Enter the Ninja (1981)
The story behind Enter the Ninja is fascinating. Franco Nero took over the lead role after the original star (martial artist Mike Stone) was replaced due to acting concerns. Since Menachem Golan had already commenced production, Nero joined late and (hilariously) had to be dubbed in English by Marc Smith, while Stone remained as his stunt double for the complex fight scenes. We ended up with a bizarre but delightful mix of an Italian star dubbed by an American voice actor, performing stunts doubled by the man he replaced!
As a film, Enter the Ninja is a well-paced, fun B-movie that doesn’t pretend to be anything more than a popcorn flick. Loaded with humour, chases, and crowd-pleasing moments, it would easily be one of Golan’s better directorial efforts. The tone is lighthearted and playful, making it a perfect fit for 1980s audiences.
Franco Nero brings an air of unpredictability to the lead role. It is refreshing to see him in a playful international actioner following his heavier previous work. Even though he is dubbed, a fact I missed as a kid watching Force 10 from Navarone, assuming he was American, his physical presence and charisma are undeniable. While a version with Nero’s natural voice might have been more convincing, the dubbing strangely adds to the film’s B-movie allure.
The supporting cast leans into the campiness. Susan George brings high energy as the love interest; while her chemistry with Nero is pleasant rather than complex, and the romantic subplot feels occasionally unnecessary given her marriage to Alex Courtney’s character, she remains engaging. Christopher George returns to his roots as a villain who clearly enjoys the absurdity of the script. Meanwhile, Sho Kosugi bookends the film as a seasoned ninja, a wise casting decision that set him up perfectly for the sequels.
Although Alex Courtney’s role as Nero’s friend is somewhat frustrating, Constantine Gregory completely steals the show as one of the most likable henchmen in action movie history. The rest of the film is packed with entertaining characters for both kids and parents. The overall welcoming and friendly tone allows the audience to overlook its unintentional gaffes, plot holes, and chaotic production scars—distractions that are arguably the film’s greatest strengths.
Ultimately, Enter the Ninja is solidly entertaining without being a martial arts film. It knows exactly what it is: a trashy, unapologetic B-movie designed to entertain. Revisiting it as an adult is a delight, especially for those of us with deep nostalgia for Cannon Films. Without the scrappiness typical of the studio, this wouldn’t be nearly as much of a cult classic. It may not be high art, but for fans of Franco Nero and 80s nostalgia, it is perfect, mindless fun.
At the time of writing Kino Lorber has announced a 4K release of all three films in the series and a boxset due for release in early December. These look to be new scans of the original negative.
The blu-ray release was a superb upgrade over previous generation releases for both audio and video. However, the extra materails decent if somewhat sparse.
