Monster preview of Isaac Florentine’s ‘Ninja’

The makers of NINJA, action director Isaac Florentine’s upcoming ninja actioner starring Scott Adkins, have just unleashed five behind-the-scenes videos that offer a sweet preview of the film. Each clip reveals previously unseen footage mixed with interviews with cast members and the director.

Of special interest to me is Adkins’ stellar physical performance, the willingness of the stunt actors to make contact in complex group fighting scenes and details about Florentine’s decision to keep the martial arts authentic while keeping the film dynamic and fun.

In one of the clips, Florentine suggests that were ninjas operating today, they would be using high-tech equipment. I’m inclined to believe that were Sonny Chiba and Chang Cheh making martial arts movies today, they would display high-impact action like we’re seeing in NINJA.

What I’m not digging is what appears to be CGI projectiles and blood, similar to what we’re also seeing in footage from James McTeigue’s NINJA ASSASSIN. These digital tricks cannot replace good, old fashioned squibs and real, weighted weapons judiciously edited into a sequence when thrown.

This is only the latest in an aggressive push by the filmmakers to promote NINJA directly to the online fan community ahead of its release, first in Malaysian theaters on October 22 and then on DVD and Blu-ray in the U.K. on November 23. There is still no official word on a U.S. release date.

Fists of Fury

The Last Ninja

The Yoroi Bitsu

Ninja Tech

The Art of the Dojo

Tags: Isaac Florentine, ninja, Ninja (2009), Scott Adkins, upcoming, Videos