Action,Adventure
United States of America
Joe Armstrong, portrayed by Michael Dudikoff, is a troubled drifter who grew up in Japan and trained in martial arts under the tutelage of a wise master. Despite his combat skills, Joe is constantly on the run from the law and has little regard for authority or discipline.
After getting into trouble with the law for his martial arts antics, Joe is given a choice by a judge: enlist in the US Army or go to prison. Joe chooses the former and is sent to an American Army base in The Philippines, where he quickly finds himself at odds with his superiors and fellow soldiers.
On one of his first missions driving a convoy, Joe and his platoon are ambushed by a group of rebels who are seeking to hijack weapons and kidnap the base colonel's daughter, Patricia (Judie Aronson). As the only survivor of the attack, Joe is quickly hailed as a hero and is recruited by the base commander to assist in rescuing Patricia.
With his martial arts skills and quick thinking, Joe proves to be a valuable asset to the Army and soon becomes involved in a larger plot involving the criminal organization behind the earlier ambush. As he infiltrates their ranks and unravels their secrets, Joe must also confront his own demons and come to terms with his troubled past.
American Ninja is a classic 80s action movie that made Michael Dudikoff a household name and spawned several sequels. With its mix of martial arts, military action, and espionage, it remains a fan favorite to this day.
