Name: Retro Film Review: Beverly Hills Ninja (1997)
Item: Beverly Hills Ninja
Rating: 30
Author: @drax

(source: tmdb.org)

The author of this review tries very hard to judge films solely on their merit, but sometimes this proves to be impossible. Certain objective circumstances are bound to cloud and affect my appreciation of some films. One of those cases happened on the very day I watched Beverly Hills Ninja, 1997 comedy directed by Dennis Duggan. Shortly before that I learned that its main star Chris Farley died. Needless to say, my viewing experience was affected by that sad fact.

In this film Farley plays Haru, young white man who had been adopted by clan of Japanese ninjas as a child. It had been prophesied that a young white baby would become the greatest ninja that had ever lived. Unfortunately, Haru doesn't fit that particular part because of his weight problem and clumsiness and his Sensei (played by Soon- Tek Oh) fears him more than clan's enemies. However, fate allows Haru to be hired as a ninja by Allison Page (played by Nicolette Sheridan), beautiful woman who suspects that her boyfriend Martin Tanley (played by Nathaniel Parker) is involved in illegal activities. Trail leads Haru to Beverly Hills and Sensei, concerned for his safety, sends Gobei (played by Robin Shou), the real ninja, to "shadow" him.

Just like in many 1990s Hollywood comedies, the whole basis of Beverly Hills Ninja is "fish out of water" plot, which is supposed to work on two levels - Haru is obviously at odds with his ninja surroundings, but he doesn't fare in "normal" Beverly Hills world any better. The concept is weak, and the execution is even weaker - too many times jokes are flat and audience would for the most part wince rather than smile. On the other hand, knowing that the main actor died puts his efforts in different light, making his role in some ways more touching and therefore more effective. Farley indeed does his thankless role relatively well, same as Nicolette Sheridan. Yet the humanity, which is probably the only thing that makes Beverly Hills Ninja watchable, has more to do with audience's sympathies than with the film itself.

RATING: 3/10 (+)

(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on November 7th 2003)