Surf Ninjas

This movie came out in 1993. It was directed by Neal Isreal and written by Dan Gordon. Surf Ninjas starred Ernie Reyes Jr, Rob Schneider, Leslie Nielsen, Ernie Reyes Sr, and Nicholas Cowan.

This one takes me back to my childhood for sure. If you grew up in the 90’s and this wasn’t one of your favorite movies, you definitely were missing out. The story of royal heirs to the Patu San throne, that have grown up in hiding in LA. Ernie Reyes Jr. played Johnny, a surfing addicting high schooler, and Nicholas Cowan played Adam, a pre-adolescent obsessed with video games. Ernie Reyes, Sr played Zatch who was sworn to protect the boys and return them to their homeland to take it back from the tyrant Colonel Chi, played by Leslie Nielsen.

Surf Ninjas opens with Zatch secretly watching over our heroes, Johnny and Adam, while they are listening to Van Halen and eating breakfast. After what seems like normal day at school, the boys along with their friend Iggy, played by Rob Schneider, are hang out at Mac’s burger restaurant when Zatch arrives. Mac recognizes Zatch from his time at Patu Sun before Colonel Chi’s takeover. Just then a group of ninjas break into the burger joint and the fighting begins. Zatch is able to get the boys out, but Mac stays behind to find them off. Johnny and Adam are confused by the so called prophecies told to them by Zatch. The boys then decide to meet with the cops, and afterward are taken home by Lieutenant Spence, played by Tone Loc. Later that night, the ninjas come to kill the boys again, luckily, Zatch is there to help them escape. Now on the run, the boys and Zatch seek refuge in Little Patu San. Back with their people, Johnny and Adam are treated like the princes they are. Johnny even mets the women he is promised to marry. The happy reunion is ended when enemy ninjas show up and attempt, once again, to kill the boys. This time, however, they start to fight back. Johnny starts to show signs that he will fulfill his destiny of becoming an even greater warrior than his father. Adam’s visions continue and he gets better at controlling them through his hand held video game. After this most recent attack, the boys and Zatch decide to head toward Patu San. Before the journey can begin, Lt. Spence tries to stop the boys but instead joins them on their trip. When the group reaches the island, Zatch sinks the raft and says, ” We will either be victorious or in our graves.” With no way to turn back, the boys must find their inheritance and then retake the island from Colonel Chi and his army of goons. Will the boys be able to fulfill their destiny? Can they take down Colonel Chi? Will Iggy be of any use on this mission?

I have been a fan of this movie since I first saw it. Growing up I had wished that I had some unknown destiny that would be revealed, but so far nothing. (Don’t worry I’ll let you know if that changes) It’s a great 90’s movie if you are looking for an old school flick to fill an afternoon. I give this a three out of five stars as a movie rating, but personally one of my favorites from the 90’s. It has a good story with decent action and humor sprinkled throughout. An entertaining different type of coming of age movie, Surf Ninjas really epitomizes what a growing up in the 90’s was about: finding your destiny, kicking some ass, and having a helluva good time while doing it.

“Kwantsu, Dudes!” – Johnny

Enjoy this piece of 90’s cinema and let me know your thoughts.

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