Scream Factory re-releases Ninja III: The Domination with some great new features and upgrades, making this title well worth the double dip!
“ONLY A NINJA CAN KILL A NINJA!
Aerobic instructor Christie Ryder (Lucinda Dickey, Breakin’, Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo) becomes possessed by the spirit of an evil ninja when she comes to his aid after he was shot down. Dominated by the killer’s vicious and relentless rage, she sets out to brutally attack his enemies. Her boyfriend, confused by Christie’s changing personality and afraid that he might be her next victim, enlists the help of Yamada (Shô Kosugi, Enter the Ninja, Revenge of the Ninja). In a life-threatening exorcism and ultimate fight to the death, Yamada proves that he is Christie’s only chance for survival.”
Ninja III: The Domination picks up where the second left off. As far as I can tell, it’s not totally necessary to see the other films, as the third takes place in an entirely different wheelhouse, as instead of a film solely about ninjas, this film throws in everything popular at the time, including Flashdance and a bit of exorcism. When a ninja totally lays waste to a golf course and an army of police officers and is ultimately mortally wounded, Christie, an aerobics instructor and telephone line repair person, rushes to his aid as he appears out in the desert while on a job.
While at the police station giving her statement, Christie meets Billy (Jordan Bennett), one of the officers involved in gunning down the ninja that now resides in her body. Billy becomes infatuated with Christie, following her around to her aerobics classes pestering her until she finally agrees to go out with him. As Christie meets some of Billy’s co-workers who also participated in the death of the ninja, a powerful force takes over her and exacts revenge on those that killed him. Hot on the ninja’s trail is Yamada, vowing to stop the ninja that we can only assume did something to him in the previous film.
Ninja III: The Domination is a classic product of Cannon Films that embodied their entire filmmaking style. It’s way over the top, outlandish, usually trying to capitalize on original popular ideas, but also a hell of a lot of fun. The opening for example, thirteen minutes of pure carnage and over the top action with an astronomical body count. The first time I saw this film, as soon as the sequence was over I restarted it just to watch it again. Its’ moments like these that make this film so re-watchable and so fun. Films like this aren’t made any more and it’s a shame. Rarely do you see a movie ‘so bad it’s good’; Cannon Films made films like this and whenever they’re released to a new medium I always jump at the chance to view them.
Video
Ninja III: The Domination is presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1 with a new 4k scan from the original film elements. This is one of the main draws for me and fans of the film seeing this obscure film remastered to look as good as it possibly can. Back when I reviewed the first release from Scream Factory I wrote that that release was probably as good as the film will ever look. I am happy to say that I was wrong, as the new transfer looks exceptional. Although there are the occasional blemishes or scratches, everything else looks to be very clear and well balanced.
Audio
The audio is presented in DTS-Master Audio Stereo. The track sounds good, with a good balance between the speakers in use. It doesn’t sound exceptional by any means, but the synthesizer soundtrack and weird love songs while Lucinda Dickey has V8 poured on her sound good with no defects noticed.
Special Features
Another draw for upgrading to this new Collector’s Edition are the addition of several new interviews, one of which I was hoping for when I saw the film originally, an interview with Lucinda Dickey. Her name was well known in the Cannon Films world with this and the Breakin’ films, and it was great to hear what she’s been up to and what she thought about her involvement in these cult hits.
On this set you’re going to see:
- NEW4K Scan From The Original Film Elements
- NEWInterview With Actress Lucinda Dickey
- NEWInterview With Actor Jordan Bennett
- NEWInterview With Producer And Stuntman Alan Amiel
- NEWAudio Interviews With Production Designer Elliot Ellentuck And Co-Composer Misha Segal Featuring Isolated Tracks From The Original Score
- Theatrical Trailer (In HD) With Optional Trailers From Hell Commentary With Screenwriter Josh Olson
- Audio Commentary By Director Sam Firstenberg And Stunt Coordinator Steve Lambert
Scream Factory has always given some great treatment to their Collector’s Editions, and although I was a bit skeptical of them re-releasing something already in their catalogue, they have brought some great new features and upgrades to it that will tempt fans of the film to double dip.
