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In 1984 high ranking Norwegian diplomat Arne Treholt was tried and convicted of acting as a spy on behalf of the Soviet Union. But what if the courts got it wrong? What if the case against him was a sham? What if dare we consider Treholt was not a spy at all but a patriot of the highest order and the leader of a secret ninja force created by King Olav? A ninja force locked in a secret battle against all who would challenge Norwegian sovereignty?
A fictionalized account of the most notorious political scandal in Norwegian history, Norwegian Ninja is a deliciously tongue-in-cheek spoof of the Cold War spy movie, with added ninja action. Because, as everyone knows, every story can be made better with ninjas. Blending historical events and actual newsreel footage of the Treholt affair with his own less-than-historical elements, writer-director Thomas Cappelen Malling creates the Rushmore of ninja films, a film that wryly questions just how truthful the truth really is. And then sends a ninja to punch the truth in the face.
A fictionalized account of the most notorious political scandal in Norwegian history, Norwegian Ninja is a deliciously tongue-in-cheek spoof of the Cold War spy movie, with added ninja action. Because, as everyone knows, every story can be made better with ninjas. Blending historical events and actual newsreel footage of the Treholt affair with his own less-than-historical elements, writer-director Thomas Cappelen Malling creates the Rushmore of ninja films, a film that wryly questions just how truthful the truth really is. And then sends a ninja to punch the truth in the face.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
More Spy Spoof Than Action Mayhem--This Unique Product Of Norway Should Appeal To More Adventurous Viewers
August 23, 2011
Format:DVD
I live in a world where everyone would want to see a movie entitled "Norwegian Ninja." Obviously, we have something in common--because here you are! It's hard not to be delighted by the subject matter of the film. It takes one of the largest political scandals in Norwegian history and writes an alternate, and absolutely lunatic, version of actual events. However, I'm afraid some of the humor and satire might be lost in the translation for overseas audiences as we may not be particularly familiar with the source material. I, myself, still enjoyed this Cold War spoof on its own merits but offer a cautious recommendation. Depending on your expectations, the film will be a real treat or a cultural oddity. If you are expecting non-stop fighting and comic mayhem due to the "Ninja" in the title, you'll likely be disappointed by the gentler tone of the film. The movie plays more as an outlandish spy spoof than as an action epic. And the film's humor doesn't rely so much on jokes or pranks but on an absurd hyper-reality.
Mixing newsreel footage and fake educational films with the central narrative, "Norwegian Ninja" starts off with the capture of a high ranking diplomat spy. Based on the real life incident in 1984, Arne Treholt was convicted of espionage for the Soviet Union. But was there more to the story? It seems so according to first time filmmaker Thomas Cappelen Malling. Malling builds an elaborate world that includes international intrigue, secret plots, and an island paradise inhabited by an elite team of ninjas (for the record, these are ninjas that are more attuned to the peaceful qualities of Eastern mysticism than to the brutality normally associated with ninja films). It's all very cheesy, by design, capturing the feel of early era Bond with unusual contraptions, gadgets, and a flying car or two.
Ultimately, I don't know that this film is for everyone (which is why I tried to redefine ninjas as used in the movie). I suspect it is somewhat of a love-it or hate-it proposition. But I, for one, admired the ambitious narrative construction and bold integration of real events with outright silliness. It is definitely unlike most films that you're likely to encounter this year--and standing apart is always a good thing in my book. The DVD, among other features, has deleted scenes and bonus scenes. For once, I think that most of the excised material might have improved the overall experience had it been left in. At only 80 minutes, the film can seem a bit choppy and these scenes actually put a number of things in context. Weird and wild, "Norwegian Ninja" should be appreciated by lovers of avant-garde cinema. My first reaction upon finishing the movie--"What was that?" That's high praise from me as I have grown so tired of the cookie cutter choices in major movie houses. Check it out if you're feeling adventurous. KGHarris, 8/11.
Mixing newsreel footage and fake educational films with the central narrative, "Norwegian Ninja" starts off with the capture of a high ranking diplomat spy. Based on the real life incident in 1984, Arne Treholt was convicted of espionage for the Soviet Union. But was there more to the story? It seems so according to first time filmmaker Thomas Cappelen Malling. Malling builds an elaborate world that includes international intrigue, secret plots, and an island paradise inhabited by an elite team of ninjas (for the record, these are ninjas that are more attuned to the peaceful qualities of Eastern mysticism than to the brutality normally associated with ninja films). It's all very cheesy, by design, capturing the feel of early era Bond with unusual contraptions, gadgets, and a flying car or two.
Ultimately, I don't know that this film is for everyone (which is why I tried to redefine ninjas as used in the movie). I suspect it is somewhat of a love-it or hate-it proposition. But I, for one, admired the ambitious narrative construction and bold integration of real events with outright silliness. It is definitely unlike most films that you're likely to encounter this year--and standing apart is always a good thing in my book. The DVD, among other features, has deleted scenes and bonus scenes. For once, I think that most of the excised material might have improved the overall experience had it been left in. At only 80 minutes, the film can seem a bit choppy and these scenes actually put a number of things in context. Weird and wild, "Norwegian Ninja" should be appreciated by lovers of avant-garde cinema. My first reaction upon finishing the movie--"What was that?" That's high praise from me as I have grown so tired of the cookie cutter choices in major movie houses. Check it out if you're feeling adventurous. KGHarris, 8/11.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
More Spy Spoof Than Action Mayhem--This Unique Product Of Norway Should Appeal To More Adventurous Viewers
August 26, 2011
Format:Amazon Instant Video
I live in a world where everyone would want to see a movie entitled "Norwegian Ninja." Obviously, we have something in common--because here you are! It's hard not to be delighted by the subject matter of the film. It takes one of the largest political scandals in Norwegian history and writes an alternate, and absolutely lunatic, version of actual events. However, I'm afraid some of the humor and satire might be lost in the translation for overseas audiences as we may not be particularly familiar with the source material. I, myself, still enjoyed this Cold War spoof on its own merits but offer a cautious recommendation. Depending on your expectations, the film will be a real treat or a cultural oddity. If you are expecting non-stop fighting and comic mayhem due to the "Ninja" in the title, you'll likely be disappointed by the gentler tone of the film. The movie plays more as an outlandish spy spoof than as an action epic. And the film's humor doesn't rely so much on jokes or pranks but on an absurd hyper-reality.
Mixing newsreel footage and fake educational films with the central narrative, "Norwegian Ninja" starts off with the capture of a high ranking diplomat spy. Based on the real life incident in 1984, Arne Treholt was convicted of espionage for the Soviet Union. But was there more to the story? It seems so according to first time filmmaker Thomas Cappelen Malling. Malling builds an elaborate world that includes international intrigue, secret plots, and an island paradise inhabited by an elite team of ninjas (for the record, these are ninjas that are more attuned to the peaceful qualities of Eastern mysticism than to the brutality normally associated with ninja films). It's all very cheesy, by design, capturing the feel of early era Bond with unusual contraptions, gadgets, and a flying car or two.
Ultimately, I don't know that this film is for everyone (which is why I tried to redefine ninjas as used in the movie). I suspect it is somewhat of a love-it or hate-it proposition. But I, for one, admired the ambitious narrative construction and bold integration of real events with outright silliness. It is definitely unlike most films that you're likely to encounter this year--and standing apart is always a good thing in my book. I've had a chance to see deleted scenes and bonus scenes from the DVD release. For once, I think that most of the excised material might have improved the overall experience had it been left in. At only 80 minutes, the film can seem a bit choppy and these scenes actually put a number of things in context. Weird and wild, "Norwegian Ninja" should be appreciated by lovers of avant-garde cinema. My first reaction upon finishing the movie--"What was that?" That's high praise from me as I have grown so tired of the cookie cutter choices in major movie houses. Check it out if you're feeling adventurous. KGHarris, 8/11.
Mixing newsreel footage and fake educational films with the central narrative, "Norwegian Ninja" starts off with the capture of a high ranking diplomat spy. Based on the real life incident in 1984, Arne Treholt was convicted of espionage for the Soviet Union. But was there more to the story? It seems so according to first time filmmaker Thomas Cappelen Malling. Malling builds an elaborate world that includes international intrigue, secret plots, and an island paradise inhabited by an elite team of ninjas (for the record, these are ninjas that are more attuned to the peaceful qualities of Eastern mysticism than to the brutality normally associated with ninja films). It's all very cheesy, by design, capturing the feel of early era Bond with unusual contraptions, gadgets, and a flying car or two.
Ultimately, I don't know that this film is for everyone (which is why I tried to redefine ninjas as used in the movie). I suspect it is somewhat of a love-it or hate-it proposition. But I, for one, admired the ambitious narrative construction and bold integration of real events with outright silliness. It is definitely unlike most films that you're likely to encounter this year--and standing apart is always a good thing in my book. I've had a chance to see deleted scenes and bonus scenes from the DVD release. For once, I think that most of the excised material might have improved the overall experience had it been left in. At only 80 minutes, the film can seem a bit choppy and these scenes actually put a number of things in context. Weird and wild, "Norwegian Ninja" should be appreciated by lovers of avant-garde cinema. My first reaction upon finishing the movie--"What was that?" That's high praise from me as I have grown so tired of the cookie cutter choices in major movie houses. Check it out if you're feeling adventurous. KGHarris, 8/11.
Format:Amazon Instant Video
This is one of those rare films that manages to be totally awesome even though in a very real sense a lot of it's actually "bad." Now that's not to say this is one of those way-out-there flicks that you have to be a huge film nerd or really knuckle down to enjoy. It's just a ton of fun....plain and simple.
Best I can do to describe this:
The off-beat texture of a Wes Andersen movie, with the a hint of a bad 80's Chuck Norris flick, the weird self-depracating humor of Napoleon Dynamite, and a touch of something close to Kenny Powers.
What makes this such a total treat is that, while it's not exactly the best action movie ever, the special effects can range from "OK" to breath-takingly "Cheezy", the humor is not exactly obvious, and at times it doesn't make a whole bunch of sense... it somehow all manages to come together in a way that's truly special. The real Ninja Magic of the film is how it manages to pull taking itself very seriously one moment, and then be totally off the wall, screwball in the blink of an eye with little to no segway, without being confusing or annoying. It's great.
The story itself is based on a real-life character in Norwegian politics who sold secrets to the Russians, but honestly that's superfluous to the overall experience. Long story short - Norway has a secret island full of Ninja's with special powers and they have to stop the bad guys. You'll probably miss a bunch of what's going on from a Norwegian perspective but it's not in anyway shape or form a deal breaker. Watching the main character appear in a room in a cloud of cheap smoke effects - is what makes this worth it.
So if you're looking for something new, fun and off the beaten path to watch, and you're reading this review...Good News For You Then.
Best I can do to describe this:
The off-beat texture of a Wes Andersen movie, with the a hint of a bad 80's Chuck Norris flick, the weird self-depracating humor of Napoleon Dynamite, and a touch of something close to Kenny Powers.
What makes this such a total treat is that, while it's not exactly the best action movie ever, the special effects can range from "OK" to breath-takingly "Cheezy", the humor is not exactly obvious, and at times it doesn't make a whole bunch of sense... it somehow all manages to come together in a way that's truly special. The real Ninja Magic of the film is how it manages to pull taking itself very seriously one moment, and then be totally off the wall, screwball in the blink of an eye with little to no segway, without being confusing or annoying. It's great.
The story itself is based on a real-life character in Norwegian politics who sold secrets to the Russians, but honestly that's superfluous to the overall experience. Long story short - Norway has a secret island full of Ninja's with special powers and they have to stop the bad guys. You'll probably miss a bunch of what's going on from a Norwegian perspective but it's not in anyway shape or form a deal breaker. Watching the main character appear in a room in a cloud of cheap smoke effects - is what makes this worth it.
So if you're looking for something new, fun and off the beaten path to watch, and you're reading this review...Good News For You Then.
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