3 Ninjas
Tags: dark

Plot synopsis:
Every year, 12-year old Samuel, 12-year old Jeffrey and 8-year old Michael Douglas visit their Japanese grandfather, Mori Tanaka at his cabin. Mori trains his grandchildren in the art of Ninjutsu. As the summer comes to an end, Mori gives each of them a new "ninja" name based on their personalities: 'Rocky', 'Colt', and 'Tum-Tum'. Meanwhile, their father, Sam Douglas, is an FBI agent who stages a sting operation to entrap Hugo Snyder in the sale of warheads. Snyder escapes the trap with the use of his own ninja henchmen. Snyder decides to test Mori's fighting skill. The boys ignore Mori's orders to stay in the house and aid by defeating two ninjas on their own. Snyder threatens Mori's family if he doesn't get Douglas off his back, and Mori chides the boys briefly for interfering in his personal affairs. When they return home, they find their father unenthusiastic to see what they had learned during their visit and more annoyed at their new names. Emily, a friend of Rocky's, compliments his new name and agrees to ride with them to school the next day. Snyder develops a plan to kidnap the boys to use them as leverage to get Douglas to back off. Since the FBI watches them, his assistant Brown contacts his nephew Fester and his buddies Hammer and Marcus, in the midst of a convenience store robbery, to kidnap the boys. Due to Douglas and his FBI crew's presence, they are unable to capture the boys. The next day, Fester and his friends attempt to follow the boys to school but are side-tracked by a fender bender with a police car. Emily becomes separated from the boys and encounters a group of bullies who steal her bike. Emily becomes upset with Rocky for showing off and walks to school alone. At recess, the boys challenge the bullies to a two-on-two basketball game to ten, and they spot the bullies nine points. The brothers effortlessly score ten consecutive points, winning Emily's bike and respect back. That night, Colt learns that Snyder, who they assumed was a friend of Mori's, is actually the criminal their father is after, and they begin to suspect Mori is involved in crime. They are left with a babysitter when Jessica leaves to pick up Sam, and Fester and his friends break into the house with a fake pizza order, subduing the babysitter. A series of intricate household traps keep the bumbling would-be kidnappers off of them and they use a device in Rocky's bedroom to call Emily over and use her as a hostage. Due to an earlier trap, Hammer and Marcus run to the bathrooms sick to their stomachs, and the boys (and mainly Emily) defeat Fester. Hammer and Marcus are subsequently defeated. After freeing the babysitter, the boys are overpowered by Brown and Snyder's bodyguard Rushmore. Mori offers to sneak in alone to find the boys so as not to raise the alarm to Snyder. The boys escape their captivity and after a series of fights through the ship, they come across Rushmore. Using a lesson they got on their last day and inspired by their grandfather who came to rescue them, they manage to subdue Rushmore and are reunited with Mori. Snyder confronts Mori and challenges him to a fight for the boys' freedom. Due to his youth and speed, Snyder almost proves too much for Mori, until he remembers a handful of Tum-Tum's jelly beans which Tum-Tum had given him for luck and uses them to gag Snyder. Refusing defeat, Snyder grabs a gun from one of his subordinates but is suddenly shot and subdued by Douglas who had arrived just in time. Snyder and his men are arrested. Sam later apologizes to Mori for underestimating him and gives him a hug before being advised from a pained Mori that a bow would work just fine. Sam then tells his partner Jerry to complete the paperwork of the night's events on his own as he has a whole family of heroes to take out for pizza, which Mori detests, as he hates pizza.
=== International version ===
The international cut of the film features a number of small parts of scenes that were cut from the movie for its American release, most likely to ensure a PG rating. Among the cut scenes are [not all-inclusive]: Extra footage of Snyder's escape in which he confronts two FBI agents who he promptly defeats, A scene in which the robbers fire a gun in the convenience store and tie up the clerk behind the counter, a scene in which the robbers get the Douglas family address from Brown, additional footage of Grandpa trailing Snyder to his ship hideout, numerous small portions of the scene where the robbers invade the Douglas household, including Colt beating the robbers after getting them under a tarp in the room being renovated and a scene of Fester, the leader of the robbers asking his uncle (Brown) if he can be paid, extra sarcastic dialogue while the boys are locked up in Snyder's ship, an extended scene in which the boys are reunited with Grandpa, footage of Brown knocking himself unconscious on a pipe and subsequently complaining about his pain when being taken away by the Feds. Additionally, in the international version the boys lose the basketball challenge and their bikes, so a scene ends the international version of the film in which they fight the bullies to get them back.

Review: All the kids loved it when it came out and still quote lines from this 'classic.' Yes, there are borrowed ideas (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Home Alone...) but who doesn't?
Hey, the adult reviewers may not have enjoyed or even understood this movie, but the 'kids' that I know, did.
OK so i am getting annoyed by all these people bashing this movie....it was made for kids so obviously adults aren't going to love it...DUH!....i mean i watched this movie at least twice a month as a kid and now even though I'm 15 i'll still watch it if its on TV or if i feel like renting it....its a great way to remember what it was lyk being a a little kid....it gets kids imagination working i mean i would spend hours acting out scenes after i saw this movie...and this movie sparked such an interest in martial arts in me that i started taking lessons and now am a brown belt.....its just a fun movie the writer didn't intend it to be a classic but it is anyway to kids and grownups who are kids at heart....think b4 u speak....and don't take everything so seriously....I LOVE COLT!!!!!.
I grew up watching the movies along with the rest of the series: 3 NINJAS KICK BACK and 3 NINJAS KNUCKLE UP.
I think every generation of young kids would have liked 3 Ninjas if they are really interest in Martial Arts.
A great many people claim that Citizen Kane is one of the greatest films, and whilst there is some truth to the fact that Orson's masterpiece was, in terms of style, innovative - 3 Ninjas is truly a superior film on every level.3 Ninjas combines Chaucerian comedic metaphors, injects some Wordworthian bathos, mixes in some satire worthy of Swift, and comes out with a film so incredible that this reviewer cannot describe it with a sufficient number of superlatives!A dramatic stripping away of racial and social mores in the modern day United States, 3 Ninjas is extraordinary in its realistic treatment of a multi-ethnic family - because, after all, every Japanese person knows karate!I'm amazed that so many of the actors involved in this fine production have not gone on to star in any other films, and was surprised to note that the film was absent from the Academy Awards shortlist.
Victor Wong, Michael Treanor, Max Elliot Slade, and Chad Power star in this great family action film.
I had just been done watching the live-action Ninja Turtles movies for the first time, so I also discovered a little VHS called "3 Ninjas".
Of course, the 3 Ninjas formula with kids beating the crap out of adults has grown since the release of this movie, but it has gotten way stupid, to the point where the bad guys are bumbling fools who don't fight back.
It's a shame that an OST for the film's score was never released.Something I don't like about the hate for this movie is how everyone seems to just call this a rip-off of Home Alone and the first live-action TMNT movie just because of the quote from the Boston Globe on the cover of the VHS and DVD.
It is, undoubtedly, better than many of the martial arts films aimed at children that have been produced (check out tosh like 'Tiger Heart' and 'Double Dragon' for proof!).The film centres on three young brothers-- thirteen-year-old Rocky, twelve-year-old Colt and eight-year-old Tum-tum-- who have been studying martial arts since they were toddlers, under the tutelage of their sensei grandfather.
Then the boys find themselves at the centre of a kidnapping plot by one of their father's perps Snyder, who incidentally was also trained in martial arts by their grandfather.The film has many unrealistic scenes where the three wee moppets take down hordes of grown men with ease and cue the 'Home Alone' style tricks as the boys rig their house against three would-be teenage kidnappers who have the IQ of toast (one of whom was portrayed by Patrick Labyorteaux, who went on to play Bud in 'JAG').
However, to the film's credit, Snyder was depicted to be genuinely cruel and threatening and the three young actors, especially the elder two, who played the brothers were not as irritating as many child actors can be.This is an enjoyable film for kids, especially those interested in martial arts (it did influence me to take up Tae-Kwon Do as a kid!), or those who watched it as a child themselves.
Unfortunately, the two sequels '3 Ninjas Kick Back' and '3 Ninjas Knuckle Up' were much cheesier and less watchable and the fourth film '3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain', filmed much later in 1998 and featuring different kids in the role of the brothers, was just so atrocious that it's better to pretend it doesn't exist..
And then that one guy got diarrhea, and the other guys were getting CDs thrown at them like ninja stars, and there was so much cool stuff in this movie, it would take me forever to recount it all.
But the best part all in all was when the old Chinese grandpa got in his ninja outfit and went to the tanker to go kick some butt.My only complaint was the fact that the kids bore no resemblance to their obviously Asian-American grandfather.
This movie is lame for good reasons,1 It`s not Funny 2,not enough action 3,the kids are annoying 4,kids usually don`t do a good job at action films.I think even Mike and his robot friends will suffer when they watch this film.I usually like low budget movies but this movie is just to lame..
Whenever I rent, I get a movie for my cousin who is about to turn 6 years old, so I figured he needed a little action flick of his own that was appropriate for kids.
I picked up 3 Ninjas and watched it with him, yes there are some major problems with this movie.
It has it's very cheesy and unrealistic moments about the dad and his job.But as a kid's movie I thought it was a pretty good idea because it had humor that would fit their liking.
I'm judging this movie as a kid's flick because otherwise I would do nothing but bash, so to IMDb users think about the genre this film is.5/10.
And yes-all of Victor Wong's Martial arts were doubled by others.Still, this movie has some fine moments-like the Ninja version of Home alone.
Snyder does battle with Grandpa-watch this movie to find out who wins.I have two Minor Complaints of this film:A.
I thought kids learn respect for others through martial arts?My favorite Character is Rocky.
I remember I loved this movie as 7 year old karate kid wannabe back in 92.
Everyone knows that three kids outnumbered 10 to 1 by professional criminals with extensive martial arts training AND who have guns wouldn't stand a chance, but this is a kids' fantasy movie.
Every little boy dreams of fighting bad guys and kicking their butts; 3 Ninjas just plays it out on screen.
The Douglas boys spend their summers and weekends with their grandfather Tanaka, a martial arts expert who, despite his age is still very able and is teaching the boys ninja skills.
However, he doesn't reckon on the skills of the kids and the stupidity of his men.Call me a sucker for punishment but after watching two of the later 3 Ninjas films I figured that I should at least get myself some explanation as to why more than one film had been made.
c) Kids should always fight kidnappers armed with guns because the kidnappers will fall for anything and d) 3 months of karate training is all you need to beat up so-called "ninjas" with swords.
I mean really, who thinks three kids can fight 30 to 40 ninjas and win.
The Story line Is Great The Bad Guys Are Funny We Need More Action movies From The 3 Ninja Kids Like This On The Big Screen.
The Story line Will Be Simular Adding All 4 3 Ninja Movie Putting Them Together.But One Of The Brother Get Kidnapped.
"3" sequels for "3" ninja boys in the film "3 Ninjas," a dreadfully sour misfire that grossed $29 million dollars at the box office in 1992 and inspired a craze of kids doing ninja kicks.After watching this film a few years ago--about a trio of small children who are trained by their Chinese grandfather in the way of the ninja--I had to wonder...how in the world did this ever spawn three miserable sequels?The worst is undoubtedly the last film with "Hulk" Hogan, but that's another story....
It's a really good kids movie.
Every once in awhile, though, a children's movie is made that is so good at what it does that even grown-ups can watch it and still laugh/smile.
"3 Ninjas" is that type of movie.For a basic plot summary, "3 Ninjas" sees a young trio of brothers--Rocky (Michael Treanor), Colt (Max Shade), and Tum-Tum (Chad Power)--caught in a kidnapping plot initiated by Snyder (Rand Kingsley).
However, thanks to some ninja training from their Grandpa (Victor Wong), the three grade-schoolers are able to use their wits to try and fight off the hopeless idiots trying to "kidnap" them.There are two primary reasons why "3 Ninjas" works so well for both children and adults:1.
I mean, every kid wants to feel as if he/she could take care of themselves (an emotion tapped into perhaps best in "Home Alone") and be independent of their parents, so this plot line plays perfectly to the grade-school set.
As a kid watching this movie, you will easily identify with the characters.2.
The performance of the three dimwitted burglars is easily the comedic highlight, as they are such idiotic characters that one can't help but laugh at them!Also, this movie has an incredibly catchy soundtrack theme that really generates some excitement and will stick in your head for quite some time.Overall, "3 Ninjas" is a defining film of my childhood and one that I can enjoy even as an adult.
3 Ninjas was a classic and really good kids family film.
Too bad the movie franchise was killed by Kick Back and TriStar; else, this would definitely be a sure-power hit for years to come.
Growing up as I am 17 now I loved the first three of the 3 Ninjas movie,and what kills me every time I watch them is the fact that they changed actors.I would be psyched to see a remake of the three ninjas series even though I love the originals.It's just not the same when they changed the actors,and most movies aren't when they do the switching but the first three were great.I disliked the fourth.
I grew up watching the movies but being 17 now in watching them they just depress me because of the way they released the movies,and how they changed the actors.I know that nobody's perfect but,it would be great for them to remake the movies that would keep the same actors,and than maybe the others wouldn't have gotten negative reviews.I will always love the first 3 Ninjas movie but,honestly why not remake them into what could maybe be even more better than the first but,I'm just being honest..
Movies like this and surf ninjas are playing a huge role in continuing to make our children dumber.
The acting is just gruesomely terrible, the story line is just as bad and if I had a chance to play in a movie like this, I would think about how much I would be regretting it for the rest of my life.
Watch how excited the kid gets when the 3 ninjas get into their mischief and fight the bad guys.
I will guarantee that if anyone, regardless of age, watches this movie, they will be entertained, if not deeply moved by the Victor Wong's (Grandpa) intense moral lessons he teaches to his grandsons..
Most kids like seeing movies about kids who can take out or outsmart adults, but to the rest of us, it doesn't seem very realistic.If you can see it as purely entertainment, then you might have some fun.
The kicks and punches are great to watch for martial arts folks, and to those who've seen a bit of that: the three kids' styles are very different ;) There are two other movies in the same style that are worth having a look at: "3 Ninja Kids Kicks Back" and "3 Ninja Kids Knuckle Up" The last one, however (with different, and might I add, much younger actors), was a great disappointment from beginning to end.My vote for this one will be based upon the fact that this IS a kids flick and not meant to have adults sitting there in anticipation in front of the screen.
I didn't think the film was bad and it's even funny at times (especially the part with the three pizza delivery-guys alias kidnappers), but it's very simplistic at times and therefore a typical children's movie.
This movies karate looks so fake, sure it's amusing at times watching life like it was when I was little, and when I was younger, I thought it was so cool and got so hyped by it that I started trying to do it, and thought I could run faster than lightning.
Oh my gosh, as a kid I watched this movie EVERY day with my best friend!!!!
It's a great movie for kids, however adults might find it childish.
It is a humorous movie with lots of ninja action.
We both watched it, and so should YOU!!This is pretty much the best movie EVER!!
We both watched it, and so should YOU!!This is pretty much the best movie EVER!!
but i think i preferred the Rocky in the 2nd one than this one.Overall, an excellent kids movie!!.
The cast and crew involved in this film were concerned about two things: that the children who saw this movie had a great time watching it (and probably holding it as their theme for "make believe" afterwords), and that their guardians (parents, whatever) had an enjoyable experience with them.
However, Emily, the most irritating character ever since Meg from Family Guy. The fight against the army of Ninjas was great except for the irritating sound effects and Rocky is now my idol.
This is a fun-filled, kid-friendly movie about three brothers who have spent their summers practicing martial arts at their grandfather's house.
I found it very interesting how the martial arts in this movie were much more realistic and entertaining than almost every extravagant, big-budget film I've ever seen.
A great family movie for all to watch..
This Is a good movie on how a brother to brother relationship should be, and I love that the three boys (ninjas) respect their grandfather and love spending time with him.
My brother and I are 17 & 19, respectively, and we still *love* to watch this movie.
3 ninjas aside from the horribly edited stunt moves this movie was great.
Of course the biggest part of this is the ninja moves and while the idea that three kids could take on an entire army of highly trained ninjas is mind boggling these things have always been possible in Hollywood, there are tons of movies out there where the good guys seem invincible.
I know my brothers enjoyed watching all three movies...
But it's probably a good kid's movie (I guess).
I loved the movie it is great if you like comedies..
Kids will enjoy the movie as well as the whole family.
This movie is also funny and has alot of martial arts action.
The best of the '3 Ninjas'movies!.
This is the best of the ''3 Ninjas'' movies, and this is the one which I always watched in my childhood.(the other 2 sequences never took very much my attention,specially because the actors who played Rocky and Tum Tum were not the same).
I always remember how cool I found the ninja thing, the characters(specially Colt) and also the mask and the 'ninja names' that Samuel(Rocky),Jeffrey(Colt) and Michael(Tum Tum) received from their grandfather.Of course there are impossible things, like an adult ninja losing a fight or being weaker than the kids, but this is a entertaining movie spite all of 'non real'facts.
I guess I was a bit too old to get all excited and I was a fan of real martial arts films and always found this a bit cheesy.In the early 90's we were swamped with programs such as this making kids feel like they could fight and be a power ranger or an equal to these kids on 3 Ninjas.
The kids over acted way too much and the youngest ninja Tum Tum was maybe the worst kid actor I have ever seen.The movie has a plot that anyone knows before they even read the review.
This movie is aimed at kids and only children could enjoy it.
If you don't mind allowing your children to see complete garbage that has nothing to do with real martial arts, real acting or reality period then you have found a movie for your kids...
I recall all the girls having a crush on Rocky.2 out of 10 stars because I think you can make a movie for kids and still make it enjoyable for adults..this movie failed big time at that..
Kung Fu the TV series is on DVD and there's tons of great Shaw Brothers films out there...Why not show your children things that will really entertain them and not make them dumb along the way, perhaps even teach them some moves and not just how to kick a man between the legs as grandpa did on 3 Ninjas...no no no...never kick a man between the legs ...never ..
*****SPOILER***** - In the beginning the three kids ( Rocky, Colt, and Tum-Tum) are at there grandpa's cabin training to become ninjas.