3 Ninjas Knuckle Up (1995)

Director:

Sang-ok Shin

Writer:

Alex S. Kim (screenplay)

Release Date:

7 April 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Action | Family

Tagline:

Tum Tum, Colt and Rocky are back for all new non-stop Ninja action!

Plot:

In this movie Rocky, Colt and TumTum must battle an evil wealthy toxic waste dumper in order to save a local Indian tribe and their friend Joe...

Plot Keywords:

Third Part | Sequel | Martial Arts | Child Martial Arts | Children

Cast

Victor Wong	...	Grandpa
Charles Napier	...	Jack Harding
Michael Treanor	...	Rocky
Max Elliott Slade	...	Colt (as Max Elliot Slade)
Chad Power	...	Tum Tum
Crystle Lightning	...	Jo
Patrick Kilpatrick	...	J.J.
Don Shanks	...	Charlie (as Donald L. Shanks)
Sheldon Peters Wolfchild	...	Lee
Nick Ramus	...	Chief Roundcreek (as Nickolas G. Ramus)
Donal Logue	...	Jimmy
Vincent Schiavelli	...	The Mayor
Selina Jayne	...	Jo's Mother
Kait Lyn Mathews	...	Theresa
Don Stark	...	Sheriff

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for non-stop ninja action.

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Argentina:Atp | UK:PG | Iceland:12 | Spain:13 | USA:PG-13

Company:

Sheen Productions

Trivia:

This film was shot before 3 Ninjas Kick Back (1994), despite not being released until later.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Rocky, Colt and Tum Tum are spying on the meeting between Jack and the mayor, the two men agree that the hearing will be held on the following day. That night, the three boys and Jo rescue Jo's father. The next morning, the boys are exhausted and Tum Tum falls asleep leaning against the refrigerator. That night, they attend the Native American ceremony and Grandpa helps them fight off J.J. and his men. The next morning is the hearing. This means that the hearing actually started two days after the meeting.

Quotes:

Jo: We go and get him out.
Tum Tum: We. As in you and us?
Jo: Yes. You guys and the girl.
Colt: Wait a minute.
Rocky: Colt, I think it's okay.
Colt: Okay. but we'll have to do it tonight, cause they're going to start the hearing tomorrow.
Rocky: Tonight, then,
Colt: Tonight.
Tum Tum: Tonight?
Jo: Tonight.

Movie Connections:

Follows 3 Ninjas (1992)

Part Crouching Tiger, Part Surf Ninjas, this rollercoaster ride gets Three Knuckles up!

One would think that after the previous two adrenaline-soaked installments in this series that the franchise would run out of steam, but instead of moving forward at the breakneck speed one would expect, instead it slows down and looks inward, finding fertile new ground to explore. One such example is when the boys first meet their native american uncle, and are illuminated to the ecological problems in our consumer specific culture. Not since "Fire Down Below", has their plight been so real that you cannot ignore it, and must hold yourself to blame. Another prime example is when Tum Tum runs afoul of the Yakuza, and his brothers steadfast protection of him in the face of danger. A bold, artistic statement, Three Ninjas Knuckle Up gives up the way of punches and kicks, and chooses the love of family over blitzkreig martial arts shenanigans in what is the most refreshing film of the year, and a prime candidate for film preservation. (All things said, I must admit that my review may be a little biased, being that I played "Ninja who gets hit in the crotch #3", so I hope you'll bear with me)