3 Ninjas Knuckle Up MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 Content: -1

This latest in the 3 NINJA movie series follows the same pattern as in the previous two Ninja movies. As in the past, three adolescent boys who are skilled in karate fighting come to the rescue of a threatened individual or group. Also, the principal entertainment feature of the movie is the almost continuous karate fighting and related confrontations. The boys, Rocky, Colt and Tum Tum (Michael Treanor, Max Slade and Chad Power) are on a vacation with their grandpa, played by Victor Wong, who is also their martial arts mentor. They come across an Indian tribe whose land is being polluted by a greedy, waste management company dumping toxic materials on it. Before you know it, the ninja boys are out looking for one of the Indian leaders who has been kidnapped because he has information proving the company is polluting the land. Some ruthless thugs hired by the nefarious company take off after the boys, which leads to an endless string of confrontations. All this may appeal to youngsters under twelve, but even they may become a little bored with the unimaginative plot.

Since this sequel features three boys who are older than those in the previous 3 NINJA films, the director has turned up the amount of violence. The boys spend at least one third of the film time fighting the thugs, and it seems more like half. Using all the martial art tricks they know, they kick, strike, beat and generally maul the attacking thugs. At times, they are pursued by men in trucks and motorcycles with plenty of accidents and accompanying injuries. They also retaliate by shooting wire barbs at their foes, banging them on the head with metal objects and pushing them onto cactus plants. All the while, grandpa is admonishing them to fight only when attacked and not to seek notoriety as heroes. Their motives are admirable, but this film simply exploits violence to entertain. The excessive violence, along with a few moderately crude words, could very well encourage youngsters to become more aggressive and mimic the ninja fighters.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: Tri Star Pictures, 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232