American Ninja (1985)
“American Ninja” (1985) is a martial arts action film directed by Sam Firstenberg, starring Michael Dudikoff in the lead role as Joe Armstrong, a skilled martial artist and soldier. The movie is a quintessential 1980s action flick, known for its high-energy fight scenes, ninja action, and a plot centered around military and martial arts intrigue. The film helped launch Dudikoff’s career as an action star and became a cult classic, especially among fans of martial arts and ninja-themed films.
The story follows Joe Armstrong, an orphan with a mysterious past who serves as a soldier in the U.S. Army stationed in the Philippines. Joe is a quiet, stoic figure who possesses extraordinary martial arts skills, though he keeps his abilities hidden. While escorting a military convoy, Joe and his fellow soldiers are ambushed by a group of deadly ninjas working for a corrupt arms dealer, Victor Ortega.
As Joe single-handedly takes on the ninjas, his superiors and fellow soldiers become suspicious of his past and his connection to martial arts. Joe soon finds an ally in Curtis Jackson (played by Steve James), a fellow soldier and martial artist. Together, they uncover a larger conspiracy involving the ninjas, who are kidnapping military personnel and selling weapons on the black market. Joe must face the leader of the ninja clan, Black Star Ninja, in a climactic battle to stop Ortega’s criminal empire.
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