The Octagon
release year: 1980
genre: martial arts action
viewing setting: home VHS, 7/3/04
synopsis: A tough American who once trained in ninjitsu takes on a training camp run by his evil half-brother.
impressions: This was one of the movies that kick-started the ninja-movie craze of the 1980s. What we have here is a mercenary training camp where students learn some ninja techniques (but not enough, I must add, to be able to take on the real ninja who patrol the camp.) Chuck isn't involved at first, and doesn't want to be, but various friends end up causing him to become involved, and in the end, he mows through several dozen ninja before taking on the evil half-brother.
things to watch for: When Chuck infiltrates the ninja fortress - plenty of hard-hitting action.
something this movie has that no other movie has: A ninja fortress!
acting: Chuck Norris makes a good, take-no-sh1t hero, though the whispering voiceovers to help us understand his thoughts quickly become annoying. Art Hindle is good, but annoying, as his reporter friend who is easily manipulated. Karen Carlson portrays a very, very annoying rich woman. Lee Van Cleef is great as a "good" assassin. Martial arts veteran Richard Norton, whose face is never seen, is the second-in-command ninja. Brian Libby (who was awesome as the maniac in Silent Rage) plays one of the trainees at the camp.
another good review: Teleport City's Octagon review (also a good summary of the Chuck Norris and ninja crazes)
final word: above-average ninja action
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