Pray for Death. Ninja Revenge Perfection

Pray for Death. One of the best Ninja films to emerge from the 80s, considering this is the decade that also birthed the Canon Films Ninja Trilogy as well as American Ninja etc. That really does say a lot. And of course what would any Ninja film be without the OG king of Ninja actors himself, eternally underrated Martial Arts icon Sho Kosugi!

Pray for Death stars Sho Kosugi as a kind Japanese family man who was secretly raised as a Ninja. Hoping to leave the shadows of his past behind him, he and his wife and children (played by Sho Kosugi`s two sons Kane and Shane Kosugi) immigrate to her homeland of America where they plan to open a restaurant. Sadly however, this dream comes crashing down as a mix up with local Mafia leads to the kidnapping of his son and later the murder of his wife. Now, heartbroken and vengeful, our hero returns to the shadows, embracing his true Ninja blood once again. This all culminates in Sho Kosugi gearing up into the most badass Ninja Armour this side of the Shredder as he proceeds to massacre the whole mob on a rampage that would make Charles Bronson turn his head!

Pray for Death is what happens when you take Death Wish and switch out Charles Bronson with a very skilled, very pissed off Ninja. This movie is pure unadulterated badass from beginning to end. The story is simple but entertaining, Sho Kosugi is as skull crushingly awesome as ever and the main villain is surprisingly intimidating, even face to face with a Ninja. The film does a surprisingly good job at making you feel sad for this poor family and you rejoice at every slaughtered gangster. I love this film to pieces and if you love yourself some Ninja action or even just a good old fashioned revenge tale, pick up Pray for Death, you will not be disappointed.