The Warrior and the Ninja

Director - H. Tjut Djalil (Dangerous Seductress, Lady Terminator)

Starring - Barry Prima (Get Married 3, Jakarta Undead), El Manik (Buffalo Boys, Hell Raiders), and Rita Zahara (The Ghostly Face, Jungle Virgin Force)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Action/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      It's hard to find a trilogy or franchise where all the films are consistently good.  Most series become rushed garbage by the time it reaches the third installment.  The companies want to cash in on the film's previous installments so they skip quality control and focus more on quantity.  Sure, there is several series or trilogies that have solid third entries but it's not something that happens often.  I was very excited when I was sent the Warrior trilogy from Mondo Macabro.  I had never seen the films before and was looking forward to some non-horror to check out.  However, in the back of my mind I was hesitant about tossing in the third film.  After watching the first two films it was time for the third one to be placed on the chopping block...and I loved it.  

     The film once again follows Jaka Sembung (Prima) who is still fighting against the Dutch military.  He seems to have finally met his match but things take a turn in his favor when he is saved by a female ninja who helps him fight the good fight against the oppressive regime.  

     The Warrior and the Ninja may not be as good as the original films but god damn was it just as fun.  It takes a story with a lot of elements from the previous film and gives us more martial arts and black magic action.  As I said, it's not as good as the previous two films but its a lot of fun.  The acting in this one is consistent with the other two films.  Barry Prima once again hams up the screen with his cheesy interpretation of a classic action star.  His emotionless expression and stiff dialogue is so much fun when you add in the intentional and unintentional humor along with the action.  The supporting cast is more of the same with a lot of campy performances and uneven dialogue.  The story for this one does borrow parts from The Warrior Against the Blind Swordsman.  We see Jaka Sembung partner with a female ninja to fight the Dutch army.  While that is the only similarities to the story itself it still features several amazing fight scenes, humor, and cartoon like characters.  Finally, this is another one that uses classic movie tricks along with extensive choreographed fight scenes.  They are fun to watch but those wanting blood may be disappointed.  Overall, The Warrior and the Ninja is one of the few instances where the trilogy ends on a high note and doesn't feature a quick cash grab.  It's a lot of fun and still has all the qualities that made the previous two films so much fun.  Check them out!