Overview: This shot-on-video martial-arts double feature from Joesph Lai and IFD Films unleashes pure 1980s ninja chaos as two unlikely heroes are dragged into a war over stolen germ-warfare secrets. Featuring disappearing ninja assassins, endless waves of thugs, criminal masterminds, insane effects and the mysterious Hocus Pocus magic fighting style. It’s full-tilt SOV insanity, delivering cult ninja action at maximum volume.

Blu-ray Verdict: Born a Ninja (1988) is a wild SOV martial-arts action romp where espionage, absurdity, and vanishing ninjas collide. When unlikely heroes Larry and David stumble onto a long-lost WWII germ formula created by the mysterious scientist Tanaka, they’re pulled into a deadly web of shadow warfare and secret assassins.

On their trail is Simon, a merciless ninja enforcer working for the cold-blooded mastermind Martin, whose scheme threatens global catastrophe. Outnumbered and outmatched, Larry and David rely on nerve, instinct, and their own unconventional fighting discipline - Hocus Pocus, a martial art as unpredictable as it is lethal.

So, what do we have here, I hear you ask? Well, we have agents, secret formulas, plot twists, double crosses and so forth and at about the 18 minute mark we get a dutifully resilient scene which kicks in which features our main hero fighting a magically strong wind, and all that comes with it.

OK, sure, there are moments of weak dubbing and some very nonsensical editing, but what this film does it does well, in my humble opinion. It is thoroughly entertaining ninja nonsense with some synth bangers on the soundtrack thrown in for good measure.

Then comes Commando the Ninja (1988) (a.k.a. American Commando Ninja, a/k/a Silent Killers) cranks the chaos up even higher, continuing the covert war over germ-warfare secrets more dangerous than ninja blades. Once again caught in a storm of espionage, double-crosses, and stolen science, Larry and David find themselves facing more ruthless power brokers and endless waves of attackers. As the battle escalates, two fearless allies - Becky and Brenda - join the fight, driving the action toward an outrageous finale of acrobatics, ambushes, and full-blown ninja madness. Apparently cut together from an unidentified Taiwanese TV series (along with another film, the aforementioned above Born A Ninja), I remember having this on video tape way back in the early 90’s. I was a young teenage in search of anything ninja or kung-fu related, an after watching it - immediately put off by its shot-to-video quality.

Now, as an adult, well, it doesn’t fare much better in my mind, but it does have some saving graces that I can see now, such as it stars the fantastic and handsome, Meng Fei from The Prodigal Boxer, The Guy With Secret Kung Fu, and The King Of Boxers to name but a few. So this was totally out-of-sorts to see him in a modern film, especially as a ninja, and yet it totally works!

Once again, the English dubbing is atrocious, but the plot does hold up about a Japanese ninja in China trying to find an evil scientist called Tanaka, who just happens to have a secret formula from WW2 that could destroy the world. Also chasing him is Becky, who dresses in a bright yellow vest and pair of shorts patterned with the Confederate flag, and Brenda, her double-denim friend whose parents got killed in WW2 (even though she looks about 35 herself). A third party enters, Larry, who is a master of Hocus Pocus (honestly!) and as well as being adept in kung-fu, can shoot fire from his fingers and more.

The action was directed by Hong Kong star John Chang, from Project A 2, Dragon The Bruce Lee Story, and Police Story 2. The lengthy end fight, with Meng Fei in full ninja mode, is actually a lot of fun and well worth the price of admission; as they say.

Bonus Materials:
SD masters from original tape elements
Commando the Ninja commentary with Justin Decloux and Will Sloane of The Important Cinema Club
Born A Ninja with commentary by Justin Decloux of The Important Cinema Club
The Essential Godfrey Ho – Video Essay
The Law Chi Touch – Video Essay
Actor Kwan Chung interview
Image Gallery
Original Trailers
Visual Vengeance Trailers
Optional English subtitles
Two folded mini-posters with original VHS art
Reversible sleeve featuring original VHS art
‘Stick Your Own’ VHS sticker set – FIRST PRESSING ONLY – WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
Limited Edition O-Card by Uncle Frank – FIRST PRESSING ONLY – WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
Booklet with essay by ninja movie expert C.J. Lines
Blu-ray sleeve featuring art by The Dude

Official Blu-Ray Trailer

Official Purchase Link