Checkered Ninja (2018) User Reviews

Anders Matthesen has improved.

[Animany94 · 8/10 · 3 January 2019]

Anders Matthesen really did a good job with his new animated movie. Everything is well done, the animation and the story especially impressed me.

The right amount of his own kind of humour was added and is guaranteed to make laugh a lot, because many of the jokes are actually not just low brow jokes or mean-spirited stereo typing, but clever satire on different pop culture elements.

The ninja himself quickly became my favourite, because without spoiling anything I can tell you that he has many funny abilities and a great backstory. The other characters are mostly created as satire on different personalities similar to the ones from his earlier work, Terkel I Knibe, but still enjoyable.

Speaking of which, people who are familiar with that movie will get many cameos from different characters from that movie, most notably Onkel Stewart. Even though it feels pointless to have so many cameos and give Stewart so much screen time whe Matthesen clearly has stated that he won't make another Terkel movie, it is still filled with laughter and is enjoyable. What Stewart's relation to the main character? Maybe I didn't get it.

But one thing which was really delightful was how much better the animation had become. Terkel I Knibe was pretty ugly to look at, but Ternet Ninja had got some really promising animators to work on it and their hard work impressed me and even overwhelmed me at times.

The story presented to us in Ternet Ninja is basically about achieving your goals instead of just being a whiny loser. It was shown and acted pretty well and did also convey a heart-warming message and a social commentary. I guess it's still not for the youngest viewers, but it is more watchable and has much more heart to it than Terkel I Knibe.

Splendid kids film for all ages!

[baltzer3 · 7/10 · 21 March 2021]

I really fun and entertaining movie for the whole family. Once again the Danes shows the world how it is done. The film dares to show that reality is a mixture of dark, sad events and fun heart filled experiences. A perfect film to watch with your kids. I was also so happy to get more onkel Stewart!

Not for Kids..

[dimipourv · 7/10 · 19 July 2020]

.. But still a good animated movie with True facts (children slavery, drag dealing, bullying).

A big surprise

[DogePelis2015 · 7/10 · 23 March 2021]

It is a very good and interesting Danish animated film; the plot is decent and full of hilarious moments; I do not recommend it to children.

Anders Matthesen makes me proud to be a Dane!

[ValdSB · 9/10 · 30 December 2018]

Where to start! What a funny movie, that is well-suited for adults as well as kids. Sure there is some brutal moments, but they are done in a very humorous way, which make the brutal moments, a little less frightening for the younger audience. In "Ternet Ninja" we see a movie that is not only great comedy, but a lovely light-hearted story about justice. You can see how hard anders has worked on this movie. It's clear to see that he has studied the younger generations general behavior and slang, and therefore the dialogue between the kids is not only very funny, but also very realistic.

Besides making a great script, Anders has also written some very good and funny songs as parodies on modern rap, and gives great voice-over performances. Also love that he brought back Terkel and Stewart Stardust, characters that fans of his former work will know for sure!

Aiming too broad for my taste

[mikkelbp-709-380055 · 6/10 · 1 February 2019]

I could imagine you would like this if you are a die hard Anden fan, but it is aiming too broad for my taste. Is it really the same people who finds dab and flossing funny that also find cocaine funny? Not better than terkel

Really funny, but not for the minors.

[EskeRahn · 9/10 · 26 December 2018]

Much better than his previous "Terkel i knibe", but a rather harsh detail very early on, make it unsuited for minor kids. I would say about 13+ as larger kids and adults can better cope with and enjoy his harsh and often grotesque humour, that often is spot on the types it portraits. and very very funny. it has a message too, so not just slap stick and profane language.

unblevieble

[brightlantern-61450 · 6/10 · 23 August 2019]

Whatever you do, just don't let a kid or teenage watch it. this movie has drug dealing, Suicide message, beating a kid heavily and other things like this. yeah the movie is funny but it's not suitable for kids.

Anders is back !!!!

[tanas56 · 10/10 · 25 December 2018]

This movie is awsome. So funny. The plot is so good. Funny all he way. If you like Terkel i knibe you will love this movie. Very original. I was a little sceptic at first . I dident think that i could be better then Terkel but i was wrong.

A funny and brutal comedy

[mieriks · 6/10 · 7 May 2022]

A simple, but a funny movie that is made for a small target audience. The comedy is the big priority in this movie, and it works with its brutal humor. The story is funny, sarcastic, and even cute. I have only watched the Norwegian version, and the Norwegian actor Herman Flesvig does a well job by bringing 113 voices into this movie by himself. The animation has not the professional, or the detailed, top-class character or environment graphics, but this is not that important when it comes to this type of a movie. Recommending for the specific audience, but I think the minimum age should be 16 years because of the rough language.

Hilarious on-point satire and unique in every way

[thor_linnet · 9/10 · 17 January 2019]

Anders Matthesen has abillities like few other comedians in the world. His diverse cast of eccentric characters that function as caricatures on the stereotypical personalities we encounter are both obnoxious, hilarious and likable at the same time. With his infallible and characteristic voicing talent he makes flawless use of danish slang and culture to poke good-hearted fun at the current generation of youths, parents, teachers and even musicians.

The best part is that all the above functions as a scaffold on which a quite unique and captivating tale is told, whereas his previous movie "Terkel i Knibe" was a more two-dimensional collection of crude albeit funny gags. I won't spoil any details though. This time Matthesen has opted to have the main character be voiced by someone other than himself. This gives the feeling that the boy is trying to navigate in Matthesen's unpredictable universe, and one can't help but root for him.

In spite of crude humor and an especially brutal scene early on, the movie as a whole ends up being heartwarming, and when the credits roll you realize that you've been fully attentive and entertained for the duration of the film. Matthesen is one of the most, if not THE most iconic danish comedians which he certainly establishes with this achievement. I hope the title will reach a wider audience as it certainly deserves more attention and recognition.

9/10

Loved it!

[BandSAboutMovies · 6/10 · 31 August 2022]

Anders "Anden" ("The Duck") Matthesen is a Danish stand-up comedian, actor and rapper who worked with Thorbjørn Christoffersen to turn his 2016 book into an animated movie. Yes, a ninja movie from Denmark!

The film begins in Thailand, where Danish businessman Philip Eberfrø is inspecting his new factory. One of the young boys laboring there accidentally uses his checkered scarf to make a ninja doll. A boss on the floor beats the boy until Phillip stops him and then grabs a weapon and beats the boy to death. As this happens, lightning strikes the building, guiding the spirit of Taiko Nakamura -- based on a real-life bandit during the 16th century Azuchi-Momoyama period in Japan -- to avenge that child's death. That's what Nakamura has been doing ever since he was betrayed and unable to save ten children. Giving up his own life, he can possess animals and objects to set the balance of justice.

Now in the form of a stuffed ninja doll, Takamura hides on a Danish cargo ship and is found by a sailor named Stewart Stardust who gives him as a birthday present to his nephew Alex Stenstrøm. The ninja surprises Alex by coming to life and defending him from a bully, but he's still there to take the life of Phillip.

This is an interesting coming-of-age tale, as the ninja and the teen must learn a lesson. The ninja is devoted to what he knows, fighting and death, while Alex sees another way out of issues. Of course, Alex can barely deal with his brother and being beaten up at school, so he has some things to learn as well.

I really liked this film, as it has a fun animation style and doesn't take itself too seriously. I'm also surprised by how kids' movies in other countries aren't afraid to have violence, swearing and some PG-13 content. It didn't ever go too far, but if you know those parents that overly worry about that kind of thing, well...maybe let their kids watch it at your house.

How big was this movie in Denmark? It sold a million tickets, making it the highest-grossing Danish film since Op pa fars hat in 1986 and three Robert awards for best children's film, best adapted screenplay and best original song ("Skubber det sne"). It was even nominated for a Bodil Award for Best Danish Film.

Here's hoping the sequel makes it way here too!

A twisted PG-13 What goes around comes back around movie

[mahfouzsaif · 5/10 · 31 July 2021]

Found the trailer on youtube in the most random way possible. The kids nagged me to download the movie so I did. All I can say is that although the plot was entertaining (and somewhat educating), it made them cry out of fear.

I will not burn the story but it is a movie that seeks justice through revenge and framing the bad guys to punish them for their original crimes. If your kids are 13+ then yeah let them watch it with caution and have a serious conversation about taking actions and tolerating their consequences.

I am someone who was raised that seeking justice has very specific means none of them is revenge or framing so please put that into perspective when reading my review.

One of the few animated family movies that don't disguise death and injustice

[badendxxx · 10/10 · 9 August 2020]

I'm fed up with people thinking animation has to be 'dumb enough' to pander to little kids.

Animation is an art and a media, and people who want to limit it to a very young public are both wasting and strangling it to death.

Ternet Ninja puts the right filters at the right places. It's OK to make fun of a superficial girl, it's not to embellish or disguise the murder of a sick and exhausted, exploited child. Some people might prefer dumb movies like 'The Secret Life of Pets' where they can abandon their kid in front of the TV. Movies that will be easily watched and immediately forgotten because they simply have no soul neither message.

'Ternet ninja' is an educational, intelligent movie that should be studied in class, and that parents who want their child to think in front of the TV and form their own opinions, should make good use of. All it shows and that isn't as easily 'digestible' as Tom and Jerry's gratuitous but extreme violence (for example) would provide a good occasion to talk and research. But I'm pretty sure some people think a kid is too 'dumb' to process any hard reality. These people are the reason why kids in rich countries are less and less prepared for anything and explode with panic at the first problem. Why they riot and loot instead of gathering and organizing people so that they get HEARD.

I recommend this movie to any parent who has goals when it comes with good parenting.

Best animated movie that have been made in Scandinavia

[felixbinger · 9/10 · 9 March 2019]

This is so funny, and with good music. I Will say 11+ because of the violence/suggestive humor and drug use. But it is still a good movies for 12-16 year olds. They Will love it.

!!!!WARNIG!!!!: THIS IS A DANISH PRODUCTION- EXPECT SWEARING, DRUG DEALING, SEXUAL REFERENCES, MENTIONS OF SUICIDE, SWEAT SHOPS, CHILD ABUSE, AND THEMES OF JUSTICE AND REVENGE

[babyyodawithwrinkles · 9/10 · 22 December 2021]

First and MOST IMPORTANT thing to be said about this film is that, if you are a Dane you know this, there are some big cultural differences between (Denmark as well as many other (mostly western) European countries) and a lot of the rest of the world, Im'ma just assume you're American. What I'm talking about specifically is that, there people are way more casual about exposing their children to the realities of such things as listed above. There this would be onside red a family/kids movie. If you are not from there though or are otherwise not comfortable sharing this movie with younger children, don't... share it with younger children.

When I first saw it when I was visiting Denmark (I was born there and am a dual citizen (US/Denmark) I watched it with my Aunt and uncle, their kids, and my 10-year-old brother. My brother was not born there and is generally not as accustomed to their culture/society, and... well he left after the first 10-20 mini. At least there's no gore or anything... 😬

Just like to remind you that despite these things Denmark has officially ranked 2nd happiest country in the world more than once.

Other than all that, it's a GREAT movie. Really funny, has a good engaging plot, and has given the world one of the greatest songs ever.... "PESTO"! Worth watching for sure.

Its danish expect swearing

[malthealber · 10/10 · 1 October 2021]

I see a lot of parents whining about the fact that the kids in the movie swear too much for their sweet heart but just so you know this is how Danish 10 year old talks and its a Danish movie that the teachers would put on in school with no problem. So that is why its rated pg 13. Its not that bad. My parents took my 8 year brother to watch this with us and he was laughing the whole way thru just like all the other 8-10 year olds.

PG 13

[eberhartmark · 2/10 · 17 February 2020]

This is NOT for all ages. Reviews that say it's good for kids must be coming from non-parents or parents who let their kids watch rated R movies!

The first scene is a child worker in Thailand get beaten and ultimately killed. One reviewer said these scenes are done with humor...WRONG!!! My son of 10 years old was staring and asking, "what just happened". I tried explaining that this type of gross behavior is allowed by their government and we should be glad we live where we do. But then the profanity started.

I'm sorry but even Family Guy bleeps out the curse words, which is still not age appropriate for anyone under 13.

If you care about what your kids watch, do not allow them to see this.

Amazing animation movie!

[dfzidane · 10/10 · 24 May 2019]

Everything in it, is funny! Anders Matthesen has done it again <3 No other person in the world, makes such funny animations movies, as Anders does <3

Much watch!

[camis-14208 · 10/10 · 30 January 2020]

Best thing I have seen in line time. Super funny , not clize" or obvious plot twist. Would watch again

The suprise of the year

[mmuggi · 10/10 · 30 December 2020]

Checkered Ninja is a great family movie, with important points about justice and daring. It is a fantastic film that is directly part of Anders Matthesen's comic universe. And then the justice is so amazingly sweet.

Anders done it again

[NukeLivesMatter · 10/10 · 27 August 2021]

Some people here writting about it not being a kids movie, are absolutely right. Anders "anden" Matthesen always claimed it to NOT be a children movie, same goes for the books.

It is not branded or sold as a children movie either, but a family movie.

It's target audience is 11+ which fits fine for Denmark and Danish culture.

The movie itself is great in it's original language (Danish) and sub par on the english adaption, even Anders have expressed dislike for the english dub.

Nowhere near worth the hype

[mlibmann · 1/10 · 17 January 2022]

My biggest problem is the voice acting, it seems like a b-movie/childrens show despite the content being more adult. It does not reach the level of its' predecessor "Terkel I Knibe" in any way at all. The story is decent, but the overall experience is flat and not at all trustworthy.

The Director has been seriously slacking innovation for years now in all of his works.

When I watched with my Lil sis I got shocked but when I watched it with my brother we laughed are asses

[mikeakrivop · 10/10 · 29 July 2020]

Sure this movie is about some really messed up things but it's done in a very humorous way and it's the first animated movie for kids I watched which has drug slangs

Great follow up of the first one!

[tommak-08472 · 9/10 · 24 May 2019]

Loved that they pressed in alot of old carracter camoes. Over all a really fun movie, with a great story, and fu moments