Ernie Reyes Jr. was actually 20 years old when he played the lead role in Surf Ninjas, which is quite a bit older than the character he was portraying, who was supposed to be 15 years old. This age difference may have been a factor in the film’s believability, as it can sometimes be difficult for older actors to convincingly portray younger characters.
In terms of physical appearance, Reyes Jr. was also quite muscular, which further added to the discrepancy between his actual age and the age of the character he was playing. This may have made it even more challenging for audiences to accept him as a 15-year-old.
However, despite these age and physical differences, it seems that Reyes Jr. still managed to impress with his martial arts skills. It’s worth noting that Reyes Jr. is a highly skilled martial artist in real life, and his talents were showcased in the film. His abilities in this area were likely a major reason why he was cast in the lead role.
That being said, it seems that the martial arts sequences in Surf Ninjas did not receive high praise from Stephen Hunter of The Baltimore Sun. He described them as “bloodless and absurd”, suggesting that they lacked the intensity and realism that one might expect from a martial arts film.
It’s important to remember that everyone has different opinions and preferences when it comes to films. While Hunter may have found the martial arts sequences lacking, others may have enjoyed them. Additionally, the age and physical differences between Reyes Jr. and his character may not have bothered some viewers, while it may have been a source of distraction for others.
Ernie Reyes Jr. was 20 years old when he played the lead role in Surf Ninjas, which is older than the character he was portraying. His muscular physique and martial arts skills may have been impressive, but the film’s martial arts sequences were criticized for being “bloodless and absurd” by Stephen Hunter.