I know this isn't "Lord of the Rings" or "Star Wars", but I just thought I'd put this out there... in case this movie had another title (or something)
Isn't David Bradley's name "Shawn" in the other two films, not?
So is he now playing Michael Dudikoff's character?
And why is "Joe's" sparring partner in the beginning of the film the bad guy from the first film?
Well, that's all... If anyone has any answers, please reply... 1
Dear god, you're right!!! God, somehow you made this awful flick even worse for me...
shareI am betting he is still Shawn, but is supposed to be using "Joe" as an alias or codename. I have yet to see the movie, but considering that David Bradly has already played an established character in 2 of the previous movies, it would be hard for anyone to see him suddenly as a different established character.
shareI wouldn't give the producer's that much credit. I don't think continuity was on their minds when they made this embarassment.
share[deleted]
Hahahaha, you made me laugh so hard :)
But yes, I certainly agree with you.
But even today, I really admire those stylish opening aesthetics : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFePLZvbwHg&feature=related
Very creative setup; visually attractive and equally pleasing.
by - jmpswannshare
I wouldn't give the producer's that much credit. I don't think continuity was on their minds when they made this embarassment.
It's a sequel in name only. The first four films have continuity with each other character-wise. This is a sequel in the same way the No Retreat No Surrender sequels were.
shareI could have sworn that they changed the title of this movie. I remember constantly seeing this video cover in video stores while growing up, and I think I would have remembered (or even seen it) if it were named American NINJA (was a big fan of the franchise back then, and immediately watched anything to do with that franchise). I'm quite certain they changed the name of this film at some point in recent history.
share[deleted]
Amen to that ! They should've called it something else thats for sure !
And why is "Joe's" sparring partner in the beginning of the film the bad guy from the first film?
It has "5" on the title but storywise it has nothing to do with the original series. The series "officially" ended at 4. This has to be one of the many reasons that burned Cannon to the ground in its last years. The "American Ninja" series alongside the "Missing in Action" and "The Delta Force" series were Cannon's prestigious franchises despite their cheesyness. It was revolting to my stomach when I rented this thinking that Cannon tried to revive the "AN" series after the Ninja craze ended pretty much after "American Ninja 4" came out. In the early 90's, the craze turned to more physical martial arts films in the likes of Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Cynthia Rothrock, Van Damme and many others of the time.
shareI don't know if this thing really was supposed to be "AN5" from the beginning or not, so I won't argue on that.
But, to answer some other assumptions:
No, David Bradley neither plays Joe Armstrong, nor does he play "Shawn code-named Joe".
The character's name is "Joe Kastle" according to the end credits.
Or at least... the end credits of the version I just tortured myself with.
And yes, "Kastle" with a "K".
No, it's not part of the series. The original title was supposed to be Ninja Kid, or something similar that sounds like Karate Kid.
shareNo, at all! It's a sequel only because of the title!
Producers named American Ninja V only for commercial reasons!
Prostitute: What the *beep* are you doing?
Johnny: I'm gonna kill a bunch of people.