Blu-Ray Review: Kino Lorber’s Revenge of the Ninja (KL Studio Classics)

Revenge of the Ninja, the second of the forty-eight ninja movies Cannon produced is possibly the best because it starts the ultimate ninja Sho Kosugi. Kino Lorber has upgraded their Blu-ray release. 

The Film 

I cannot overstate how Revenge of the Ninja is as entertaining as the original Enter the Ninja but for entirely different reasons.  For context here is from my Enter the Ninja review posted back in 2023

The wildest story point to occur in Enter the Ninja isn’t anything described above or anything that occurs in the film at all.  It’s Menahem Golan the producer fired the original star and director and hired himself (as the director) and Franco Nero as the star.  Basically, changing and damaging Western martial arts films for the rest of eternity.  Hiring Nero essentially gave him box office but Nero having zero martial arts skills opened the floodgates for all the ninja and non-ninja martial arts movies of the 1980s and most of the 1990s.  Yes, Golan would make the sequels as platforms for Sho Kosugi in the hands of the far more capable director Sam Firstenberg but what did it matter when none of that moved the needle?  It didn’t. 

By Golan handing off responsibilities to the much more capable Sam Firstenberg, Revenge the Ninja becomes the film we should have gotten.  Trading the eye-winking Franco Nero for the first film’s villain Sho Kosugi the film elevates itself to the top tier of ninja films from the 1980s.  Kosugi literally wrote the book on Ninjas even before he was cast as the baddie of the original.  Here having him as the hero makes perfect sense and works like gangbusters. 

The plot is as thin as it gets, though it somehow retains that patented Cannon wildness.  Drug-dealing white ninja (Keith Vitali) is trying to get paid by the Italian mob and when he doesn’t begins his white ninja war on the mob all the while using his real ninja friend (Kosugi) as a front.  Any film that makes a 6-year-old one of its primary action leads having him do his own stunts, is on another level you’ll never see again. Though when the 6-year-old is Kosugi’s own son, Kane Kosugi, who was already an accomplished black belt, it does make sense.  

It isn’t just kids doing stunts mind you.  Revenge of the Ninja has that truly dangerous energy that was fueled by Columbian White and the excess of Golan and Globus. Set pieces feel like they’re ripped from an outtake from a Jackie Chan film of the era.  Watch the mid-film chase scene where Kosugi, quite literally, jumps onto a speeding VW Bus, and proceeds to hang on to the side and top without any rigging.  One can watch this multiple times to check but all one needs to do is see Kosugi’s face to say it all.  

Though this isn’t the wildest of the action scenes in the film.  Luckily, Firstenberg and company save the most delirious Jedi/Harry Potter/Ninja shenanigans for the final boss fight.  No piece of trickery or fuckery was spared in this battle to end all battles.  One cannot properly describe the number of dummies, darts, lasers, and mind tricks these two warriors use.  This is the power and beauty of Revenge of the Ninja.  One cannot just explain it.  One must experience it.  

Until one has experienced Revenge of the Ninja, one cannot be a (fan of) Ninja.

The Transfer

Kino Lorber delivers another exemplary transfer for another Cannon Ninja Film.  Revenge of the Ninja has never looked better than on this Blu-ray.  The changeover to a BD-50 from their previous BD-25 has opened up the ability to let the transfer “breathe”.  The image is consistently sharp and attractive.   The colors pop and the black levels are well-defined as never even bordering close to the dreaded crushed blacks.  The transfer mimics a freshly printed 35mm archival print.  Kino continues to give the love and respect all films deserve. 

 The Extras

• NEW Audio Commentary by Action Film Historians Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
• Audio Commentary by Director Sam Firstenberg and Stunt Coordinator Steven Lambert
• Intro by Sam Firstenberg
• Behind-the-Scenes Photo Gallery
• Theatrical Trailer

Intro by Sam Firstenberg (3:16) – discusses how he knew nothing about directing action but was given the chance by Golan and Globus – and many who helped him learn the ropes to bring this cult classic to the big screen.  Firstenberg refreshingly applauds all the above-the-line and below-the-line crew who were so vital to making this film.  

The first of two Audio Commentaries is by Director Sam Firstenberg and Stunt Coordinator Steven Lambert moderated by Code Red’s Bill Olsen begins with their different responsibilities on the film and the opening moments and how they were filmed in Los Angeles for Japan.  Some of the other details include just how many ninjas that Lambert played – including doubling for star Sho Kosugi; how Kosugi’s students were enlisted many playing background ninjas; the fact that Kosugi’s voice was dubbed; the jokes that Kosugi and Lambert would play on Firstenberg; working with child actor Kane Kosugi; filming in both Los Angeles, New York City, and Salt Lake City; the troubles with the MPAA to secure an R-rating; a larger discussion about Golan and Globus – how the approached producing films; a larger discussion of what was added back into the Blu-ray release that was cut to secure R-Rating; a larger discussion of the various actors that appear in the film; a larger discussion of the various stunts and action set pieces and how they were accomplished – including some great anecdotes from the production; and much more. The track is a lively informative affair.  Anyone who loved the film will enjoy this commentary track that’s much more informational than your average commentary track. 

The second Audio Commentary is an all-new track provided by Action Film Historians Mike Leeder and Arne Venema.  The duo wastes no time in enthusiastically discussing the opening moments of the film before diving into a massively entertaining and informative commentary track.  Some of the other details include some great ties to the recent Mortal Kombat film and the opening scene; how the martial arts and stunts differ than the Hong Kong style that was popular at the time; a discussion of lead actor Sho Kosugi – including some great factoids and the legend he and Cannon built about him; a larger discussion of both the original production’s wildness and how they pivoted in the sequel with some adroit and daring choices; the work of Sam Firstenberg throughout – including discussion of Firstenberg’s run on the American Ninja series; the work of Kane Kosugi – including a discussion of his action scenes and a discussion of his father’s training him; a great discussion of the differences between Ninja and Samurai; a great side discussion of Cyclone – because Ashley Ferrare appears in it; interesting reason why Kosugi assisted with Choreography; a discussion of the early life of Kosugi; a larger discussion of the various action set pieces – including a truly great discussion of the delirious mid-movie car chase scene; a discussion about the “budget” and its success for Cannon Films; a larger discussion about the various actors that appear; a larger discussion – hilariously – pointing out ‘Western’ Ninjas; and much more.  The dynamic duo have done it again.  Any action junkie knows that Leeder and Venema deliver on any of their commentary track with a combination of researched information about the production, the genre, and personal asides from their experiences in the field – all leading to a track that rivals the entertainment value of the film itself.  

Behind-the-Scenes Photo Gallery (3:03) – the gallery consists of 35 photos that play automatically over the score from the film. 

Rounding out the special features are trailers for Revenge of the Ninja (1:42); The Octagon (2:29); Enter the Ninja (2:54); The Challenge (2:14); Ghost Warrior [Swordkill] (3:00); American Ninja (1:50); American Ninja 2: The Confrontation (1:34); Avenging Force (1:19); The Perfect Weapon (1:57); Hard Target (2:05) 

The Final Thought 

Kino Lorber’s upgraded version of Revenge of the Ninja is a great full-on special edition.  Highest possible recommendations!!! 

Kino Lorber’s Blu-Ray edition of Revenge of the Ninja is out now.