Console to Screen: Ninja Gaiden

Ninja Gaiden was the first
game that made you feel
like you were playing
a movie.

In 1988, Ninja Gaiden appeared on the Nintendo Entertainment System and changed the way games were played forever. Sure "cutscenes" (as they were called) were used in various games for years, but this was one of the first video games to have 20 minutes of cinematic cutscenes. You didn't just jump from board-to-board without rhyme or reason. You progressed in the game to find your father and help the FBI find a criminal mastermind known as the Jaquio. It was among the most torturous games to NES gamers as losing to the final TWO villains sent you back to the beginning of the stage to work your way back just to face the enemies. If you lost again...yup, right back to the beginning of the stage. Try to find three people you know (and don't meet at an E3 show) that finished any of the Ninja Gaiden series. Ninja Gaiden had two sequels and a rebirth on the Xbox 360, but most gamers remember the days you'd face statues coming to life and cracked open your Nintendo Power for helpful hints.

This is the duel your father "loses"
in the game's intro.

Story: This game that had TWO incarnations in the late 80's. In arcades, Ninja Gaiden was a bloody action game. In homes (and some arcade NES machines), Ninja Gaiden was a story-driven game where you play as Ryu Hyabusha is on a quest to find his father, who disappeared after a duel. On his quest, he meets an archeologist friend of his father's that tells him about his sword's origin and a demon statue that cannot fall into the wrong hands. He tells Ryu that his sword was made from the fang of a dragon... and that the demon statues could result in the end of the world. Along the way, he befriends a female FBI agent Irene Lew- though their friendship didn't start out well since she shot him. They're all after the cult leader called the Jaquio, a man trying to revive the demon called Jashin. The Jaquio was the other man Ryu's father (Ken) fought in the duel. Eventually, the government enlists Ryu to help the defeat the Jaquio and reclaim the demon statues.

The Bloody Malth was an example of
story and cheesy dialogue that
Ninja Gaiden sports.

As the story progresses, you fight the Bloody Malth- the first character with a pre-fight cut scene. Through Ninja Gaiden's cheesy dialogue, the Malth tells you that "you're not as good of a swordsman as your father." After you defeat him, he insists that your father is still alive and you'll see him, but it'll be the last thing you see. The next boss you fight is the Masked Devil- your father controlled by an orb on the wall. Once you destroy the orb, the Jaquio kills your father and awakens the demon with the statues reunited. Ryu gets his revenge against the floating son-of-a-bitch final boss before taking on the awakened demon that seems more fitting for Contra than a ninja story, but by the time you fought this guy you're willing to buy into anything. As you escape, Irene is told to kill Ryu and refuses for a little tongue from the heroic ninja.

Cast:

Josh Hutcherson could be
a budding action star.

Ryu Hyabusha's face is only scene at the beginning of the game when he reads his fathers letter and at the end, but his twenties-look eyes and covered face could make him anyone. They also need to be able to pass for a NINJA so Channing Tatum is out. Unlike some of the other games written about here, Ninja Gaiden isn't dependent on needing a good actor, but which would you rather have: an actor that learns martial arts for the role (Matt Damon, Bourne series) or a martial artist that you get to act (Ray Park, X-Men and Star Wars: Phantom Menace)? I'd always prefer the actor. Perhaps a Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games) could be Ryu. Ryu's father is named Ken and his look is pretty American. That pretty good considering it's tough to find a young actor that could grow into this role.

Fiennes did the Titans series,
so he could do a video game
movie.

The Jaquio is a little easier since he doesn't have to fight a hundred men. All the Jaquio has to do is look sinister, laugh maniacally (though better than Chris Cooper in The Muppets) and shoot fireballs. If pressed for a name, Ray Fiennes would be great here. Doesn't have to do much. His voice alone can make people tremble and after the forgettable Titans series, he can't get much worse. Why not chalk up another good villain to his resume?

What's Already In Place:

The scenery in Ninja Gaiden was
used better than any game of it's time.

A good story- not exactly a great one. This could be a very action packed series, done in the typical old kung-fu style movie. It has the usual elements: secret organization, double agents, government involvement, supernatural powers, twists and demons. Sure, there's really no explanation for statues coming to life, but nonetheless it's easier to buy into for this story than other crappy films out this year. The scenery of these games is amazing. Whether it's seeing the Jaquio's castle at the top of a cliff or Ashtar's fortress in the sequel, this game captured it's scenery perfectly. This was the first game that treated the gamer to more than just stage 1-1. It gave you plenty of eye candy. Ninja Gaiden made Off The Marc's list for Best Music in Video Games and it wasn't just great for the action, it was great for the storytelling.

Who could pull this off:

The Jaquio was one of gamers most
hated villains- particularly because
you had to replay the level if you lost.

Normally I say, "Don't sacrifice quality for a flashy direction," but in this case Wanted's Timur Bekmambetov wouldn't be a bad choice.  His action would be welcomed in this type of film and it's not like there's an Oscar winning moment in it. If anything the campiness can work out in his favor. Not many directors maybe good with a sword style combat, though Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter was awful, Timur's action style used in the terrible movie could work here.

Bottom line:
This one's a bit of a cult favorite, but it's not out of the realm of possibilities that it could get it's number called. It's was a ground breaking game, but for a movie could be a massive swing-and-miss if done by a hack...which I recommended- oops. It could fit from cinema scenes to cinemas, but it'll need respect by Hollywood in it's development.