Stars: Michael Dudikoff, Steve James, Judie Aronson, Don Stewart

Director: Sam Firstenberg

Summary: Set in the Philippines, the story tells of a U.S. Army private who is ambushed while leading a supply convoy. He recognises the terrorist leader as the sinister Black Star Ninja. The American then pursues the Black Ninja and discovers how he too has learned the ways of the ancient warriors.

All-American Joe Armstrong (Michael Dudikoff) possesses the unique skills of ninjitsu, the deadliest of Asia's arts of assassination. He gets his chance to use it when he's pitted against an international drug dealer.

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The first of what would be a series, 1985's American Ninjais a martial-arts thriller. Michael Dudikoff plays Joe, a sullen young GI who turns up at American airbase Fort Sonora and immediately makes himself unpopular. Even when he single-handedly saves the Commanding Officer's daughter (Judie Aronson, whose function is to scream a lot and get her clothes very wet), from a ninja ambush, he's still ostracised. It turns out that Joe is actually a highly skilled ninja warrior, but he's an amnesiac with no idea how he acquired his abilities. Eventually, having bonded with fellow GI Steve James, he helps foil criminal arms-dealer Ortega, whose morals are as dubious as his accent, which veers from French to Hispanic.

American Ninjais essentially an excuse for a series of martial arts set pieces, though these seem a little lumbering by the standards later set by Jackie Chan and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The soundtrack and overall feel is clearly influenced by the classic A-Team. The plot is well signposted at every turn and the dialogue makes you think of an American film that has been badly dubbed. However, the film will work as kitsch, for idle comfort-viewing or for small boys.

On the DVD:The cheapness of the original has been immaculately preserved--however, the only extra is the original trailer.--David Stubbs

Aspect Ratio:	1.85 Wide Screen, 16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Original Theatrical Trailer, Interactive Menu, Chapter Selection
Subtitles:	Danish, English, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish
Year:	1985
Release Date:	February 18, 2002
Runtime:	91 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	15867 D V D
Keywords:	Ninja, Action, American, General, Wide, Screen, Adventure
Genre:	Action/Adventure