If the title itself doesn't tip you off, Ninja in USA is a mammoth slice of 80's cheese. Now, keeping that in mind, depending on your cinematically enhanced cholesterol level over the past few years, you may or may or may not want to take a huge greasy bite of this bubbly and oozing heart attack burger of a film.

Ninja in USA is elevated above the usual standards of B-level martial arts shenanigans most long-term kung fu fans have been subjected to via the fact that the action sequences are competently done, and actually (and amazingly) exciting in parts. The onscreen credits of the English language print that this reviewer watched, which originally hailed from a grimy and extremely well-worn Ocean Shores VHS tape which was then released via Tai Seng's "Martial Arts Theatre" budget line, list Gordon Li as one of the action directors.

Some sources, like IMDB, have listed Mr. Li as a pseudonym for Gordon Liu. Especially taking into account IMDB and similar sites' less than stellar track record when it comes to accuracy surrounding Asian movies, Liu's inclusion in this low-budget Taiwanese production is questionable. But, at any rate, the fisticuffs featured here are really much better than one might expect, especially given the dire lineage of movies based around the silent art of ninjitsu.

Sure, the action is bracketed by exposition scenes that are on the level of an Ed Wood fever dream, or maybe a bit below. This fact that is not helped at all by the absolutely godawful dubbing that sounds like it was recorded in a broom closet on your drunken uncle's "vintage" reel-to-reel machine. So if you're looking for something that could be describe as a true cinematic endeavor that remains faithful to its' artistic roots, then you had better look elsewhere for your potential viewing material. But if you're down for a trip down the jagged road of memory lane that leads to fond recollections of wasted afternoons sprawled on the floor watching Kung Fu Theatre, you're going to have a good time with Ninja in USA.

RATING: 6