Apparently cut together from an unidentified Taiwanese TV series (along with another film called Born A Ninja), I remember having this on video tape way back in the early 90's. I was a young teenage in search of anything ninja or kung-fu related, an after watching it - immediately put off by its shot-to-video quality - I tried getting rid of it!
The films only saving grace is that it stars the fantastic and handsome, Meng Fei from The Prodigal Boxer, The Guy With Secret Kung Fu, and The King Of Boxers to name but a few. So this was totally out-of-sorts to see him in a modern film, especially as a ninja...
With atrocious English dubbing, I believe the plot was about a Japanese ninja in China trying to find an evil scientist called Tanaka, who just happens to have a secret formula from WW2 that could destroy the world. Also chasing him is Becky, who dresses in a bright yellow vest and pair of shorts patterned with the Confederate flag, and Brenda, her double-denim friend who's parents got killed in WW2 (even though she looks about 35 herself). A third party enters, Larry, who is a master of Hocus Pocus (honestly!) and as well as being adept in kung-fu, can shoot fire from his fingers and more.
Ugh, I actually can't waste any more brain power on this. American Commando Ninja is possibly one of the worst ninja films ever, and coming from the Lai/Ho catalogue, that's quite a title to have. Mind you, its just as much so unintentionally funny at times (well most times) from its dubbing to story line, its awful fashion to its average but still entertaining fight scenes. It also features a soundtrack that borrows from most Alexander Lo Rei ninja films and Michelle Yeoh's Royal Warriors, so it might make you think you're watching something special from time to time.
The action is supposedly directed by Hong Kong star John Chang, from Project A 2, Dragon The Bruce Lee Story, and Police Story 2. The lengthy end fight, with Meng Fei in full ninja mode, is actually a lot of fun...
Overall: Honestly though, as bad as it is, you can't help but be entertained. Sho kosugi's TV show, The Master, was a lot less enjoyable!
