I feel very lucky that, despite the increasingly daunting prospects of funding, I live in a time when independent filmmakers can indulge the craziest of ideas. NINJA APOCALYPSE is not the most barking cinematic outing you can find, but it is an exercise of creative abandon. I imagine director Lloyd Lee Barnett trying to decide on whether to make a movie about ninjas, superhumans, or zombies and saying "Screw it - I'll make a movie about all of them!" Though low-budget movies on all of those subjects abound, Barnett's effort is still a modestly unique and entertaining adventure. While it's not for everyone, it's an effective niche flick for adventurous viewers.The story: Framed for murdering the master of all post-apocalyptic ninja bands (Cary Hiroyuki-Tagawa), the leader of the Lost Clan (Christian Oliver) and his compatriots must face mutants, zombies, and their fellow ninjas as they fight their way out of a subterranean bunker.The most important things director Barnett brings to the production is enthusiasm and a sense of pacing. I can't claim that any technical or dramatic aspect of the film is anything more than a mixed bag, but directorial fervor bleeds into the story and gives it the energy that's so important to B-movies. We never get a good handle on any of the characters, but the plot is fun to follow in the same way that it's fun to play a video game. There are so many cool ideas stuffed into the feature – reptilian desert ninjas, regenerating zombies, THE LAST AIRBENDER-esque control of the elements, etc. – that it's easy to feel overwhelmed, and none of them are examined thoroughly, but there's enough indulgence to recognize this as an attention-maintaining tactic. It's effective, if you know what you're getting in to.Despite the amplitude of people throwing electricity, fireballs, and particle weapons at each other, this is foremost a martial arts film and features a ton of fighting. Like the special effects, it's a mixed bag, but even at their worst, the fights are pretty bearable and the performers are admirably athletic (including Christian Oliver, even though he's substantially doubled for his tricking). Swordfighting is the name of the game, and to this end, the movie benefits from the inclusion of supporting stars Alex Huynh, Alvin Hsing, and Ernie Reyes, Jr., even though they only get one match apiece. None of the fights are exceptional, but there are some neat examples of close-quarters choreography and an absence of annoying camera angles and editing tricks. Tentatively, I approve.Chances are that NINJA APOCALYPSE will not dramatically affect your life, so if you decide to watch it, I suggest doing so during a time that you would have spent being unproductive anyway. Consider it a rental, but do consider it if B-movies are your thing. You can do much worse.
... View MoreI guess I didn't get the memo, that a re-imagining of The Warriors was on the way. But I did watch it and unfortunately it doesn't hold up. There are other elements mixed in for and you have a certain dignity with Cary Tagawa, who's not only reliable, but also brings gravitas (even underground, yes!).The effects are OK, the fights are also OK, for the budget that this movie had. I guess if this was made in the 80s (yes, like the Warriors, but even by that standard it lacks quite a bit), I might have liked the group mentality and the quirkiness of the movie. Characters are OK too, not much acting and not really any surprises (twist!) ...
... View Moreyou read my summary correct this film is not bad but its so funny and hilarious in every way i was laughing at all the scenes even sad moments it is one of those films that takes itself too seriously and end up failing hard.as one of the reviewer here said that it looked like mortal combat i don't agree with that but i would say it was inspired by seven samurai or other ninja films.the story is about some ninja group after the wars in future years go beneath the earth to face zombies and crazy ghost warriors.there are only few hot chicks here and they even get killed in action the men in this film are giving weird expressions and crazy dialogs so the bad script & low budget discussion is out of league here there is no point talking about it.it is something for you tube end up on the video release there is blood and action there but so dated and badly shot by the director that it makes fan made films look like classics.overall ninja apocalypse 2014 is a film for those who find watching paint dry boring and have no taste in films by the way i consider watching paint dry a great entertainment then this any day.my rating is 2/10.Skipp it
... View MoreThis is an OK time-pass movie. Like if you don't have a AAA title to watch or just want to have a casual watch you can look at this. It kinda like Mortal Kombat meets Resident Evil meets Starwars Light Sabers meet Ninjas. You have your good Raidens and Liu Kangs and your bad Reptiles and Tanyas with Shang Sung. Budget as you can tell is quite low but still decent stuff pulled off. Story wise well just your average survival stuff. In short, its not a total waste of time and for a video game fan like myself this could prove to be a nice watch since you can tell from where the movie makers were inspired from to make different set pieces.
... View More