“The Kobo-dera, ninja magic!” It’s been 40 years since Michael Dudikoff and Steve James cemented themselves in martial arts-action cinema history with Cannon Films classic American Ninja in 1985 followed by hugely entertaining sequel American Ninja 2: The Confrontation in 1987. As Army grunts turned ninja fighting commandos Joe Armstrong and Curtis Jackson, the duo had terrific chemistry as they tangled across the Philippines then later South Africa. Quentin Tarantino’s The New Beverly Cinema hosted an epic double feature in Los Angeles with Dudikoff himself in attendance alongside cast members Tadashi Yamashita (the Black Star Ninja), Judie Aronson (General’s Daughter and love interest Patricia), Phil Brock (Charley) and Part 2’s Larry Poindexter (Charlie) and Jeff Celentano (Wild Bill).
Director Sam Firstenberg had been touting the special night for weeks on social media but was unable to join in person, instead providing a recorded intro. Dudikoff hadn’t seen the film in 40 years and was content watching from the audience but the crowd reaction was too strong and he soon joined his fellow cast members. There were some light hearted stories about making the films with many a reference to Steve James (Jackson in Peace) who passed too soon in 1993. The full house ate up the pre-show of ninja-centric clips and trailers, the two films and Q&A. Not bad for a flick that was originally intended to star Chuck Norris but instead propelled Dudikoff as Cannon’s long time leading man. While American Ninja 3, 4 and 5 didn’t quite deliver the action, humor and bromance as well as 1 & 2, the series lives on in our VHS loving hearts.
Dudikoff is still in terrific shape and rumors of a sequel have lingered for decades with the actor confirming he’d written a script of his own in recent years. Here’s hoping we get the further adventures of Joe Armstrong!
Thanks to Matthew Chernov for his insight and photos.