You know, I kinda love how in 80s action stories the military would just straight up hire actual, literal ninjas as special forces operatives. There's something equal parts awesome and adorable about that, like that was how you thought reality worked when you were a kid.
As a kid in the '80s whenever we were playing something military-themed someone always got to be the ninja. There could only be one, but there was always one. We just sort of took it as accepted fact that the army had ninja.
@@RelativelyBest , fun fact, a lot of modern military techniques for Spec Ops soldiers derive from Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic types of assassins, so, technically, the top of the top Spec Ops groups like Navy SEALs, Spetsnaz, etc. are pretty much like the ninja. Moreover, quite a few of them also literally incorporate all different sorts of techniques of the ninja into what they already know as well, which makes them even more worthy of being feared, as well as respected, as opponents.
0:53: His Son, Kane Kosugi, also portrayed Jiraiya in "Ninja Sentai Kakuranger", which, surprise surprise, is ALSO about Ninjas (Sho played a role in the show as well).
The little kid is Sho Kosugi's son. he's rather Infamous for taking both of his boys on every single shoot he ever did. Kind of like Mel Gibson without the domestic violence.
BrandonTenold the hostage kid is Sho's son, of course he'd be in it somwhere lol. Just like Pray for Death, also an awsome Sho ninja movie! Have you ever seen Ninja III: Domination? It has a female ninja protagonist who is possessd by an evil ninja!
@@paxhumana2015 At least they're just making a funny and accurate joke towards a bad film and not making brain dead "You can't say the food is burnt if you're not a chef"-level cope for said bad film lmfao
I wore this movie out playing my bootleg copy over and over on my RCA VHS video player (that couldn’t even record) - the 80’s were awesome. This is by far one of the best Ninja-ploytation movies ever made. Hats off to you for reviewing it. Rock on!
Perhaps the three dancer sequence was an attempt to create a Maurice Binder feel for the opening credits, similar to what Binder did for the James Bond films maybe they lacked the special effects expertise or resources to do a complete homage. Or maybe they had nothing in mind other than people like looking at pretty women dancing. That was enough for me.
Holy crap, tonight I rewatched "Lethal Weapon" after years and only now I noticed that the actor who played Alby the Cruel was in it too, at the beginning, he's the guy in red who holds Mel Gibson at gunpoint (MovieClips uploaded a video called "Crazy Cop", check that out, that's the scene where he appears). Since I know him only through this review (which I rewatch from time to time because it's one of my favorites), it was surreal to see him in a big famous movie. The way he yelled in that scene is the part where I went "Wait... is that Alby?" haha
Your snarky comment on Switzerland and Nazi money is... sadly quite accurate. Regarding the movie, I really can't decide if it was self-aware or completely serious. XD
Thanks for the review. It's been a while when I have laughed this hard. By the way my reactions for that first dancing scene was same as you when I first see this movie. Trust me, tvelwe-pack of beer went REALLY fast when I watched this
I actually saw this in the theater when I was like 12 ( '85). It was so bad even a 12 year old recognized what a stinker this one was. My friend at the time, who drug me to it, was a Sho Kosugi groupie.
It would a Sunny in Philadelphia episode where the gang is trying make an action movie, and they would be ripping off bad comedy action movies thinking that are good action movies to steal from.
Now that I've finally seen a review of this movie (thank you), I have three more movies that I need to see reviews for: 1) American Ninja 2) American Ninja 2 3) Avenging Force It's basically just the Michael Dudikoff "hat trick" of 80s action movies. The dude had a decent run, for a little while...
One of his sons is Kane Kosugi who played Kazama in Godzilla: Final Wars, the human alter ego of Ultraman in Ultraman Powered, as well as competing alongside his brother Shane in several seasons of the original Ninja Warrior (Sasuke).
Hey-- they were sent on their mission by James Bond's TENNIS-PRO sidekick from "Octopussy"! I'm shocked that he actually made more than just that one movie.
Did Brandon honestly ignore the scene where Sho shoots Rahji but Rahji caughts the bullet midair and stucks it up to his nostril? I know that scene exists, I've seen it.
Actor vijay amritaj who played rankin starred in one of the roger moore james bond movies and was once a profesional tennis player. I saw him at wimbledon
God, this movie was abysmally bad. I rented it from Netflix a while back and all I could focus on was Not-David Cross doing a pitiful excuse for a German accent. If anyone thinks this is par for the course for Sho Kosugi films, you are sorely mistaken! Please check out the Cannon Films ninja trilogy, and Pray for Death. All of which are excellent martial arts films, and in Pray for Death's case, a hybrid of martial arts and revenge film with a kick ass 80's synthesizer theme song!
Just re-watching this review, and at about 11:15, in the office I swear that is an Osborne 1 microcomputer on the desk, which came out in April of 1981. It had a 3 inch monitor built in.
I know I saw this- I remember the box, I remember waiting for it to be in to rent it and, well, as a kid I never missed a Sho Kosugi film, but I have absolutely no memory of ANY of this.
I don't remember the box, but I know it was one of those large, oversized, "clamshell" boxes with the plastic insert inside, favored by the likes of Wizard Video, or ANY porn company at the time!
Does Brandon know that he has a son who starred in Super Sentai by the name of Kane? He's a Ninja Ranger-much better than just a ninja. Plus he could stop bears from taking a pic-a-nic basket!
Love this movie, all of Sho Kusagi's movie really. I got my outdoor tv/stereo setup in my back deck to chill with my bros cuz corona. One of his movies always gets in the rotation.
Thanks for making this video. I remember watching this movie when I was a kid cuz I was completely ninja crazy and saw every movie Sho Kosugi ever did, though I never could pronounce his name right. It's been my experience that most of the ninja movies that I love from that era are pretty unwatchable nowadays because they're just so unbelievably dated. Once again I found myself doubled over with laughter because of your dry snarky sarcastic wit. Good job Brandon! Your videos are better than 6 Minute Abs.
nice work man, discovered you this week and ive been on a binge ever since. i strongly suggest 9 and a half ninja, i have fond memories of this stoner flick.
Well, when that opening starts, you certainly can't accuse the film of lying! At all! Even they don't know... anything at all, come to think of it... New Drinking Game: Take a drink every time I start laughing cuz "what am I seeing?"
I just have to believe "Blackie Dammett" is that actor's real name. Could you imagine if he'd joined the military? The phrase "damn it" is the basic punctuation of a drill sergeant's vocabulary. Guy would have gotten so much punishment exercise they'd just have him shot-putting mortars by the time he went into combat.
Naaa they don't do that as much these days. I was surprised when I saw a documentary of modern training. I think if some of those recruits were quarter decked as much I was they would die.
Hey Brandon, could you do a review of "Avenging Force" (starring Michael Dudikoff, of "America Ninja" & "American Ninja 2: The Confrontation" fame)? It's a classic cheesy action flick...
He is Skwisgasar's father- so his father was not a god, just a Swedish paraplegic with a pseudo-German accent that's a lame ass terrorist! Total bomber!
15:56 "gago"/"gaga" are Filipino words that means "jackass" (it's a gendered word so "gago" refers to men and "gaga" refers to women), and I think he also said "Baka-tare" which is Japanese for "idiot". so his multilingual-ness might be the reason for his nonsensical mish-mash of accents.
i kind of love how their guns at the wedding look almost just like the one the kid in terror vision had. i think that was a really popular design for a couple decades. if i'm not mistaken they're suppose to be m16's arent they?
Great work again, however Bob Ross hated his hair, he grew it out to save money on hair cuts, but by the time he had become rich it had become an iconic part of his look he new he was stuck with it.
I found another Shaw Brothers Studios movie, you can't resist, and can't go wrong with. Five Deadly Venoms, a Shaw Brothers martial arts B movie classic.
You know, I kinda love how in 80s action stories the military would just straight up hire actual, literal ninjas as special forces operatives. There's something equal parts awesome and adorable about that, like that was how you thought reality worked when you were a kid.
It has some cartoonish sincerity to it.
As a kid in the '80s whenever we were playing something military-themed someone always got to be the ninja. There could only be one, but there was always one. We just sort of took it as accepted fact that the army had ninja.
@@Belgand I love how this suggests you guys had an intuitive understanding of the Inverse Ninja Law as children.
@@Belgand , in the case of G.I. Joe/Action Force, both sides had them, actually.
@@RelativelyBest , fun fact, a lot of modern military techniques for Spec Ops soldiers derive from Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic types of assassins, so, technically, the top of the top Spec Ops groups like Navy SEALs, Spetsnaz, etc. are pretty much like the ninja. Moreover, quite a few of them also literally incorporate all different sorts of techniques of the ninja into what they already know as well, which makes them even more worthy of being feared, as well as respected, as opponents.
Can we all appreciate the fact that the actress playing 'Honey Hump' delivered that introduction with a straight face? :=)
I don't know about everyone else but I can.
@@rubberneckinc.8937 Me too :=)
0:53: His Son, Kane Kosugi, also portrayed Jiraiya in "Ninja Sentai Kakuranger", which, surprise surprise, is ALSO about Ninjas (Sho played a role in the show as well).
I knew it!
Is that like the Japanese version of Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: Ninja Storm, out of curiosity?
@paxhumana2015 no Kakuranger was the Alien rangers mini series,
4:49 What can you do, "Princess Dragon Mom" was already taken.
Inframan. Lol
I think the song and intro were meant to be evocative of the Bond movie intros which were done in silhouette.
That's what I was thinking.
The little kid is Sho Kosugi's son. he's rather Infamous for taking both of his boys on every single shoot he ever did. Kind of like Mel Gibson without the domestic violence.
And he's a well respected stunt coordinator now. Not sure what the younger son is doing.
Spike Shinobi does sound like a GI Joe name.
yeah this is making me want to play with GI Joe toys
Spike Shinobi just in case you forget title and drunk you'll have a name tag to point out he is ninja
Or a character from a low budget,probably unsanctioned,nintendo game, like a ninja gaiden ripoff
That name is so 80's it gave me a perm.
You lucked out, if you were female it would have given you a perm AND a huge bush...that also has a perm
Asian Pat Benatar attacks Spike.
Brandon: “ why don’t you hit her with your best shot?”
This Budget Doctor Strange Love performance killing me 🤣
BrandonTenold the hostage kid is Sho's son, of course he'd be in it somwhere lol. Just like Pray for Death, also an awsome Sho ninja movie! Have you ever seen Ninja III: Domination? It has a female ninja protagonist who is possessd by an evil ninja!
James Bowler holy shit I actually know pray for death! Totally forgot about that one lol all I remember is it was awesome!
I'm sure you know this but the reason the kid had a fight scene was because that was Sho's real life son, Kane Kosugi.
He should of told his son not to accept candy from strangers. I mean what is Spikes plan with those 3 kids?
@@Tigerfire75 Should OF, because phonetically..
Eventually he got to do stuff in the 90s super sentai!
The kid grows up to play Kenichi Kai in Ultraman Powered and Jiraiya/Ninja Black from Kakuranger.
...whom he disowned.
Revenge of the Ninja is definitelt my favorite Sho Kosugi movie. My dad was so excited to show it to me.
"Just because it's a shotgun wedding doesn't mean you have to bring firearms.". That's unless the wedding is in Texas :)
make fun but in texas they empty their load during the wedding day
and empty their load on wedding night ;-)
No not Texa, you're thinking about Florida
@@whatnotbutter7470 your mistaken! its a hillbillie thang from verginie!
5% Dr. Strangelove, 5% James Bond, 90% crap.
I doubt that you could make a better film yourself.
Did you say that if you eat turd instead of food at restaurant?
@@paxhumana2015 At least they're just making a funny and accurate joke towards a bad film and not making brain dead "You can't say the food is burnt if you're not a chef"-level cope for said bad film lmfao
This played in THEATERS! I recall seeing the newspaper ad when I was eleven.
The Thomas Dolby joke made my day!
The villain being such a direct and blatant ripoff of Dr. Strangelove is hilarious.
I think the only reason the kid had his own fight scene was because the kid is Sho Kosugi's son Kane Kosugi.
I wore this movie out playing my bootleg copy over and over on my RCA VHS video player (that couldn’t even record) - the 80’s were awesome. This is by far one of the best Ninja-ploytation movies ever made. Hats off to you for reviewing it. Rock on!
Perhaps the three dancer sequence was an attempt to create a Maurice Binder feel for the opening credits, similar to what Binder did for the James Bond films maybe they lacked the special effects expertise or resources to do a complete homage. Or maybe they had nothing in mind other than people like looking at pretty women dancing. That was enough for me.
You got it the first time.
Yeah, I think you're right with the bond explanation. And also........its 1985.
Pretty much what I was thinking, copying the Bond gimmick.
I'm all for the theory it's all about looking at pretty women.
Yeah, I could see Sho Kosugi playing Storm Shadow with Michael Dudikoff playing Snake Eyes.
Holy crap, tonight I rewatched "Lethal Weapon" after years and only now I noticed that the actor who played Alby the Cruel was in it too, at the beginning, he's the guy in red who holds Mel Gibson at gunpoint (MovieClips uploaded a video called "Crazy Cop", check that out, that's the scene where he appears). Since I know him only through this review (which I rewatch from time to time because it's one of my favorites), it was surreal to see him in a big famous movie. The way he yelled in that scene is the part where I went "Wait... is that Alby?" haha
big rip : (. i wish the guy'd acted in more stuff. the couple things i've seen him in he gives a pretty unique and memorable performance.
Your snarky comment on Switzerland and Nazi money is... sadly quite accurate. Regarding the movie, I really can't decide if it was self-aware or completely serious. XD
I wonder if there's another movie like this with Commie bad guys rather than Nazis (the Swiss also banked money for the USSR)?
@@RichardWatt It'd be easier to make a list of the countries we didn't bank money for!
Thanks for the review. It's been a while when I have laughed this hard. By the way my reactions for that first dancing scene was same as you when I first see this movie. Trust me, tvelwe-pack of beer went REALLY fast when I watched this
I actually saw this in the theater when I was like 12 ( '85). It was so bad even a 12 year old recognized what a stinker this one was. My friend at the time, who drug me to it, was a Sho Kosugi groupie.
@@CourtneyDaryanani lol, yes...dragged (damn auto correct)
If this movie gets remade, the German villian should be played by Charlie Day.
Hell yeah
Id pay money for that.
It would a Sunny in Philadelphia episode where the gang is trying make an action movie, and they would be ripping off bad comedy action movies thinking that are good action movies to steal from.
or ryan reynolds
we know he can play bat-shit crazy
No, they need to bring Blackie back
Now that I've finally seen a review of this movie (thank you), I have three more movies that I need to see reviews for:
1) American Ninja
2) American Ninja 2
3) Avenging Force
It's basically just the Michael Dudikoff "hat trick" of 80s action movies. The dude had a decent run, for a little while...
He is in the 4 American Ninja movie too. Plus Pat Morita is in the fifth one
The wheelchair guy is a cross between Maximilian Scheel and Peter Strangelove Sellers
That's Anthony kedis from the Red Hot Chili Peppers Dad😃
And some doofensmirtz
@@pauricboylan3571 Wasn't Kiedis' dad some low level drug pusher?
@@Srksius2802 don’t know about that but he was a well known bartender in LA. and a busy character actor
Ok, the lady villain is my new favorite thing. The hair...the acting...that’s grade A cheese. 👍🏽👍🏽
She actually did an excellent job.
This movie makes sense if you realize it's trying to launch Sho Kasugi as a Bond character.
how can you not love an opening credit sequence with ninja training in the fog with 3 dancing babes? what more could you ask for?
Spike Shinobi. That is the best ninja name ever
3:11 AAAH! Japanese Bellarians!
Isn't that one of the characters from "Cowboy Bebop"?
One of his sons is Kane Kosugi who played Kazama in Godzilla: Final Wars, the human alter ego of Ultraman in Ultraman Powered, as well as competing alongside his brother Shane in several seasons of the original Ninja Warrior (Sasuke).
How do you follow up Asian Pat Benetar?
With four midgets in funny hats!
Hey-- they were sent on their mission by James Bond's TENNIS-PRO sidekick from "Octopussy"! I'm shocked that he actually made more than just that one movie.
Did Brandon honestly ignore the scene where Sho shoots Rahji but Rahji caughts the bullet midair and stucks it up to his nostril? I know that scene exists, I've seen it.
Just when I think I'm becoming too jaded, you run something like this, and I end up spit-taking my milk. XD
Actor vijay amritaj who played rankin starred in one of the roger moore james bond movies and was once a profesional tennis player. I saw him at wimbledon
Before I found this channel I had no idea there were so many WTF movies out there.
God, this movie was abysmally bad. I rented it from Netflix a while back and all I could focus on was Not-David Cross doing a pitiful excuse for a German accent. If anyone thinks this is par for the course for Sho Kosugi films, you are sorely mistaken! Please check out the Cannon Films ninja trilogy, and Pray for Death. All of which are excellent martial arts films, and in Pray for Death's case, a hybrid of martial arts and revenge film with a kick ass 80's synthesizer theme song!
Yeah... Sho pretty much peaked at Ninja 3: The Domination for me... But this was all sorts of fun! Bought the DVD for about $2 a few years ago.
'Madam Whoopie's floating boat palace!'
Goldberg had to make her money somehow I suppose...
So is Steve Gordon related to Douglas Gordon from Godzilla: Final Wars and/or Captain Gordon DEFENDER OF EARTH?
Sure, that movie's a bit of a mess but his character was awesome.
The part with the girls dancing is the best piece of artistic performance in the movie😀
Speaking of the Ninja films, I love 'American Ninja' I and II. And my favourite Sho Kosugi Ninja film is 'Revenge of the Ninja'.
Actually, Rutger Hauer did the best version of the old “hand grenade in the mouth" trick in Wanted: Dead or Alive.
Oh shit, is Capt. Steve Gordon Gary Daniels? You should do reviews of some of his movies. (Blood Moon, Cold Harvest, etc...)
3:05 O_O oh, oh my... It's like the video for The Number One Song in Heaven and the audition scene in Flashdance had a ninja baby
For some weird reason, I can’t stop rewatching this review.
"The tiny net is always a surefire...It is a net, and it is tiny."
Just re-watching this review, and at about 11:15, in the office I swear that is an Osborne 1 microcomputer on the desk, which came out in April of 1981. It had a 3 inch monitor built in.
I know I saw this- I remember the box, I remember waiting for it to be in to rent it and, well, as a kid I never missed a Sho Kosugi film, but I have absolutely no memory of ANY of this.
I don't remember the box, but I know it was one of those large, oversized, "clamshell" boxes with the plastic insert inside, favored by the likes of Wizard Video, or ANY porn company at the time!
This movie sums up to the phrase-“There’s no way this could get any weirder…and I spoke to soon.”
Does Brandon know that he has a son who starred in Super Sentai by the name of Kane? He's a Ninja Ranger-much better than just a ninja. Plus he could stop bears from taking a pic-a-nic basket!
Just found out that Blackie Dammett, aka John Keidis passed away on May 12 of 2021. RIP dude, that was a crazy role you played.
Alby the Cruel is what happens when you combine Dr. Strangelove and Jim Lahey.
How about doing a review of Blind Fury starring Rutger Hauer as a blind swordsman. He even fights Sho Kosugi at the end of the movie.
Well this does make monday that much better.
😂 your commentary had me in tears!!! I remember this movie from when I was a kid ! Lol
I knew there was something the godfather 2 lacked, ninjas!
For me, they're lacked in The Godfather Part 3.
Hmm, 9 Deaths Of The Ninja looks like it just might be the inspiration for 2014's Kingsman, or more correctly it's 2017 sequel.
Love this movie, all of Sho Kusagi's movie really. I got my outdoor tv/stereo setup in my back deck to chill with my bros cuz corona. One of his movies always gets in the rotation.
Thanks for making this video. I remember watching this movie when I was a kid cuz I was completely ninja crazy and saw every movie Sho Kosugi ever did, though I never could pronounce his name right. It's been my experience that most of the ninja movies that I love from that era are pretty unwatchable nowadays because they're just so unbelievably dated. Once again I found myself doubled over with laughter because of your dry snarky sarcastic wit. Good job Brandon! Your videos are better than 6 Minute Abs.
It seems like Spike does all the fighting and Steve gets all the women. So they're basically the main characters in Challenge of the Tiger.
Awesome, didn't know about Alby. Ive met Anthony several times and I can totally see where he got his weird energy. His dad is great in this.
Manilla...
Manila...
*Minilla*
Jesus, I'm having flashbacks from the earlier days of the channel
Growing up in the 80 I was and still a huge sho kusugi fan and hope you review the other 4 80s ninja movies he started in
15:56 That sounds like the Unas language from Stargate Sg1
nice work man, discovered you this week and ive been on a binge ever since.
i strongly suggest 9 and a half ninja, i have fond memories of this stoner flick.
Damn! I believe they filmed this in Tennessee!
Well, when that opening starts, you certainly can't accuse the film of lying! At all! Even they don't know... anything at all, come to think of it...
New Drinking Game: Take a drink every time I start laughing cuz "what am I seeing?"
I have watched this movie so many times that I have damn near total recall of it from start to finish.
I just have to believe "Blackie Dammett" is that actor's real name. Could you imagine if he'd joined the military? The phrase "damn it" is the basic punctuation of a drill sergeant's vocabulary. Guy would have gotten so much punishment exercise they'd just have him shot-putting mortars by the time he went into combat.
Naaa they don't do that as much these days. I was surprised when I saw a documentary of modern training. I think if some of those recruits were quarter decked as much I was they would die.
Hey Brandon, could you do a review of "Avenging Force" (starring Michael Dudikoff, of "America Ninja" & "American Ninja 2: The Confrontation" fame)? It's a classic cheesy action flick...
I love how the look out areas in the beginning were made from cardboard
Sho Kosugi IS the box cover model for Shinobi. They borrowed the Enter the Ninja poster image.
I am so glad I saw this review. This will be one Sho Kosugi movie that won't be in my collection. Also, was his partner in Bukaroo Bonzai?
Great review, but i get distracted... Why is it call "9 deaths of the NINJA"? 9 deaths of what? Does he has to kill 9 villains or something like that?
That's how many kittens where killed in the watermelon scene.
Spike shinobi sounds like a star wars character and bad guy sounds like freakazoid
Review 1985s Pray for death!?
Wait, wait, wait! Brent Huff??? From *Gwendoline*???
I remember this movie from a LONG time ago but it's been so long since I saw it. I saw this on video in the 80's.
The poster for this movie is included in the background of the latest TMNT movie
That opening sequence was giving me serious Buck Rogers opening sequence vibes.
The intro would have been better if the ninja just went batshit crazy and sliced those three girls to bits. xD
Honey Hump might just be my favourite bat shit performance of all time
Wheelchair guy sounds like he might be the father of Skwisgaar Skwigelf!
He is Skwisgasar's father- so his father was not a god, just a Swedish paraplegic with a pseudo-German accent that's a lame ass terrorist! Total bomber!
The guy playing with the balls (11:20) -- the ambassador -- is Vijay Amritraj, a tennis player famous in his day....
15:56 "gago"/"gaga" are Filipino words that means "jackass" (it's a gendered word so "gago" refers to men and "gaga" refers to women), and I think he also said "Baka-tare" which is Japanese for "idiot".
so his multilingual-ness might be the reason for his nonsensical mish-mash of accents.
i kind of love how their guns at the wedding look almost just like the one the kid in terror vision had. i think that was a really popular design for a couple decades. if i'm not mistaken they're suppose to be m16's arent they?
Watching 'Nine Deaths of a Ninja' is like finding a hidden treasure chest full of hilariously martial arts moves and cheesy dialogue! 🥋😆...
17:22 Fun Fact: The Guy Who Directed The North Korean Godzilla Rip-off "Pulgasari" Also Worked On The '3 Ninjas' Series.
4:32: I also would have gone with "but then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked"
Great work again, however Bob Ross hated his hair, he grew it out to save money on hair cuts, but by the time he had become rich it had become an iconic part of his look he new he was stuck with it.
BTW, the pervy Ambassador is played by tennis legend Vijay Amritraj. I have no clue why or how he appeared in this.
Opening sequence is what the fuuuuuuuck!? A 1980's kinky workout video?
See F13: The Final Chapter
I feel bad for dude shooting that gun.
I love it when I find a UA-camr with a sense of humor like mine.
I found another Shaw Brothers Studios movie, you can't resist, and can't go wrong with. Five Deadly Venoms, a Shaw Brothers martial arts B movie classic.
I was jsut waiting for the "SNAKE EATEEEEEER" in the Opening Sequence