From even the most generous of viewpoints, Ninja III: The Domination is an objectively terrible film, filled as it is with poorly performed stunts, choppy editing, indifferent direction, cheap-ass special effects, bland cinematography, lazy scripting and a range of truly lamentable performances.
No rational critic on the planet would be bold enough to suggest that it is anything other than a blatantly transparent ’80s attempt to combine the popularity of The Exorcist, Enter the Ninja and Flashdance into a blandly inoffensive package that is just watered down enough to work for kids, while also satisfying moronic adults on the lookout for an impressive body count.
Thankfully, I am not a rational critic. Ninja III: The Domination happens to star Lucinda Dickey, the iconic star of Breakin’ and Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo, which is more than enough to compel me to watch it every chance I get.
How could I not? It’s a blatantly transparent ’80s attempt to combine the popularity of The Exorcist, Enter the Ninja and Flashdance! It don’t get any better than that!
Dickey plays Christine, a California linewoman/aerobics instructor who becomes possessed by the vengeful spirit of a Japanese ninja assassin who was killed in a truly ridiculous hail of police gunfire. Under the spirit’s control, Christine begins to stalk and kill the cops involved in the shooting, until Sho Kosugi arrives to drive the spirit out of her and battle the resurrected ninja one on one, because, “Only ninja can kill ninja!”
Awesomeness. —Allan Mott