3 Ninjas

Check out our review of 3 Ninjas - is it any good and how suitable is it for kids?

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3 Ninjas

Starring: Victor Wong, Michael Treanor. (PG)

Release date: 1992

2 out of 5

2

Jeffrey, Samuel and Michael Douglas (no, not that one) are three kids who just happen to have a grandfather skilled in martial arts. It’s like The Karate Kid in triplicate as the trio – who go by the nicknames ‘Colt’, ‘Rocky’ and ‘Tum Tum’ – learn to ninja-kick some butt just in time to help out their FBI dad bring down a bad guy, who has done something or other that’s not that interesting. 
It takes a great leap of faith to believe three kids between the ages of twelve and seven could bring down the baddies that attack them, and a blind eye not to notice elderly Wong’s younger (and sprightlier) stunt double in the fight scenes. It’s basically eighty minutes of cartoon adventure and violence (the film was cut by just over a minute of chop-sockiness to gain a British ‘PG’ release) that may entertain kids briefly but doesn’t stand up to repeated viewings. A series of forgettable sequels followed: 3 Ninjas Kick Back (1994), 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up (1995) and 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain (1998). 

Is 3 Ninjas suitable for kids? Here are our parents’ notes...

The villain, Snyder (Rand Kingsley), is quite intense and scary and there are a few fight scenes that would upset younger viewers.

If you like this, why not try: The Karate Kid 1984, The Karate Kid 2010, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Spy Kids,