We’re starting off a new feature here on Guy Movie Review called Monday Movie Battle, where we put together odd match-ups between movies and their characters and let them battle it out to see who reigns supreme. In the first GMR movie battle ever, we put together a ninja bout (who doesn’t love ninjas?) between my favorite childhood ninjas the Turtles and my favorite new ninja Raizo from Ninja Assassin!

Ninja Assassin Origins

Raizo from Ninja Assassin is one of the most talented ninjas from his clan. They are a group of mercenary assassins taken as children and trained in the deadly art of the ninja. Upon successful completion of a mission, Raizo refuses to take the life of an innocent to prove his loyalty and is attacked by his own clan. He resurfaces years later to avenge himself and the girl he loved.

Ninja Turtle Origins

The Ninja Turtles, Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael are four turtles who grow in size and intelligence due to a radioactive ooze canister that was dumped in the sewer. A rat known as Splinter, also affected by the green ooze, grows as well and takes care of them as his own children. Being the pet of a ninja while in Japan, Splinter knows and teaches his turtles the ancient art form. They grow up to fight crime in New York while eating their favorite food: pizza.

How They Would Meet…

Raizo tracks the location of a group of ninja assassins to New York City, where they plan to off an especially troublesome reporter named April O’ Neil. The assassins are quickly dispatched of by the turtles, especially because they didn’t think she would offer much resistance versus say, a yakuza lord or political official. Watching from afar, Raizo attacks the strange-looking ninjas believing them to be enemies as well. Although at first outmatched by his long chain weapon and mysterious speed, the Turtles are able to fend him off long enough to figure out his fighting style. Using a four against one approach, Raizo is eventually outmatched by his inhuman foes.

Being as they are the good guys, the Turtles eventually let him go after he explains his story to Splinter. They split a box of pizza and depart as friends. Maybe he and April exchange numbers.

Stat Battle

Height
Raizo: 6′
Turtles: Under 5′
Winner: Raizo by way of being taller than teen girls

Speed
Raizo: Superhuman
Turtles: Superhuman
Winner: Even

English
Raizo: Broken
Turtles: Regular
Winner: Turtles

Weapons
Raizo: Sword, chain
Turtles: Sais, katanas, nunchucks, bow
Winner: Turtles

Hair
Raizo: Flowing, raven locks
Turtles: None
Winner: Raizo

Dancing Ability

Raizo: Rain is an international popstar

Turtles: The Turtles danced to Vanilla Ice…
Winner: Even

We hope you enjoyed this first edition of our Monday Movie Battle!

So I’ve been a little too busy with work to post, but I was informed of some rather interesting developments surrounding the new Avatar: The Last Airbender movie. As it turns out, many people are banning together to boycott the movie and its production team for casting white actor Noah Ringer to play Aang. Sporting the slogan “Aang is Asian and can still save the world,” a group of race activists created a group on Facebook called “People Against Racebending” that’s really starting to pick up steam.

>>>You can check out the group here: People Against Racebending

The Associated Press picked up the story and noted that many critics have panned the movie for ignoring diversity and richness of culture present in the beloved children’s cartoon series, which the movie is based on.

“To take this incredibly loved children’s series, and really distort not only the ethnicity of the individual characters but the message of acceptance and cultural diversity that the original series advocated, is a huge blow,” said Michael Le of Racebending.com

The MSNBC article also went on to compare the ordeal to the casting of Jake Gyllenhaal in the upcoming Prince of Persia movie. Hello people! I wrote about that issue back in November of last year! I need more press coverage!

>>>Read more about my initial reaction to the casting of Jake Gyllenhaal.

Noah Ringer a Scapegoat

I would love to see some diversity in film, but until the numbers back it up I don’t think the studios will ever change. Nothing sends a bigger message than voting for your dollars. I do feel bad for Noah Ringer being a scapegoat for the cause, but Hollywood indeed made the wrong move by “whitewashing” a children’s movie. I think it does send the wrong message. What would a parent say to their child if asked why Aang isn’t Asian? I’m not sure there’s an easy answer to this. People have to realize there are challenges in casting an Asian actor as well however. When I asked my Asian friends what they thought of the whole ordeal, many of them stated that “there really aren’t any Asian actors, especially kids, to choose from. Asian parents push kids towards being doctors or lawyers, not actors.”

Is Aang Asian?

I don’t share the same sentiment, but I’m really interested in hearing your reactions to the whole controversy. Some people are emailing me and saying that this is also why the Dragon Ball movie failed, to which I answered that the movie was doomed whether Goku was Asian or not. So I’m not really sure what to think at this point. Was it ever confirmed that Goku or Aang are Asian? It doesn’t matter to Hollywood but it obviously bothers many of you.

How do you feel about the casting of a white actor to play the Last Airbender?

The Last Airbender Trailer

Check out the trailer for The Last Airbender

The Assassin’s Workout

For the movie, Rain’s workout allowed him to go from 12% bodyfat to 5%. Here’s what he did:

• Kettlebell workouts
• Sword fighting and stunt work (6 hours of cardio)
• Weights (2 hours a day, 5 days a week)

Ninja Diet

Now that you know the amount of work you have to put in, you’re ready for the harder part: the diet. That’s right. As any trainer worth their weight (haha) will tell you, a proper diet is 80% of the battle when you’re trying to transform your body. Rain gave up rice and ate the following for 8 months:

• Skinless chicken breat and vegetables
• Potatoes
• Raw fish
• Salad

He was also allowed to have a plain beef steak cooked in boiling water about once a month. Now that’s dedication!

Ninja Assassin Training Videos

Check out these videos to get a better idea of the kinds of things Rain had to do. He hired the guys that trained the actors from 300, so I’m sure there was some circuit training involved.

Stunt Training

Working Out

More Strength Training

There’s no real secret to Rain’s routine that anyone else couldn’t do. So if you’re serious about transforming your body, just follow what you learned from Rain:

• Eat clean
• Work out religiously
• Rinse and repeat for 8 months

Good luck!

{See how Rain transformed his body for Ninja Assassin}

Ninja Assassin Trailer

Ninja Assassin – Behind the Scenes Training

You can also watch some behind the scenes training and footage for Ninja Assassin, which shows Rain doing some pretty impressive stunts and choreography.

Ninja Assassin Official Movie Poster

The movie is sure to please action movie fans and lovers of all things ninja. Rain sure looks menacing!

What did you think of the trailer?