MovieChat Forums > Ninja Warrior (2006) Discussion > Levi ruined the show for me.

Levi ruined the show for me.

posted 16 years ago by iconoc
24 replies | jump to latest

Levi seemed like a cool respectful guy and everything, but if you ask me he kind of ruined the show. And I'm not saying it's his fault either - if anyone it's the show's producers.

The whole mystique of Ninja Warrior was that it was this incredibly hard obstacle course that has regular joes and weekend warriors competing on it for their shot at fame and glory (the only people to beat it are two fishermen afterall). This thing was so hard that even former Olympians could not complete it.

Then Levi comes on and DESTROYS the "brutal new course" on his first try, almost completing the third level when 97 couldn't past the first and 99 couldn't get past the second. It is inevitable that he will eventually beat the entire thing in his next few tries. The kicker is that he showed hardly any sign of strain - the thing was a breeze for him.

That domination broke the magic for me. The whole fun of the show was that the course was kind of an "equalizer."

But when you think about it Levi's profession is "Free Runner" - So in a sense his PROFESSION is getting past obstacles. How can regular joes compete against a professional obstacle course runner.

I mean sure, somebody like Yamada and Shiratori have built Ninja Course obstacles at their home and train on them, but it's not the same. Firstly, they don't have the ability to improvise against new obstacles like a free runner can. Secondly, they are starting training at a way older age than Levi. Levi has been free running for years and is only like 20-something. Shiratori may have been training on his course for years but he is damn near 50.

So hopefully Ninja Warrior will get some decent competition to match Levi's ability, but I doubt it. They cling painfully to their aging "all-stars" who aren't getting any better despite the course getting harder (let's face it - Yamada is never gonna clear it, he missed the boat).

Of course the show needs to keep it's quota of "losers" who are basically on the show to wipe out on the first obstacle, but if you ask me it seriously needs to purge itself of some of these guys who aren't really there for gag-value and really have no chance of ever really clearing and give some new blood a shot.

[–] wildcat2000 16 years ago

So your saying that Levi runied it for you because he was the strongest in this competion(Sasuke 20),and I guess that somehow makes you jealous because none of the All-Stars made it to 3rd level? I love Makoto Nagano and I have other favorites from the All-Stars but I compeletly disagree with this.

Your saying its unfair to compete if you have great physical skill and it should only be for "average joes".I don't think they ever advertised it in that way...they have had lots of people who were in the Olympics and other various physical competions.Besides if Levi does return he may beat the 3rd level but I doubt he would beat te final climb to the top of the tower...at least not on his first try or even second.

"it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward."-Rocky

[–] Artificial-Soldier 16 years ago

I never thought of it this way and see where the poster is coming from. I can see what Levi did to the competition and the expectations of his return. But we all want someone like Levi to come in and do very well, he did exactly that, and of course it just raises imagination of how he'd do next time. He did act like he breezed through with no problem and he acted that well, but typically anyone that finishes the 2 stages with that much time left is gonna wanna show off. So he just has to act unsurprised after clearing. But don't you remember? He was doing great but it was revealed later that he was simply out of energy after the first 3 obstacles of the third stage. It shows how he wanted to jump across the cliffhanger gap as soon as possible.

I think the thing is that if Levi wasn't the only person to make it to the third stage you wouldn't be so upset and the show wouldn't be "ruined" for you. It was very slim chances he was the only one, most all stars and Brian Orosco made small mistakes on the first stage. and Nagano also made an uncommon mistake on the second, also the guy who got over the salmon ladder but proved the stick slider was trickier than it looks.

[–] iconoc 16 years ago

First let me say I'm not "jealous" or "upset" or really "anything" except perhaps "increasingly disinterested" so please stop making claims about what I am or am not. I am just trying to discuss the show.

@wildcat

I never blame Levi or say Levi shouldn't compete. I just said that his dominance ruined the mystique of the show, and that the producers should try to incorporate more newer more competitive people instead of relying on all-stars who are getting older and not getting any better.

So basically the opposite of everything you said.

@artificialsoldier

I don't think if Nagano or anyone else making it to third stage would be any sort of concession. The main problem is how easily he dominated each stage. That's what ruined the mystique - not the progress he made, but rather the fact that he made it look easy.

And I really don't think Levi will have much trouble at all with the obstacles in the future. Again, he is a free runner. He has trained himself to tackle any obstacle in a very improvisational way.

But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe he will get caught on early obstacles in his next performances.

But I doubt it.

[–] Meurglys3 15 years ago

You have it all wrong. Competitors don't compete against each other; they compete against the Sasuke.

[–] Selebii 15 years ago

****Spoilers****

WARNING!!!! Don't read if you haven't seen Sasuke 21

Oh gee look, he didn't even clear the second stage and look who nearly beat it... Nagano and Takeda.

[–] TtankerT 15 years ago

Well dude to be fair Nagano didn't even pass stage 2 in Sasuke 20..

Levi simply sliped..I sure he'll be welcomed back for Sasuke 22 if not by G4 as a US rep I'm sure the people behind Sasuke would be more than happy to invite him to try again..

afterall a producer said that it would be a dream to see a Nagano vs Levi Final Stage

[–] Kitnerboy_Redoubt 15 years ago

IMO, he came across as a arrogant American, not good in Japan.

[–] Observer_2020 15 years ago

What did he do that was arrogant? Admittedly he showboated a little bit with the extra back flips in the first stage of Sasuke 21 but he was cheering on all of the other competitors on the sidelines. He wanted everyone else to be successful too. That's not being arrogant. He wasn't trash-talking or pointing fingers at any other athlete.

He came across more as a young exuberant athlete but he was much different than your typical modern-day professional football, basketball or baseball player. Those guys have re-written the book on bad conduct and spoiled-brat behavior.

He adds to the international appeal of the competition, which makes it seem even more momentous and challenging. They've had Olympic athletes from Japan and the U.S. That's pretty cool too. I don't mind the early wash-outs in the first stage either. That adds a bit of humor to the event. Many viewers probably identify with those people. Not many people are as strong and fit as Nagano or Meeuwenberg.

EDIT: I just noticed that one of the Chinese competitors also did some showboating in the First Stage, although that guy didn't even get through Stage 1.

[–] Selebii 15 years ago

I miss the Bruce Lee looke alike who lost the first stage due to show boating after every obstacle.

[–] DrunkPanda 15 years ago

so what the OP is saying is that he no longer likes the show because the course is supposed to be really hard and some dude couldn't beat the course, proving that the course is not that difficult?

wow, that is amazing logic.

[–] Artificial-Soldier 15 years ago

Ha, hey thread starter, has Levi ruined the show for you anymore? Levi did worse in Sasuke 21 this time, and wait till you see how he did in 22.

[–] WandererFromYs 15 years ago

I really don't see how freerunning gives you an advantage. In stage 1 sure, but particularly stages 3 and 4 most of the stages are hanging, or climbing, and they are all upper body strength. Free running is zero help in those stages. If anything the Olympic gymnasts should have an advantage, but that really isn't the case. The course is the great equalizer, which is why the best competitors are great athletes, and not all from 1 profession.

I still don't understand the hate though. I think its nice to see another strong competitor. The same old all stars gets boring.

[–] Judge_Bullets 15 years ago

Well it must tickle you something fancy that Levi failed in the first stage this year?

[–] creativecat 15 years ago

I'm not gonna lie, I was really happy when he failed in the first stage. Something about him just bugs me.

[–] Joyful51485 12 years ago

He bugs the hell of out me too. I don't especially want any of the Americans to succeed just because of this attitude they seem to have taken towards defeating the course, but Levi especially I want to see fail, and fail in the most embarrassing ways possible.

Usagi-chan

[–] GrematikalHeiror 15 years ago

Huh?

This isn't a competition, there's no first, second, third place. It's people trying to beat the obstacles, who gives a *beep* what their background is? If it was a competition then everybody wouldn't be rooting for each other.

If I had a heart, it would be breaking right now.

[–] cjoklb 15 years ago

I completely agree with the OP. The show just hasn't been the same since Levi came to the show. The worst thing is that he will likely be in EVERY competition from here on out.

Levi is an arrogant douchebag. He acts like everything is really easy for him, showboats more than any other contestant, and always has a cocky little smirk on his face. The only reason he congratulates people and acts upset when they lose is because everyone else in the competition does it. As a typical American athlete, he is secretly thrilled when one of his competitors falls into the water, and his "Oh no!" heartbroken response is just an act. Good sportsmanship is not common in American sports, so there's no reason to believe that Levi is as good of a sport as Nagano or any of the other all-stars. Levi lacks the respect that the other competitors have for the course and their fellow competitors. Levi is ALL about himself, and it shows.

I really hope he does not become a permanent part of this show, but I fear that he already is.

[–] Joyful51485 12 years ago

I'm happy to see that I'm not alone in my dislike of Levi. You pretty much summed up my feelings towards him and his future in the competition. I have this horrible feeling we're going to keep seeing him until he succeeds, gets too old for it, or finds something more interesting.

Usagi-chan

[–] Dragoon_Kain 15 years ago

Initially I almost understood the OP's perspective here. After Sasuke 20 I think a lot of people were asking themselves how some schmuck sent by G4 could breeze through the first two stages and leave all the experienced competitors in his arrogant little wake. It just defied everything we thought we knew about Ninja Warrior (oops, Sasuke!). Originally G4 advertised the whole Ninjafest event as if they'd be sending video game nerds and obese accountants over to compete on the course. The old commercials had videos of people falling off trampolines and ineptly slamming into walls. What G4 didn't tell us is that they would actually be sending freerunners and others with a strong athletic background. We were picturing some acne ridden teenager with white sneakers and high socks waving to the crowd before getting his Sasuke dreams dashed in mere seconds as he slammed his face on the first obstacle. I think the whole Ninjafest competition was a bit misleading in how it was advertised.

Now when you actually consider the caliber of G4's choices it doesn't seem so odd at all. Shockingly, G4 wasn't sending their competitors over there to embarrass themselves (they send their hosts to do that, *ahem* Olivia Munn). Alright, so this Levi guy has one impressive showing and suddenly everyone is afraid that Americans are better at Sasuke than the Japanese. Then what happens? Karma comes back and smacks Levi across the face in the next two tournaments. He has actually regressed since his first appearance. Maybe he's not THAT much better than everyone else after all. Actually, Levi's not even the first person to do extremely well on his first appearance. He's not even the first American to go far on his first attempt. Travis Alan Schraeder did it. The Bulgarian Jordan Jovtchev went to the Final Stage on his first try. That little Urushihara guy making the Final Stage is far more shocking than anything Levi has done.

Basically, Levi is a very strong competitor but he's nothing new. His performance doesn't ruin the show. His attitude? Maybe. That's up to the Japanese though. He can't return unless they invite him.

[–] WandererFromYs 15 years ago

^~Paul Tarek is another good example, He hasn't been past the first stage, since his first attempt.

I still don't see why people are so against Levi. I'm just happy to see another strong competitor that I can route for. Be honest, does anyone really think Yamada, Takaeka, or Yamamoto can win? I don't. For quite a while Nagano is the only one that I thought had a legitimate shot at winning. and although he's still a beast, he is 37 so who knows how much longer he can compete at that level. I see greatness in Levi, and I think he has the potential to be the next Makoto Nagano. The best think about it is that Levi is only 22-23, he can be regular for years to come. I'm not disrespecting any of the other competitors, or comparing accomplishments, but the potential that I see is undeniable.

Some of you guys are hating on him for no reason. Why would he be faking reactions, or talking with the other all stars through a translator mind you, just to try and fit in. All he has to do is perform. I just don't buy it. Watch the American Ninja special, and watch Shingo Yamamotos reaction when he sees Levi. He seems like a class guy, and he is very respectful of the others. Maybe he's a little cocky, what 21 year old guy isn't, and they usually don't have the talent that levi has to back it up.

Dragoon Kain I agree with you about G4s choices. As much as hate stations style, they are doing a good job picking athletes that can potentially do well. However I don't want to see Lucy Romberg back again. She couldn't even complete G4s training course that fans were completing. Send someone like Brian Orosco again. He looked pretty good in both of his runs.

[–] Demented_childxx 15 years ago

What the hell is everyone's deal? How is Levi a douchebag? He just seems like a fun-loving guy who's happy to have the chance to run Ninja Warrior. I think everyone was just pissed that he made it to Stage 3 in Sasuke 20.

[–] apjooz 15 years ago

Levi is the only American competitor I don't hate.

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RIP Terminator franchise 1984-1991

[–] tuxedomaskdawg 14 years ago

I never had a problem with Levi. He was much more likable than all the other guys that G4 sent to Japan. I'm pretty bummed that he hasnt gone to the past couple tournaments. I think he could at least make it to the final stage.