Ninjas Vs. Vampires (DVD) – Far more fun than you’d ever expect

Most of the time when it comes to low-budget horror, you get the sense that while more cash might have made things a little slicker, it wouldn’t really have helped to actually make the movie any good. It’s rare then to find a movie that you feel could really have broken out if there’d been a little more cash on hand, but which even on a miniscule budget is a hell of a lot more fun than you’d expect a movie with such a seemingly silly title and concept to be.

Two friends are out in the wood talking. Just after Alex has rejects Aaron’s advances to be more than just buds, they’re attacked by vampires – but saved by ninjas! The next day Alex can’t seem to remember what happened and keeps mysteriously forgetting even after she’s been reminded. Trying to find out more about what happened to them leads Aaron to a secretive group who go out every evening as ninjas in order to battle the bloodsuckers (even if on the surface they seem unlikely defenders of humanity). The vampires meanwhile plot revenge from their lair, which is ruled over by formidable Seth.

Although it’s a standalone movie, it’s also a follow-up Ninjas Vs. Zombies and features some of the same characters. Sadly the success of that movie didn’t lead to a bigger budget this time around, but while it’s a little rough and ready, and the special effects could be done on a mid-range PC, it’s a hell of a lot of fun. With its tongue just far enough into its cheek, plenty of humour, pop culture references, as well as enough action and gore, the film is very entertaining.

What really stands out is that rather than just trying to get from A-to-B, the movie spends time building fun characters and creating a mythology about what’s going on that goes well beyond the random supernatural laziness that underlies so much low budget horror. A lot of low budget horror is made by people who love the genre but don’t really know how to turn their passion into a decent movie, but director Justin Timpane and the rest of his team know how to make it work.

While it is daft, it’s daft in the same way Buffy was (a show Ninjas Vs. Zombies is indebted to), so that while intellectually you know what you’re watching is ridiculous, it’s well explained and fun enough that it’s easy to go along with. On both the ninjas and vampires side, there are some great characters, and as the magic meets the mundane, there’s plenty of entertainment to be had.

The makers behind the movie are obviously film lovers and this shows through in the special features, which are way more extensive than you’d have expected for a cheap horror movie. There are three audio commentaries, deleted scenes, bloopers and an alternate ending that’s well worth a look. There’s also a look at the US premiere, along with a featurette focussing on the Ninjas Vs. Zombies comic that was published after the success of the first film.

The makers of the film have already promised another instalment, but we’ll just have to wait and see what the Ninjas will be vs. next time.

Overall Verdict: It may not be a masterpiece, but it’s a lot more fun than a movie called Ninjas Vs. Vampires has any right to be, with enough humour, action and shrewdness to ensure it goes the distance.

Special Features:
Directors Commentary
Producers Commentary
Actors Commentary
Deleted Scenes
Alternate Ending
Bloopers
‘Ninjas Vs. Comics’ Featurette
‘US Premiere’ Featurette
Solace Music Video
Ashes Music Video
Trailer

Reviewer: Tim Isaac