Commando Ninja 2: Invasion America Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		3.5

Commando Ninja 2: Invasion America Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 3, 2025

2018’s “Commando Ninja” was an amusing riff on action cinema of the 1980s. The French production was looking to have some fun with the cartoon nature of the genre, with director Benjamin Combes inhaling Schwarzenegger and Stallone fumes to launch his own butt-kicking adventure featuring crazy characters and their quest for heroism. It was 68 minutes of passable fun, with Combes seemingly understanding the expiration date for this type of goofiness. “Commando Ninja II: Invasion America” runs 148 minutes (that’s not a typo), finding Combes intentionally ignoring the power of editing to offer a horrifically overlong sequel that’s basically out to make the same jokes, same references, and offer the same low-budget insanity as before, only it now takes what feels like a calendar year to finish the film.

It’s America, 1990, and Hopkins (Phillippe Allier) is a highway patrolman who’s made an incredible discovery in rural California. A Vietnam Vet who endured a torturous experience during the war, Hopkins spies the Vietcong and Russian troops handling a gun deal in the desert, retreating into a tunnel system for safety. Freaking out, Hopkins is suspended from his job, seeking out help from pals Hunter (Eric Carlesi) and cyborg Kowalsky (Stephane Asensio) to stop the enemy once again. Following the tunnels to the Earth’s core, the men find their way to Vietnam once again, exposed to an inner world of dinosaurs and danger posed by the International Coalition of Evil, with its cobra-like leader planning to destroy America by triggering the start of World War III. Refusing to accept such a fate, the reformed Commando Ninja Force sets out to stop global destruction, joined by siblings Lan (Floriane Fizaine) and Chen (Maxence Phonephet).

Attacks on America begin immediately in “Commando Ninja II: Invasion America,” with villainous forces placing grenades in newspaper deliveries around Oregon, they add mines to Florida beaches, and have a special sewer-based attack in Derry, Maine, which represents the first of many movie references in the sequel, putting Combes to work stuffing in all the tributes he possibly can. A story of some shape emerges when Hopkins discovers enemy activity in California, reuniting the Commando Ninja Force to take on a mysterious threat based in the center of the Earth. “Commando Ninja II: Invasion America” takes its time reaching the “lost world,” but Combes has his fun creating dinosaur attacks, flashing his “Jurassic Park” fan badge as he arranges creature appearances, lifts sound effects, and adds a baby dino, Elvis, to the exploration team, becoming Hopkins’s beloved pet.

“Commando Ninja II: Invasion America” generates plenty of survival challenges for the heroes, pitting them against the elements and even zombies as they try to make their way home. Combes is determined to add asides to his feature, and more characters are added in Vietcong soldiers Lan and Chen, who want to help the Americans defeat a mysterious snake-like villain (weirdly, the production passes on a full Cobra Commander character). “Commando Ninja II: Invasion America” even makes time for another player in the World War III game, putting Pvt. Jenny (Lux Scandal) into “Die Hard” mode as the soldier takes on a terrorist incident inside of a hospital.

Commando Ninja 2: Invasion America Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The image presentation (2.00:1 aspect ratio) for "Commando Ninja II: Invasion America" means to simulate an old print of the feature, with the production adding digital grain and points of damage throughout the viewing experience. Compression issues are a common sight, as banding flares up. Detail is acceptable for this type of processed endeavor, capturing a decent amount of skin particulars on the cast, along with the grisliness of the special effects, which offer goopy, bloody messes. Costuming stays reasonably fibrous. Exteriors maintain depth, visiting various beach, jungle, and urban locations. Interiors secure a passable look at decorative elements and room dimension. Delineation is satisfactory.

Commando Ninja 2: Invasion America Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers both French and English language options. The tracks are basically the same, though the English one seems to find the spirit of the production and its wacky ways. Dialogue exchanges are clear, losing nothing to chaotic interactions and performance choices. Scoring supports with a defined synth sound. Sound effects are basic and borrowed, but maintain clarity.

Commando Ninja 2: Invasion America Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Benjamin Combes.

• "Making 'Commando Ninja II: Invasion America" (47:54, HD) examines the production effort to bring the sequel to life, featuring interviews with director Benjamin Combes, assistant director Baptiste Lucas, and actors Eric Carlesi, Phillippe Allier, Stefan Asensio, Thyra Hann Phonephet, and Lux Scandal (others are involved, but the documentary weirdly doesn't list names for anyone). Endeavoring to create a more substantial sequel without too much meme-worthy material, Combes describes a plan to handle a larger workload, as the feature was shot over three summers, staring in 2021. The French effort mostly involved the actors and Combes, who became a one-man-band behind the scenes, trying to do everything himself. The interviewees offer candid memories of mishaps and hard labor, working fast and cheap while handling the elements and COVID-19 protocols. Equipment was also stolen, hurting an already minuscule budget. Achievements in special effects are highlighted, as the helmer wanted a "Mortal Kombat" vibe for the sequel, overseeing gruesome visuals, and even the creation of a dinosaur world. Drama is analyzed, as "Commando Ninja II: Invasion America" intends to offer a study of "global imperialism and its consequences." Characterization and training is spotlighted, finding Carlesi working hard to change his body to provide the sequel with a new look. Creative influences are supplied, and the interviewees share their favorite movies from the 1980s and '90s.

• Image Gallery (11:22) collects marketing art, film stills, publicity shots, and BTS snaps.

• "Hopkins: A 'Commando Ninja' Story" (18:17, HD) is a 2020 short film featuring the eponymous character, who finds his PTSD flaring up in 1978 as he revisits the horrors of the Vietnam War in his mind while moving around New York City. The urban illness of "Taxi Driver" appears to be writer/director Benjamin Combes's primary influence here.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:50, HD) is included.

Commando Ninja 2: Invasion America Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Commando Ninja" had the advantage of brevity, having its fun and exiting before viewers grew tired of the concept, performances, and edgy sense of humor. "Commando Ninja II: Invasion America" just goes on and on and on, with Combes offering no restraint during the punishing run time. More is more to the filmmaker, and the whole thing starts to feel like homework after the first hour, which is something when the feature includes dinosaur attacks, battles to the death, cyborg power, puppetry, and a never-ending stream of movie references. Even "Predator 2." Combes has his imagination, but he offers no restraint. While there is some joy in watching him piece together no-budget action and adventure (using inventive, but uneven, visual effects), his stab at the creation of an epic for a one-joke premise is misguided and, when hour two comes around, punishing. "Commando Ninja II: Invasion America" might tickle fans who were charmed by the original endeavor, but it's best advised to watch the picture in parts, as taking on the whole thing at once slides right into overkill.