3 Ninjas Kick Back

1994

1h 33m

IMDb RATING

5.6/10

312

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23 Images

Family

Adventure

Action

Comedy

During a championship baseball match, the three brothers hear that their grandfather in Japan is in trouble, and head out to help him, conceding the match. When they arrive in Japan, they must use all their powers to defend him against his ancient enemy, who has returned to exact revenge.

Directors

Charles T. Kanganis

Writers

Mark Saltzman(screenplay by)

Shin Sang-ok(writer by)

Stars

Victor Wong Chi-Keung

Max Elliott Slade

Sean Fox

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Videos1

Teaser
Watch 3 Ninjas Kick Back (1994) Teaser (VHS Capture)

Photos23

Top cast

Victor Wong Chi-Keung

Grandpa Mori Shintaro

Max Elliott Slade

Jeffrey 'Colt' Douglas

Sean Fox

Samuel 'Rocky' Douglas Jr.

J. Evan Bonifant

Michael 'Tum Tum' Douglas

Miyo

Glam

Samuel Douglas Sr.

Jessica Shintaro-Douglas

Vinnie

Slam

Koga

Umpire

Nurse Hino

Darren the Bully

Keith

Evan

Gerald

Lisa DiMarino

Directors

Charles T. Kanganis

Writers

Mark Saltzman(screenplay by)

Shin Sang-ok(writer by)

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User reviews1

Review

Featured review

5/10

Let's delve into the rise and fall of the three ninjas franchise. Initially, the original “3 Ninjas” stands out as a remarkable film, even though it may not have received the same critical acclaim as others. It exudes a fun 90s vibe that resonates with many viewers. The characters Rocky, Colt, and Tumtum are engaging, especially in their martial arts pursuits under the guidance of their grandfather, Tanaka. While the film lacks in-depth martial arts training, it still retains a nostalgic charm that endears it to audiences, making it a cult classic worth revisiting. The sequel, while decent, faced challenges with the recasting of Rocky and Tumtum, disrupting the continuity of the original cast. Despite this, the replacements manage to maintain the film's fun and entertaining essence, although it falls short of its predecessor. The lack of martial arts development persists, but the presence of the grandfather adds continuity to the franchise. The third installment attempted to reunite the original cast for a nostalgic touch, yet the decision to recast once again puzzled viewers. While incorporating Indian culture and indigenous heroes, the film comes across as cheesy and lacks re-watch value, except for the reunion of the original cast members, notably the grandfather. The franchise's downfall came with the fourth film, a disastrous attempt featuring Hulk Hogan and a Pamela Anderson look-alike in a money-grabbing amusement park takeover plot. The casting of Tumtum was particularly egregious, leading to a lackluster performance. Rocky and Colt were relegated to side characters, detracting from the essence of the three ninjas. The film's shift towards a villain-centric narrative fighting the FBI was seen as the franchise's lowest point, contributing to its eventual demise and disappearance from the spotlight.

tmdb5161616701 Sep, 2024