The American Ninja 1985 Review is finally here, and this one might be the ultimate test of childhood nostalgia versus cold, hard reality. Back in the day, ninja movies were everything. You'd watch them with your mates, then head outside, convinced you could take on an entire army with nothing but a headband and a questionable understanding of martial arts. But does American Ninja actually hold up, or is it another victim of the "we loved it as kids… but it's actually rubbish" category?

This week, Whitey, Damo, and Gow step into the dojo to break down one of the most iconic and unintentionally hilarious action films of the 80s. From the opening scenes featuring hacky sacks and butterfly knives to the absolutely chaotic convoy ambush, the boys waste no time calling out just how ridiculous this movie really is. And somehow, it only gets better, or worse, depending on how you look at it, from there.

We're introduced to Joe, an amnesiac army private who just happens to possess elite ninja skills. No explanation, no logic, just vibes. Throw him into the Philippines, add a dodgy arms deal, a kidnapped colonel's daughter, and a bunch of ninjas who appear out of nowhere, and you've got yourself a movie that barely makes sense… but is impossible to look away from.

Gow, our resident martial arts expert and self-proclaimed dojo graduate, brings his unique perspective to the table, breaking down the "authenticity" of the ninja action, or lack thereof. Meanwhile, Damo questions everything from the acting to the storyline, and especially that unforgettable line about "witness testimony" confirming ninja involvement. Yes, that actually happens.

Whitey leads the charge as always, trying to figure out where this movie sits in the grand scheme of action cinema. Is it so bad it's good? Or just plain bad? The answer might surprise you… Or it might not.

There's plenty of laughs along the way, especially as the boys revisit scenes they hadn't seen since the early 90s. From over-the-top performances to questionable editing choices and a plot that only reveals itself in the final minutes, American Ninja is a masterclass in accidental comedy.

But here's the thing, despite all its flaws, there's still something undeniably fun about it. Maybe it's the nostalgia, maybe it's the sheer absurdity, or maybe it's just the fact that movies like this don't get made anymore.

So grab your black belt, sharpen your imaginary ninja sword, and join us as we dive headfirst into one of the most bizarre action films of the 80s.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Did American Ninja hold up… or should it have stayed in the video shop archives?

• Is this the ultimate "so bad it's good” movie?
• Would you have loved this if you saw it for the first time as a kid?
• Where does this rank among 80s action classics?
• And most importantly… do ninjas improve every movie?

Drop your thoughts in the comments. We want to hear from you
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Listen now and decide for yourself, does American Ninja deserve its cult status, or should it have stayed in the video shop archives?

#AmericanNinja #80sMovies #ActionMovies #NinjaMovies #BornToWatch #MovieReview #CultClassics #80sAction #SoBadItsGood #Podcast

The Bourne Identity 2002 Review kicks off a brand-new era of action cinema, and this week on Born to Watch, the boys break down the movie that changed everything.

After a chaotic start that only this crew can deliver, Whitey, Dan and Will dive into The Bourne Identity, the film that flipped the script on what an action hero looks like. Gone are the invincible muscle-bound icons of the 80s and 90s, enter Jason Bourne, a confused, calculated and absolutely lethal operator played by Matt Damon in a career-defining role.

Pulled from the ocean with no memory and two bullets in his back, Bourne is forced to piece together who he is while being hunted by the very organisation that created him. What follows is a grounded, gritty thriller that trades explosions for realism and spectacle for precision.

Whitey reflects on just how many times he's seen this video shop classic (hint: it’s borderline unhealthy), while Will comes in fresh, experiencing Bourne for the first time and questioning how this one slipped through the cracks. Dan, meanwhile, brings the chaos, including losing his phone at sea and somehow tying it back to Bourne's survival odds.

The boys dig into what makes this film stand out. The realism. The pacing. The fight choreography that feels raw and believable. And of course, Matt Damon, the unlikely action star who proved everyone wrong. From embassy escapes to park bench beatdowns, Bourne doesn’t just fight, he reacts, and that's what makes it feel so different.

There's also plenty of discussion around the supporting cast. Does Marie actually bring anything to the table? Is Chris Cooper quietly elite in everything he touches? And why is Julia Stiles getting top billing for doing absolutely nothing?

As always, things go off the rails. There's a debate around whether fishermen are the most honest blokes on earth, a deep dive into Hollywood's best and worst operators, and one of the more ridiculous breakdowns of Bourne's observational skills you'll ever hear.

The crew also revisits 2002, a massive year for film, and pits Bourne against the likes of The Two Towers, Spider-Man, and Attack of the Clones… which gets exactly the treatment you'd expect.

At its core, The Bourne Identity is more than just a great action movie; it's a reset button for the genre. It paved the way for everything that followed, from Casino Royale to John Wick, and it still holds up over two decades later.

So… does it belong in the upper tier of action films? Or is it slightly overrated?

You know the drill.

Hit play, grab a beer, and let's find out.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

• Is Bourne the most realistic action hero ever?
• Could this movie be made the same way today?
• And seriously… how does he survive that opening scene?

#BourneIdentity #BornToWatch #MoviePodcast #ActionMovies #MattDamon #FilmReview #JasonBourne #2000sMovies #SpyThriller #MovieDiscussion

This week on Born to Watch, Whitey, Gow and Damo head back to 1983 for a full Trading Places 1983 Review, revisiting one of the most iconic comedy films of the 1980s. Directed by John Landis and starring Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis, Trading Places is a movie that perfectly captures the raw, outrageous humour of the decade. But more than 40 years later, the big question for the Born to Watch crew is simple: Does this comedy classic still hold up?

Set in the world of high-stakes Philadelphia commodities trading, Trading Places follows privileged stockbroker Louis Winthorpe III (Dan Aykroyd) and street hustler Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy). When two absurdly wealthy brothers, Randolph and Mortimer Duke, decide to test a social experiment for a one-dollar bet, the lives of both men are turned upside down.

• Winthorpe loses everything.
• Billy Ray gains everything.
• And the Dukes sit back and watch the chaos unfold.

For Whitey, this rewatch brings back the wild spirit of 80s comedies, a time when films were raw, unfiltered and packed with unforgettable moments. From the opening scenes inside the Duke & Duke trading empire to the infamous orange juice futures finale, the movie moves at a relentless pace.

Gow dives into the film's history, breaking down how Eddie Murphy was just beginning his meteoric rise after Saturday Night Live. His performance as Billy Ray Valentine demonstrates the charisma and comedic timing that would soon make him one of the decade's biggest movie stars.

Meanwhile, Damo delivers what the listeners came for, the legendary Snorbs Report, analysing one of the most famous scenes in the film and debating whether Jamie Lee Curtis might have the most unexpected reveal in 80s cinema history.

But Trading Places is more than just a comedy.

At its core, the film is a clever satire about class, wealth and power. The Duke brothers treat human lives like chess pieces, manipulating events purely to prove a point about social status. What makes the story work so well is how Murphy and Aykroyd eventually turn the tables.

And when the revenge finally arrives, it is glorious.

Throughout the episode, the Born to Watch crew break down some of the most memorable moments in the movie, including:

• Eddie Murphy announces himself as a superstar
• Dan Aykroyd's legendary drunken Santa meltdown
• The outrageous Duke brothers
• Jamie Lee Curtis' scene-stealing performance
• The chaotic train disguise sequence
• The brilliant orange juice trading finale

The boys also tackle their regular segments, including Overs and Unders, Hit Sleeper Dud for 1983, the Rank Bank, and, of course, Damo's Snorbs Report.

Along the way, they debate Eddie Murphy's place among the greatest comedy stars of all time and ask whether Hollywood would even dare make a movie like Trading Places today.

Because let's be honest.

Movies like this simply do not get made anymore.

Fearless, ridiculous and packed with classic one-liners, Trading Places remains one of the defining comedy films of the 80s.

But does it still deserve its legendary reputation?

Whitey, Gow and Damo are here to find out.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

• Is Trading Places Eddie Murphy's true breakout movie?
• Is the orange juice trading finale the greatest comedy ending ever?
• And is Winthorpe's Santa suit the most disgusting costume in movie history?

Drop us a voicemail at https://www.borntowatch.com.au

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your pods.

#TradingPlaces #BornToWatch #EddieMurphy #DanAykroyd #JamieLeeCurtis #80sMovies #ComedyClassic #MoviePodcast #FilmReview #80sComedy