American Ninja (1985) is a martial arts action film directed by Sam Firstenberg, starring Michael Dudikoff and Steve James. The movie follows Joe Armstrong (played by Dudikoff), an American soldier stationed in the Philippines, who is skilled in hand-to-hand combat and martial arts. After a series of violent attacks on a U.S.

military base by a mysterious ninja, Joe must uncover the truth behind the killings and stop a criminal organization that is involved in illegal activities. As Joe teams up with fellow soldier Curtis Jackson (played by James), they face off against a deadly ninja army led by a sinister figure. The film is filled with high-paced action, fight sequences, and stunts, blending traditional martial arts with military action. American Ninja became a cult classic for its thrilling action and the charisma of its lead actors, and it spawned several sequels, establishing itself as a memorable entry in the 1980s action genre.