American Ninja 2: The Confrontation, on the whole, might not be as good as its predecessor but it still contains that fun one would expect from a 1980s Cannon Film release. The acting isn’t the best but both Michael Dudikoff and Steve Price possess just enough to make the film watchable.
American Ninja 2: The Confrontation
(1987)
Genre(s): Martial Arts, Action, Adventure
Olive Films | R – 90 min. – $29.95 | August 17, 2016
Date Published: 08/19/2016 | Author: The Movieman
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THE MOVIE — 3.0/5 |
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Plot Synopsis: Joining Joe Armstrong (MICHAEL DUDIKOFF) is Curtis Jackson (STEVE JAMES) who, like Joe, is promoted to the Army Rangers and sent on a mission to the Caribbean in search of missing Marines. Quicker than you can say déjà vu, Joe and Curtis, joined by comrade-in-arms Sgt. Charlie McDonald (LARRY POINDEXTER), are battling scientifically engineered Super Ninjas in an attempt to bring down a dreaded drug lord known as The Lion (GARY CONWAY). Quick Hit Review: Although not quite as good as the first, American Ninja 2: The Confrontation still has some fun, in a bad way, and excels not just with Michael Dudikoff — whose charisma will strangely be missed in the next installment — but it’s a film that allows Steve James to shine as he gets a couple great, and oft laugh-out-loud, scenes. Sure, the fights aren’t well done and the writing downright sucks, yet I still had a pretty good time. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 2.75/5 |
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Audio Commentary – Director Sam Firstenberg and Elijah Drenner return from their American Ninja track to offer insights into the sequel. An American Ninja in Cape Town: The Making of American Ninja 2 (16:53; HD) features new interviews with Firstenberg, Actors Michael Dudikoff and Gary Conway, Executive Producer Avi Lerner and Stunt Coordinator BJ Davis. Theatrical Trailer (1:34; SD) |
VIDEO – 3.25/5 |
| American Ninja 2 kicks onto Blu-ray through Olive Films and although the 1080p high-definition transfer isn’t terrible, with some decent enough and sharp detail, it’s hardly a clean looking picture. The video is littered with little dust/dirt marks and even minor scratches. It’s also not exactly bright where colors are OK but hardly vibrant. For what I assume was a low budget sequel, it’s not bad, and probably even better than any DVD counterparts, but don’t expect anything of note. |
AUDIO – 3.5/5 |
| The DTS-HD MA 2.0 track fairs a tad better where dialogue levels sound crisp and clear and although it is limited to two channels, there’s some solid depth here and there with George S. Clinton’s score coming through rather well. Other than that, you’re not going to be wowed but it’s still above average. |
OVERALL – 3.0/5 |
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Overall, American Ninja 2: The Confrontation, on the whole, might not be as good as its predecessor but it still contains that fun one would expect from a 1980s Cannon Film release. The acting isn’t the best but both Michael Dudikoff and Steve Price possess just enough to make the film watchable. The Blu-ray released through Olive offers so-so video, decent audio and a fine selection of bonus material, highlighted by a newly minted making-of featurette. |
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.