There are movies that are typically seen as “good,” and there are those that are considered “bad.” The qualifications for what makes a movie good or bad vary depending on the viewer’s interests and opinions. However, if there is one genre that is often considered to have the worst movies attributed to it, it is the action film. The majority of these bad action movies were usually released in the 1980s and the 1990s, where direct-to-video schlock and video stores reigned supreme. Although a lot of these action films were released, many have also never seen the light of day for various reasons. Some such films, like the infamous Miami Connection, have been restored and reappraised over the years. Unfortunately, there is always the possibility that there are films out there, damaged and in need of restoration, that will never be screened or even discovered.
And then there is New York Ninja. The film was shot in 1984 and was written and directed by Taiwanese martial artist John Liu, who also stars as a dramatized version of himself. It tells the story of John, whose significant other Anita was recently murdered by a New York gang. As he seeks justice for her death, he becomes the New York Ninja, saving women from street thug rapists dressed like extras from Class of 1999. However, when he finds out that both a radioactive serial killer and a sex trafficking ring are on the loose, he will need to put on his best rollerblades and sharpen his tools for the fight of his life.
The average viewer might raise their eyebrows or even let out a little chuckle. However, this synopsis might sound familiar if you know how weird ‘80s action movies can get, specifically those involving martial arts. Besides, the aforementioned Miami Connection had brutal ninja slayings committed by a band who sing songs about the importance of friendship. The subgenre inherently carries some level of goofiness, especially in lower-budget films. While some might find that to be a detriment, it’s ultimately what makes it and other so-called “bad” films so essential in the evolving history of the art form. Film is never supposed to be uniform in its stories or executions, so “bad” movies like New York Ninja need to be made, even if they are too ambitious for their own good.
Before going any further, it’s time for a quick history lesson. Despite being fully filmed, New York Ninja was subsequently abandoned during the editing process due to its production company going bankrupt, with the original 35mm negatives eventually wearing down over time. In 2020, film restoration and production company Vinegar Syndrome acquired the prints and set to work reconstructing Liu’s original vision. With the sound now completely worn away, a new script was written according to the reassembled cut and was dubbed in by a cast of B-movie action legends (you better believe that Don Wilson, Linnea Quigley, and Cynthia Rothrock are part of this cast!). Now, this formerly-lost film is available for the public to see, whether on Blu-ray or in select theaters.
Either way, everyone who watches this film is lucky. From anguished karate-kicking to bare-minimum special effects and even a pack of children ninjas carrying signs of love and support, New York Ninja often seems like a parody of ‘80s direct-to-video action films. With how bizarre the visuals are, you might expect that Vinegar Syndrome takes a page from Kung Pow and just has New York Ninja become a self-aware parody of action films using old footage. Thankfully, it is played completely straight, only playing into its own campiness with how obvious the new voiceover is.
So you might be wondering why two years of blood, sweat, and tears were put into resurrecting a cheesy action film from 1984. The answer to that is actually quite clear: audiences love archetypally bad movies. Some enjoy them ironically and just laugh at how corny they are, while others genuinely think they’re underrated masterpieces. New York Ninja will no doubt have fans in both camps; it’s par for the course with many cheesy action films from the era.
That being said, the fact that it even exists in the first place is a goddamn miracle. As mentioned previously, New York Ninja was fated to never see the light of day, and it was only because the reels were given to Vinegar Syndrome that it became what it is today. For all its silliness, there is true love that was put into both its initial filming and its remaster. Despite being extremely difficult to contact, there is no doubt that Liu had sincerely wanted to make a great martial arts film. Viewers can see this in some genuinely decent-looking cinematography, the majority of which was filmed guerilla-style through the streets of New York. The fight choreography is also not that bad for such a low-budget film. While the fact that every street thug waits to get the shit kicked out of them by the Ninja is silly, Liu’s fighting is impressive and it appears that everyone is doing their own stunts.
Ultimately, this sincerity from both the film itself and the Vinegar Syndrome team is what makes New York Ninja’s existence so important. The current action landscape is dire, with both blockbusters and straight-to-DVD films coming across as mass-produced schlock that isn’t meant to stimulate the mind. Rather, they’re meant to keep viewers mildly entertained enough to justify their purchase or streaming decision. In the case of blockbusters, films such as those in the Marvel Cinematic Universe display choreography that might be considered decent if it weren’t for the fact that they were mostly filmed in front of green screens, resulting in cheap-looking and lazy scenes. When real fighting is filmed against something so fake and bland, the immersion audiences are supposed to feel is completely lost. While there are some modern directors like Chad Stahleski and Timo Tjahjanto who are able to film impressive and organic fight scenes, they are seen as the outliers amidst a sea of directors whose films care more about how many people are watching them rather than engaging with their audience.
New York Ninja was made with love and passion. Every scene, those with fighting and those without, was filmed with the intent to make the best possible film within their budgetary limitations. This sentiment can be said about a lot of “bad” or “so-bad-they’re-good” films that try to make up for their cheapness with an ambitious story. Movies like 1989’s Things and 2010’s Birdemic: Shock and Terror understand that they could be better if they were given a higher budget. However, just like New York Ninja, they did the best they could with what they had. This drive is palpable and infectious, stirring a reaction in their audiences that is genuine rather than pre-determined through musical cues or long pauses. Even if the end result isn’t great, these films represent the magic of filmmaking far better than any big-budget franchise schlock can even dream of being.
Of course, New York Ninja is not perfect. There are things about the film that don’t make a lot of sense, like why the main bad guy is radioactive or why Jack the cameraman takes so long to realize that his car is getting trashed. But Liu’s ambition to make a film that’s action-packed and full of heart is a welcome change of pace from what Hollywood is currently giving audiences. Even if the plot is ridiculous and the body language is over the top, it is far more passionate than its modern-day blockbuster successors. In a world where movie plots read like they’re made by algorithms, audiences need “bad” movies like New York Ninja now more than ever.
