Surf Ninjas (1993)

Two boys learn from a mysterious warrior that they are the heirs to the throne of Patusan and set out to overthrow the current monarchy.

Director:

Neal Israel

Writer:

Dan Gordon

Stars:

Ernie Reyes Sr., Rob Schneider, Ernie Reyes Jr.

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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
Dathon Aragon	...	Back-up Singer#3 (as Dathan Aragon)
Phillip Bayless	...	Back-up Singer #4
Philip Tan	...	Captain Ming
Keone Young	...	Baba Ram
Romy Windsor	...	Miss Robertson

Storyline

Brothers Johnny, an adolescent surf talent, and Adam, a preadolescent video-game addict, grow up care-free in California as adopted sons of Marines veteran Mac, inseparable friends of wacky local lout Iggy. Colonel Chi's military reign of terror culminates in their tiny birth-land, island state Patu San, off the Viet Nam coast. Former royal guards officer Zatch comes to summon the brothers to return and restore the pacific monarchy, because they are the sons of the murdered king, whom Mac took in exile for safety. They are joined on the adventurous journey by a bored Californian police detective whose attention was drawn by the ninja team that failed, thanks to Zatch, to murder the brothers in Mac's home.

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Plot Keywords:

southeast asia | african american | villain | island | ninja | 

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Taglines:

Surf's up! Time to save the world!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for comic martial arts action and some mild language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rob Schneider is part Filipino. The same ethnicity as Ernie Reyes Jr. and Ernie Reyes Sr.

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Goofs

When they are in a cave, Zatch cuts a piece of Johnny's shirt on the top left. In subsequent shots, the cut is gone.

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Quotes

Johnny: Ro-May, you know what would be really great is if you'd run like a mother and get Winky the One-Eyed black belt!

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Connections

References Kung Fu: Pilot (1972)

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Soundtracks

Barbara Ann
Written by Fred Fassert
Performed by The Beach Boys

User Reviews

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.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 August 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Surf Warriors

Filming Locations:

Chinatown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,026,278, 22 August 1993

Gross USA:

$4,916,135

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,916,135

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Line Cinema

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1