Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 21, 1993 TAG: 9308240172
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It's a transparent rip-off aimed at the "Teen-age Mutant Ninja Turtle" crowd, but those viewers are a bit too sophisticated for this material. Part comedy and part generic martial arts formula, the film has no real laughs, and the fight scenes are pedestrian.
The alleged plot by writer Dan Gordon concerns two brothers, Johnny (Ernie Reyes Jr.) and Adam (Nicholas Cowan), who learn that their Southern California surfer dude lifestyle is a lie. They're actually royalty from the Oriental island of Patu San. They were taken from there when the evil Col. Chi (Leslie Nielsen, wasted in a role that's little more than a walk-on) killed their parents and took over.
A prophecy says that Johnny will return to the throne when he turns 16, so Chi dispatches ninjas to kill the boys. But their protector, Zatch (Ernie Reyes Sr.), intervenes, saving them and their friend Iggy (Rob Schneider). An LA cop Spence (Tone Loc) joins them for the trip back to Patu San where they'll lead the revolution, etc. etc.
Though it's probably unfair to heap too much baggage on such a low-budget B-movie, this one does manage to be fairly insulting to all Asians. The jokes about Oriental religions and restaurants aren't aimed at any specific race or nationality. Their ignorant condescension is more wide-ranging and vaguely racist in a general sense. Director Neal Israel downplays that side of the action in favor of pointless fight scenes.
Don't be surprised if "Surf Ninjas" shows up in your favorite video store in a matter of weeks.
Surf Ninjas: *
A New Line release playing at the Valley View Mall 6 and Salem Valley 8. 87 min. Rated PG for violence, some strong language.
by CNB