American Ninja 2: The Confrontation stars Michael Dudikoff and Steve James and I wanted to check out the the first film, American Ninja, but couldn’t find it anywhere to rent which is unfortunate. I barely remember these films, I saw them way back in the Eighties when I was a youngster. I never saw any of the later films.
Dudikoff is Sgt. Joe Armstrong, the American ninja of the title, and James is his buddy, Sgt. Curtis Jackson. These flicks were some of the earliest 80s action flicks that featured non-POC actors, not named Chuck Norris, doing the martial arts thing. I think. I’m not sure really, I don’t know the history of martial arts films in the US. I am curious about it though.
Anyway, on a small Caribbean island, US Marines are going missing and Army Rangers Armstrong and James are sent to investigate. Hijinks ensue. Kind of.
This is strictly B-movie fare with some fun action, lousy dialogue, obvious set-ups and progressions. Why do all the ninjas announce their attacks as they leap into action when they have just spent the preceding moments stealthily sneaking up to attack.
It’s not a good movie but that’s okay. I don’t know if it’s even trying to be. I enjoyed it for what it was.
#Cheesy Fun.
-all photos via IMDb.com.