Ninja III: The Domination Blu-ray Review

Shout! Factory's Scream Factory imprint has delivered an impressive 1080p AVC encoded transfer of "Ninja III: The Domination," now available in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The high-definition presentation showcases beautifully saturated colors and abundant fine detail, particularly in close-ups. While midrange and wide shots occasionally exhibit relative softness, the overall filmic quality remains compelling. The transfer handles natural grain effectively, adding to its classic cinematic texture, although it can become prominent in darker, low-lit scenes.

Minor age-related issues and slight residual anomalies from opticals are present, but these are easily overlooked given the excellent condition of the source material. The level of detail is commendable—individual hairs, threading in clothing, and intricate foliage lines come through with striking clarity. Skin tones are rendered with lifelike textures, while background elements remain clear and distinct.

The high-def transfer excels with outstanding contrast and strong black levels, ensuring exceptional visibility even in the darkest shadows. Panoramic views of the Arizona desert showcase remarkable depth, and the bold, cleanly rendered colors contribute to an energetic and vibrant viewing experience. Despite being a low-budget martial-arts action film, this Blu-ray release offers a high-quality HD picture that will surprise and delight fans.

The audio presentation of "Ninja III: The Domination" on Blu-ray features a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix that delivers a generally satisfying experience despite some notable shortcomings. The mix adeptly supports dialogue and foley effects with a good balance between channels, presenting an expansive soundstage that ensures clear movement from one side of the screen to the other. However, off-screen effects feel hollow at times and lack convincing directionality. While the dynamic range isn't particularly extensive, the lossless mix maintains rich clarity and distinct separation between the highs and mids.

A consistent critique points to the film's all-synth score, which can become rather obtrusive. The persistent musical cues, reminiscent of tracks discarded from "Flashdance" or "Fame," may detract from the overall audio experience for some viewers. Moreover, there are glaring synchronization problems linked to poor post-looping, with ADR issues occasionally dragging down the intelligibility despite the strong prioritization of vocals. Bass, although not earth-shattering, offers a decent mid-level punch that feels appropriate for the action sequences within this quintessential 80s film.

Overall, while the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix ensures a mostly enjoyable high-resolution audio track for fans of 80s action films, it is marred by distracting elements in the score and occasional technical inconsistencies.

The Blu-ray extras for "Ninja III: The Domination" offer a comprehensive and engaging look behind the scenes of this cult classic. The standout feature is the audio commentary moderated by Fearnet (host details unclear), featuring Director Sam Firstenberg and Stunt Coordinator Steve Lambert. Their recollections and candid discussions about production, cast dynamics, and stunt choreography are richly detailed and often humorous, providing fans with an insightful perspective on the film. Both commentators have strong memories of their time on set, though some may find Firstenberg's Polish accent a slight barrier to understanding. Additionally, the disc includes a high-definition still gallery that rounds out the package by giving a visual retrospective of the movie.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: An engaging commentary with Director Sam Firstenberg and Stunt Coordinator Steve Lambert.
• Photo Gallery: A high-definition collection of stills from the production.

Ninja III: The Domination is a cinematic anomaly, blending martial arts action with supernatural horror to produce an audaciously odd film. Positioned as the third entry in a loosely connected series featuring Sho Kosugi, this one sets itself apart with its genre-bending absurdity. The narrative kicks off with a hilariously over-the-top sequence where a ninja assassin interrupts a golf game, leading to an extended, chaotic chase featuring implausible stunts and cartoonish action. Fast motion footage and a comic use of police codes augment the surreal quality of this sequence, making it an entertaining and unpredictable start.

The story then shifts focus to Lucinda Dickey’s character, Christie, a telephone repairwoman and aerobics enthusiast who becomes possessed by the spirit of the dying ninja. The ensuing plot is a whirlwind of disjointed themes, from Christie’s escalating supernatural vendetta against the police to her perplexing interactions with her boyfriend, Billy. Amidst these bizarre elements, notable highlights include James Hong’s cameo as a mystic exorcist and scenes where Christie's possession leads to goofy, yet visually striking encounters. The film's campy tone is underlined by a synthesizer-heavy score and unconvincing special effects that add to its inadvertent comedic charm.

Directed by Sam Firstenberg, known for his work on low-budget B-movies, Ninja III: The Domination is a testament to 80s cinematic excess. Lucinda Dickey’s performance, alongside some fairly impressive physical stunts, drives this peculiar vehicle, even as the storyline meanders through inexplicable sequences and unresolved subplots. With an emphasis on spectacle over coherence, the film eschews serious critique, demanding instead an appreciation for its sheer audacity and the unintentional humor that pervades every convoluted twist. This Blu-ray release from Shout! Factory captures the eccentric essence of an idiosyncratic era in action cinema.

Ninja III: The Domination, directed by Sam Firstenberg, is an unabashed 1980s martial arts spectacle featuring Lucinda Dickey and Shô Kosugi. The film's narrative centers on a beguiling mix of ninjas, vengeful spirits, and enchanted swords, delivering a chaotic yet thoroughly entertaining storyline. While the chop-socky action is characteristic of low-budget B-movies, it is pulled off with a vigor and playfulness that manages to keep viewers hooked from start to finish.

The Blu-ray release of Ninja III impresses with its superior picture quality, providing crisp and vibrant visuals that do justice to the film's dynamic action sequences. The audio quality, while not extraordinary, is competent and ensures that the dialog and sound effects are clear and impactful. However, the supplemental features leave much to be desired – they’re sparse and fail to significantly enhance the viewing experience. Yet, for fans of the genre and collectors, the overall presentation retains a nostalgic charm and offers significant value.

By most objective standards, Ninja III: The Domination is simply perfect fodder for a very special episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000. But there's such a goofy earnestness to the insanity here that it's hard to come down too vociferously on it. Just sit back with a big bag of popcorn and enjoy, but make sure to take any needed cholesterol medication first, because you're about to inhale one gargantuan amount of unfettered (yes, unfettered) cheese. Recommended.