Ninjas. To many, these are the best of the best, the most amazing and badass assassins out there, able to take on any foe with ease and pull off a complex job like it's nothing. Of course, they come in many shapes and sizes, and while most of these sizes fit the MO of a stereotypical ninja, some don't.
There are some ninjas who aren't masters of assassination, some who are absolutely terrible at what they do. Some are animated creations. Others are literal kids. Either way, some movie ninjas are masters, while others could use some more practice.
Masters: Batman
Right off the bat, some of these choices are going to raise a few eyebrows and spur a couple of fans into fits of rage. There are a lot of fantastic ninjas out there. Too many to count. The ones on this list are just one of many options, like Batman.
Yes, Batman was a ninja in the anime movie Batman: Ninja, where he was teleported to feudal Japan and fought the Joker. Although Batman doesn't kill, this version may be up for the task and easily take out threats.
Terrible: Elektra
Now, yes. Elektra is an awesome, badass, amazing assassin. Heck, in the 2015 Elektra doesn't know how to do its character right.
For all her bravado and skill in the film, Elektra isn't exactly the best. After all, she's easily taken down by other assassins. Any target would get away without so much as a scratch.
Masters: Scott James
Most of the time, there's a difference between real life and the reality movies present. So many times, certain actors will be depicted as badass fighting machines when the opposite is often true. Yet, when it comes to the likes of given Hollywood some amazing fight scenes) the badassery is present all the time.
Playing the character Scott James in the movie The Octagon, Norris takes on a group of terrorists utilizing his martial arts skills. Whether it be James or Norris, either one could assassinate a target with the utmost of ease.
Terrible: Haru
There should never be hate directed at an actor just because of a role they portray. That is all they are doing, playing a role, a fictional character who exists only on the screen. So Chris Farley in Beverly Hills Ninja, (a film that does make his top ten films somehow) shouldn't be blames for the failure of the character Haru.
Even though Farley gives it his all in the film, Haru is a comedic character whose inept when it comes to martial arts. As a comedy character, he'd kill it. As an assassin killing one target after another, he'd flunk.
Masters: Snake Eyes
Just because someone is a hero, that doesn't mean they wouldn't be willing to take a life. To cross the line is no easy feat and yet, for someone like Snake Eyes, it's as easy as riding a bike.
Despite G.I. Joe: Rise Of The Cobra being a subpar film, the usage of Snake Eyes was one of the film's best elements. As someone who is able to stand his ground against the likes of Storm Shadow, Snake Eyes is a lethal weapon.
Terrible: 3 Ninjas
What is it with some films putting literal kids into serious and intense roles? Sure, it's a nice idea that plays well for comedy, but at the end of the day, all it does is send the false message that anyone could be a ninja, like with 3 Ninjas.
As enjoyable as it is, the harsh reality is that a group of kids trained by their grandfather wouldn't be the best of killers. It doesn't fit. So, as karate champs, they'd be great. As killer ninjas, not so much.
Masters: Scorpion
Some ninjas are elite assassins with amazing skills and abilities at their beck and call. Others are more than that. They're beasts, true masters of destruction, death, and chaos. Masters, like Scorpion.
While many know Scorpion from the live-action movie full of hilarious quotes), his strength truly shines in the animated film Scorpion's Revenge. Ripping and tearing through one man after another, bellowing "GET OVER HERE!!!" at the top of his lungs, and lashing out with his weapons, Scorpion would be the kind of assassin to leave no survivors behind.
Terrible: Ninjago
Despite there being plenty of animated movies that do dive deep into R-ratings and the badassery of ninjas, there are plenty that stays true to the kiddie feel, like with the LEGO heroes from Ninjago. both the TV series and the movie.
More specifically, the movie does somewhat of a poor job showcasing the group of four ninjas wielding elemental powers as nothing more than a group of lucky kids. They don't have the guts to kill anyone.
Masters: O-Ren Ishii
No one can quite capture assassins, blood, gore, or action quite like Quentin Tarantino. The man who seems to always have some kind of witty dialogue at the ready has created many masterpieces, among them the revenge thriller Kill Bill.
While the Bride would also be a worthy addition, O-Ren Ishii, one of Lucy Liu's best roles and one of the Bride's targets, is more than capable. Having killed dozens if not hundreds of targets in brutal, bloody fashion and being the leader of a prominent gang, O-Ren is an accomplished assassin who deserves her own film.
Terrible: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
At the end of the day, movies are movies. They're going to have incredibly fictitious elements driving a larger than life story forward. They may get ridiculous but that's just Hollywood. However, even in an imaginary world, it's clear that the TMNT would never be master assassins.
Sure, in the realm of comics, the turtles in a half shell have taken down more than their fair share of baddies. But in the films, the have plenty of funny scenes to spare).
