Ninja (2009), directed by Isaac Florentine, is a fast-paced martial arts action film starring Scott Adkins as Casey Bowman, an American martial artist trained in a Japanese dojo. When a deadly weapon known as the Yoroi Bitsu (a chest containing ancient ninja armor and weapons) is targeted by evil forces, Casey must protect it at all costs—facing off against his former rival, Masazuka (played by Tsuyoshi Ihara), who’s turned into a ruthless assassin.

The plot is straightforward and doesn’t try to reinvent the genre, but where Ninja shines is in its action choreography. Florentine and Adkins are a proven duo when it comes to delivering clean, brutal, and stylish fight scenes. The film leans into classic ninja tropes—stealth, swordplay, throwing stars—while giving it a sleek, modern-day setting.

Scott Adkins brings his signature physicality and stoic presence, easily carrying the film through some of its weaker narrative elements. The villain Masazuka is appropriately menacing and adds a strong personal vendetta to the conflict. While the dialogue and character development are minimal, the tight pacing and explosive martial arts make up for it.

Fans of traditional ninja flicks and modern action cinema will appreciate this throwback vibe with updated stunt work. It’s a fun, low-budget action gem that doesn’t pretend to be anything more than what it is—a showcase for martial arts mastery.