Quartile rating: 5.5/10 · 1 rating
Haru, an orphaned American who washes ashore in Japan and is mistaken for the great White Ninja of legend. Raised among the finest Ninjas, Haru grows strong and big - very big. With the grace of all Three Stooges rolled into one body, Haru is an embarrassment to his clan. But when a beautiful blonde pleads for his help, Haru is given one dangerous, disastrously funny chance to prove himself.
Beverly Hills Ninja is a lightweight Chris Farley vehicle built entirely around his physical comedy persona. The plot is thin and formulaic — a fish-out-of-water setup with minimal surprises. Acting is serviceable but unremarkable outside Farley's committed slapstick energy. Cinematography is purely functional, standard late-90s studio comedy fare. Novelty gets a slight bump for the oddball concept of blending ninja mythology with Farley's oversized buffoonery, which gives it a somewhat distinctive comedic identity. The ending is predictable and rushed, resolving beats without much earned payoff. It's a one-joke film that coasts on Farley's charm.