
In the first film, Dudikoff is established as a mysterious and troubled man who has little memory of who he is and where he came from, but has been trained in the arts of ninjutsu - the art of assassination. It's kind of one of those scenarios where a guy has great power and skill, but prefers not to use them unless he gets backed into a corner (and Cannon films have a lot of "backed into a corner" scenarios). AMERICAN NINJA also has a fun "ninjas training" scene with an elaborate obstacle course. It also establishes the duo of Dudikoff and the great Steve James. James is one of those charismatic and physical actors that really stands out. He's like a combination of Carl Weathers and Fred Williamson, but with more of a martial arts and stunts background. A real hard working dude who plays a perfect partner to the hero. AMERICAN NINJA also has the extra added bonus of having the lovely Judie Aronson (WEIRD SCIENCE, FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE FINAL CHAPTER) as the daughter of a military colonel and the film's love interest.
AMERICAN NINJA 2: THE CONFRONTATION plays like a "further adventures of" with Dudikoff and Steve James being sent to a tropical island in the Caribbean to help an group of marines stationed there. The mystery at the core of this one is that several marines have gone missing with not trace, no ransom demands and some witness to the abductions noticing large guys in black suits (ninjas, duh). So Dudikoff and James rock their solid buddy chemistry from the get-go as they go up against many many ninjas. Similar to the first movie, but more islands, water, boats and beaches. An enjoyable follow-up that's got enough action and clumsy plotting to satisfy fans. The fact that you get to the Dudikoff/James team-up right away is to this movie's benefit.
Special Features:
Both of these discs have some good supplements:
AMERICAN NINJA
•Audio Commentary with director Sam Firstenberg
• “A Rumble in The Jungle” - The Making of American Ninja: Featuring interviews with director Sam Firstenberg, actors Michael Dudikoff and Judie Aronson, Associate Producer Avi Kleinberger, Screenwiter Paul De Mielche and Stunt Co-ordinator Steve Lambert
• Theatrical Trailer
AMERICAN NINJA 2
•Audio Commentary with director Sam Firstenberg
• “An American Ninja in Cape Town” - The Making of American Ninja 2: Featuring interviews with director Sam Firstenberg, actors Michael Dudikoff and Gary Conway, Executive Producer Avi Kleinberger and Stunt Co-ordinator BJ Davis
• Theatrical Trailer
AMERICAN NINJA 1 and 2 can be purchased on Blu-ray here:
http://amzn.to/2bvrnQY
http://amzn.to/2bsNZmv
AMERICAN NINJA 2: THE CONFRONTATION plays like a "further adventures of" with Dudikoff and Steve James being sent to a tropical island in the Caribbean to help an group of marines stationed there. The mystery at the core of this one is that several marines have gone missing with not trace, no ransom demands and some witness to the abductions noticing large guys in black suits (ninjas, duh). So Dudikoff and James rock their solid buddy chemistry from the get-go as they go up against many many ninjas. Similar to the first movie, but more islands, water, boats and beaches. An enjoyable follow-up that's got enough action and clumsy plotting to satisfy fans. The fact that you get to the Dudikoff/James team-up right away is to this movie's benefit.
Both of these discs have some good supplements:
AMERICAN NINJA
•Audio Commentary with director Sam Firstenberg
• “A Rumble in The Jungle” - The Making of American Ninja: Featuring interviews with director Sam Firstenberg, actors Michael Dudikoff and Judie Aronson, Associate Producer Avi Kleinberger, Screenwiter Paul De Mielche and Stunt Co-ordinator Steve Lambert
• Theatrical Trailer
AMERICAN NINJA 2
•Audio Commentary with director Sam Firstenberg
• “An American Ninja in Cape Town” - The Making of American Ninja 2: Featuring interviews with director Sam Firstenberg, actors Michael Dudikoff and Gary Conway, Executive Producer Avi Kleinberger and Stunt Co-ordinator BJ Davis
• Theatrical Trailer
AMERICAN NINJA 1 and 2 can be purchased on Blu-ray here:
http://amzn.to/2bvrnQY
http://amzn.to/2bsNZmv
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