Where to watch Surf Ninjas
2 1/2 Stars
Brothers Johnny, an adolescent surf talent, and Adam, a preadolescent video-game addict, grow up care-free in California as adopted sons of Marines veteran Mac, inseparable friends of wacky local lout Iggy. Colonel Chi’s military reign of terror culminates in their tiny birth-land, island state Patu San, off the Viet Nam coast. Former royal guards officer Zatch comes to summon the brothers to return and restore the pacific monarchy, because they are the sons of the murdered king, whom Mac took in exile for safety. They are joined on the adventurous journey by a bored Californian police detective whose attention was drawn by the ninja team that failed, thanks to Zatch, to murder the brothers in Mac’s home.
I used to be a huge fan of Ernie Reyes Jr. I first saw him in the TV series “Sidekicks” and then in the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie “Red Sonja”. But it was TMNT II: The Secret of the Ooze that I thought was Reyes Jr.’s breakout role. “Surf Ninjas” was a logical follow-up to the Ninja Turtles sequel, appealing to the same demographic and featuring many crossover elements. It’s a decent family comedy with action, humor, and a positive theme to the story. So why didn’t it launch Reyes Jr. into higher-budget, more serious projects? I think he would have been well-suited for “Rapid Fire 2” or any unproduced projects after actor Brandon Lee’s tragic death.
In “Surf Ninjas”, the trio is part ‘Bill and Ted’, part surfer/stoner, and part impressive athlete. Reyes’s physical abilities are still remarkable, with crisp movements and fluid technique. It makes me wish his talents were being showcased in a better movie. Surprisingly, Leslie Nielsen is the weak point in the film, with his face half-covered in ridiculous makeup, making him seem like he’d rather be anywhere else than on screen. However, the running gag with the ringing phone that goes unanswered is amusing. Director Neal Israel knows how to craft this type of comedy, and the movie is brightly colored, high-energy, and suitable for all ages. “Surf Ninjas” may not be on par with the first two TMNT movies, but it’s more enjoyable than TMNT III, which also came out in 1993.
Directed by: Neal Israel
Written by: Dan Gordon
Starring: Ernie Reyes Sr., Rob Schneider, Ernie Reyes Jr.