Victoria P. (torip) from STATESVILLE, NC Reviewed on 1/20/2008...
This is a really good kids movie!
Movie Reviews
The "REAL" 3 Ninjas Are Back!!
Mr. | USA | 07/19/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The original brothers return in this, the third installment in the 3 Ninjas Trilogy. Like a lot of fans of the series, I really enjoyed the first film a lot. It just had the perfect blend of humor, action and drama to make for a great adventure. Michael Treanor as Rocky, Max Elliot Slade as Colt, & Chad Power as Tum Tum really had some great chemistry together. Rocky was more of the sensitive thinker, while Colt was more of the aggressive type. And Tum Tum? Well, he was more a combination of comic relief as well as a way of letting smaller kids feel like they could be a ninja too. But like many fans, I was very disappointed with the 2nd installment, 3 Ninjas Kick Back, because Michael Treanor & Chad Power were replaced by two other actors. This was the biggest mistake in the world and it crippled the franchise as a result. Kids aren't stupid. They will notice when you change actors on them in a movie. Thankfully, Treanor & Power returned for the third installment, 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up.Directed by Simon S. Sheen, "Knuckle Up" is a story about an indian community being mistreated by a cruel and sadistic landowner (played nicely by Charles Napier) and it's up to the 3 Ninjas to take him down, with the help of a pretty indian girl named Jo (played by Crystle Lightning). The Kevin Costner movie, Dances With Wolves, brought about a huge interest in Indian culture, and "Knuckle Up" is one of the many films about Indians that was made as a result. There is a true mysticism about their ways that the brothers discover and make their own. But then you gotta love the 3 Ninjas Dance!! This film may not be as clever or humorous as the original, but it still is great fun. Colt fighting a bunch of guys while holding a pizza in one hand is just an example of the cool choreography. And those who scoff at the cuts of Victor Wong (Grandpa) with his stunt double, which were handled more effectively in the first film, should know that this film was made on a very low budget, much lower than the first two films, and they just didn't have the money to make it more realistic. But what's really great about the film is its heart. There's a great moment where Rocky (the thinker) understands the meaning of the flowers and why he and his brothers need to be more like them. Great scene! The DVD doesn't have much as far as special features. You get both the Widescreen & Full Screen Presentations (I recommend the Widescreen version) as well as some bonus trailers of other films like: Roughnecks, Buddy, Beverly Hills Ninja, The Karate Kid & Jumanji. The front cover of the case is odd because the 3 Ninjas are all dressed up in white karate outfits, which they never wore in the film at all.This film has a good message and plenty of fun humor, action and heart to entertain just about anyone. I recommend it and the first film highly. It's too bad these guys didn't do the fourth installment (perhaps they were just too old by then?). This would've also made a great TV show for kids too.3 Ninjas Knuckle Up - Add it to your collection!"Colt's gonna kiss Jo! Colt's gonna kiss Jo!"
"Come on, Guys! Okay...Maybe I will."
"WHAT??!!" -Michael Treanor, Max Elliot Slade, & Chad Power as Rocky, Colt & Tum Tum - the 3 Ninjas"
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!
dirty pete | Oroville CA | 07/09/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"How could any movie be this action packed? I couldn't believe how awesome this movie was until I put it in for the third time in a row! Holy poop! This movie is so much fun! remember the part where Colt says, "hi-yaa!" and then the juke box played the song, and then the part where they drive the car through the field, and then Rocky says, "who taught you how to walk?" (that's my favorite line) and then they rescue the Indian dude and the dog chases them into the sewers and they meet Rambo and steal Wonka Bars from the peddler and then they build their own sling shots and the dudes run away from the wooden snake trick digital unicorn? wasn't that part just the best? SAM DOUGLAS STILL RULES! No one messes with Sam Douglas!"
Cowboys vs. Indians and "Ninjas"
Shinobi | 06/19/2005
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I only gave it two stars because I understand this was a kid's movie, but I frankly thought it sucked. As I stated, I know it's a movie for kids but do they really have to say "I-ya!" during every attack? And, as in most kid's movies, the goons are either mentally retarded or they were on sale at the Henchmart. They rush in groups of two and are easily defeated by our "Ninja" heros and soon get up to repeat the cycle. The main badguy is, as usual a businessman who wants to either opress something or someone or rule the wolrd, and in this case he wants to opress the Indians. I found the acting overall to be terrible and that of an elementary school play. The humor was the same as the acting offering this as the funniest joke, (according to the people in the movie).
Fat Boy: I thought ninjas were bad guys.
Rocky(?): No. There are good ninjas and bad ninjas. Just like dentists!
Crowd: Hah ha ha ha ha!
But although this sort of movie shouldn't be reviewed by the likes of me, I would recommend this movie for children because it sports the classic ingredients for a good kid's movie. To anyone else who doesn't like kid's humor or cute movies, just stay away."
Great kids movie
Kimberly R. Cress | Jonesville, VA USA | 11/07/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"My godson started watching this movie, which we bought when my 14 year old daughter was much younger. He loves this movie and is driving his parents crazy with it, so I have now ordered the other two so there will be a little variety. He is almost 4 and sometimes watches this 4 or 5 times a day (if he can get by with it). A great movie for your children!!"