Surf Legend Leslie Nielsen

The Wet Dream would like to honor Leslie Nielsen with the posthumous honor of Surf Legend. 

Surely we all know of Leslie’s Comedic genius from such films as Airplane, Wrongfully Accused, and the Naked Gun Series, but what will undeniably prove to be his biggest impact on modern-day cinema will be his role as Colonel Chi in 1993’s Surf Ninjas.

According to IMDB, Surf Ninjas is the classic tale of two Asian-American "surfer-dude" brothers discovering they are the long lost princes from a Chinese sea island. Part of their inheritances are magically-induced martial arts prowess. Using their new powers they act to overthrow the island's current dictator (Leslie), a despotic madman. 

For many of us growing up, Leslie became the face of the evil empire. A white-haired, 90’s version of Darth Vader.  Surf Ninjas combined the two coolest things in the universe. Drum roll please……. Surfing and Ninjas.

Mr. Nielsen born in Canada to Dutch and Welsh immigrant parents took the idea of acting very seriously. He was awarded an acting Scholarship to the “Neighborhood Playhouse” in New York City. A man with a sense of humor as well as a hardened work ethic Leslie has loved the idea of acting and showmanship for his entire career. 

From New York Leslie went on to star in over 90 movies. Serious movies earlier in his career, but he unlike many other actors was able to re-invent himself in the 1980’s as a serious comedic genius. His well timed and well delivered simple humor made him an instant classic.

Now that Leslie's life story is out of the way, let's get back to what really matters, Surf Ninjas. Playing the role of evil villain in a movie can be difficult. An actor must reciprocate the positive emotion that the hero is delivering, flip that, turn it completely evil, and then finally deliver it in a way that is appropriate for the story. Suddenly, playing the role of Colonel Chi, the main antagonist in a movie about surfing ninjas doesn't sound like easiest task in showbiz. Surfing by nature has always been light and fair-hearted. A sport of good. A sport with few evils save for the early morning trade winds or that overzealous kook in the lineup hogging all the waves. 

Surfers are not movie critics, well some probably are, but getting past that  it's safe to say that Leslie Nielsen nails his role in this surf comedy-thriller. Maybe surfing and comedy go well together? Point Break worked. Maybe it was because his comedic genius preceded him? Following the Naked Gun Series and Airplane could do a lot in terms of type casting, but past roles seem erroneous when discussing a man with true acting talent.  

Always the modest type, Mr. Nielsen was quoted once saying:

 “I couldn't refuse, but I must say when you come from the land of the snow goose, the moose and wool to New York, you’re bringing every ton of hayseed and country bumpkin that you packed. As long as I didn’t open my mouth, I felt a certain security. But I always thought I was going to be unmasked: ‘OK, pack your stuff.’ ‘Well, what’s the matter?’ ‘We’ve discovered you have no talent; we're shipping you back to Canada”

Sadly all good things have to come to an end. Leslie passed on November 28, 2010 in Ft. Lauderdale, he was 88.

Thankfully just as prior surf heroes such as Andy Irons live on through surf videos and movies, the memories of the diabolically evil yet slightly "stoked" Colonel Chi will live on forever in Surf Ninjas. Available for free in nine installments on YouTube.

Surf Ninjas could possibly be the best movie ever made. Just like real surfing, the movie makes you happy. It's light-hearted humor creates an almost magical feeling. It keeps the viewer constantly fulfilled and craving more. Friends and family enjoying the little things in life such as happiness and health, much the way that surfing takes nothing but gives everything.

The Wet Dream will end with the link to the first installment of the movie in the hopes that you love it and cherish the memory of Leslie Nielsen Surf Legend.


Link to Surf Ninjas Part I