Surf Ninjas (1993)

Director:

Neal Israel

Writer (WGA):

Dan Gordon (written by)

Release Date:

20 August 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Family

Tagline:

Surf's up! Time to save the world!

Plot:

Two Asian-American "surfer-dude" brothers discover they are the long lost princes from a China Sea Island...

Plot Keywords:

Island | Martial Arts | Prince | Brother | Dictator

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Ernie Reyes Sr.	...	Zatch
Ernie Reyes Jr.	...	Johnny
Nicolas Cowan	...	Adam
John Karlen	...	Mac
Rob Schneider	...	Iggy
Oliver Mills	...	Moto Surfer
Jonathan Schmock	...	School Cop
Neal Israel	...	Mr. Dunbar
Vladimir Parra	...	Back-up Singer #1
Brandon Karrer	...	Back-up Singer #2
Dathan Aragon	...	Back-up Singer#3
Phillip Bayless	...	Back-up Singer #4
Philip Tan	...	Captain Ming
Keone Young	...	Baba Ram
Romy Windsor	...	Miss Robertson

Also Known As:

Surf Ninjas of the South China Sea (Australia)
Surf Warriors

Runtime:

UK:87 min | USA:87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

South Korea:12 | Australia:PG | Iceland:LH (video rating) | Iceland:L (original rating) | UK:PG | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Hawaii, USA

Company:

New Line Cinema

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: No game cartridge in Game Gear hand-held video game system used and played by the kids.

Quotes:

Mac: [Johnny and Mac are in Shock for a moment as the camera angle focuses on a hand holding a kitchen knife] I'd put that knife down if I were you!
[the Camera Angle starts pointing up revealing Iggy's Face]
Iggy: Seriously, if you don't want chives, I wont put em in.
Johnny: Well, I want chives bro.
Mac: Iggy, you're here every day, and every night, don't your Parents wonder where you've been?
Iggy: Mr. MC.Quinn, My Parents are locked up in a Bio-Screen in Arizona, Pimento?
Mac: Huh?
Iggy: ...It's like a little Tomato. Yes, Bio-Screen, lots of plants n animals, no one else allowed in anywhere around them. look, for it to be hard for me to explain it to a layman, like Yourself.
Mac: Iggy, You know what you need, is a professional listener.
Johnny: He visits the School shrink every day.
[...]

Movie Connections:

References Kung Fu (1972) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Barbara Ann

Not a masterpiece, but it's pretty funny

It never fails to amaze me--no matter how many times I read over the comments about "Surf Ninjas", I'm astounded by the sheer number that are written by people who must look down their noses at any movie that does not fit into the category of "serious film". You would think that an Oscar contender was being reviewed, not a children's movie from the early 90's about surfing ninja-princes.

Come on. How much can a person expect from a movie called "Surf Ninjas"? All you can expect, as far as I'm concerned, are ninjas who surf. This movie has both, therefore it is a complete success.

I have to say, I loved this movie when I was little. I rented it every weekend for three months straight. Last Christmas, I found a VHS of it at Wal-Mart for $3.99, and, of course, I bought it. When I watched it, I was pleasantly surprised that it not only lived up to what I remembered of it, but that it was full of inside jokes and one-liners that my kid's brain couldn't quite get, but that my now-adult brain totally comprehends. And, might I add, finds rather funny.

Few movies could make a running gag out of a line like "Money can't buy knives", but "Surf Ninjas" pulls it off. Don't watch this expecting a masterpiece, but as a slice of good old 1990's nostalgia, it's great.