3 Ninjas (1992)

Such a great movie!

I purchased this movie for my two younger twin brothers (6 years old), who have been bugging me to death to find it for them. Turns out, it was well worth it. I purchased this movie, as well as the Trilogy set with the other three, and my brothers watched all of these movies day after day. They couldn't get enough of the 3 Ninjas!! They were quoting scenes from the movie and it was so cute! A great movie for young children! I recommend it, as I watched it while I was growing up and this movie is something that you can never forget! = ) April 9, 2008

rocky loves emily

This has been my favorite movie for as far back as I can remember... love love love January 30, 2008

A laugh-out-loud action-comedy for young and old alike

3 Ninjas is directed by John Turteltaub, and stars Victor Wong, Michael Treanor, Max Elliott Slade, and Chad Power. Co-stars include Alan McRae, Toru Tanaka, Rand Kingsley, Joel Swetow, and Kate Sargent. Richard Marvin composed the film's musical score.

The film tells the story of three brothers (Treanor/Slade/Power.) Their grandfather on their mother's side (Wong) is of oriental descent, and they spend their summers with him, usually with him teaching them ninja arts to protect themselves - much to their FBI agent father's dismay. The grandfather's old business partner has become an arms dealer, and when the grandfather refuses to have anything to do with his old associate, he hires some crooks to have the boys kidnapped as a bargaining tool. What he didn't know is that they have been trained well by their grandfather - and plan to give the would-be kidnappers a run for their money.

This is an excellent, entertaining family film. There's plenty of action and comedy, and entertaining scenes around every corner. Turteltaub has succeeded in giving us a film that kids and adults alike will enjoy. I wouldn't call this an intelligent film by any stretch of the imagination, but everything it does, it does quite well. The three main brother characters are laugh-out-loud funny, and the fight sequences are all well choreographed. Everyone here is well-cast for their respective roles. Essentially, this film takes all the best comedic elements of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Home Alone series, and puts them to excellent use. The fight scenes in the house against the kidnappers are probably the best scenes in the film, borrowing heavily from Home Alone but with Turteltaub putting his own unique spin on things. Able to make you laugh every step of the way through without resorting to gross-out humor (apart from one borderline scene that didn't bother me much,) this is a great action comedy for the whole family.

I have to praise the film heavily for its casting. Each one of the three brothers is an extremely funny character, and each one has their own unique personality to keep things interesting. Michael Treanor plays Rocky, the oldest, most mature brother. Most of his humor comes from trying to keep his two younger brothers in line - which results in some pretty comical scenes. Max Elliott Slade is Colt, the hotheaded, middle-aged brother who has a big ego. Needless to say, it's usually up to Rocky to keep him from rushing headlong into something he can't handle. Easily the funniest of the brothers is the youngest, Tumtum, played here by Chad Power. He's always eating something and there are very few scenes in the film in which he isn't experiencing a sugar high. All three brothers are great, in every scene of the film. And of course, we can't ignore Victor Wong's role as the grandfather. He's a loving, supportive man that cares more about his family than anything - and abides by a code of honor. The role is a bit of a stereotype, in more ways than one, but this is one of the best takes on this role I've seen in a movie of this type. The supporting cast is equally good, the true highlight amongst its ranks being the three hired kidnappers. These guys are moronic surf dudes who are just as comical as the kids they are trying to capture. Rand Kingsley plays Snyder, the resident bad guy, excellently as well. Excellent casting choices and acting on all fronts.

Another thing that credit must be given to is the fight sequences. Even though this is a comedy movie first and all other things second, every combat scene was well choreographed. Turteltaub takes an element from Jackie Chan's films and puts it to good usage here - the use of props in the fights. Whether the fight takes place in Grandpa's mountain retreat, the Douglas family home, or Snyder's ship base, the boys always find things around them that can be put to use in a fight - be it clay pots, decorations around the house, or even just a narrow hallway. The fight scenes are as funny as they are well-choreographed.

I also have to praise Richard Marvin for giving us a musical score that suits the mood of the film nicely. It's an upbeat, whimsical score that reflects the overall lighthearted and satirical nature of the film nicely. Nothing to over-the-top or overly memorable, but when you're watching the film, you'll likely agree - every piece of music fits its respective scene well.

Sadly the DVD version of the film has no bonus features. Hopefully a special edition will eventually be released.

I fail to see why this movie tends to get bashed by movie fans and critics alike. It's action-packed and filled with humor. It's a solid action comedy that young and old alike will enjoy. This is not an intelligent, thought-provoking film, and it certainly isn't trying to be. It's just a lighthearted, comical take on the martial arts genre that accomplishes what it sets out to do. In addition to being a solid film in its own right, it's far superior to any of its sequels.

Thumbs up. November 9, 2007

Be Careful... Look at it Carefully

The 3 ninjas bundle deceives... and you'll understand why if you know all the 3 ninjas movies that were made... April 9, 2007

Great movie for the whole family

All of the 3 Ninjas movies keep my children laughing! They even call themselves Colt and Tum-tum (the kid's ninja nicknames in the movie). My 4 year old is addicted to all of the movies, that is why I purchased the trilogy too. It keeps him occupied for hours! Great for the whole family too! I highly recommend!!! March 23, 2007

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