Leofwine_draca A gory offering from the Shaw Brothers studio which offers up insane ninja action and fantastic elements in abundance, as well as a ton of martial arts mayhem to whet the appetite of any fan of the martial arts genre. In the early '80s, the Shaw Brothers took to inserting graphic gore into their kung fu epics (as well as churning out their own brand of stomach-churning horror yarns) in a bid to attract bigger violence-seeking audiences. FIVE ELEMENT NINJAS stands true as one of their most over-the-top kung fu films with graphic scenes of violence in no other. It's one of the most violent films I've seen, with a huge body count and people being killed every few minutes.There's a heavy emphasis on weaponry, with lots of huge shiny - and frankly absurd - axes and spears being used in the combat sequences (complete with tinny ringing noises) and lots of cool devices like poisoned throwing rings (which hilariously cause the victims to be unable to use kung fu for three months!) and a pair of handcuffs which can only be unlocked with a special key and is otherwise unbreakable. The music is effective and the varied locations add to the visual splendour of the movie.The acting is average for the genre, with the good guys being likable and the bad guys being sufficiently mean, but little other characterisation. Former Venom Lo Meng has the best role and the film's best scene, an extended fight against overwhelming odds. I did like the character of the female ninja who has a change of heart and falls for the good guy before dying a tragic death. But otherwise, this is mainly for ninja fans who want to see one of the most absurd - and thus, best - ninja movies out there. These ninjas can jump in and out of the ground, disappear at will, and fly through the air with ease! The action sequences are fantastic if you don't mind the gore and spraying arterial fluids and in all this is a bloody good time, and one of the most incredible movies I've yet seen.

mike426-1 If you don't like Ninja movies then don't watch this movie. If you can't appreciate that this movie does not take itself too seriously then don't watch it. This is a well crafted movie. The are a lot of things wrong with this movie but there are more things that are right and work. The story is good and leaves me satisfied at the end. This is VERY key when watching any movie. The creativity is great, clever and very funny. The fighting is in no way extremely slow paced (like one person writes in the comments) but it is possible to see that it is rehearsed here and there which of course it is for safety reasons. Most of the locations are horrendous especially where the elemental confrontations take place. I don't care so much about that because the story works and the dialog is funny so these flaws don't ruin it for me. There are a lot of movies from this period that are REALLY bad and leaves more questions than answers. This is not the case here because this movie is one of the best Ninja movies out there. I have seen A LOT of Ninja movies (well nearly all I think):)Another wonderful albeit very different movie from that era is "Ninja in the Dragon's den". I give both these movie 7/10. Also if you like goofy Ninja movies you might wanna watch Shogun's Ninja. It's hilarious :D

bajbij The Garrish colors add to this awesome action flick. The choreography is beyond superb (almost no wire use, no stupid CGI, Joel Silver not in presence.) King Fu films are like gene Kelly films or Fred Astaire films- you watch them for the beautifully choreographed moves. The Kung Fu here is among the best of all kung fu films (not classic fung fu films--ALL Kung fu films) The crap Hollywood is spewing now and calling kung fu is just their shallow brainwashed doctrines of how anything that doesn't encompass CGI or a woman for PC reasons is cheap. This is a must for your King fu collection.

macnjnc Super Ninjas along with The Kid with the Golden Arms, 5 Deadly Venoms, Mortal Combat and Unbeatable Dragon are in my estimation the best of Chang Cheh's movies. Super Ninjas is arguably the best.This movie is absolutely a must see if you like Kung Fu movies. This movie features breathtaking choreography from Chang Cheh and a good plot. After defeating the Japanese in a duel the Chinese accept a invitation to take on the "Five Element Ninjas" (Gold,Fire,Water,Wood,Land) and initially are no match due to the fact that all fighters are gruesomely killed. The Japanese then place a secret agent, a female named Sungi to infiltrate the Chinese headquarters; though suspected by one of the remaining Chinese fighters, she is successful in gaining a detailed mapping of Chinese headquarters. The Japanese then raid headquarters and are able to kill the head master along with Lo Mang (Toad). Lo Mang desperately fights to save himself and his master but comes up short due to a devious plot by the Japenese infiltrator Sungi. Another Chinese fighter is captured and tied by rope but manages to escape due to being taught some Ninja by a master long ago. He returns to this master and completes his schooling to master "the ways of the Ninja". Not to ever be forgotten is the Head Ninja, who has to be one of the best villains ever in a Shaw Brother film. Ninja tactics and techniques are displayed in fine detail here. Ninjas have steel claws in their feet, come out of the ground and fly through the air. All the elements that you look for in a superb Kung Fu movie is here, breathtaking stuntsmanship and gore galore. Without a doubt there are many scenes that you won't forget; examples, one fighter tripping over his own spilling guts, the head Ninja being dismembered at the ending fight, the rock exploding as the Chinese smash through to signal the defeat of the Ninja, the old Ninja master telling the student to "always keep this key, it just might come in handy" and indeed it did, the Samurai fighter saying "loss of a fight means loss of one's life to a Samurai", what about when the Ninja teacher tells his students that Ninjas have "many secret fatal skills". Unforgettable film. One of the best and most unforgettable endings I've ever seen. 9 and a half out of 10 on the scale.