Um Ninja da Pesada

Chris Farley's first starring vehicle without his frequent costar David Spade suffers from not giving Farley a suitable replacement costarring foil. Nicolette Sheridan has a practically no nonsense role as an elusive woman who goes to Japan and hires American ninja Farley to secretly spy on her boyfriend (Nathaniel Parker) who she suspects may have killed her sister. Farley's knack for being at the wrong place at the wrong time gets him accused of murder twice. He has to try to clear his name while taking on the real murderers. Robin Shou and Chris Rock have fairly amusing costarring roles but the film's biggest laughs come from Farley's actual attempts at perfecting martial arts.

I myself happen to be a fifth degree black belt (godan) and on many occasions have felt as goofy and clumsy as Farley's character in this funny gem. I truly love this movie, except it really saddens me to think Farley is not with us anymore. This guy was great. Rest in Peace big fellow. Thanks for this great, silly, funny movie.

"Are you communicating with me?" - Haru. As I watch this movie as an adult I recall how I felt as a child watching this movie on long road trips, and the laughs are still there. I know this movie is a pretty flimsy comedy, but Chris Farley plays a dense ninja so well. It's a fun movie with plenty of laughs and it does have some really corny moments, but it's alright I'll forgive it since Chris Farley has such great physical comedy.

Please forgive the length of this first paragraph, but it is needed to explain my opinion of this film. I never saw this film in the theater; it looked a little silly to me. One day a few months later it came on pay-per-view. Due to a technical glitch the cable company unscrambled the pay-per-view channels all day long. It also happened to be raining and generally miserable out, so my buddies and I decided to watch this movie. We had three pay-per-view channels, and one of the channels showed a single movie all day long. Guess which movie it was.

The first time we watched it, we thought it was goofy, even stupid, and didn't really care for it. However like many teens, we mindlessly watched it again . . . and again . . . and again. We watched this film all day. "Why?" you ask; because it truly gets better every time you watch it.

I think the reason is because this is a stupid film, and when you first watch it, you're too smart for it. Eventually though the IQ points seep out of your head, and you're able to fully enjoy this great movie.

The bottom line: Watch this film at least 5 times, not necessarily back-to-back but it helps. It will grow on you. Even if you don't like Farley, watch this film for Chris Rock. Rock's performance is perfect, despite being too small of a role. Farley's performance is perfect as the bumbling but good-hearted "Great White Ninja." Even the chicken's performance is perfect. If you find the concept of a fat, white ninja involved in an Asian gang war mildly provocative, check your brain at the door and enjoy.

The kind of film which throws jokes at you by the second in the hope that some will stick, this film is funny make no mistake. Chris Farley had his 'bumbling fat bloke' routine down to a tee after excursions in Tommy Boy, Black Sheep and Airheads and this is same type of daft humour. Not brilliant by any means but is worth watching for a giggle if you can find the time.