The American Ninja 1985 Review is here, and this one is a full-blown nostalgia trip… with a harsh reality check.
Back in the 80s, ninja movies ruled. They were fast, intense, and made you believe you could take on an army after one viewing. But does American Ninja still hold up today, or is it one of those films that only works when you're 10 years old?
In this episode of Born to Watch, Whitey, Damo, and Gow revisit this cult classic and quickly realise things are not quite as they remembered. From the opening scenes featuring hacky sacks and butterfly knives to the chaotic convoy ambush, the movie wastes no time showing its age.
The story follows Joe, an amnesiac American soldier who somehow possesses elite ninja skills with no real explanation. Set in the Philippines, the film throws together military action, martial arts, and a confusing arms deal plot that only starts to make sense in the final act.
Gow, our resident martial arts expert, gives his take on the film's depiction of ninjitsu, while Damo delivers a brutal review that calls out everything from the acting to the dialogue. And Whitey tries to make sense of it all, questioning whether this is a hidden gem or just a mess.
There are plenty of standout moments, and not always for the right reasons. The dialogue is unintentionally hilarious, the action is over-the-top, and the logic is… questionable at best. But despite all of that, there's still something entertaining about it.
This episode is packed with laughs, nostalgia, and honest takes as the boys break down what makes American Ninja such a memorable, yet flawed, piece of 80s cinema.
If you grew up watching ninja movies, this one's for you. And if you didn't, you're about to find out exactly what you missed.
Hit play and let us know, is American Ninja a cult classic or just plain bad?
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