Robot Ninja (1989)- The Long Out of Print Video Nasty Makes It’s Long Awaited Blu Ray Debut in Grand Fashion!- Fitz of Horror

Written by Bryan Fitzgerald (Fitz of Horror) April 18, 2018

>>>>>LIVE INDIGOGO LINK<<<<<

From J.R. Bookwalter, the mastermind behind the cult zombie classic The Dead Next Door comes the long out of print and never before on blu ray Robot Ninja and if history tells us anything it’s that he will put together on hell of a blu ray package. The Dead Next Door release was absolutely gorgeous and packed with features. The Indigogo campaign is live and any donation helps but there are some perks that will be tough to pass up and the first 500 Blu rays ordered will get an exclusive slip case!

Synopsis–Leonard Miller is a frustrated artist. His publisher and his agent are out to capitalize on the blooming success of “Robot Ninja,” the greatest costumed superhero since Batman! One night, Miller witnesses the brutal rape/murder of a young couple at the hands of ruthless thugs. He cries out for revenge! With the help of an inventor friend, Dr. Goodknight, Miller becomes the Robot Ninja, stalking the dark streets of Ridgway, intent on spilling some blood! The only thing stopping him is a remorseful Goodknight and a frustrated local cop that’s always just one step behind him. ROBOT NINJA slashes, stabs, guts, pokes and jabs his way through body after body until his final confrontation with head baddie Sanchez. You’ll never see comic books the same way again! 

Who are you?

My name is J.R. Bookwalter, and in 2015, Indiegogo members like you helped make possible a 2K restoration for my first feature film, THE DEAD NEXT DOOR. Now I’m back doing the same for my follow-up effort, the notorious direct-to-video comic book vigilante epic ROBOT NINJA, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2019.

Shot in 1989 on 16mm film, ROBOT NINJA isn’t quite what it looks like — in fact, there’s not a single robot or Ninja anywhere in the movie! I chose to adapt this mandated title into the dark, splatter-drenched tale of a comic book artist who dons the persona of his most famous character to battle a gang wreaking havoc upon a small town. This is easily the most gruesome film I ever directed — instead of the late ‘80s martial arts action extravaganza promised by the original cover art, viewers are assaulted by a unique spin on comic books, superheroes, and vigilante justice that goes horribly wrong for the protagonist.

Despite being out of print since the early ’90s, this movie has remained a hot item with collectors over the last three decades. That has a lot to do with its absence during the heyday of the DVD format — outside of the original VHS release from Cinema Home Video, ROBOT NINJA has never been reissued in the USA. By comparison, the movie has been released internationally in Italy, Spain, Argentina, and several other countries including Germany, where it’s been available in more VHS and DVD editions than I can count! But never on Blu-ray, until now…

About the restoration

The film’s executive producer, David DeCoteau, recently unearthed the original 16mm A/B roll cut negative, which has enabled me to do a proper 2K film scan and begin the restoration process even before launching this campaign. At this point, the film already has an initial color grading pass and work is underway to create new main and end titles to complement a pair of shiny new 1080p HD masters being created — one in 4:3 original aspect ratio, the other cropped to 16:9 widescreen for modern displays.

Here’s a look at several frame grabs comparing the original 1989 VHS release (left) to the new 2018 2K restoration (right); it’s fair to say the difference is quite remarkable!

For even more side-by-side comparison frame grabs, be sure to visit our Facebook page!

Your Indiegogo preorder will help fund the remaining restoration and cleanup work, producing bonus features, as well as authoring, replication, and shipping costs. We’re aiming to have the Ultimate Edition in your hands by the end of this year!

Ultimate Edition breakdown

Like THE DEAD NEXT DOOR campaign three years ago, ROBOT NINJA Ultimate Edition will be a loaded three-disc set with two feature versions and HD extras on Blu-ray, a DVD with the original VHS version of the film, behind-the-scenes footage and additional SD extras, plus the complete original motion picture soundtrack available for the first time on CD.

Here’s a tentative breakdown of what’s planned for each disc:

Disc 1 (Blu-ray)

• 2K Restored Feature Presented in 4:3 Original Aspect Ratio 1080p HD
• 2K Restored Feature Presented in 16:9 Widescreen 1080p HD (first time ever!)
• DTS HD-MA All-New 2018 5.1 Surround Remix
• DTS HD-MA Original 1989 2.0 Stereo Mix
• 2018 production commentary (participants TBA)
• Cast & crew interviews
• Still Galleries (including all original artwork by David Lange)
• “The Robot Ninja” 2014 fan film by Johnny Dickie
• Optional English subtitles
• Tempe Digital Trailers

Disc 2 (DVD-9)

• 1989 VHS Release Version in 4:3 Original Aspect Ratio (Standard Definition)
• Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Original Mix
• Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Remix
• Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo German Dubbed Mix
• 2018 Audio Commentary with writer/director J.R. Bookwalter
• Audio Commentary with Doug Tilley and Moe Porne of No-Budget Nightmares Podcast
• Behind-the-Scenes Footage
• 1989 Original VHS Release Trailer
• Optional English subtitles
• Tempe DVD Trailers

Disc 3 (CD)

• First time on CD! Original Motion Picture Soundtrack with complete score by J.R. Bookwalter plus songs by J.R. Bookwalter, Foxx, Argus, and Rodney Shields

Packaging

• Slipcover with vintage artwork by David Lange (first 500 units only)
• Reversible wrap with newly-commissioned artwork by David Lange and original 1989 Cinema Home Video VHS artwork
• Eight-page color booklet with liner notes and behind-the-scenes photos (first 1,000 units only)
• First 1,000 units numbered and autographed by writer/director J.R. Bookwalter

Stay tuned for a few more surprises yet to come!

What about perks?

The movie already has a few built-in perks, like cameos from Burt Ward (Robin from the BATMAN ’66 TV series) and scream queen Linnea Quigley (above). But you’ll also have the chance to purchase several collectable perks with your Blu-ray preorder. Here are a few to get started:

• Comic Book Adaptation: Destined to become a collector’s item, this all-new 32-page black-and-white comic book with full-color cover brings the film’s vigilante justice into printed form for the first time ever! Available with select perk bundles, not included with the standalone Ultimate Edition Blu-ray.

• Original Screenplay and Artwork Books: Contributors loved this Indiegogo-exclusive perk for THE DEAD NEXT DOOR, so I’m doing it again for ROBOT NINJA! The Screenplay Book includes a reproduction of all three screenplay drafts plus original treatment and full-color cover with artwork by David Lange. There’s also an Original Artwork Book, which includes reproductions of all David Lange artwork featured in the film, plus rare pre-production character designs.

• Reversible Poster: Show your Robot Ninja pride with this full-color poster featuring the original 1989 VHS artwork (right) on one side and the all-new 2018 artwork by David Lange on the other!

• Cast & Crew T-Shirt Replica: Available exclusively in the Ultimate Collector’s Bundle, this all-new color T-shirt is a replica of the one worn by the cast & crew in 1989, which features Robot Ninja swinging his claws on the front, plus the classic title treatment and credit block on the back. These are sure to go fast!

• Retro Limited Edition VHS: Released by Phantom Pain Films, this all-new VHS version includes a reversible clamshell sleeve with liner notes by writer/director J.R. Bookwalter, the original 1989 trailer, plus 10 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage.

• Vimeo Digital HD Add-On: Can’t wait for the Ultimate Edition to arrive? Watch ROBOT NINJA at home or on the go at least one month before the Blu-ray ships with this exclusive Vimeo On Demand digital copy. Stream the movie and bonus features in 1080p HD from all your favorite devices!

• Tempe Blu-ray and While You Wait Bonus Add-Ons: Pick up a deal on a bunch of other flicks I’ve produced or directed! The first is a bundle of three other Tempe Digital Blu-ray releases: THE DEAD NEXT DOOR 2-Disc Collector’s Edition, PLATOON OF THE DEAD and POISON SWEETHEARTS. I’m also bringing back the While You Wait Bonus Add-On, this time packed with 15 DVDs including ROBOT NINJA (Limited Edition), SKINNED ALIVE, GHOUL SCHOOL, KINGDOM OF THE VAMPIRE Double Feature, BAD MOVIE POLICE: CRIMEWAVE, OZONE, THE SANDMAN, POLYMORPH, BLOODLETTING, WITCHOUSE 3: DEMON FIRE, DEAD & ROTTING, SOMETHING TO SCREAM ABOUT, FOREST PRIMEVAL, REFLECTIONS ON THE LIVING DEAD, and a surprise disc!

Check back for our featured Perk of the Week to be announced every Friday during the campaign!

Donate to the Indigogo campaign HERE

Follow me on Facebook at Fitz of Horror and on Instagram at fitz_of_horror