{"id":5887,"date":"2024-06-02T00:01:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-02T00:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"

MOVIE REVIEW
\r\nRevenge of the Ninja (Special Edition) [Blu-ray]<\/strong>
\r\n - <\/s"},"modified":"2024-06-02T10:41:50","modified_gmt":"2024-06-02T10:41:50","slug":"cult-classic-status-ninja-film-earns-its-stars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/cult-classic-status-ninja-film-earns-its-stars\/","title":{"rendered":"Cult Classic Status? Ninja Film Earns Its Stars"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>4 Minute, 24 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>

MOVIE REVIEW
\nRevenge of the Ninja (Special Edition) [Blu-ray]<\/strong>
\n – <\/strong><\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Genre:<\/strong> Action, Crime, Drama
\nYear Released:<\/strong> 1983, 2024 Kino Lorber Blu-ray
\nRuntime:<\/strong> 1h 30m
\nDirector(s):<\/strong> Sam Firstenberg
\nWriter(s):<\/strong> James R. Silke
\nCast:<\/strong> Sho Kosugi, Keith Vitali, Virgil Frye, Professor Toru Tanaka, Ashley Ferrare, Mario Gallo, Kane Kosugi, Arthur Roberts
\nWhere To Watch:<\/strong> available now, order here www.kinolorber.com<\/a> or www.amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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RAVING REVIEW: <\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>REVENGE OF THE NINJA took the martial arts genre and, with a flair that only the 1980s could offer, explores a wild, over-the-top world filled with nonstop action. Under the direction of Sam Firstenberg, this film elevates traditional combat choreography and enriches the narrative surrounding its embattled hero, Cho Osaki (Shô Kosugi.) Diving into this action-packed experience, it becomes evident that the filmmakers have honed every element to a razor's edge, delivering both spectacle and substance in equal measure.<\/p>\n

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The 1980s were a golden age for martial arts enthusiasts, with REVENGE OF THE NINJA standing out as an apex of genre filmmaking. This film, driven by the formidable duo of Firstenberg and martial arts dynamo Kosugi, delivers an unforgettable portrayal of Cho's fight against fate and foes. Following a brutal attack that leaves his family devastated, Cho moves to the United States, seeking peace. However, his American dream quickly turns sour when he uncovers a new business—a quaint doll gallery—is merely a cover for his partner Braden’s (Arthur Roberts) illicit drug dealings. Forced back into the shadows he sought to leave behind, Cho's journey culminates in a breathtaking rooftop battle that tests the limits of his skill and spirit.<\/p>\n

Furstenberg’s direction shines brightest during the film's meticulously crafted action sequences. The innovative use of everyday settings, such as a playground turned into a battlefield, showcases a blend of creativity and martial prowess that’s always fun to see in the genre. The climactic battle atop a city skyscraper elevates the film's action to new heights, surpassing its predecessor and capturing the narrative's intensity with stellar precision.<\/p>\n

However, REVENGE OF THE NINJA also knows when not to take itself too seriously, weaving lighter, theatrical moments into its fabric. A unique performance by Keith Vitali adds a delightful campiness, especially when set against flamboyantly dressed villains and bizarre scenarios. While these moments might skirt the absurdity’s edge, they enhance the film’s charm and solidify its cult status among fans.<\/p>\n

At the film's heart is Kosugi’s portrayal of Cho, which grounds the fantastical elements with his legitimate martial arts skill. Although his acting might not fetch widespread acclaim, it perfectly complements the film's larger-than-life style, adding gravitas without overshadowing the story’s thrilling momentum.<\/p>\n

Despite its many strengths, the film has its shortcomings. The special effects and some screenplay elements didn’t age well, revealing the constraints of its production budget. These issues, while noticeable, do not significantly detract from the film's enjoyment; instead, they add a layer of nostalgia that enhances its appeal to contemporary audiences.<\/p>\n

REVENGE OF THE NINJA captures the essence of martial arts cinema of the period and serves as a historical benchmark for the genre’s evolution. It offers a compelling look at traditional martial arts depicted with flair, appealing to fans and newcomers alike. The sharp delineation between heroes and villains ensures a narrative that is as engaging as it is timeless.<\/p>\n

For those exploring REVENGE OF THE NINJA for the first time or revisiting it, the film promises a perfect balance of intense action and light-hearted fun. While it may not win over every viewer, its combination of genuine combat, quirky characters, and a dose of 1980s nostalgia offers an unforgettable experience, securing its legacy as a cherished entry in the annals of action cinema.<\/p>\n

Product Extras:<\/strong>
\nNEW Audio Commentary by Action Film Historians Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
\nAudio Commentary by Director Sam Firstenberg and Stunt Coordinator Steven Lambert
\nIntro by Sam Firstenberg
\nBehind-the-Scenes Photo Gallery
\nTheatrical Trailer
\nDual-Layered BD50 Disc
\nOptional English Subtitles<\/p>\n

For more reviews, please visit https:\/\/linktr.ee\/overlyhonestr<\/p>\n

You can follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. You can also find my social media accounts on most platforms by searching Overly Honest Movie Reviews.<\/p>\n

I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies.<\/p>\n

[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER]<\/em><\/p>\n

DISCLAIMER:<\/strong>
\nAt Overly Honest Movie Reviews, we value honesty and transparency. Occasionally, we receive free items for review, including DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, Vinyl, Books, etc. We assure you that these arrangements do not influence our reviews, as we are committed to providing unbiased and sincere evaluations. We aim to help you make informed entertainment choices, regardless of our relationship with distributors or producers.<\/p>\n

Amazon Affiliate Links:<\/strong>
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MOVIE REVIEW Revenge of the Ninja (Special Edition) [Blu-ray] –      Genre: Action, Crime, Drama Year Released: 1983, 2024 Kino Lorber Blu-ray Runtime: 1h 30m Director(s): Sam Firstenberg Writer(s): James R. Silke Cast: Sho Kosugi, Keith Vitali, Virgil Frye, Professor Toru Tanaka, Ashley Ferrare, Mario Gallo, Kane Kosugi, Arthur Roberts Where To Watch: available now, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5888,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5887","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5887","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5887"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5887\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5888"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5887"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5887"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5887"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}