Search - American Ninja 4 - The Annihilation on DVD

"He's not much for words, but he comes thru in the end."

H. Bala | Carson - hey, we have an IKEA store! - CA USA | 08/20/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Compared to more accomplished martial arts cinema, the American Ninja series comes off as a poor addled cousin from the Ozarks. These flicks have always been a guilty pleasure for me, cheesy with average martial arts and sometimes it gets so bad that it's good. AMERICAN NINJA 4: THE ANNIHILATION again features David Bradley whose stiffness as an actor is surpassed only by that department store mannequin who calls himself Michael Dudikoff.

I make fun of the guy but, to be honest, I have a fondness for the Dudikoff. Part of the fun is having him star in the first two movies and watching him explore his acting range. As it turns out, his acting range mostly consists of planting on the same blank expression to signify all sorts of emotions. His "martial arts" is shady enough that I'm compelled to use quotation marks when mentioning his "martial arts." David Bradley is actually a more fluid action guy. But absence, I guess, does make the heart grow fonder. I thought Bradley was decent in AMERICAN NINJA 3: BLOOD HUNT, but I missed Dudikoff. There's just something likeable about the guy. When AMERICAN NINJA 4: THE ANNIHILATION came out in the U.S. in 1991, heralding Dudikoff's return, it became a must-see flick for me. Even now I like it enough that I rate it 3.5 stars out of 5. But I probably re-watched it while wearing rose-tinted nostalgia.

When a Delta Force unit is captured by ninjas, covert operative Sean Davidson (David Bradley) is deployed to some sweaty third world country to effect a rescue mission, but not before Sean busts up his best pal's wedding to drag him on the mission. And when Sean Davidson, his still unwed best pal, and a pretty doctor are in turn captured by ninjas, it's finally up to reluctant ex-agent Joe Armstrong (Dudikoff) to come out of retirement and ninja up. There's also the added incentive of a nuclear device neatly packed in a suitcase and intended to detonate in New York City.

I tell you, there's something effing cool about a ninja master catching an arrow with his bare teeth - and, in the same motion, ripping out an enemy's throat using that arrow, still clenched in his teeth. AMERICAN NINJA 4: THE ANNIHILATION is cheesy goodness, and, even now, I find it surprisingly watchable. Absolutely, there are flaws - holy shabbadooby, there are some seriously dubious moments here. The trippiest thing may be in seeing a rainbowful of ninjas: red and yellow and blue and white and black ninjas. And also one Uberninja with an eyepatch. And I'm guessing Japan must import a lot of white ninja dudes; there sure are a lot of Caucasian skins peeking out from under the masks of the evil ninja army. And what's up with Sean's mouth mask? I also get a kick out of the fact that while prior operatives had to secretly parachute into enemy territory, Joe Armstrong takes a commercial flight right out in the open.

To throw even more color into the mix, Joe enlists the help of an insurgent gang of riff-raffs who look like rejects from a Road Warrior set. I would say it's a jarring effect, but it's that kind of movie.

Disappointingly, Dudikoff and Bradley don't share much screen time. Bradley hogs the first half of the film, and then the Dudikoff comes into the picture 45 minutes into it. When we renew acquaintances with Joe Armstrong, we find him in the Peace Corps, evidently having had enough of the slaughter game. He's in class, teaching his students about the environment and how it's everywhere (his assignment for the kids: "Now go outside and bring me a sample."). He's then visited by an old soldier who tries to talk him into going back into action. After mulling it over over some coffee, Joe gets back into the mix. This whole time, Dudikoff's expression doesn't change. I love the guy, but Michael Dudikoff exudes the charisma of a passed out Michael Dudikoff.

The fighty fights are passable stuff. We do get to see Dudikoff and Bradley facing off and are treated to Dudikoff's go-to expression (staring blankly) when his character thinks he's just killed his pal Sean. And, because Joe Armstrong is an AMERICAN ninja, he even mixes in some good old-fashioned haymakers into his fighting style. Joe and Sean do end up joining forces for the last 10, 15 minutes of the flick, so that's something.

Lastly, I agree with the reviewers who miss Steve James's strong presence and cool vibe. The American Ninja series is far less without Curtis Jackson to offset all the wooden acting. Ultimately, AMERICAN NINJA 4: THE ANNIHILATION is fun but cheesy. Or maybe it's fun because it IS so cheesy."