MARTIAL ARTS THAT'S DISPLAYED HERE, IT'S STILL A FUN MOVIE TO WATCH, DESPITE THE BAD THINGS THAT ALL THE CRITICS HAVE SAID ABOUT THIS MOVIE AND ITS SEQUELS, I'LL ADMIT IT, I REALLY ENJOYED THIS MOVIE. SCREW WHAT ALL THE CRITICS SAY, GO PICK UP THIS MOVIE NOW. MICHAEL DUDIKOFF AND STEVE JAMES HAVE AMAZING CHEMISTRY. FOLLOWED BY FOUR SEQUELS.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars US armys Joe Armstrong kills a smuggler & hundreds of ninjas March 19, 1998

By A Customer

Format:VHS Tape

This movie is the chop sockiest ninja flick since Jackie Chans fests. It centers around Joe(The none too articulate Michael Dudikoff),a ninja with amnesia who joined the army after nearly killing someone. After getting into a fight with smugglers,he causes the death of 4 soldiers,(By ninjas)putting his reputation at stake.Joe rescues the colonels daughter and falls in love with her.After scrapping with Curtis Jackson(The too articulate Steve James),a corporal,they become friends.It turns out a smuggling operation is going on,and they want Joe dead for he knows too much. The black star ninja (Tadashi Yamashita) nearly assassinates him on several points. Eventually Joe learns the secrets of his past and.....watch the rest yourself! Its a great martial arts movie,and so was #2. Unfortunetly,3&4 are not worth mentioning. "He possess great skills!" END

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Dudikoff, baby! February 6, 2004

By Stanley Runk VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

Our buddies at Cannon figured they should strike while the iron was hot and get a little more out of their successful ninja franchise. Having found success with already established action stars, they tried to make their own in the form of MICHAEL DUDIKOFF-THE AMERICAN NINJAAAAAA! Well, Dudikoff never achieved superstardom, but he'll always be recognized as "Joe". His screen presence isn't bad at all. He's got a boyish look and a rather soft spoken demeanor different from most action tough guys. He plays a soldier who, like Rodney, gets no respect. When he finally beats Steve James(a cool sidekick I might add) in a fight, he becomes rather popular. He takes on an army of evil ninjas that threaten the fate of the world! Ther lead ninja is a mean brute who kills his fellow ninjas during routine practices. This movie's fun.....very fun. Sure it's lame as all hell, but someone must have liked it coz it spawned four sequels.