Bat-shit crazy is quite possibly the best description I can give for Ninja Condors!
With lightning fast editing (that doesn't always make sense), over-the-top ninja action and fight scenes, and a schizophrenic storyline that leaves you wondering 'why?' - Ninja Condors is clearly all about the ninjas, the martial arts, and the unintentional laughs.
From the same team behind The Super Ninja (Killers Invincible) of which I think is the better film, this 80's ninja flick should not be taken seriously by any means. I'm a huge fan of Alexander Lo Rei, the unsung hero of HK action cinema - and I'm a huge fan of 80's ninja movies, so anything that includes the both of them should be awesome! Should be...
Even in all its widescreen glory, Ninja Condors shows a lack of budget through its video-quality print, and has a director that doesn't really get how important the editing really is. Mind you, its 1987 and the fans just want ninja action. And with that, the film certainly delivers. From the brutal opening death scene of Brian's (Lo Rei) father - playing out like a modern take on the infamous body splitting scene in the Shaw Brothers classic, The Heroic Ones - to fights in a shipping dock, police station, carousel and ice-rink! Yes, you read that right... No one kills ninjas on a carousel like Alexander Lo Rei, or fights with such grace and power on ice like this poor-man's Donnie Yen!
In fact, the fight scenes are so many and so random throughout, you lose count of just how many times he actually gets attacked, fights and rescues over the course of the 91 minutes.
A highlight for me is his 2 co-stars who come in the shape of George Nicholas (of Sakura Killers fame) who was also his adversary Tyger mcPherson, in the awesome Ninja USA - and the always enjoyable Eugene Thomas...
Thomas appeared with Lo Rei in a number of flicks such as this, Ninja USA and The Super Ninja as well as one of my all time favourites, Lucky Seven, to name but a few. While Nicholas always plays well and pulls off the role to suit, its always Eugene Thomas for me that steals the show with his crazy costumes, over-acting, and incredible martial arts moves. I wish he and Lo Rei had made so much more together as they really do work well as a team.
Ninja Condors plays like something the guys on Mystery Science Theatre 3000 would love to get their hands on! While far from perfect, it still offers plenty of entertainment with its non-stop ninja action, hilarity, and of course, the fantastic Alexander Lo Rei.
Overall: Don't expect Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon but still entertaining for other reasons!
