I have never been a fan of Florentine's work. But I do like Ninjas so I thought I'd give it a try. Although my expectations were not high seeing how it is a Florentine movie and a DTV release I was still underwhelmed.
Despite the many things I didn't like with this film the action never left me disappointed. The choreographies were varied but still seemed to have a underlying foundation and therefore fit really well together. The cinematography and editing during the fight scenes was also to my liking. Every strike was well executed and comprehensible.
Unfortunately that is about the only good thing this movie got going. I am not gonna nag about the thin plot - it's a DTV action flick what did I expect? Well, for starters I expected some darn Ninjas! But to be fair you get half a Ninja at the very end of the movie. When Adkins puts on a Ninja outfit, recites the 9 levels of power, does exactly 1 stealth kill and then starts blowing the whole place up....so much for that Ninja action promised in the title. Why not name it "Burma Knockout" or "Gaijin Revengeance" instead? You might as well...
Another thing that really bugged me was the cinematography and editing outside of the fight scenes. Often times there was soft focus or very uninspired shots mixed together with some oddly paced cuts sometimes resulting in unintentionally funny moments.
Though I won't critique the plot i will criticize the characters and their motives. I mean, I want to see Adkins beat up a bunch of Asian guys as much as everybody else but I find it a little unjustified to mow down a whole bar just because one a**hole made you spill your beer. Also the film had seemed to get this weird message across that revenge can get you happiness and inner peace...they never say it out loud but it is always kind of there.
Looking at the other reviews and the 6+ rating it makes me wonder if I maybe have watched a different movie. Of course the action is superb but nothing more - not the best. And besides that the movie has nothing more to offer. Not to mention that it barely even delivers what the title promises
Hence my rating: 3/10 3 stars entirely for the very well executed and very well captured action.
Despite the many things I didn't like with this film the action never left me disappointed. The choreographies were varied but still seemed to have a underlying foundation and therefore fit really well together. The cinematography and editing during the fight scenes was also to my liking. Every strike was well executed and comprehensible.
Unfortunately that is about the only good thing this movie got going. I am not gonna nag about the thin plot - it's a DTV action flick what did I expect? Well, for starters I expected some darn Ninjas! But to be fair you get half a Ninja at the very end of the movie. When Adkins puts on a Ninja outfit, recites the 9 levels of power, does exactly 1 stealth kill and then starts blowing the whole place up....so much for that Ninja action promised in the title. Why not name it "Burma Knockout" or "Gaijin Revengeance" instead? You might as well...
Another thing that really bugged me was the cinematography and editing outside of the fight scenes. Often times there was soft focus or very uninspired shots mixed together with some oddly paced cuts sometimes resulting in unintentionally funny moments.
Though I won't critique the plot i will criticize the characters and their motives. I mean, I want to see Adkins beat up a bunch of Asian guys as much as everybody else but I find it a little unjustified to mow down a whole bar just because one a**hole made you spill your beer. Also the film had seemed to get this weird message across that revenge can get you happiness and inner peace...they never say it out loud but it is always kind of there.
Looking at the other reviews and the 6+ rating it makes me wonder if I maybe have watched a different movie. Of course the action is superb but nothing more - not the best. And besides that the movie has nothing more to offer. Not to mention that it barely even delivers what the title promises
Hence my rating: 3/10 3 stars entirely for the very well executed and very well captured action.