Enter the Ninja

This action film is about a westerner named Cole(Franco Nero) who has learned the ways of the Ninja, until a Hosagowa(Sho Kosugi) has bitter frustration against him after he realizes that Cole having the right to be a "Ninja Warrior". He later visits an old army buddy Frank(Alex Courtney) who is having some personal problems of his own with a greedy landgrabber named Charlie Venarious(Christopher George). However Cole has to take the matter of taking on the landgrabbers as well as Hosagawa who was just recently hired by Venarious to help eliminate Cole. The ending is very fascinating and the battle scenes between the Ninja warriors is the best sequence in this film. The cast is excellent in the film. I give it ******** out of **********.

A combat veteran, fresh from completion of ninjutsu training, reunites with an old friend in Manila and gets caught up in a power struggle with a ruthless land baron. But, do you really care about that? If you're even reading this page, you must know something of what to expect. It's your typical chop-socky, complete with ridiculous dialouge, mega-corny villains, apocalyptic sound editing, and a camera that begs for your attention. The only reason for being seen in public with this film is the fight sequences, wonderfully choreographed by Mike Stone and true master Sho Kosugi. Franco Nero ain't no slouch either, assuming you can see around the mustache. Well, I'm being too harsh. There are some good laughs--enjoy Christopher George repeatedly screaming "Ninja!" and delivering arguably the goofiest death scene ever captured on film.

Filmed on location in Japan & the Phillipines, It starts with our hero ("Cole" played by Franco Nero) passing his final test to becoming a "Ninja". Cole then goes on to Manila to help an old war friend in need. In talking to his friend, he learns that a rich corporation wants his land & they won't take no for an answer. While helping his friend, Cole takes on various thugs hired by the corporation to convince Cole's friend to sell his land. Mr. Venarious (played by Christopher George) then hires Cole's nemesis from his Ninja school days to "take care" of Cole....and the duel between the Ninjas is on! I found this movie excellent to watch....especially the Ninja & Hand to Hand fighting sequences which was wonderfully planned.

This movie has two sides. The ninja side is very well done, with tons of ninja weaponry, fighting techniques, and violence. The other side is cheesy 1980-esque humor with the occasional barroom brawl. If you can tolerate a few corny jokes and guys in tight jeans, then maybe this is the movie for you. I give this movie four shurikens (****) out of five.

The reason that you've heard the word "ninja" is because of this movie. It's a mid 80's chop sockey film that inspired a huge (sub) cultural movement. Ninjas are to martial arts movies what Zombies are to horror movies...and Ninjas were introduced to us in the west via this movie. Jeez Louise with the negative reviews! I guess you had to be there at the time...but this movie caused a revolution...kids all over the world went from wanting to be Bruce Lee to wanting to be a Ninjas as soon as they saw this. Also, it wasn't really part of a trilogy...the others were just cash ins or vehicles for Sho Kushogi, they bore nothing to do with this movie other than the word "Ninja" in the title.

Lets see what can i say about this one....when i saw it for the first time especially the first 15 minutes during the first action sequence of the ninja test...with the white ninja against all the rest, I wanted to go to japan and be a ninja my self..great action movie..

Enter the Ninja (1981) was the first of several "Ninja" films produced by Cannon starring or co-starring Japanese sensation Sho Kosugi. But the star of the first "Ninja" film was legendary tough guy Franco Nero. Sadly not even Mr. Nero or Sho Kosugi couldn't make this film watchable. When you have two bad dudes in an action film and it's neither watchable or fun, somethings amiss. But I digress. Skip this chapter and watch the next films in the series. They're more interesting and a whole lot of fun. Next is Revenge of the Ninja. Instead of playing the "evil oriental" (I use that term tongue in cheek mind you). He's the star! Strange for a western film. Watch that one instead. Not recommended except for die hard Sho Kosugi fans or Cannon film buffs.