New York Ninja

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1:27

New York Ninja

2021

1h 33m

Action

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

42%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Taekwondo film legend John Liu stars as a New York everyman who, when pushed too far, is forced to take the law into his own hands and become "The New York Ninja" -- a vigilante set on righting wrongs and keeping the peace in a Big Apple on the brink of chaos. Originally filmed in 1984, this martial arts riot was never completed and sat, unedited in a warehouse, for nearly 40 years before being finished by the staff at Vinegar Syndrome.

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Simon Abrams

TheWrap

Jan 19, 2022

Often feels like a pre-fab midnight movie that was made with apparent love and care but without much urgency or creativity.

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Dennis Harvey

Variety

Jan 18, 2022

With shoestring production values, Liu's energetically silly fight choreography, good use of stolen locations and 35mm imagery in first-rate preservative condition, "Ninja" has cheesily entertaining elements that it combines in a very lively fashion.

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J Hurtado

ScreenAnarchy

Oct 27, 2023

From Liu's less-than-convincing but more-than-effective fight choreography, to crazy hoodlum costuming, to [an] army of child ninjas, to a briefcase right out of Kiss Me Deadly, to [a] rattail chewing/fencing bodyguard, there's something for everyone.

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Sean Burns

North Shore Movies

Mar 4, 2022

An affectionate example of-slash-tribute to Reagan Era grindhouse garbage.

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Oscar Goff

Boston Hassle

Feb 25, 2022

It stands as both a testament to the determination and dogged efforts of film preservationists, and as one last taste of a belovedly dopey subgenre.

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Tyler Doupe

Dread Central

Feb 1, 2022

3/5

New York Ninja is not for everyone but it will certainly satiate your appetite for low-budget schlock.

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Ronnie L

@RT08207371 Sep 9, 2025

Is it better or worse with the 2021 audio dubbing?

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Ronnie L

@RT98067965 Sep 9, 2025

I know 3 podcasters that would lose their minds over this

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Frank H

@RT75619985 Dec 7, 2023

Who in their right mind would rate this anything less than 5 stars Vinegar Syndrome are doing the lords work!

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KB B

@Okbullard Nov 6, 2023

Well I've seen much better movies of this genre. I really can't recommend this. I wouldn't even call this a B movie. 96%? hmmmm

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New York Ninja: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Taekwondo film legend John Liu stars as a New York everyman who, when pushed too far, is forced to take the law into his own hands and become "The New York Ninja" -- a vigilante set on righting wrongs and keeping the peace in a Big Apple on the brink of chaos. Originally filmed in 1984, this martial arts riot was never completed and sat, unedited in a warehouse, for nearly 40 years before being finished by the staff at Vinegar Syndrome.

Director: John Liu, Kurtis Spieler
Producer: Brad Henderson, Kurtis Spieler, Ryan Emerson, Ralph Stevens, Joe Rubin
Screenwriter: John Liu, Arthur Schweitzer, Kurtis Spieler
Production Co: Vinegar Syndrome
Genre: Action, Comedy
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 33m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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