3 Ninjas

Back in 3rd grade, I had just moved to a new town, so I was at the library in that town. I had just been done watching the live-action Ninja Turtles movies for the first time, so I also discovered a little VHS called "3 Ninjas". Of course, after seeing TMNT I, II, and III, I just HAD to watch this movie. And I did.

As a kid, I just ate this stuff up. I loved these movies to death. I thought they were the best things ever. I never understood why everybody hated it, but I got older, and I realize why many people hate this movie: It's too unrealistic. But who cares? Not every movie has to be just like real-life. Of course, the 3 Ninjas formula with kids beating the crap out of adults has grown since the release of this movie, but it has gotten way stupid, to the point where the bad guys are bumbling fools who don't fight back. But you don't see that in this movie. It has a pretty dark tone to it. Snyder, the villain isn't just some stupid fool like with things like this nowadays, he's a pretty menacing villain, so that's something that holds up.

Another thing that holds up is the action. I love the fight scenes, but it's too bad that a lot of the violence was cut to secure a 'PG' rating. But it's cool now, since the extended cut has surfaced and for some reason only played on movie channels like Showtime.

This movie also has some pretty awesome music. It's a shame that an OST for the film's score was never released.

Something I don't like about the hate for this movie is how everyone seems to just call this a rip-off of Home Alone and the first live-action TMNT movie just because of the quote from the Boston Globe on the cover of the VHS and DVD. Look, guys, the Boston Globe panned both Home Alone and TMNT, they're not trying to promote it as a rip-off or anything, so calm down.

That's my review. Don't look for Citizen Kane in this movie, and don't pass it off as something on the same level as Dora. Just look at it as entertaining fun.

And as for the sequels? Well, Knuckle Up and Kick Back were good. Knuckle Up is my favorite because it's action on overdrive, and it doesn't care what the MPAA thinks, because they got a PG-13 rating and took it. Kick Back brought back the same charm that the original had. But High Noon at Mega Mountain was crap. The plot was too silly, but it's fun to watch and laugh at.

Somebody posted complaining about how three kids cannot beat up 30 or 40 bad men. Well if you were a kid, you'd adore this film. I first saw this film when I was I believe five years old. I grew up watching the movies along with the rest of the series: 3 NINJAS KICK BACK and 3 NINJAS KNUCKLE UP. I'm not trying to sound cheesy or anything. I rather watch the series than watching Teenage Ninja Turtles. I think every generation of young kids would have liked 3 Ninjas if they are really interest in Martial Arts. Sure, the film will probably fade away from our interests as we grow up. But in my own opinion and my experiences, I think 3 Ninjas was one of the excellent film of early 1990s that young viewers would enjoy. Now I'm a teenager and I laugh at the thoughts of how obessed I was with 3 Ninjas but that doesn't mean I shouldn't destroy it existence.

This, without a doubt, is the KING of "back-in-the-day" fun stuff. Its "The Goonies" for the 90's, and, well...sure kicks butt compared to "Home Alone." Did you cheer when he rolled down his own stairs in a sled? Not exactly. Of course who wouldn't cheer for three kids taking down a six-foot, two hundred-plus pounder henchman (who's really posing as a light-up dummy)? Even though slightly unintelligent...plot remains solid with sharp humor and on-your-feet fight scenes. Yet, its not exactly Bruce Lee...but did you ever see Bruce Lee kick butt at age 13? See the movie. It's definitely some high-kickin' fun.

I remember I loved this movie as 7 year old karate kid wannabe back in 92. While not as timeless as other movies in this genre such as Home Alone, it's a good, safe (for content) movie for kids to enjoy. It's no Oscar winner, but it wasn't trying to be (obviously). Yes, the dialog is stupid, the plot is amateurish, and if you're over the age of 11, you'll be unamused by most of the humor. Everyone knows that three kids outnumbered 10 to 1 by professional criminals with extensive martial arts training AND who have guns wouldn't stand a chance, but this is a kids' fantasy movie. Every little boy dreams of fighting bad guys and kicking their butts; 3 Ninjas just plays it out on screen. I find it funny that so many find THAT aspect of the movie to be its "downfall." If you're planning on having a sleepover party for you 6-10 year old son, this is a good movie for him and his friends.

Victor Wong, Michael Treanor, Max Elliot Slade, and Chad Power star in this great family action film. Victor Wong stars as the grandfather who teaches his three grandchildren the art of being a ninja. Soon they're kidnapped by an old acquaintance of Grandpa's. This movie is also very funny and no doubt everyone in the family will laugh out loud. I recommend this film to anyone that likes action films mixed with humor.