Ninja Assassin (R, 2009)

common sense media says

Extremely bloody, but will entertain mature action fans.


parents & educators say
  • 89% say violence is an issue
  • 67% say language is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Ninja Assassin is a fast-paced action movie with tons of extreme martial arts violence and gallons of blood, though its cartoonish tone may be more likely to inspire laughter than shock among teens. The story is about a man who takes on many enemies in the name of the common good -- but he does so violently and is motivated by revenge, which sends some mixed messages. Still, the movie is somewhat smarter and better told than others in this genre, and there's a female supporting character who's much braver and stronger than women typically are in these movies. Don't expect Shakespeare quality, but older teens are likely to have a good time.

Positive messages: The movie more or less speaks out against conformity and encourages individual thought, as the main character leaves the only home he ever knew in an effort do to the right thing. He also risks his life to bring down an organization with evil intentions. But the fact that he meets violence with violence is a much iffier message. And there's a bit of confusion surrounding the organization -- although there are nine clans, Raizo is only concerned with taking down one of them. So either his motive is revenge or there are eight sequels planned. ...
Positive role models: Main character Raizo is a formidable martial artist, and he's diligent about keeping himself in top form -- which may inspire younger viewers to do the same. But his actions in the film include violence and revenge, even if his end goal is the common good. Secondary character Mika comes out a little better. She constantly demonstrates bravery and always tries to do the right thing, even in the face of terrible danger.
Violence: Wall-to-wall extreme martial arts violence, with gallons and gallons of blood spewing, splatting, splashing, spraying, and gurgling everywhere. But it's all comic book-style fantasy battle violence. Several characters lose limbs or heads, some of which go flying a good distance from their original locations. A female ninja-in-training gets her face sliced. A man's head is repeatedly battered into the urinals in a public restroom. A throwing star is extracted from a gaping stomach wound. Most disturbingly, a ninja master whips the feet of a young boy, a ninja-in-training, creating painful-looking gashes on the boy's soles.
Sex: A teen couple -- both ninjas in training -- shares a tender kiss. In another scene, they rest their heads on each other's chests, listening to each other's heartbeats (while clothed and in the open).
Language: Significant stretches of the movie are profanity-free, but "f--k" is used several times overall. Other words include "s--t," "dumbass," "damn," "oh God" (used as an exclamation), and "scheisse" (the German word for "s--t").
Consumerism: In one scene characters drink Pepsi and prominently display Pepsi bottles, but the name is never mentioned aloud.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Ninja Assassin

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about their reaction to the movie's bloody, violent scenes. Were you shocked? Did you laugh? Why do you think you reacted this way?
  • What was Raizo's motivation? Was it personal revenge, or was it more for the common good? Were his tactics appropriate?
  • Do you think the character of Mika is strong and brave? Is she a good female role model, or is she more of a stereoytpe?

What's the story?

What's the story?
For centuries, the so-called "nine clans" have taken orphaned children and trained them to be ninjas, with the power to hide in the shadows and follow their targets by scent alone. The ninjas are then sold to world governments to be used as assassins. Raizo (South Korean pop star Rain) escapes and decides to bring down the entire organization, especially his cruel, former sensei Lord Ozunu (Sho Kosugi). Meanwhile, Europol agent Ryan Maslow (Ben Miles) and researcher Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris) stumble upon the conspiracy and find themselves in the middle of a war between Raizo and an army of angry, evil ninjas. Lots of blood and flying body parts follow.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

As directed by James McTeigue (V for Vendetta) and produced by the Wachowski Brothers (The Matrix), NINJA ASSASSIN is of a generally higher quality than the typical "ninja" martial arts movie. It's slick and fast-paced with some gorgeous set pieces and choreography, as well as characters who more or less behave like they know what they're doing. Rain gives a fairly one-note, brooding performance, but Miles and Harris help make up for it.

The movie is extremely and self-consciously violent and gory, although in a comic book/fantasy way that will probably inspire more laughter than cringing. Moreover, most of the bloody hackings and severings are accomplished via CGI, and none of it actually looks or feels too real. The larger plot arc has a few holes and leaves a bit to be desired, but individual moments can be ridiculously exhilarating.
 

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: James McTeigue
Cast: Ben Miles, Naomie Harris, Rain
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 99 minutes
Theatrical release: November 25, 2009
DVD release: March 16, 2010
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: strong bloody stylized violence throughout, and language
Watch our review

This review was written by Jeffrey M. Anderson
 
 

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What parents & educators say

16
Based on 9 parent & educator reviews:
  • 89% say violence is an issue
  • 67% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

 
Extremely violent, ultra-bloody action movie isn't anything special
Despite the film's gratuitous, stylish, gruelingly bloody violence, it's really not that interesting. As I watch I wonder why I am in the first place. Well, for obvious reasons, I wanted to watch ninjas slice and dice each other. And that's what I got. But there' just one problem: the film is poorly made. In my opion, it doesn't matter how much blood and gore is ina film as long as it's good! Although, I must admit that some of the action is well directed, including the opening scene: over-the-top and gory, but well-choreographed. Parents: This is one of the bloodiest films I have ever seen. There several disturbing images of brutal injuries and deaths. There's also bad language and some sexual material. Bottom Line: Not worth your money, unless your desperate for some decent ninja action, because that's all you'll get. Nothing more. Thanks for reading! - Movie Man

bournefan
kid, 13 years old
 
wow
well i don't really know about a lot of language cuz it wuz so bad i didn't finish it @luvanger i know right this wuz a big let down

buttons are kool
teen, 14 years old
 
really exiting and bloody
just is extremely bloody and swears a lot, especially at the beginning where half of someones head gets cut off and u see it on the ground also kids get beaten and kill each other but overall really exciting and its my favorite movie

 
Good for adult comic fans, not so good for kids.
When I saw this movie I did not expect all the blood and gore. However, I got over that fairly quickly and was able to enjoy it very much. It is not made for kids, but adults who see this and enjoy comics will enjoy the manner in which it was filmed. Plus there is a great car chase scene (more like car chase style, you'll see what I mean).

 
Extremely bloody, but not Wachowski Brothers material.
When I heard that the geniuses behind "The Matrix" and "V for Vendetta" were producing a film, I was ecstatic. I had to go see it immediately. I expected some awesome one-liners, well thought-out plot elements, and a political and/or philosophical commentary. I was disappointed on all fronts. The movie had nothing interesting, and was basically just a stereotypical martial arts tale, but with lots and lots of graphic violence. People are dismembered, stabbed, mutilated, blown up, decapitated, shot, whipped, and beaten bloody non-stop, with all of the violence highlighted by gallons of spraying blood. The violence is so constant and gory that there's no way it could be imitated or taken seriously, but it's just so extreme that sometimes it's downright comical. I actually began to laugh in the opening scene of the movie, right after the top half of a guy's head lands in the center of the camera. The violence is your only worry here, though. The opening scene contains some strong language, but the rest of the film is largely clean. There is no drug use or sex at all. The main characters are clearly good and the antagonists are clearly bad (although at times the characters seem one-dimensional). This movie is fine for older teens with a stomach for violence, but you still don't want a younger teen watching this level of gore. Some people will enjoy this, although I haven't the slightest clue who they are. I can see what the movie was aiming for, but they took a good concept and ruined it with bad dialogue and needless violence.

 
16 and up.
ninja assassin is a bloody martial arts movie that's only for older teens and parents you need to know that ninja assassin has a lot extreme bloody and intense violence and characters used strong language.

Flamingskullroxy13
teen, 16 years old
 
Ninja!!
I really liked this movie, however the quality of the movie was deduced because of all the excesse violence and blood. THis movie was VERY bloody. I cringed and had to cover my eyes a few times. THis movie isn't for the squeamish and isn't for children. Althogh the ninja's were cool the messagesand head master weren't good and nice. There wasn't any sexuality or bad language but only blood and gore. THe end of the movie is totally predictable once you see the beginning. But yeah i really enjoyed the movie!

Prototype79043
teen, 16 years old
 
Within the first few minutes, you see someone's head cut off. That made me throw up. I mean within five minutes. But the movie was good though, just not for kids

15 year old
teen, 17 years old
 
300 movie
If you have seen every second of 300 you can see this movie easy, but the violent part are a more bloody... In the end, its a good solid movie...

Plague
parent
 
Ninja Assassin
Absolutly kickarse! Intense action scense, awsome weapons, and just what you would expect in a chinese martial arts action movie. Sort of funny since the film was shot in Berlin, Germany.

wyvern986
teen, 17 years old
 
Ninja Assassin? More like Ninja Awesomeness!!!
I haven't actually seen this movie yet, but I think it looks absolutely amazing. I've been fascinated by ninjas from a young age and took that fascination to the next level by learning karate and deciding to work out every night, not to mention reading up on Ancient Japan, learning all about the ninja and the samurai, and starting to teach myself Japanese. This movie looks like it will show a good depiction of an awesome ninja and I am looking forward to seeing it as soon as possible. I rated it 15+ because from what I've read, it does seem like it has an excessive amount of blood, but after reading about the stylization of it, the blood doesn't really concern me anymore. It seems like it's there just to make the movie more intense.

ocimsevenoi
teen, 18 years old
 

 
Extremely Violent, and also Cool, but Definitely Flawed
This is a very cool yet explicitely violence film in which bodies are dismembered in brutal fashion and blood pours like a waterfall. Although, there are a lot of boring sequences in which characters talk and, honestly, we just don't care. PARENTS: This is EXTREMELY bloody and gory and absolutely not recommended for kids. Well, thanks for reading - Movie Man

4Spice
adult
 
a killing classic watch the movie
one of my favorites crazy action killing movie i loved it there is alot of sword fighting gallons of blood parents dont let kisd see this 16 and over for intense violence

 
Older Teens
Bloody , Real bloody more for older teens in my idea

 
Awesome movie, but EXTREMELY bloody
Ok, the first few reviews for this movie are from younger teens? really? This movie is WAY too bloody and gory for anyone who's younger. I loved the movie. It's great to watch with a bunch of guy friends. Plenty of action, decent plot, but it's without a doubt the bloodiest move I've ever seen.

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