Comments on: Ninja (2009) Movie Review

By: Sherman

Sherman — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:21:08 +0000

Hi, Patti! That was pretty random (and maybe not even directed at me) but I used to work with 3D Studio Max. However, I am using Blender now since it is free and can be used for HD video editing as well. Frankly, I am using more 2D stuff now such as GIMP. ^_^

By: Patti Bench

Patti Bench — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:04:30 +0000

Well I like to browse around when i’m not so busy at work. So are you currently using any Discreet products? If so what do you use?

By: Sherman

Sherman — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:18:20 +0000

Yup, the show gave the stereotypical visual interpretation indeed although it hinted to be much more at the beginning so it was just quite a waste for me. Yup, I’ve watched “Shinobi No Mono” before and that was much better when it came to culture although the story wasn’t too thrilling as well. Yeah, ninja’s are a laughing stock in the martial arts world but that’s only because so many misuse the name because of stereotypical movies like this! *LOL*

By: denryuu

denryuu — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:51:27 +0000

I did not quite see the film as you did although I did not find it good either. There were some high points, the rest were just so so. Unlike you, however, I came to the cinema tabula rasa, so much so the film being cheesy did not bother me at all. In fact, I think the movie was more stereotypical than cheesy. A typical popcorn flick junkie has an idea what a ninja looks like, the film simply gave the visual interpretation. I do not think it was intended to educate or to impart a fragment of a culture. Have you seen the film Shinobi? Ever wondered why in Japan, these asskickers are referred to as Shinobi mono and not ninja? I bet you do, being an “Asian martial artist” yourself.

By: Sherman

Sherman — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:13:01 +0000

Hmm…maybe he’s from another school of Ninjutsu? The Bujinkan doesn’t have that many jumping kicks except those used to attack from higher ground but how about the Genbukan? Then again, Ninjutsu is not just about Taijutsu so there’s nothing wrong with learning from other schools too – too bad flying kicks aren’t that useful (too committed a move and can’t back out at the last minute) and they waste a lot of energy. True about him not using the weapons though. *LOL*

Anyway, I just caught Mulan (2009) in the cinemas yesterday and would recommend it to any martial artist:
http://www.beyondhollywood.com/trailer-and-images-from-vicky-zhaos-mulan/
Although there aren’t that many fight scenes, the moral behind it should be understood by all martial artists – Fighting causes grief and there are smarter ways to end the war. Coincidentally, Mulan acted like a Ninja towards the end too!

By: Searingmage

Searingmage — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 11:56:19 +0000

Well, as you said, the techniques applied are correct, BUT, a ninja that do flashy moves like high kick? jumping kick etc? Casey seems to be more suited to be a TKD fighter instead of a ninja. Also, ninja are suppose to be proficient in any weapons, yet, our hero rather fight using bare hands even though there are guns and metal baton available from the people he defeated…
But, I still enjoyed the movie, and I am also particular bout little details like this since I am learning ninjutsu too..
Overall, don’t expect to see a ninja attitude from our hero.

By: Sherman

Sherman — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 14:18:52 +0000

Heart humping? Never thought of it that way. *LOL* Unfortunately, Ninja Assassin hasn’t been garnering good reviews. It’s just too cartoony for the mainstream audience. Raging Phoenix is way better for me too since I’m an anime buff. *LOL* Haven’t watched Chinese Super Ninja but I’m going to check it out now. Thanks for the recommendation! ^_^ I have something to recommend to you in return:
Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre (2003):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efk3xpomxFo

I bought the original DVD set earlier this year in a Malaysian exhibition but I can’t even find it anymore to recommend to a friend. It’s my favorite Chinese Kung Fu Wuxia TV series (50 episodes I think) to date.

By: The_Strongest_There_Is

The_Strongest_There_Is — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:36:42 +0000

Hahaha. I still cant get over how much I love that their hearts were f’ing in Ninja Assassin. I cant really explain if im mad or extremely happy at the supernatural skillset known as heart humping. Anyway. Sherman, I’m dying man. Usually I just my chinese films from torrents until i find a hard copy. Im a guy that likes to find my copies of movies in person, but anyway. Im going to have to break down and get Raging Phoenix. Im not sure what the story is like, and xino seems to despise all of it except the fighting, but the music in the trailer and the fight scenes look nasty, and i must support.

As far as chinese ninjas go, Nothing beats the old martial arts movie, The Chinese Super Ninjas! actually, im going to watch that shizzle when i get home tonight. as i am still at work. boooo! – Anyway, I gotta get on the ball and start doing reviews for this place. I would love to do video reviews for films. anyway IM RANTING…HAHA UNO

By: xino

xino — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:18:35 +0000

I watched NINJA movie, and wasn’t disappointed! The fighting was really impressive, but I was deeply let down by the story.
I mean the name NINJA, Scott wasn’t actually the ninja but the bad guy was. So it would have been best if the story focuses close on those two.

And I recently watched Raging Phoenix, I seriously feel sorry for Jeja, because she stars in movies with trash story! Seriously, Raging Phoenix is about using break dancing with mauy thai with a little Drunken Boxing to the mix. But the movie lost all that at the half of the movie and end. And the story was so ridiculously freaking stupid! The person who wrote the story should never write stories again!

I mean Chocolate was a good movie, unique with the story, yet the story wasn’t all that. And you have Raging Phoenix which has a story more retarded than Chocolate.

Although the fighting was impressive as usual! and the trailer music was in the fight and it sounds sick:)

Hopefully her upcoming movie with a collaboration with some other martial art dude, let’s hope the story for that movie wouldn’t suck.

By: Sherman

Sherman — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:54:53 +0000

Bujinkan? I certainly hope not SWAN: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nyaZ3wLtWg

By: Sherman

Sherman — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:46:35 +0000

Congratulations, The_Strongest_There_Is! ^_^ Treasure your significant other just like our heroic couple in “Ninja”. ^_^ I just watched “Ninja Assassin” today and I must say that the hero in that one made a stupid choice when it came to the love of his life. Still, the movie was exciting and although it seemed more corny than “Ninja” (healing powers and disappearing into thin air, anyone?), it has the stylistic action feel to it – something that some would call an abstract work of art. Both “Ninja” and “Ninja Assassin” are definitely worthy of Ninja fans out there in my book. Just appreciate them for what they are. ^_^

You still haven’t gotten Raging Phoenix yet? It’s another one I like but not more so than Chocolate. The upcoming “Bodyguard and Assassins” starring Donnie Yen looks promising too. Watched the preview in the cinema today and saw some Chinese Ninja’s *LOL* I wonder why they always picture them with a head scarf.

By: Dedpool

Dedpool — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:52:48 +0000

“Certified Ninja?” Lol. Where’d you get your certification? Was Ninja Challenge the final test? Did you make it all the way through?

By: The_Strongest_There_Is

The_Strongest_There_Is — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:51:31 +0000

Sherman, I am blessed with a girlfriend who doesn’t like a dude who spends more time in the mirror than she does. In other words, she watched Scotty, but I got the rewards later lol. She liked the few moments that the heroin was doing something but she screamed at the end of the movie. “He better pick that sword up, F the girl!…”The sword is still on the ground, Drop the bitch and pickup the life giving sword!” ..She’s a rare one.

Anyway, I Need Raging Phoenix — Ive seen Ninja Assassin 3 times already in theater, and I gots me Ninja on my ps3 for backup on those lonely nights where manhood needs to be reminded of how glory lies only in absolute justice. lol~ I need more action now please. Maybe ill go get GI Joe Resolute on dvd. That snake eyes action was off the chainsaw!

By: Ninja Joe

Ninja Joe — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:47:52 +0000

I’m a certified ninja my self, and I can say with authority that this movie is one of the absolute best ninja movies sins ‘Teen age ninja turtles’. It truly portrays the daily life of a ninja like my self.

By: Sherman

Sherman — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:38:10 +0000

Good argument about the dishonoring the clan but I think he already achieved that by killing their leader. So all he really needed to do next was to kill the heroic couple and there would be no clan whatsoever. Oh well, I guess he was a psycho ninja after all. *LOL*

By: Dedpool

Dedpool — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:47:00 +0000

A psycho NINJA??!!! AWESOME idea. And yeah you’re right about the honor thing, except even the most dishonorable villains have a perverted selfish sense of honor. But I’m guessing since he couldn’t be a part of the clan anymore and felt dishonored, he felt he had to dishonor the clan by stealing the suit.

By: Sherman

Sherman — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:27:36 +0000

Since I am from Asia, I know all about the honor thing and that’s why it makes absolutely no sense to me. The bad guy has already proven himself to be dishonorable by criticizing his master in public right before killing him. It would make more sense if he just wanted to kill the heroic couple simply because he wanted revenge, and not because he wanted the suit. Now that I think about it, a psychotic killer like The Joker in The Dark Knight would definitely have added more flavor to the movie. ^_^

By: Dedpool

Dedpool — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:06:03 +0000

I think ti was more the emotional, historical, and clan value of the suit. It’s not just a prized sword (as is often the case) but a whole suit that has probably been worn for generations. It’s an Honor thing.

By: Sherman

Sherman — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:03:20 +0000

The_Strongest_There_Is, I know what you mean about Scott Adkins! He ruined the beautiful starting scene! Your girlfriend must have liked the happy ending for the couple (I liked it although it seems a bit implausible) although she must have been annoyed at how useless the heroine was.

By: Sherman

Sherman — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:53:58 +0000

In hindsight, after the euphoria of watching Raging Phoenix, I still think Chocolate is better simply because I felt for the autistic heroine more. Check out the old “Shinobi Winds” movie if you want to find out about the Ninja although I must say that there wasn’t any showy fight scenes at all – after all, Ninjas are supposed to be ordinary people who are trying to hide (so it’d better be a strike from the back) that they can actually defend themselves from the oppressive ruling Samurai class.

As for fight scenes, other than Chocolate, I would recommend Ong Bak 2 and most of Donnie Yen’s movies such as Ip Man, SPL and Flashpoint (they are darn cool to watch).