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My Lawyering prof is a huge douche
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:12 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center since it's ungraded, and since there are supposedly "high standards" she accepts or rejects assigments on the basis of whether you showed up to class a few minutes late or EVEN IF YOU TURNED THE ASSIGNMENT IN EARLY. That's right, if you turn in the assignment early, you didn't do a good enough job because you didn't use all the possible time.
Seriously, up yours captain asshat. You know who you are.
Further, in comments she made to me explicitly, she can tell that I'm "not taking the class seriously" because I don't participate in the fucking social events the class organizes. At my undergrad making a comment like that would draw a reprimand from the department chair. |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:19 PM Author: Mauve greedy deer antler ape Your lawyering prof actually rejects assignments? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919636) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:22 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center yep, and not on merit. She seriously rejects them with general comments like "sloppy writing" and declarations of concern that "you don't seem to be taking the class seriously" based on such factors as "twice you arrived late to class" and "i've noticed you haven't been socializing with your classmates" and the classic "you had three days to do this assignment and you only spent an afternoon" (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919651) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:32 PM Author: Mauve greedy deer antler ape wow
I go to the same school and I never had a single lawyering assignment rejected. It never even occured to me it would happen.
You know, on principal I'm against student unions, but occasionally stuff happens that makes me think our school should be the exception.
I'm still trying to figure out ways to sniff out a prof up front. So far all I've come up with is when they introduce themselves to everybody on the first day by saying they went to HLS. Any ideas? |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 11:15 PM Author: bearded cheese-eating juggernaut This movie occupied most my junior high years. Action, suspense, cheesy diaologue, and martial arts galore. What more could you ask for from a b-movie that is clearly a b-movie? Carpenter and the cast and crew must have had a blast on this film because I can't think of a single movie that combines some of my favorite things about movies: Action, comedy, violence, martial arts, and a small tour bus driver named Egg who also knows a little magic. Magic indeed. This is movie magic. Agree or disagree, you can't deny that Carpenter succeeded on all levels when he made this movie. Saturday matineeish? Yes. B-movie cheese? Yes. Pure movie-going fun? Absolutely. Watch and enjoy.
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18 out of 18 people found the following comment useful :-
Do you believe in magic?, 31 August 2004
Author: mastac-1 from United Kingdom
Despite his recent slide into mediocrity, John Carpenter is responsible for what could be termed some of the biggest cult movies of the 1980's. Following his resounding success with Halloween he went on to direct a number of quirky yet excellent movies that began to tail of toward the end of the 80's with the release of such dross as Prince of Darkness. Carpenters movies are probably some of the most under appreciated pictures of recent cinema history on a commercial level, and none more so than perhaps one of his finest, the delightfully absurd action movie Big Trouble in Little China.
The plot is as daft as they come. Loud mouthed truck driver Jack Burton (played by Carpenter's long time collaborator Kurt Russell) arrives in San Francisco's Chinatown where he agrees to help out old friend Wang (played by Denis Dun) by driving him to the airport to pick up his green eyed fiancé. Things quickly go south however when a band of street punks kidnap the girl and the motley duo set off in pursuit. The pair soon find themselves caught in the middle of gang war that takes on a decidedly mythical bent and are forced to flee while Jack's truck is stolen. All this occurs within the first fifteen to twenty minutes.
If there's one thing you can say about Big Trouble, it's that it's action packed. The plot (such as it is) moves at an incredible pace and the film rarely slows to take breath as it rolls from one action set piece to the next. In such movies, normally the dialogue, and subsequently the acting suffer from a lack of any real attention. Not so here. Carpenter balances everything so perfectly that it's a wonder his career took such a slide. Although the actual story may be incredibly absurd and at times suffers from some rather obvious gaps of logic, the dialogue never fails to sparkle. Russell gives his very best wise ass shtick as Burton, the confused have a go hero who's so out of his depth he should really be fish bait, while Dun excels with a character who is consistently more heroic and capable than the lead. Another wonderful turn comes from an appearance by a young Kim Cattrall (of Sex and the City fame) as Gracie Law, a downmarket lawyer with an ability to talk at incredible speed. Some of the scenes between these three are pure comic genius, as Dun and Cattrall rattle out plot information at a rapid staccato pace while an increasingly bewildered Russell tries desperately to keep up.
Despite such positive remarks, Big Trouble was perhaps one of Carpenter's biggest commercial flops. While many of the movie's fans find this difficult to understand I do not. The reason for its failure is really incredibly simple. In terms of its style and the underlying comedy behind the piece, Carpenter's loving part tribute, part send up of all things Kung Fu was way ahead of the curve in every important respect. Take the relationship between our 'hero' Jack and his 'sidekick' Wang. The true dynamic of this relationship is a wonderfully post modern slant on the cliché buddy dynamic that existed in the 80's and it was done long before post modernist humour became truly fashionable in films (the most obvious example of post modern piece of cinema being Scream). Despite receiving star billing, Russell's Jack is actually a sidekick to Wang. While Wang has the knowledge, the skill and the courage to make him a true classic hero figure, Jack lags behind, being brash, ignorant and of little actual use in a fight. Similarly the action, although remarkably quaint by today's standards in both its look and execution, is a surprisingly accurate foreshadow of the current Hollywood move toward the more graceful, balletic chaos exhibited by movies like The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Ultimately Big Trouble in Little China is a movie that survived thanks to the home video market and for that we can only be grateful. While its looks may have aged, its sense of humour and style is as fresh today as the day it first rolled out in cinemas. In short, it's pure escapist magic.
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Carpenter catches the spirit of the B grade serial flic 100 times better than Spielberg, 28 July 1999
Author: johnv-3 from texas
What can one say. The movie plays like one of those great old comic books you read as a kid. The dialogue is so cartoonish that you expect to see balloons appear above the characters heads. The acting is excellent, with everyone taking a tongue in cheek approach and obviously having a good time making the film. Some of the best fight scenes in recent memory, with everyone "kung-fu fighting" at the drop of a hat. Kurt Russel is a hoot as the more than slightly dumb macho hero. Cartoon violence minus the gore, humourous special effects, evil magicians, green eyed damsels in distress, even a monster or two.
A great film for a night of light movies! See it if you get a chance!
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This John Carpenter movie has it all!, 23 October 1999
Author: Simon (simon@dawsoncity.co.uk) from N.Ireland
If you`ve ever heard of the director John Carpenter, you`ll be familiar with his works (of art), like Hallowe`en, Escape From New York, Assault On Precient 13, The Thing, They Live, and this movie, a mid 80`s classic starring none other than Carpenter`s favourite front man, Kurt Russell. Set in Chinatown, Los Angeles, its a modern day fable of good versus evil, Chinese black magic, the hero storms the castle type affair. Russell plays Jack Burton, a wise cracking long distance truck triver and all American hero, passing through Chinatown on some business. After a card game with old friend Wang Chi (Dennis Dun), Wang (now penniless thanks to Burton`s good fortune) pursuades Jack to drive him to the airport, to pick up his childhood sweetheart, a girl Wang has not seen since they were children. Its here the story begins, as Mao Yin, Wang`s girlfriend, is captured by a mysterious gang. The two form a pact to rescue the girl from the clutches of the evil Lo Pan, former crimelord of Chinatown, a myth who has apparently lived to the age of almost 200, with a little help from some black magic.
Thats it, I`m saying no more, cos I don`t want to spoil it. You`ve probably seen the movie anyway.
Its hard to pick a favourite John Carpenter film, very hard, but this one has it all. Its a great action movie, a great comedy, an original story, great lines, and even a love story, a perfect blend of what big screen entertainment should be. Its strange though, that the ending was left so open, begging for a sequel that was never made.
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Its all in the reflexes, 24 July 2001
Author: lenny from old bridge new jersey
Now let me just speak my peace before some of you either laugh at me or totally agree with me but i feel Big Trouble in Little China is one of the greatest movies of all time!! Actually it is my favorite movie of all time!! Yes i know such movies as Saving Private Ryan, Shawshank Redemption, or even Willy Wonka might be looked upon as better movies but i say "Who Cares!!!" Big trouble in Little China is a fun movie that you can sit back on a lonely night and just enjoy. The plot is pretty basic and that is why it is easy to follow. Yet the acting of Kurt Russell alone makes the movie. Im not saying this just because i am a BIG KR fan but he just does a wonderful job in this movie as a Truck drive who has no clue on whats going on but just goes with the flow! The witty lines of Kurt Russell in this movie are some of the funniest lines i have ever heard come from an actors mouth.. I mean the whole part of Lo-pan and Jack in the wheelchair is one of the funniest peices of material i have ever seen on the big screen... Well gtg and just remember if some wild 8ft tall monster grabs the back of your favorite head and slams it aganist the bar room wall and ask if you paid your dues!!??! well just tell him what ole jack always says.. " Yes sir the check is in the mail"
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8 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
John Caprenter's opus magnum, 11 January 2000
Author: unclebyblood from The U.S. of A
John Carpenter really steps away from his usual fare in this easy going `fortune-cookie theater' parody that was originally the manuscript for the second Buckaroo Banzai movie. It features a cast of pithy characters, bizarre and memorable dialogue, entertaining special effects and fight scenes that are well choreographed by western standards.
For those of you who already love John Carpenter, prepare for one of his finest moments. In 1987 Carpenter's sentimental sci-fi-side made `Starman' an instant classic and in 1984 his tense, brooding gothism made `Prince of Darkness' truly frightening. Sandwiched in-between these movie greats is the 1986 production of `Big Trouble on Little China', where eastern martial arts mysticism meets John Wayne bravado with zany and often absurdly hilarious results. How can you not love a movie unwilling to take itself too seriously while at the same time still managing to keep a straight face?
Carpenter's skills as a director, producer and songwriter come together in this film to produce what many consider to be his finest work. Big Trouble' s theme and content naturally compliments Carpenter's style of cynical humor, flashy cinematic expression and loose, caricature-esque development of memorable story line figures. If this isn't his opus magnum then it is at least one of his greatest moments as a director.
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Why this movie is the greatest movie of all time, 6 October 2004
Author: Nick Barnhardt (phoenix_united_@hotmail.com) from Madison, Indiana
Big Trouble in Little China is one of the few films that generally impressed me and didn't give off a "fake" feeling like a lot of movies that are coming out today. I grew up watching this movie almost every day, and I continue to do so now. The characters in this movie are played very well, especially Kurt Russell's part as Jack Burton. The movie blends action, comedy, and even some science fiction/horror, all the while staying solid instead of seeming like a bunch of unrelated parts thrown together. If you are a fan of John Carpenter, Kurt Russell, action movies, the 80's, or a fan of great films, definitely check this one out. In fewer words, run out and BUY Big Trouble in Little China right now!
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3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Plain fun, 20 May 2002
Author: jrgirones (jrgirones@arenysdemar.com) from Arenys de Mar, Catalonia, Spain
This demonstrates the talent of John Carpenter: a movie that would have been ridiculous in other director's hands, here appears as one of the greatest and funniest cinematic jokes of all times. Everyone involved is aware of that and the feeling that they amused themselves a lot during the making of is trespassed to the viewers. I think it's not the director's finest at all (have you seen "The night of Halloween"?) and in some moments it even has the structure of a kung-fu computer game, but it's only intentional and self-conscious plain fun and that redeems it. Don't take it seriously and enjoy the marvelous fighting scenes!
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Best adventure/fantasy flick made ever, 23 February 2001
Author: journeyman_steve from midwest USA
John Carpenter's career peaked with Big Trouble in Little China -- and what a peak it is. No other director/writer has attempted to create what Carpenter did in the 80's. Why this took so long to come to DVD is beyond me. This movie makes the best mix of cavalier anti-heroes, humorous villains, dark magic overtones, and good old fashioned fight scenes (done up as a mix of kung fu with old west shoot-em-up).
Those who don't like this movie don't get it's inherent self-deprecatory theme. This movie is all about fun. If you don't get it, see a doctor about your broken funny bone!
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This movie moves me, 30 November 1998
Author: hatter from North Haven, Connecticut
Give this movie a ten, it has more excitement and pure fun than almost any other, John Carpenter has constructed a masterpiece. This movie is awesome, It's got Kurt Russell at his best. Every line that he says just rocks. This picture is the most unique film that had come around in years when it was released. Nothing comes close to its ingenuity or classic mixture of Chinese mythology. If you don't watch it I will personally search out and destroy you. Like some dude up there said, just chill with your popcorn snacks and drinks, and saddle up, because it's going to be one hell of a ride!
Also Known As:
John Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China (USA) (complete title)
Runtime: 99 min
Country: USA
Language: English / Cantonese
Color: Color (DeLuxe)
Sound Mix: 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) / Dolby (35 mm prints)
Certification: Australia:M / Canada:14A / Finland:K-16 / France:U / Norway:15 / Norway:16 (1986) / Sweden:15 / UK:15 / USA:PG-13 / West Germany:12 (w) / Germany:16 (special edition) / Singapore:PG / Iceland:14 (original rating) / Iceland:16 (video rating) / Spain:13
Trivia: Some of the lightning forms a Chinese symbol as it disappears. The symbol translates as "carpenter". This film was directed by John Carpenter. (more)
Goofs: Continuity: Jack Burton's Harley Davidson ballcap at the end of the film is different than the one he wears at the beginning. (more)
Quotes:
[first lines]
Pinstripe lawyer: Okay. But if I'm gonna be your attorney, then there are a few things I need to make clear. Like... you really believe in magic?
Egg Shen: You mean Chinese black magic?
Pinstripe lawyer: Yes, I suppose.
Egg Shen: Oh, absolutely.
Pinstripe lawyer: And, uh, things like spooks and demons and goblins?
Egg Shen: Oh, sure. And sorcery.
Pinstripe lawyer: And I suppose you expect me to believe in sorcery as well?
Egg Shen: Of course!
Pinstripe lawyer: Why?
[...]
(more)
Awards: 1 nomination (more)
BIG TROUBLE IN...
Memorabilia
Books | All Products
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User Comments:
8 out of 9 people found the following comment useful:-
John Caprenter's opus magnum, 11 January 2000
Author: unclebyblood from The U.S. of A
John Carpenter really steps away from his usual fare in this easy going `fortune-cookie theater' parody that was originally the manuscript for the second Buckaroo Banzai movie. It features a cast of pithy characters, bizarre and memorable dialogue, entertaining special effects and fight scenes that are well choreographed by western standards.
For those of you who already love John Carpenter, prepare for one of his finest moments. In 1987 Carpenter's sentimental sci-fi-side made `Starman' an instant classic and in 1984 his tense, brooding gothism made `Prince of Darkness' truly frightening. Sandwiched in-between these movie greats is the 1986 production of `Big Trouble on Little China', where eastern martial arts mysticism meets John Wayne bravado with zany and often absurdly hilarious results. How can you not love a movie unwilling to take itself too seriously while at the same time still managing to keep a straight face?
Carpenter's skills as a director, producer and songwriter come together in this film to produce what many consider to be his finest work. Big Trouble' s theme and content naturally compliments Carpenter's style of cynical humor, flashy cinematic expression and loose, caricature-esque development of memorable story line figures. If this isn't his opus magnum then it is at least one of his greatest moments as a director.
Big Trouble in Little China is a parody of kung fu movies so don't expect to take this movie seriously. Still, it's a lot of fun and worth seeing.
Kurt Russell stars as Jack Burton, a likable blue-collar trucker who gets involved in a supernatural battle with an immortal sorcerer named Lo Pan. Russell bands together with a rag tag group in Chinatown to get inside Lo Pan's lair and rescue a green-eyed virgin who has been abducted by Lo Pan's Wing Kong Hatchet Men. What ensues are chases, escapes and kung fu fights, all of which are tongue-in-cheek. The fight sequences are very funny with Wing Kong Hatchet Men somersaulting through the air.
Russell, who has been in many John Carpenter films, is always good and he brings just the right light-hearted feel to this role. He has some great sarcastic lines in this film.
Kim Cattrall is very appealing as Gracie Law (this movie is before her role on the TV show Sex In The City.) You'll recognize veteran actors Victor Wong (as Egg Shen) and James Hong (as Lo Pan).
John Carpenter films always have some elements of comedy in them but Big Trouble in Little China is really the only true comedy Carpenter has made (possibly Memoirs of an Invisible Man could be considered a comedy.) One of the better Carpenter films. Recommended.
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John Carpenter & Kurt Russel For Two Hours What Could Be Better?, 22 July 2005
Author: davidhutch007 from Sheffield, England
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Whe i first saw this movie on TV about seven years ago i was unsure of what to make of it, i had seen John Carpenters other works but found this unfamiliar ground for him apart from the film starring Kurt Russel who never ceases to impress in a Carpenter film. Now having watched this more times than i can remember i love the comic genius that pops up in nearly every scene of the film and is a great reason to watch the film.
The cast is impressive but top billing was invented for a reason and thats why when Kurt Russel is top billing for a film you know in one way or another the film will be great. In this film the audience identifies with Russles character because like him we are in the mystery and along for the ride. There are some great fights that make the Matrix stick out like a sore thumb.
The film plays more on story, character and action more than anything else so don't be surprised that the special effects are not what Steve Spielberg or ILM have put together because this film really doesn't care, it just wants you along for the ride and speaking of which i think i might just watch it again!
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A True Classic. Excellent even if shallow. One of my FAVS!, 4 July 2005
Author: Josh Myers (myrothe) from United States
There are very few movies that I can watch over and over again and never lose interest. This is indeed one of them. Its hard to describe exactly what is so addictive about Big Trouble In Little China. Its cheezy, its over the top, and quite ridiculous at times. However its all put together so well. Its just one hell of a fun ride, from the opening credits to the end. There is high flying (even wire fighting) kung fu. There are likable characters (Kurt Russells JACK BURTON is like an over the top John Wayne with an Adonis complex). There is loads of humor, Chinese sorcery, Demons, swordplay, gun play, and an infinite amount of great, quotable lines ("Its all in the reflexes"). The soundtrack is top notch as well. Kind of a mix of Chinese electronic mixed with that John Carpenter action flick flare. It is also one of those rare 80's movies where the villains are fairly cool (rather than bumbling boobs). Just check out the three storms :) Anyway this isn't exactly a "deep" movie, but its well worth a watch or twenty. In fact this probably ranks as one of my top 3 favs of all time.
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Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
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A funny parody of kung fu movies, 9 August 2005
Author: Terry Foty from Portland, Oregon US
Big Trouble in Little China is a parody of kung fu movies so don't expect to take this movie seriously. Still, it's a lot of fun and worth seeing.
Kurt Russell stars as Jack Burton, a likable blue-collar trucker who gets involved in a supernatural battle with an immortal sorcerer named Lo Pan. Russell bands together with a rag tag group in Chinatown to get inside Lo Pan's lair and rescue a green-eyed virgin who has been abducted by Lo Pan's Wing Kong Hatchet Men. What ensues are chases, escapes and kung fu fights, all of which are tongue-in-cheek. The fight sequences are very funny with Wing Kong Hatchet Men somersaulting through the air.
Russell, who has been in many John Carpenter films, is always good and he brings just the right light-hearted feel to this role. He has some great sarcastic lines in this film.
Kim Cattrall is very appealing as Gracie Law (this movie is before her role on the TV show Sex In The City.) You'll recognize veteran actors Victor Wong (as Egg Shen) and James Hong (as Lo Pan).
John Carpenter films always have some elements of comedy in them but Big Trouble in Little China is really the only true comedy Carpenter has made (possibly Memoirs of an Invisible Man could be considered a comedy.) One of the better Carpenter films. Recommended.
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John Carpenter & Kurt Russel For Two Hours What Could Be Better?, 22 July 2005
Author: davidhutch007 from Sheffield, England
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Whe i first saw this movie on TV about seven years ago i was unsure of what to make of it, i had seen John Carpenters other works but found this unfamiliar ground for him apart from the film starring Kurt Russel who never ceases to impress in a Carpenter film. Now having watched this more times than i can remember i love the comic genius that pops up in nearly every scene of the film and is a great reason to watch the film.
The cast is impressive but top billing was invented for a reason and thats why when Kurt Russel is top billing for a film you know in one way or another the film will be great. In this film the audience identifies with Russles character because like him we are in the mystery and along for the ride. There are some great fights that make the Matrix stick out like a sore thumb.
The film plays more on story, character and action more than anything else so don't be surprised that the special effects are not what Steve Spielberg or ILM have put together because this film really doesn't care, it just wants you along for the ride and speaking of which i think i might just watch it again!
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A True Classic. Excellent even if shallow. One of my FAVS!, 4 July 2005
Author: Josh Myers (myrothe) from United States
There are very few movies that I can watch over and over again and never lose interest. This is indeed one of them. Its hard to describe exactly what is so addictive about Big Trouble In Little China. Its cheezy, its over the top, and quite ridiculous at times. However its all put together so well. Its just one hell of a fun ride, from the opening credits to the end. There is high flying (even wire fighting) kung fu. There are likable characters (Kurt Russells JACK BURTON is like an over the top John Wayne with an Adonis complex). There is loads of humor, Chinese sorcery, Demons, swordplay, gun play, and an infinite amount of great, quotable lines ("Its all in the reflexes"). The soundtrack is top notch as well. Kind of a mix of Chinese electronic mixed with that John Carpenter action flick flare. It is also one of those rare 80's movies where the villains are fairly cool (rather than bumbling boobs). Just check out the three storms :) Anyway this isn't exactly a "deep" movie, but its well worth a watch or twenty. In fact this probably ranks as one of my top 3 favs of all time.
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Tons of fun, 1 July 2005
Author: mic-hell from Italy
Let's face it, this is just what kill bill pretends to be. I mean, a simple adventure movie fueled with martial arts and oriental philosophy (here Chinese rather than Japanese), extremely cool characters like Egg Shen or Thunder and cheesy but enjoyable special effects (like the magic fight between Lo Pen and Egg Shen or the eye-guardian). Plus, there is a lot of irony, mainly in the character of Jack Burton, when he does the tough guy or when he repeatly does stupid things and looks like a jerk. You'll laugh or smile nearly every time he'll appear on the screen. Not for the fine mouthed, but if you are bored, it's difficult to find something more funny, clever, entertaining, naive and exaggerated than Big Trouble.
And let the cinephile bore with Wim Wenders and Michelangelo Antonioni...
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John Carpenter may have reached his apex with this movie., 21 June 2005
Author: Lee Eisenberg (lme@lclark.edu) from Portland, Oregon, USA
Okay. The title should identify that this is not a serious movie. And believe you me, it isn't (I mean that positively). Kurt Russell plays Jack Burton, a truck driver who sounds like he spends all day watching reruns of sitcoms and Sylvester Stallone movies. Then, when Gracie Law (Kim Cattrall) is captured, Jack and several other people have to go underground in San Francisco's Chinatown to try and rescue her. Down there, they find evil sorcerer Lo Pan and his empire. From there, the movie is basically a litany of various forms of ass-kicking. My favorite scene was the fight scene where everyone is just flying at each other.
"Big Trouble in Little China" is completely silly - and rather ridiculous - from beginning to end, but the good kind of silly and ridiculous. If nothing else, the whole thing is worth seeing just to hear Kurt Russell's hilariously sarcastic comments.
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Lord what fun!, 1 June 2005
Author: el_nickster from Washington, DC USA
This may be John Carpenter's most enjoyable film. He busts out of horror to make an action/comedy that satirizes both American-style "two buddies with guns" flicks and Chinese kung fu action flicks. Don't let the movie's low marks with the critics fool you: the critics back in the 1980s didn't watch kung fu movies, so they didn't get the jokes! A rambling tough-guy truck driver gets lost in the city, and accidentally pulls his truck into the middle of a massive kung fu gang fight in Chinatown. As a result, he befriends a local Chinese guy whose fiancée has been kidnapped by a triad who follow an evil spirit (Loh Pan). Said evil spirit had decided to marry said fiancée himself, as part of a ritual to summon said evil spirit into the physical world. The two men lead a group of civic minded martial artists into the depths of the earth to rescue the fair maiden and put an end to the dastardly deeds of Loh Pan.
Okay, enough plot summary. This is one fun movie. Crazy feats of kung fu. Ridiculously campy dialog. Actually funny dialog. So-campy-its-funny dialog. A main character who can't do anything right. Whacky monsters that seem to be modeled after Ming figurines on your Aunt's coffee table. An old herbalist who dispenses super potions and fortune-cookie wisdom. Kung fu gang fights. Kung fu gun fights. Gorilla fu. Kurt Russel fu.
All that fu aside, there is a reason this is a cult classic. If you like cult films, you are going to like BTLC.
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The greatest adventure ever told, serial B-movie style..., 26 May 2005
Author: Tomius J. Barnard from United Kingdom
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Big Trouble in Little China isn't your average adventure movie. Sure, it's got the classic action sequences and all the beat 'em up elements, but it's done with just the right amount of tongue-in-cheek humour and over-the-top comic book antics, that it's weighed out into something real special. Only Carpenter could pull off this B-movie (on purpose), that really sets the stakes for an all-time classic and of course, your enjoyable adventure flick.
Jack Burton (Kurt Russell) is a trucker who gets caught up with his friend Wang (Dennis Dun) in a downtown Chinatown conspiracy. An age old Magician called Lo Pan is planning on returning from the spirit world and needs to sacrifice a girl with "green eyes" to do so. Wang's girlfriend fits that exact description, and she's caught and it's up to him to rescue her. Of course, Wang owes Jack money so Jack decides it's best to stick with Wang until he's paid up, but gets caught up in something out-of-this-world. Teaming up with some strange and memorable characters, Jack and Wang hit the underground warehouse for Lo Pan's operations, and involve themselves in a mission that will save Chinatown for ages to come!
It really is spectacular, with everybody performing to their best of ability. It's hard to explain the "feeling" you get from watching this movie, but it's a good one. Never before has an adventure made me feel so alive. In fact, it makes me want to go on this particular quest myself! I recommend it to the highest heavens: you won't be disappointed with John Carpenter's 1986 classic, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA.
Overall: The greatest adventure movie of all time: cinema at it's best. (5/5)
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Movie Ridicule Perfection, 16 March 2005
Author: Patrick Gray from United States
John Carpenter's "Big Trouble in Little China" is a recent personal favorite. Hero, Jack Burton goes on an oddball trip through Little China to discover secrets in Chinese Mysticism and the universal plot of obliteration schemed by the evil, yet lovable, David Lo Pan. Although many consider this film too obscure to be taken seriously, Carpenter's intention wasn't to make a serious "kung-fu action/adventure" film. At its best, it's a simple satire on generations of action and karate movies. While taking elements from the 80's, it becomes a time capsule holding all things sacred to film goers looking for a break from the monotony in the industry. I salute Mr. Carpenter for being ahead of his time to critique an unborn generation already in ruin with dead film.
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Chines Ghost Story with very high fun factor, 3 March 2005
Author: spacemonkey_fg from Puerto Rico
Title: Big Trouble in Little China
Director: Jhon Carpenter
Stars: Kurt Russel, Kim Katral, Dennis Dun, Victor Wong
Its been called by Jhon Carpenter a "Chinese ghost story" and I agree with him. I can safely say this is one of those movies that I have seen over a kagillion times, and I never get tired of it.
Its filled to the brim with Chinese lore, you know Chinese gods like Ching Dai, and Chinese ghosts like "Lo-Pan", and monsters like the "Chinese wild man" a monster thats a cross between chewbacka and a very deranged gorilla. Its all embellished in a Chinese style ghost story thats done to perfection by our old pal Jhon Carpenter.
The plot is about Jack, a San Francisco truck driver and Wang Chi the owner of the Chinese restaurant in San Francisco china town. Wang Chis fiancée named Maoyin is kidnapped by a gang of thugs called "The Lords of Death".
Jack joins Wang Chi in rescuing her, and in doing so go deeper into the world of Chinese ghosts and monsters. You see Lou Pan the bad guy, needs Maoyin to turn back into a human, see hes cursed with being a ghost forever.
Chaos is what follows. Or as Wang says "we really shook the pillars of heaven didn't we jack?"
The film is great fun, and most of that fun comes from the great characters in the film, I think its safe to say that all the characters are interesting and likable. Lets see we have:
Jack Burton- played by Kurt Russell is my favorite of the bunch. Some of his lines have me cracking up most of the time! Hes only in this for the dough. Or is he? Maybe underneath his rough exterior he just cares about his friends.
Wang Chi- played by Dennis Dun. Just a dude in love and willing to do anything to get his love back. And don't stand in his way, once hes got a sword in hand your in for some trouble.
Egg Chen- and old bus driver/tour guide/wise man who's also dwells a little in black magic and magic potions. Oh and he also carries around something called the "7 demon bag" so watch out.
Gracie Law- played by Kim Katrall, who plays this nosy lawyer willing to do anything to let the rest of the world know what is going on in the San Francisco underground sewers. And shes in love with Jack.
There's a whole Chinese temple underneath the streets of Chinatown in the world of Big Trouble in Little China!
It doesn't shy down in the special fx dept. It has visual fx left and right, lets see: green balls of flame, a guy who can manipulate lightning, magic power battles, people having sword fights in mid-air, and monsters with 50 eyeballs. You name it, its in there. And done well.
It doesn't disappoint in the action department either, we get karate fights all through out the movie, they pale a little in comparison to todays matrix-style fighting, but they are not all that bad.
Before martial arts were made cool by films like The Matrix and Hidden Dragon Crouching Tiger...there was Big Trouble in Little China, one of Jhon Carpenters best efforts!
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Entertaining fantasy fluff, 30 January 2005
Author: Fiendish_Dramaturgy from http://fiendishdramaturgy.elswet.com or leave a Private Message.
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Big Trouble in Little China is touted as one of Carpenter's many masterpieces. In fact, it's even touted by some Carpenter fans as his best movie. I have to disagree on both counts. While it is far from a "masterpiece," it is an enjoyable endeavor. But John Carpenter has done far superior work. The budget does not make the movie. (Look at "Gigli.") Big-named stars do not make the movie. (Look at "Gigli.") Personally, I thought "In the Mouth of Madness" was a much superior attempt.
When a big name moves out of their usual genre into that of Fantasy, there is almost always evidence of a large-scale rally of support for this move. Stephen King strayed from his horror genre into Fantasy by way of "Eyes of the Dragon." That was so well received by his horror-fan audience that he did more than stray; he dove head first into the "Dark Tower" series. That series has been phenomenally successful. Dean Koontz strayed from his usual political-thriller formula and wrote "Dragon's Tears." It did not fare as well as King's walkabout, but his fan base is not quite as large. Peter Jackson side-stepped the horror genre for a horror/fantasy when he did "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy which was also phenomenally successful. Wes Craven's "Vampire in Brooklyn" was his attempt at a horror/fantasy/comedy which was moderately well received. I'll stop here, as I'm sure you get the general idea.
Now, don't get me wrong. I believe a fan should support the work of the object of their devotion, but never blindly. A "star" (be they in front of the camera, behind the camera, or behind the scenes) deserves any level of devotion only if they are worthy. Only if their work is worthy. I am a Lucas fan. I've enjoyed all his movies. Yep. That's right. Every one, including the SW prequels. But I do not support his Star Wars OT money machine. I refuse to support him any further until he listens to the millions of fans who made him who he is today and gives us the OT in its original form. He has forgotten his fans; turned a deaf ear to us, and for that, he is usurped as the Fantasy King. Jackson sits on that throne today.
Carpenter should have stayed more within the boundaries of horror and action with this attempt, and dropped the comedic aspect all together. It is not his forté, and it shows. I found the levity to be distracting from the work, and rather out of place in this dark fantasy. He walked up to the bell, but would not ring it. To me, that shows a lack of courage and faith in his work. Had this been darker, had he put more of himself and less Hollywood in this work, it would have been a thousand times better.
The martial arts elements are obviously choreographed, but most movie martial arts are. This, however, was executed poorly, as you could virtually see the "dance feet" chalked on the floor. Step, two, three, Kick, two three. The villains telegraph from so far away, you would have had advance notice of their attacks days in advance.
The characters are cardboard cut outs of the worst stereotypes of the 1980's. Jack Burton is a macho tough guy with little or no brains, just brawn, and not much of that, either. Gracie Law is your typical ditsy blonde with too much mouth and very little brains to get in the way. The bad guys are in a gang, the heroine is dumpy and startlingly non-sexual, and you have the "cute" sidekick element. You also have a decent (but anti-climactic) clash of good wizard vs. cursed/evil wizard and their respective armies (which amount to a dozen or so men). There are some monsters, but in this critic's opinion, they were hokey and unintentionally factored into the comedic aspects of this movie. I was not afraid.
Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China is a shallow look into the virtual bottomless ocean that is Chinese theology, mythology, legend, and religious belief systems. It contains the elements of horror (however minuscule), comedy, mysticism, and fantasy. It is not a thinking person's work, nor is it of "masterpiece" quality and/or content.
It is entertaining, well enacted, nicely executed, and enjoyable. But it is a popcorn movie, and nothing more. It is not epically filmed. You will not be frightened, touched, or inspired. You will chuckle, but not laugh outright. You will neither be enlightened nor educated in the ways of these ancient people. You will merely be entertained.
For most movie goers, that element alone, is enough. If that is enough for you, then this movie will not let you down as long as you don't have expectations which exceed the real limits of this work.
For a much better fantasy, I recommend "The Dark Crystal," or "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."
It rates a 7.2/10 from...
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A Flawed Classic, 24 November 2002
Author: Graphic from Baltimore
I'm quite aware that this movie is far from perfect. But most of us have a soft spot for some corny movie that were sick of, seen a million times since we were toddlers, know by heart, and still love.
This movie is a personal classic of mine. I must have seen this movie a hundred times, literally. At least 3-6 times a year. I can recite the script in my sleep but every time I see it, it's a blast...if only for a little nostalgia.
10/10
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Surprisingly OK fantasy comedy, 29 October 2002
Author: soranno from Las Vegas, Nevada
Kurt Russell may seem miscast here but he manages to make his role as a truck driver who goes underneath San Francisco's Chinatown district and battles evil spirits with magical powers a little better than one might expect. Not as good as a similiarly themed film from the same year called "The Golden Child" but an amusing and fairly enjoyable fantasy nonetheless.
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CLASSIC STRANGE MOVIE!!!, 25 August 2002
Author: Steve Sandberg (flodman123@aol.com) from Illinois
There are many strange movies in America these days, most of them I'm not too impressed with. I watched Big Trouble in Little China, almost John Carpenter's best but just behind the Thing, and loved it. It's amazing. Great special effects, Kurt Russell's hilarious Jack Burton, extremely funny lines, cool martial arts fighting, and just a completely strange but brilliant plot. I just love how Kurt Russell portrayed Jack Burton, it's definitely his most amazing performance. I end my review saying this, everything about this movie is great, it deserves a 10 out of 10 and that is what it got from me.
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Must See, 1 August 2002
Author: jdier from United States
This is a must see for any Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, or David Carpenter fan.
DVD watchers make sure to listen to the director commentary. It is basically Russell and Carpenter sitting around smoking and drinking beers while they watch the movie. Worthy of a rental just for that track!
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Silly but quite good fun to watch, 25 July 2002
Author: bob the moo from Birmingham, UK
Jack Burton is a trucker who agrees to pick his friend's fiancée. However Chi's fiancée has green eyes making her a target for immortal sorcerer Lo Pan. Jack loses both his truck and the girl to Lo Pan's warriors and must do battle with the spirits to get them back.
John Carpenter seems to be cursed to do bad movies recently. However this was made back when his name before the title meant something and this manages to be good simply because it's quite fun to watch with your tongue in your cheek. The plot is silly, the action daft and the characters exaggerated, but yet this is all done with some charm and actually makes this a better film.
The weaknesses are that it's silly of course and some may find it to be just brainless fodder – which it probably is in fairness. A bigger failing is that the martial arts action just isn't very good. Compare it to movies made in HK about the same time and you'll see what I mean. Why Carpenter didn't make it better is beyond me. However if you buy into the sense of fun then these are minor.
Russell is good with his Clint Eastwood impression actually being good for a laugh and Cattrall seems to be enjoying herself too. Many of the Oriental characters are caricatures but lets not forget this is juts an action comedy and not an art movie!
Overall it's silly with average action scenes. However for some reason it manages to be better than it's parts and is actually quite good fun to watch.
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"Have you paid your dues, Jack?", 14 July 2002
Author: mamitag
You HAVE to just let this movie take you where it's going. Don't fight it, don't question it. Kurt Russell says on the DVD commentary that this movie only works because all the actors are in the same movie; no one is trying to make it what it cannot be. This may be so, but in my opinion the CHARACTERS are all in different movies, often at different times! We've got romance, adventure, comedy, horror, mysticism, and martial arts, with a big dial that is supposed to point to the overriding mood, but it keeps getting moved. If you agree with this movie, you'll love it. Fight it, and you'll be miserable.
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Definately a film like no other, 19 June 2002
Author: Krug Stillo (nhargii@hotmail.com) from England
John Carpenter upset a lot of people releasing his unsociable alien in The Thing on a public still in the friendly alien E.T. hype. Unprepared cinema-goers and a case of bad timing forced Carpenter into a state of purgatory. Leaving his usual flair for horror behind him, he directed the family friendly sci-fi, Starman (1984) and followed its success with Big Trouble in Little China; definately a movie like no other...
Kurt Russell plays the loud mouthed, hopelessly inept, reluctant 'hero', Jack Burton. This comedic character demands the money owed to him by his friend, Wang. Before you can even say the title of this film, Wang's fioncee gets kidnapped, Jack's truck gets stolen and they're both up to their necks in mysticism, wizardry, monsters and Kung Fu experts.
As has been the problem with previous Carpenter and Russell vehicles (The Thing & Escape from New York), Big Trouble in Little China was a film way ahead of its time. It failed at the box office in 1986, despite high production values, an original concept, great photography and your usual superb synthersizer score from Carpenter. After this disappointment Carpenter left the studio, returning to independent filmmaking for Prince of Darkness (1987).
The DVD (both regions) has a great commentary and really conveys exactly how funny Big Trouble in Little China is meant to be. It's also loaded with extras, one of which is the music video performed by The Coupe de Villes (a band comprising of John Carpenter, Tommy Wallace (director of Halloween III) and Nick Castle (Michael Myers in the original Halloween). If you haven't seen this film and have a taste for something completely different, then it's worth seeking out.
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It deserved a trilogy, 13 May 2002
Author: Tasos Tz. from London, England
I believe that most people first saw 'Big Trouble in Little China' on video. It is one of those 80's action/thriller movies that gained a cult status along with 'Back to the future', 'Fright Night', 'Predator' and 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'.
The production design is absolutely marvelous. Every set is a work of art and it is presented with economy and style. Curt Rusell is magnificent as the laid back truck driver and the rest of the cast is excellent too.
The martial arts scenes are probably the best ones ever filmed in Hollywood. John Carpenter's direction is simply excellent and he had to deal with possibly the most demanding project he ever worked with. Humor, action and horror are combined flawlessly from beginning to end.
An absolute classic that totally deserved a sequel, even a trilogy.
10/10 (they don't make 'em like that any more)
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Great Action-Comedy, 11 May 2002
Author: LuboLarsson from Scotland
Viewed as what it is a tongue in cheek action-comedy, this film really is a treat. Kurt Russell is great as the "hero" of the film, that is he thinks he's a hero, but really he's a bit of an idiot! Thats where the humour comes in, and Kurt is great as this sort of character, similar to the one he played in Tango and Cash. This film was directed by John Carpenter, back when he made decent films i.e before around 1987. This isn't as good as Russell and Carpenters films like Escape from New York or The Thing but then it's a diffrent sort of film. The martial arts in the film is superbly done and that plus the comedy make up for the dodgy storyline. Another plus point is Sex in the City star Kim Catrall, she's a great comedy actres and is very nice to look at. If only John Carpenter could still make films of this quality. I recommend th DVD as it features a light hearted commentary by star and director. ***7/10***
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Classic Kung-fu movie that never gets old!, 1 May 2002
Author: evenbetter (evenbetter@writeme.com)
Big Trouble in Little China, in my opinion, is one of the best movies to come out of the 80's, although it appeared with little fanfare.
The story goes like this: Jack Burton and his truck (The Pork Chop Express) travel to San Francisco's China Town to deliver a shipment. While there, he reunites with an old friend, Wang Chi, who, consequently, is getting married in a few days. Unfortunately, Lo Pan, an ancient Chinese demon/sorcerer/businessman has his sights set on the same women because only a green-eyed girl can restore his mortality. Eventually, Jack and Wang go on an adventure to rescue a whole bevy of women with green eyes and stop Lo Pan before he can rule the universe.
The best elements of Big Trouble in Little China are the characters and the situations that develop between them. The Three Storms are defintely a great addition to the movie, and the intense fight sequences were ahead of their time. The "big final fight" between the "good" and "bad" gangs is hilarious, exciting, and special-effects laden including: a sort of magical game of "Mortal Kombat"; a man kicking another man 3 times in row (very quickly); Wang and Rain sword fighting in *mid-air*; and Jack Burton displaying his amazing throwing arm ("It's all in the reflexes").
Oh, and Kurt Russel's portrayal of Jack Burton is timeless and very funny. He's not totally brainless as some might lead on; I think he doesn't totally understand (or want to understand) the magical things that are occuring, but he nevertheless continues because his friendship with Wang.... and he wants his truck back.
"Do you know what Jack Burton says in a time like this?"
"Who?"
"Jack Burton; *me*!"
<Wang flips in and gives Jack the nod>
"Ol' Jack always says, 'What the hell..'"
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Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
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Don't try to pigeonhole it - you'll just get a headache, 11 January 2001
Author: Gislef from Iowa City, IA
Big Trouble is quite simple a comedy-action movie. It has no other purpose. Carpenter isn't trying to make any big statements, or send a message, or even really engage the audience to do anything other then ooh at the action sequences and laugh at the funny stuff. There's no moral. He's having fun: Kurt Russell is having fun. Everyone is having fun. All Carpenter wants you to do is sit down and have as much fun as he had making this. Grab some popcorn, grab a few friends, sit down and watch this late-night, and have a ball.
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We used to have a word for this: 'Bitchin', 9 January 2001
Author: Mr Pants (maestropants@yahoo.com) from Columbus, Ohio
This really is a movie for junior-high school boys, isn't it? it has broad stereotypical representations, ridiculously complex backstory, and only the very slightest understandings of interactions between men and women. This is not to say it's a *bad* movie ... it's a GREAT BAD MOVIE!
The portrayal of Chinese/Chinese-Americans here is tempered quite a bit by Kurt Russell's overblown John Wayne performance. It seems to tell us, "if you think this is what the Chinese are really like, well then, this is how *Americans* look in the same light." It also helps that the American is clueless and ultimately is mostly a tag-along who utters macho comments of dubious wit along the way.
Its treatment of love is no less broad, with Jack Burton and Gracie Law's inexplicable attraction, that seems to be built up only so it can't be dropped (in true macho style) at the end. If you're not too PC to see through all this, it is absolutely hilarious.
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big fun in little china, 3 January 2001
Author: mcfly-31 from anaheim, ca
Though a bit incoherent at times, this is a terrific all-out adventure full of bizarre imagery for fans of the genre. Russell is perfect as a John Wayne wannabe, a guy who tries to be cool, but always comes up short. As a truck driver who squawks macho advice into his cb radio, his aid is enlisted when his buddy's fiance is kidnapped. They (and a handful of others) head into the Chinese underground to rescue her from marrying an ancient Chinese sorcerer named David (that's Chinese?) Lo Pan. Since the girl has green eyes, Lo Pan can become young again by marrying her. Russell and co. must endure tons of life threatening situations as they find their way through the hidden world underneath the streets of San Franciso's Chinatown. Lo Pan's cohorts are after them, and being affiliated with a sorcerer, they have powers all their own. Characters such as Rain, Thunder and Lightning, who can fly and know martial arts, are constantly battling Russell and his gang. It's a bit unclear as to why they aren't just killed, but only tied up or blindfolded and locked into a room. Also, it's never really explained who Lo Pan is or his origin, but the key for me in any movie is pacing, and this thing zips by nicely. The beginning is great as we're introduced to Russell as the egotistical hero, then plunged right into the action during a scene at an airport. The rest of the cast is great, Kattrall as the cute female lead, Hong is a hoot as Lo Pan, appearing at several different ages and types of make-up, Wong as the unfazed smart-ass Egg-Shenn, and despite what some others said, I thought Dennis Dun (Wang) was a decent enough actor. But it's no doubt that Russell is the star, with his sarcastic line readings, such as Dun telling him "My destiny rests in your capable hands," to which he responds annoyed, "Hey, I'll do my best". Or when he refers to the powerful, dangerous Lo Pan as simply "Dave". The only thing that brings this down from perfection is the two over-extended fight scenes at the front and end of the film. They go on WAY too long and are so chaotic that they make your head spin. I mean, if I had to watch Dun and that one guy leap into the air and slam their swords together as they fly across the room one more time, I wouldda screamed. Aside from that, this is just pure, mindless fun, with a terrific end credits song written and performed (except for vocals) by director Carpenter, that's become one of my favorite tunes over the years. He uses his trademark synthesizers, also incorporating some traditional Chinese music sounds along with a great beat. And despite a set-up for a sequel, there has yet to be a return of Jack Burton and the Pork Chop Express. Which may be good, as it would be tough to top what they cranked out here, one of the better adventure films over the years.
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I had to see it a second time to like it; now I love it., 28 November 2000
Author: Bill Cernansky from USA, Earth
I saw this movie when it came out in the theaters in 1986. It was basically marketed as an action drama. I hated it; it was unrealistic and the characters did unbelievable things. I didn't understand the motivation for Carpenter to make this film.
I didn't see it again for about two years. The second time was an epiphany; well this film is a comedy! I didn't get it the first time. It wasn't just a comedy; it was really, really funny.
This movie attracts my attention whenever it pops up on the tube. My old recorded-from-Cinemax copy wore out years ago, and I look forward to seeing it on DVD (hurry up DVD!). Kurt Russell is a hoot; genuine in the role of a knows-less-than-he-thinks truck driver.
The story is so original and so non-categorical that you can't explain it. Chop-socky Asian-American comedy-adventure supernatural superhero/supervillain action drama is the closest I can describe it, and I'm still miles away.
Personally, I think this film is much better than "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai", which has achieved cult status for no reason I can figure. Well acted, well directed, and very funny.
It's all in the reflexes.
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JACK BURTON. ME!, 21 November 2000
Author: cj102100 from humid in houston
this movie took about four years to grow on me. now it is one of my favorites. it is a movie that defies pigeonholing, classification, or definition. when people ask about it, i just say: rent it and watch it. i hope the dvd release (when it happens) will be a collector's edition, not a disappointment like the just released escape from new york. i can't wait.
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This is a fun movie with a lot of action., 5 November 2000
Author: jgusw from USA
If you like action/comedy movies, then you should take a look at this. It has a lot of action and a lot of laughs. The kids will love it. As for adults, you will probably hate this movie or love it. A must see if you have kids.
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This is a fun movie with a lot of action., 5 November 2000
Author: jgusw from USA
If you like action/comedy movies, then you should take a look at this. It has a lot of action and a lot of laughs. The kids will love it. As for adults, you will probably hate this movie or love it. A must see if you have kids.
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The Ultimate B-Movie., 22 September 2000
Author: Jonny Russell from Liverpool, England
In these days of outstanding but grim films like 'Fight Club' and 'American History X' it's good to know that one time there were films like this one which made you feel good about life. 'Big Trouble in little China' is a grossly underrated film, once more film critic's around the world show how they've got their heads shoved up their A**'s when it comes to stuff like this, how could a film with so much going for it, (i.e/ Superb Dialogue, outstanding performances (O.K not from Wang), great direction, and some of the funniest scenes I've ever seen in movies.) can be called "Boring", and "Over-blown" is beyond me.
Even if you disliked the film itself you'd have to admire the way it fits in so many different genre's of film into one! Highlights include Jack's monologes over his CB radio, the airport scene ('Where that come from?'), The hilarious anti-climatic ending, ('Goodbye mister Burton') and the wheelchair/well scene (trust me it's funny)
It's a hellova shame that in these days where you can pick up sh*t like "BASEketball" and "Space Marines" on DVD you can't buy a kick-ass film like this, so I urge you to go out today and pick yourself up a VHS copy of a truely great film, Laugh at Kurt Russell's Jack 'John Wayne' Burton, Wonder how the hell Wang was ever allowed to act in a film and ponder why this film isn't in 'the top 250 films ever' on this very site. (For god's sake even the 'Fight Club' rip off 'American Beauty' is!!) Maybe one day we'll be able to hear 'It's all in the reflex's' in a crisp DVD transfer. God I hope so.
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another Carpenter classic, 27 August 2000
Author: dx4lifexpac (dx4lifexpac@aol.com) from new york
in the 70's and 80's there is no better director then John Carpenter once again he brings us a classic with the great Kurt Russell, Big Trouble In Little China is so much fun to watch, |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:21 PM Author: startled emerald party of the first part principal's office haha. My lawyering prof is a pretty cool guy.
Edit: any idea on the number of people who fail lawyering? I've not heard anything one way or the other. I've put forth a half-ass effort on everything so far. |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:23 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center uh, I seriously don't know if I'm going to pass lawyering. She barely even reads my stuff before rejecting it. This is the fucking second time she's rejected this particular assignment (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919661) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:26 PM Author: startled emerald party of the first part principal's office Sounds like she has alternative evaluation criteria that should be pretty easy to adapt to. I'd rather pass by turning in my assignments at the last minute and drinking with classmates than by actually earning it through diligent effort. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919678) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:27 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center well me too, except I can't do shit about it now. I'm flagged as the problem kid in class whose shit is always going to be scrutinized (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919692) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:25 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center to your edit: I don't know, but I'd like to ask if I could get into a different lawyering group. doubtless I'd be denied, and that would be all the more reason to reject my work.
If you fail lawyering, you might as well drop out of school |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:35 PM Author: Mauve greedy deer antler ape (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919744) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:37 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center God I'd love to switch. I am very seriously considering requesting a switch and dropping out if they decline.
I can't possibly pass lawyering anyway at this rate. |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 11:15 PM Author: bearded cheese-eating juggernaut This movie occupied most my junior high years. Action, suspense, cheesy diaologue, and martial arts galore. What more could you ask for from a b-movie that is clearly a b-movie? Carpenter and the cast and crew must have had a blast on this film because I can't think of a single movie that combines some of my favorite things about movies: Action, comedy, violence, martial arts, and a small tour bus driver named Egg who also knows a little magic. Magic indeed. This is movie magic. Agree or disagree, you can't deny that Carpenter succeeded on all levels when he made this movie. Saturday matineeish? Yes. B-movie cheese? Yes. Pure movie-going fun? Absolutely. Watch and enjoy.
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18 out of 18 people found the following comment useful :-
Do you believe in magic?, 31 August 2004
Author: mastac-1 from United Kingdom
Despite his recent slide into mediocrity, John Carpenter is responsible for what could be termed some of the biggest cult movies of the 1980's. Following his resounding success with Halloween he went on to direct a number of quirky yet excellent movies that began to tail of toward the end of the 80's with the release of such dross as Prince of Darkness. Carpenters movies are probably some of the most under appreciated pictures of recent cinema history on a commercial level, and none more so than perhaps one of his finest, the delightfully absurd action movie Big Trouble in Little China.
The plot is as daft as they come. Loud mouthed truck driver Jack Burton (played by Carpenter's long time collaborator Kurt Russell) arrives in San Francisco's Chinatown where he agrees to help out old friend Wang (played by Denis Dun) by driving him to the airport to pick up his green eyed fiancé. Things quickly go south however when a band of street punks kidnap the girl and the motley duo set off in pursuit. The pair soon find themselves caught in the middle of gang war that takes on a decidedly mythical bent and are forced to flee while Jack's truck is stolen. All this occurs within the first fifteen to twenty minutes.
If there's one thing you can say about Big Trouble, it's that it's action packed. The plot (such as it is) moves at an incredible pace and the film rarely slows to take breath as it rolls from one action set piece to the next. In such movies, normally the dialogue, and subsequently the acting suffer from a lack of any real attention. Not so here. Carpenter balances everything so perfectly that it's a wonder his career took such a slide. Although the actual story may be incredibly absurd and at times suffers from some rather obvious gaps of logic, the dialogue never fails to sparkle. Russell gives his very best wise ass shtick as Burton, the confused have a go hero who's so out of his depth he should really be fish bait, while Dun excels with a character who is consistently more heroic and capable than the lead. Another wonderful turn comes from an appearance by a young Kim Cattrall (of Sex and the City fame) as Gracie Law, a downmarket lawyer with an ability to talk at incredible speed. Some of the scenes between these three are pure comic genius, as Dun and Cattrall rattle out plot information at a rapid staccato pace while an increasingly bewildered Russell tries desperately to keep up.
Despite such positive remarks, Big Trouble was perhaps one of Carpenter's biggest commercial flops. While many of the movie's fans find this difficult to understand I do not. The reason for its failure is really incredibly simple. In terms of its style and the underlying comedy behind the piece, Carpenter's loving part tribute, part send up of all things Kung Fu was way ahead of the curve in every important respect. Take the relationship between our 'hero' Jack and his 'sidekick' Wang. The true dynamic of this relationship is a wonderfully post modern slant on the cliché buddy dynamic that existed in the 80's and it was done long before post modernist humour became truly fashionable in films (the most obvious example of post modern piece of cinema being Scream). Despite receiving star billing, Russell's Jack is actually a sidekick to Wang. While Wang has the knowledge, the skill and the courage to make him a true classic hero figure, Jack lags behind, being brash, ignorant and of little actual use in a fight. Similarly the action, although remarkably quaint by today's standards in both its look and execution, is a surprisingly accurate foreshadow of the current Hollywood move toward the more graceful, balletic chaos exhibited by movies like The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Ultimately Big Trouble in Little China is a movie that survived thanks to the home video market and for that we can only be grateful. While its looks may have aged, its sense of humour and style is as fresh today as the day it first rolled out in cinemas. In short, it's pure escapist magic.
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17 out of 19 people found the following comment useful :-
Carpenter catches the spirit of the B grade serial flic 100 times better than Spielberg, 28 July 1999
Author: johnv-3 from texas
What can one say. The movie plays like one of those great old comic books you read as a kid. The dialogue is so cartoonish that you expect to see balloons appear above the characters heads. The acting is excellent, with everyone taking a tongue in cheek approach and obviously having a good time making the film. Some of the best fight scenes in recent memory, with everyone "kung-fu fighting" at the drop of a hat. Kurt Russel is a hoot as the more than slightly dumb macho hero. Cartoon violence minus the gore, humourous special effects, evil magicians, green eyed damsels in distress, even a monster or two.
A great film for a night of light movies! See it if you get a chance!
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11 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-
This John Carpenter movie has it all!, 23 October 1999
Author: Simon (simon@dawsoncity.co.uk) from N.Ireland
If you`ve ever heard of the director John Carpenter, you`ll be familiar with his works (of art), like Hallowe`en, Escape From New York, Assault On Precient 13, The Thing, They Live, and this movie, a mid 80`s classic starring none other than Carpenter`s favourite front man, Kurt Russell. Set in Chinatown, Los Angeles, its a modern day fable of good versus evil, Chinese black magic, the hero storms the castle type affair. Russell plays Jack Burton, a wise cracking long distance truck triver and all American hero, passing through Chinatown on some business. After a card game with old friend Wang Chi (Dennis Dun), Wang (now penniless thanks to Burton`s good fortune) pursuades Jack to drive him to the airport, to pick up his childhood sweetheart, a girl Wang has not seen since they were children. Its here the story begins, as Mao Yin, Wang`s girlfriend, is captured by a mysterious gang. The two form a pact to rescue the girl from the clutches of the evil Lo Pan, former crimelord of Chinatown, a myth who has apparently lived to the age of almost 200, with a little help from some black magic.
Thats it, I`m saying no more, cos I don`t want to spoil it. You`ve probably seen the movie anyway.
Its hard to pick a favourite John Carpenter film, very hard, but this one has it all. Its a great action movie, a great comedy, an original story, great lines, and even a love story, a perfect blend of what big screen entertainment should be. Its strange though, that the ending was left so open, begging for a sequel that was never made.
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10 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-
Its all in the reflexes, 24 July 2001
Author: lenny from old bridge new jersey
Now let me just speak my peace before some of you either laugh at me or totally agree with me but i feel Big Trouble in Little China is one of the greatest movies of all time!! Actually it is my favorite movie of all time!! Yes i know such movies as Saving Private Ryan, Shawshank Redemption, or even Willy Wonka might be looked upon as better movies but i say "Who Cares!!!" Big trouble in Little China is a fun movie that you can sit back on a lonely night and just enjoy. The plot is pretty basic and that is why it is easy to follow. Yet the acting of Kurt Russell alone makes the movie. Im not saying this just because i am a BIG KR fan but he just does a wonderful job in this movie as a Truck drive who has no clue on whats going on but just goes with the flow! The witty lines of Kurt Russell in this movie are some of the funniest lines i have ever heard come from an actors mouth.. I mean the whole part of Lo-pan and Jack in the wheelchair is one of the funniest peices of material i have ever seen on the big screen... Well gtg and just remember if some wild 8ft tall monster grabs the back of your favorite head and slams it aganist the bar room wall and ask if you paid your dues!!??! well just tell him what ole jack always says.. " Yes sir the check is in the mail"
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8 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
John Caprenter's opus magnum, 11 January 2000
Author: unclebyblood from The U.S. of A
John Carpenter really steps away from his usual fare in this easy going `fortune-cookie theater' parody that was originally the manuscript for the second Buckaroo Banzai movie. It features a cast of pithy characters, bizarre and memorable dialogue, entertaining special effects and fight scenes that are well choreographed by western standards.
For those of you who already love John Carpenter, prepare for one of his finest moments. In 1987 Carpenter's sentimental sci-fi-side made `Starman' an instant classic and in 1984 his tense, brooding gothism made `Prince of Darkness' truly frightening. Sandwiched in-between these movie greats is the 1986 production of `Big Trouble on Little China', where eastern martial arts mysticism meets John Wayne bravado with zany and often absurdly hilarious results. How can you not love a movie unwilling to take itself too seriously while at the same time still managing to keep a straight face?
Carpenter's skills as a director, producer and songwriter come together in this film to produce what many consider to be his finest work. Big Trouble' s theme and content naturally compliments Carpenter's style of cynical humor, flashy cinematic expression and loose, caricature-esque development of memorable story line figures. If this isn't his opus magnum then it is at least one of his greatest moments as a director.
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7 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
Why this movie is the greatest movie of all time, 6 October 2004
Author: Nick Barnhardt (phoenix_united_@hotmail.com) from Madison, Indiana
Big Trouble in Little China is one of the few films that generally impressed me and didn't give off a "fake" feeling like a lot of movies that are coming out today. I grew up watching this movie almost every day, and I continue to do so now. The characters in this movie are played very well, especially Kurt Russell's part as Jack Burton. The movie blends action, comedy, and even some science fiction/horror, all the while staying solid instead of seeming like a bunch of unrelated parts thrown together. If you are a fan of John Carpenter, Kurt Russell, action movies, the 80's, or a fan of great films, definitely check this one out. In fewer words, run out and BUY Big Trouble in Little China right now!
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3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Plain fun, 20 May 2002
Author: jrgirones (jrgirones@arenysdemar.com) from Arenys de Mar, Catalonia, Spain
This demonstrates the talent of John Carpenter: a movie that would have been ridiculous in other director's hands, here appears as one of the greatest and funniest cinematic jokes of all times. Everyone involved is aware of that and the feeling that they amused themselves a lot during the making of is trespassed to the viewers. I think it's not the director's finest at all (have you seen "The night of Halloween"?) and in some moments it even has the structure of a kung-fu computer game, but it's only intentional and self-conscious plain fun and that redeems it. Don't take it seriously and enjoy the marvelous fighting scenes!
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3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Best adventure/fantasy flick made ever, 23 February 2001
Author: journeyman_steve from midwest USA
John Carpenter's career peaked with Big Trouble in Little China -- and what a peak it is. No other director/writer has attempted to create what Carpenter did in the 80's. Why this took so long to come to DVD is beyond me. This movie makes the best mix of cavalier anti-heroes, humorous villains, dark magic overtones, and good old fashioned fight scenes (done up as a mix of kung fu with old west shoot-em-up).
Those who don't like this movie don't get it's inherent self-deprecatory theme. This movie is all about fun. If you don't get it, see a doctor about your broken funny bone!
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5 out of 7 people found the following comment useful :-
This movie moves me, 30 November 1998
Author: hatter from North Haven, Connecticut
Give this movie a ten, it has more excitement and pure fun than almost any other, John Carpenter has constructed a masterpiece. This movie is awesome, It's got Kurt Russell at his best. Every line that he says just rocks. This picture is the most unique film that had come around in years when it was released. Nothing comes close to its ingenuity or classic mixture of Chinese mythology. If you don't watch it I will personally search out and destroy you. Like some dude up there said, just chill with your popcorn snacks and drinks, and saddle up, because it's going to be one hell of a ride!
Also Known As:
John Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China (USA) (complete title)
Runtime: 99 min
Country: USA
Language: English / Cantonese
Color: Color (DeLuxe)
Sound Mix: 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) / Dolby (35 mm prints)
Certification: Australia:M / Canada:14A / Finland:K-16 / France:U / Norway:15 / Norway:16 (1986) / Sweden:15 / UK:15 / USA:PG-13 / West Germany:12 (w) / Germany:16 (special edition) / Singapore:PG / Iceland:14 (original rating) / Iceland:16 (video rating) / Spain:13
Trivia: Some of the lightning forms a Chinese symbol as it disappears. The symbol translates as "carpenter". This film was directed by John Carpenter. (more)
Goofs: Continuity: Jack Burton's Harley Davidson ballcap at the end of the film is different than the one he wears at the beginning. (more)
Quotes:
[first lines]
Pinstripe lawyer: Okay. But if I'm gonna be your attorney, then there are a few things I need to make clear. Like... you really believe in magic?
Egg Shen: You mean Chinese black magic?
Pinstripe lawyer: Yes, I suppose.
Egg Shen: Oh, absolutely.
Pinstripe lawyer: And, uh, things like spooks and demons and goblins?
Egg Shen: Oh, sure. And sorcery.
Pinstripe lawyer: And I suppose you expect me to believe in sorcery as well?
Egg Shen: Of course!
Pinstripe lawyer: Why?
[...]
(more)
Awards: 1 nomination (more)
BIG TROUBLE IN...
Memorabilia
Books | All Products
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User Comments:
8 out of 9 people found the following comment useful:-
John Caprenter's opus magnum, 11 January 2000
Author: unclebyblood from The U.S. of A
John Carpenter really steps away from his usual fare in this easy going `fortune-cookie theater' parody that was originally the manuscript for the second Buckaroo Banzai movie. It features a cast of pithy characters, bizarre and memorable dialogue, entertaining special effects and fight scenes that are well choreographed by western standards.
For those of you who already love John Carpenter, prepare for one of his finest moments. In 1987 Carpenter's sentimental sci-fi-side made `Starman' an instant classic and in 1984 his tense, brooding gothism made `Prince of Darkness' truly frightening. Sandwiched in-between these movie greats is the 1986 production of `Big Trouble on Little China', where eastern martial arts mysticism meets John Wayne bravado with zany and often absurdly hilarious results. How can you not love a movie unwilling to take itself too seriously while at the same time still managing to keep a straight face?
Carpenter's skills as a director, producer and songwriter come together in this film to produce what many consider to be his finest work. Big Trouble' s theme and content naturally compliments Carpenter's style of cynical humor, flashy cinematic expression and loose, caricature-esque development of memorable story line figures. If this isn't his opus magnum then it is at least one of his greatest moments as a director.
Big Trouble in Little China is a parody of kung fu movies so don't expect to take this movie seriously. Still, it's a lot of fun and worth seeing.
Kurt Russell stars as Jack Burton, a likable blue-collar trucker who gets involved in a supernatural battle with an immortal sorcerer named Lo Pan. Russell bands together with a rag tag group in Chinatown to get inside Lo Pan's lair and rescue a green-eyed virgin who has been abducted by Lo Pan's Wing Kong Hatchet Men. What ensues are chases, escapes and kung fu fights, all of which are tongue-in-cheek. The fight sequences are very funny with Wing Kong Hatchet Men somersaulting through the air.
Russell, who has been in many John Carpenter films, is always good and he brings just the right light-hearted feel to this role. He has some great sarcastic lines in this film.
Kim Cattrall is very appealing as Gracie Law (this movie is before her role on the TV show Sex In The City.) You'll recognize veteran actors Victor Wong (as Egg Shen) and James Hong (as Lo Pan).
John Carpenter films always have some elements of comedy in them but Big Trouble in Little China is really the only true comedy Carpenter has made (possibly Memoirs of an Invisible Man could be considered a comedy.) One of the better Carpenter films. Recommended.
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John Carpenter & Kurt Russel For Two Hours What Could Be Better?, 22 July 2005
Author: davidhutch007 from Sheffield, England
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Whe i first saw this movie on TV about seven years ago i was unsure of what to make of it, i had seen John Carpenters other works but found this unfamiliar ground for him apart from the film starring Kurt Russel who never ceases to impress in a Carpenter film. Now having watched this more times than i can remember i love the comic genius that pops up in nearly every scene of the film and is a great reason to watch the film.
The cast is impressive but top billing was invented for a reason and thats why when Kurt Russel is top billing for a film you know in one way or another the film will be great. In this film the audience identifies with Russles character because like him we are in the mystery and along for the ride. There are some great fights that make the Matrix stick out like a sore thumb.
The film plays more on story, character and action more than anything else so don't be surprised that the special effects are not what Steve Spielberg or ILM have put together because this film really doesn't care, it just wants you along for the ride and speaking of which i think i might just watch it again!
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A True Classic. Excellent even if shallow. One of my FAVS!, 4 July 2005
Author: Josh Myers (myrothe) from United States
There are very few movies that I can watch over and over again and never lose interest. This is indeed one of them. Its hard to describe exactly what is so addictive about Big Trouble In Little China. Its cheezy, its over the top, and quite ridiculous at times. However its all put together so well. Its just one hell of a fun ride, from the opening credits to the end. There is high flying (even wire fighting) kung fu. There are likable characters (Kurt Russells JACK BURTON is like an over the top John Wayne with an Adonis complex). There is loads of humor, Chinese sorcery, Demons, swordplay, gun play, and an infinite amount of great, quotable lines ("Its all in the reflexes"). The soundtrack is top notch as well. Kind of a mix of Chinese electronic mixed with that John Carpenter action flick flare. It is also one of those rare 80's movies where the villains are fairly cool (rather than bumbling boobs). Just check out the three storms :) Anyway this isn't exactly a "deep" movie, but its well worth a watch or twenty. In fact this probably ranks as one of my top 3 favs of all time.
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Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
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A funny parody of kung fu movies, 9 August 2005
Author: Terry Foty from Portland, Oregon US
Big Trouble in Little China is a parody of kung fu movies so don't expect to take this movie seriously. Still, it's a lot of fun and worth seeing.
Kurt Russell stars as Jack Burton, a likable blue-collar trucker who gets involved in a supernatural battle with an immortal sorcerer named Lo Pan. Russell bands together with a rag tag group in Chinatown to get inside Lo Pan's lair and rescue a green-eyed virgin who has been abducted by Lo Pan's Wing Kong Hatchet Men. What ensues are chases, escapes and kung fu fights, all of which are tongue-in-cheek. The fight sequences are very funny with Wing Kong Hatchet Men somersaulting through the air.
Russell, who has been in many John Carpenter films, is always good and he brings just the right light-hearted feel to this role. He has some great sarcastic lines in this film.
Kim Cattrall is very appealing as Gracie Law (this movie is before her role on the TV show Sex In The City.) You'll recognize veteran actors Victor Wong (as Egg Shen) and James Hong (as Lo Pan).
John Carpenter films always have some elements of comedy in them but Big Trouble in Little China is really the only true comedy Carpenter has made (possibly Memoirs of an Invisible Man could be considered a comedy.) One of the better Carpenter films. Recommended.
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John Carpenter & Kurt Russel For Two Hours What Could Be Better?, 22 July 2005
Author: davidhutch007 from Sheffield, England
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Whe i first saw this movie on TV about seven years ago i was unsure of what to make of it, i had seen John Carpenters other works but found this unfamiliar ground for him apart from the film starring Kurt Russel who never ceases to impress in a Carpenter film. Now having watched this more times than i can remember i love the comic genius that pops up in nearly every scene of the film and is a great reason to watch the film.
The cast is impressive but top billing was invented for a reason and thats why when Kurt Russel is top billing for a film you know in one way or another the film will be great. In this film the audience identifies with Russles character because like him we are in the mystery and along for the ride. There are some great fights that make the Matrix stick out like a sore thumb.
The film plays more on story, character and action more than anything else so don't be surprised that the special effects are not what Steve Spielberg or ILM have put together because this film really doesn't care, it just wants you along for the ride and speaking of which i think i might just watch it again!
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A True Classic. Excellent even if shallow. One of my FAVS!, 4 July 2005
Author: Josh Myers (myrothe) from United States
There are very few movies that I can watch over and over again and never lose interest. This is indeed one of them. Its hard to describe exactly what is so addictive about Big Trouble In Little China. Its cheezy, its over the top, and quite ridiculous at times. However its all put together so well. Its just one hell of a fun ride, from the opening credits to the end. There is high flying (even wire fighting) kung fu. There are likable characters (Kurt Russells JACK BURTON is like an over the top John Wayne with an Adonis complex). There is loads of humor, Chinese sorcery, Demons, swordplay, gun play, and an infinite amount of great, quotable lines ("Its all in the reflexes"). The soundtrack is top notch as well. Kind of a mix of Chinese electronic mixed with that John Carpenter action flick flare. It is also one of those rare 80's movies where the villains are fairly cool (rather than bumbling boobs). Just check out the three storms :) Anyway this isn't exactly a "deep" movie, but its well worth a watch or twenty. In fact this probably ranks as one of my top 3 favs of all time.
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Tons of fun, 1 July 2005
Author: mic-hell from Italy
Let's face it, this is just what kill bill pretends to be. I mean, a simple adventure movie fueled with martial arts and oriental philosophy (here Chinese rather than Japanese), extremely cool characters like Egg Shen or Thunder and cheesy but enjoyable special effects (like the magic fight between Lo Pen and Egg Shen or the eye-guardian). Plus, there is a lot of irony, mainly in the character of Jack Burton, when he does the tough guy or when he repeatly does stupid things and looks like a jerk. You'll laugh or smile nearly every time he'll appear on the screen. Not for the fine mouthed, but if you are bored, it's difficult to find something more funny, clever, entertaining, naive and exaggerated than Big Trouble.
And let the cinephile bore with Wim Wenders and Michelangelo Antonioni...
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John Carpenter may have reached his apex with this movie., 21 June 2005
Author: Lee Eisenberg (lme@lclark.edu) from Portland, Oregon, USA
Okay. The title should identify that this is not a serious movie. And believe you me, it isn't (I mean that positively). Kurt Russell plays Jack Burton, a truck driver who sounds like he spends all day watching reruns of sitcoms and Sylvester Stallone movies. Then, when Gracie Law (Kim Cattrall) is captured, Jack and several other people have to go underground in San Francisco's Chinatown to try and rescue her. Down there, they find evil sorcerer Lo Pan and his empire. From there, the movie is basically a litany of various forms of ass-kicking. My favorite scene was the fight scene where everyone is just flying at each other.
"Big Trouble in Little China" is completely silly - and rather ridiculous - from beginning to end, but the good kind of silly and ridiculous. If nothing else, the whole thing is worth seeing just to hear Kurt Russell's hilariously sarcastic comments.
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Lord what fun!, 1 June 2005
Author: el_nickster from Washington, DC USA
This may be John Carpenter's most enjoyable film. He busts out of horror to make an action/comedy that satirizes both American-style "two buddies with guns" flicks and Chinese kung fu action flicks. Don't let the movie's low marks with the critics fool you: the critics back in the 1980s didn't watch kung fu movies, so they didn't get the jokes! A rambling tough-guy truck driver gets lost in the city, and accidentally pulls his truck into the middle of a massive kung fu gang fight in Chinatown. As a result, he befriends a local Chinese guy whose fiancée has been kidnapped by a triad who follow an evil spirit (Loh Pan). Said evil spirit had decided to marry said fiancée himself, as part of a ritual to summon said evil spirit into the physical world. The two men lead a group of civic minded martial artists into the depths of the earth to rescue the fair maiden and put an end to the dastardly deeds of Loh Pan.
Okay, enough plot summary. This is one fun movie. Crazy feats of kung fu. Ridiculously campy dialog. Actually funny dialog. So-campy-its-funny dialog. A main character who can't do anything right. Whacky monsters that seem to be modeled after Ming figurines on your Aunt's coffee table. An old herbalist who dispenses super potions and fortune-cookie wisdom. Kung fu gang fights. Kung fu gun fights. Gorilla fu. Kurt Russel fu.
All that fu aside, there is a reason this is a cult classic. If you like cult films, you are going to like BTLC.
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The greatest adventure ever told, serial B-movie style..., 26 May 2005
Author: Tomius J. Barnard from United Kingdom
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Big Trouble in Little China isn't your average adventure movie. Sure, it's got the classic action sequences and all the beat 'em up elements, but it's done with just the right amount of tongue-in-cheek humour and over-the-top comic book antics, that it's weighed out into something real special. Only Carpenter could pull off this B-movie (on purpose), that really sets the stakes for an all-time classic and of course, your enjoyable adventure flick.
Jack Burton (Kurt Russell) is a trucker who gets caught up with his friend Wang (Dennis Dun) in a downtown Chinatown conspiracy. An age old Magician called Lo Pan is planning on returning from the spirit world and needs to sacrifice a girl with "green eyes" to do so. Wang's girlfriend fits that exact description, and she's caught and it's up to him to rescue her. Of course, Wang owes Jack money so Jack decides it's best to stick with Wang until he's paid up, but gets caught up in something out-of-this-world. Teaming up with some strange and memorable characters, Jack and Wang hit the underground warehouse for Lo Pan's operations, and involve themselves in a mission that will save Chinatown for ages to come!
It really is spectacular, with everybody performing to their best of ability. It's hard to explain the "feeling" you get from watching this movie, but it's a good one. Never before has an adventure made me feel so alive. In fact, it makes me want to go on this particular quest myself! I recommend it to the highest heavens: you won't be disappointed with John Carpenter's 1986 classic, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA.
Overall: The greatest adventure movie of all time: cinema at it's best. (5/5)
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Movie Ridicule Perfection, 16 March 2005
Author: Patrick Gray from United States
John Carpenter's "Big Trouble in Little China" is a recent personal favorite. Hero, Jack Burton goes on an oddball trip through Little China to discover secrets in Chinese Mysticism and the universal plot of obliteration schemed by the evil, yet lovable, David Lo Pan. Although many consider this film too obscure to be taken seriously, Carpenter's intention wasn't to make a serious "kung-fu action/adventure" film. At its best, it's a simple satire on generations of action and karate movies. While taking elements from the 80's, it becomes a time capsule holding all things sacred to film goers looking for a break from the monotony in the industry. I salute Mr. Carpenter for being ahead of his time to critique an unborn generation already in ruin with dead film.
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Chines Ghost Story with very high fun factor, 3 March 2005
Author: spacemonkey_fg from Puerto Rico
Title: Big Trouble in Little China
Director: Jhon Carpenter
Stars: Kurt Russel, Kim Katral, Dennis Dun, Victor Wong
Its been called by Jhon Carpenter a "Chinese ghost story" and I agree with him. I can safely say this is one of those movies that I have seen over a kagillion times, and I never get tired of it.
Its filled to the brim with Chinese lore, you know Chinese gods like Ching Dai, and Chinese ghosts like "Lo-Pan", and monsters like the "Chinese wild man" a monster thats a cross between chewbacka and a very deranged gorilla. Its all embellished in a Chinese style ghost story thats done to perfection by our old pal Jhon Carpenter.
The plot is about Jack, a San Francisco truck driver and Wang Chi the owner of the Chinese restaurant in San Francisco china town. Wang Chis fiancée named Maoyin is kidnapped by a gang of thugs called "The Lords of Death".
Jack joins Wang Chi in rescuing her, and in doing so go deeper into the world of Chinese ghosts and monsters. You see Lou Pan the bad guy, needs Maoyin to turn back into a human, see hes cursed with being a ghost forever.
Chaos is what follows. Or as Wang says "we really shook the pillars of heaven didn't we jack?"
The film is great fun, and most of that fun comes from the great characters in the film, I think its safe to say that all the characters are interesting and likable. Lets see we have:
Jack Burton- played by Kurt Russell is my favorite of the bunch. Some of his lines have me cracking up most of the time! Hes only in this for the dough. Or is he? Maybe underneath his rough exterior he just cares about his friends.
Wang Chi- played by Dennis Dun. Just a dude in love and willing to do anything to get his love back. And don't stand in his way, once hes got a sword in hand your in for some trouble.
Egg Chen- and old bus driver/tour guide/wise man who's also dwells a little in black magic and magic potions. Oh and he also carries around something called the "7 demon bag" so watch out.
Gracie Law- played by Kim Katrall, who plays this nosy lawyer willing to do anything to let the rest of the world know what is going on in the San Francisco underground sewers. And shes in love with Jack.
There's a whole Chinese temple underneath the streets of Chinatown in the world of Big Trouble in Little China!
It doesn't shy down in the special fx dept. It has visual fx left and right, lets see: green balls of flame, a guy who can manipulate lightning, magic power battles, people having sword fights in mid-air, and monsters with 50 eyeballs. You name it, its in there. And done well.
It doesn't disappoint in the action department either, we get karate fights all through out the movie, they pale a little in comparison to todays matrix-style fighting, but they are not all that bad.
Before martial arts were made cool by films like The Matrix and Hidden Dragon Crouching Tiger...there was Big Trouble in Little China, one of Jhon Carpenters best efforts!
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Entertaining fantasy fluff, 30 January 2005
Author: Fiendish_Dramaturgy from http://fiendishdramaturgy.elswet.com or leave a Private Message.
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Big Trouble in Little China is touted as one of Carpenter's many masterpieces. In fact, it's even touted by some Carpenter fans as his best movie. I have to disagree on both counts. While it is far from a "masterpiece," it is an enjoyable endeavor. But John Carpenter has done far superior work. The budget does not make the movie. (Look at "Gigli.") Big-named stars do not make the movie. (Look at "Gigli.") Personally, I thought "In the Mouth of Madness" was a much superior attempt.
When a big name moves out of their usual genre into that of Fantasy, there is almost always evidence of a large-scale rally of support for this move. Stephen King strayed from his horror genre into Fantasy by way of "Eyes of the Dragon." That was so well received by his horror-fan audience that he did more than stray; he dove head first into the "Dark Tower" series. That series has been phenomenally successful. Dean Koontz strayed from his usual political-thriller formula and wrote "Dragon's Tears." It did not fare as well as King's walkabout, but his fan base is not quite as large. Peter Jackson side-stepped the horror genre for a horror/fantasy when he did "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy which was also phenomenally successful. Wes Craven's "Vampire in Brooklyn" was his attempt at a horror/fantasy/comedy which was moderately well received. I'll stop here, as I'm sure you get the general idea.
Now, don't get me wrong. I believe a fan should support the work of the object of their devotion, but never blindly. A "star" (be they in front of the camera, behind the camera, or behind the scenes) deserves any level of devotion only if they are worthy. Only if their work is worthy. I am a Lucas fan. I've enjoyed all his movies. Yep. That's right. Every one, including the SW prequels. But I do not support his Star Wars OT money machine. I refuse to support him any further until he listens to the millions of fans who made him who he is today and gives us the OT in its original form. He has forgotten his fans; turned a deaf ear to us, and for that, he is usurped as the Fantasy King. Jackson sits on that throne today.
Carpenter should have stayed more within the boundaries of horror and action with this attempt, and dropped the comedic aspect all together. It is not his forté, and it shows. I found the levity to be distracting from the work, and rather out of place in this dark fantasy. He walked up to the bell, but would not ring it. To me, that shows a lack of courage and faith in his work. Had this been darker, had he put more of himself and less Hollywood in this work, it would have been a thousand times better.
The martial arts elements are obviously choreographed, but most movie martial arts are. This, however, was executed poorly, as you could virtually see the "dance feet" chalked on the floor. Step, two, three, Kick, two three. The villains telegraph from so far away, you would have had advance notice of their attacks days in advance.
The characters are cardboard cut outs of the worst stereotypes of the 1980's. Jack Burton is a macho tough guy with little or no brains, just brawn, and not much of that, either. Gracie Law is your typical ditsy blonde with too much mouth and very little brains to get in the way. The bad guys are in a gang, the heroine is dumpy and startlingly non-sexual, and you have the "cute" sidekick element. You also have a decent (but anti-climactic) clash of good wizard vs. cursed/evil wizard and their respective armies (which amount to a dozen or so men). There are some monsters, but in this critic's opinion, they were hokey and unintentionally factored into the comedic aspects of this movie. I was not afraid.
Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China is a shallow look into the virtual bottomless ocean that is Chinese theology, mythology, legend, and religious belief systems. It contains the elements of horror (however minuscule), comedy, mysticism, and fantasy. It is not a thinking person's work, nor is it of "masterpiece" quality and/or content.
It is entertaining, well enacted, nicely executed, and enjoyable. But it is a popcorn movie, and nothing more. It is not epically filmed. You will not be frightened, touched, or inspired. You will chuckle, but not laugh outright. You will neither be enlightened nor educated in the ways of these ancient people. You will merely be entertained.
For most movie goers, that element alone, is enough. If that is enough for you, then this movie will not let you down as long as you don't have expectations which exceed the real limits of this work.
For a much better fantasy, I recommend "The Dark Crystal," or "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."
It rates a 7.2/10 from...
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Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
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A Flawed Classic, 24 November 2002
Author: Graphic from Baltimore
I'm quite aware that this movie is far from perfect. But most of us have a soft spot for some corny movie that were sick of, seen a million times since we were toddlers, know by heart, and still love.
This movie is a personal classic of mine. I must have seen this movie a hundred times, literally. At least 3-6 times a year. I can recite the script in my sleep but every time I see it, it's a blast...if only for a little nostalgia.
10/10
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Surprisingly OK fantasy comedy, 29 October 2002
Author: soranno from Las Vegas, Nevada
Kurt Russell may seem miscast here but he manages to make his role as a truck driver who goes underneath San Francisco's Chinatown district and battles evil spirits with magical powers a little better than one might expect. Not as good as a similiarly themed film from the same year called "The Golden Child" but an amusing and fairly enjoyable fantasy nonetheless.
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CLASSIC STRANGE MOVIE!!!, 25 August 2002
Author: Steve Sandberg (flodman123@aol.com) from Illinois
There are many strange movies in America these days, most of them I'm not too impressed with. I watched Big Trouble in Little China, almost John Carpenter's best but just behind the Thing, and loved it. It's amazing. Great special effects, Kurt Russell's hilarious Jack Burton, extremely funny lines, cool martial arts fighting, and just a completely strange but brilliant plot. I just love how Kurt Russell portrayed Jack Burton, it's definitely his most amazing performance. I end my review saying this, everything about this movie is great, it deserves a 10 out of 10 and that is what it got from me.
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Must See, 1 August 2002
Author: jdier from United States
This is a must see for any Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, or David Carpenter fan.
DVD watchers make sure to listen to the director commentary. It is basically Russell and Carpenter sitting around smoking and drinking beers while they watch the movie. Worthy of a rental just for that track!
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Silly but quite good fun to watch, 25 July 2002
Author: bob the moo from Birmingham, UK
Jack Burton is a trucker who agrees to pick his friend's fiancée. However Chi's fiancée has green eyes making her a target for immortal sorcerer Lo Pan. Jack loses both his truck and the girl to Lo Pan's warriors and must do battle with the spirits to get them back.
John Carpenter seems to be cursed to do bad movies recently. However this was made back when his name before the title meant something and this manages to be good simply because it's quite fun to watch with your tongue in your cheek. The plot is silly, the action daft and the characters exaggerated, but yet this is all done with some charm and actually makes this a better film.
The weaknesses are that it's silly of course and some may find it to be just brainless fodder – which it probably is in fairness. A bigger failing is that the martial arts action just isn't very good. Compare it to movies made in HK about the same time and you'll see what I mean. Why Carpenter didn't make it better is beyond me. However if you buy into the sense of fun then these are minor.
Russell is good with his Clint Eastwood impression actually being good for a laugh and Cattrall seems to be enjoying herself too. Many of the Oriental characters are caricatures but lets not forget this is juts an action comedy and not an art movie!
Overall it's silly with average action scenes. However for some reason it manages to be better than it's parts and is actually quite good fun to watch.
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"Have you paid your dues, Jack?", 14 July 2002
Author: mamitag
You HAVE to just let this movie take you where it's going. Don't fight it, don't question it. Kurt Russell says on the DVD commentary that this movie only works because all the actors are in the same movie; no one is trying to make it what it cannot be. This may be so, but in my opinion the CHARACTERS are all in different movies, often at different times! We've got romance, adventure, comedy, horror, mysticism, and martial arts, with a big dial that is supposed to point to the overriding mood, but it keeps getting moved. If you agree with this movie, you'll love it. Fight it, and you'll be miserable.
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Definately a film like no other, 19 June 2002
Author: Krug Stillo (nhargii@hotmail.com) from England
John Carpenter upset a lot of people releasing his unsociable alien in The Thing on a public still in the friendly alien E.T. hype. Unprepared cinema-goers and a case of bad timing forced Carpenter into a state of purgatory. Leaving his usual flair for horror behind him, he directed the family friendly sci-fi, Starman (1984) and followed its success with Big Trouble in Little China; definately a movie like no other...
Kurt Russell plays the loud mouthed, hopelessly inept, reluctant 'hero', Jack Burton. This comedic character demands the money owed to him by his friend, Wang. Before you can even say the title of this film, Wang's fioncee gets kidnapped, Jack's truck gets stolen and they're both up to their necks in mysticism, wizardry, monsters and Kung Fu experts.
As has been the problem with previous Carpenter and Russell vehicles (The Thing & Escape from New York), Big Trouble in Little China was a film way ahead of its time. It failed at the box office in 1986, despite high production values, an original concept, great photography and your usual superb synthersizer score from Carpenter. After this disappointment Carpenter left the studio, returning to independent filmmaking for Prince of Darkness (1987).
The DVD (both regions) has a great commentary and really conveys exactly how funny Big Trouble in Little China is meant to be. It's also loaded with extras, one of which is the music video performed by The Coupe de Villes (a band comprising of John Carpenter, Tommy Wallace (director of Halloween III) and Nick Castle (Michael Myers in the original Halloween). If you haven't seen this film and have a taste for something completely different, then it's worth seeking out.
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It deserved a trilogy, 13 May 2002
Author: Tasos Tz. from London, England
I believe that most people first saw 'Big Trouble in Little China' on video. It is one of those 80's action/thriller movies that gained a cult status along with 'Back to the future', 'Fright Night', 'Predator' and 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'.
The production design is absolutely marvelous. Every set is a work of art and it is presented with economy and style. Curt Rusell is magnificent as the laid back truck driver and the rest of the cast is excellent too.
The martial arts scenes are probably the best ones ever filmed in Hollywood. John Carpenter's direction is simply excellent and he had to deal with possibly the most demanding project he ever worked with. Humor, action and horror are combined flawlessly from beginning to end.
An absolute classic that totally deserved a sequel, even a trilogy.
10/10 (they don't make 'em like that any more)
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Great Action-Comedy, 11 May 2002
Author: LuboLarsson from Scotland
Viewed as what it is a tongue in cheek action-comedy, this film really is a treat. Kurt Russell is great as the "hero" of the film, that is he thinks he's a hero, but really he's a bit of an idiot! Thats where the humour comes in, and Kurt is great as this sort of character, similar to the one he played in Tango and Cash. This film was directed by John Carpenter, back when he made decent films i.e before around 1987. This isn't as good as Russell and Carpenters films like Escape from New York or The Thing but then it's a diffrent sort of film. The martial arts in the film is superbly done and that plus the comedy make up for the dodgy storyline. Another plus point is Sex in the City star Kim Catrall, she's a great comedy actres and is very nice to look at. If only John Carpenter could still make films of this quality. I recommend th DVD as it features a light hearted commentary by star and director. ***7/10***
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Classic Kung-fu movie that never gets old!, 1 May 2002
Author: evenbetter (evenbetter@writeme.com)
Big Trouble in Little China, in my opinion, is one of the best movies to come out of the 80's, although it appeared with little fanfare.
The story goes like this: Jack Burton and his truck (The Pork Chop Express) travel to San Francisco's China Town to deliver a shipment. While there, he reunites with an old friend, Wang Chi, who, consequently, is getting married in a few days. Unfortunately, Lo Pan, an ancient Chinese demon/sorcerer/businessman has his sights set on the same women because only a green-eyed girl can restore his mortality. Eventually, Jack and Wang go on an adventure to rescue a whole bevy of women with green eyes and stop Lo Pan before he can rule the universe.
The best elements of Big Trouble in Little China are the characters and the situations that develop between them. The Three Storms are defintely a great addition to the movie, and the intense fight sequences were ahead of their time. The "big final fight" between the "good" and "bad" gangs is hilarious, exciting, and special-effects laden including: a sort of magical game of "Mortal Kombat"; a man kicking another man 3 times in row (very quickly); Wang and Rain sword fighting in *mid-air*; and Jack Burton displaying his amazing throwing arm ("It's all in the reflexes").
Oh, and Kurt Russel's portrayal of Jack Burton is timeless and very funny. He's not totally brainless as some might lead on; I think he doesn't totally understand (or want to understand) the magical things that are occuring, but he nevertheless continues because his friendship with Wang.... and he wants his truck back.
"Do you know what Jack Burton says in a time like this?"
"Who?"
"Jack Burton; *me*!"
<Wang flips in and gives Jack the nod>
"Ol' Jack always says, 'What the hell..'"
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Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
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Don't try to pigeonhole it - you'll just get a headache, 11 January 2001
Author: Gislef from Iowa City, IA
Big Trouble is quite simple a comedy-action movie. It has no other purpose. Carpenter isn't trying to make any big statements, or send a message, or even really engage the audience to do anything other then ooh at the action sequences and laugh at the funny stuff. There's no moral. He's having fun: Kurt Russell is having fun. Everyone is having fun. All Carpenter wants you to do is sit down and have as much fun as he had making this. Grab some popcorn, grab a few friends, sit down and watch this late-night, and have a ball.
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We used to have a word for this: 'Bitchin', 9 January 2001
Author: Mr Pants (maestropants@yahoo.com) from Columbus, Ohio
This really is a movie for junior-high school boys, isn't it? it has broad stereotypical representations, ridiculously complex backstory, and only the very slightest understandings of interactions between men and women. This is not to say it's a *bad* movie ... it's a GREAT BAD MOVIE!
The portrayal of Chinese/Chinese-Americans here is tempered quite a bit by Kurt Russell's overblown John Wayne performance. It seems to tell us, "if you think this is what the Chinese are really like, well then, this is how *Americans* look in the same light." It also helps that the American is clueless and ultimately is mostly a tag-along who utters macho comments of dubious wit along the way.
Its treatment of love is no less broad, with Jack Burton and Gracie Law's inexplicable attraction, that seems to be built up only so it can't be dropped (in true macho style) at the end. If you're not too PC to see through all this, it is absolutely hilarious.
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big fun in little china, 3 January 2001
Author: mcfly-31 from anaheim, ca
Though a bit incoherent at times, this is a terrific all-out adventure full of bizarre imagery for fans of the genre. Russell is perfect as a John Wayne wannabe, a guy who tries to be cool, but always comes up short. As a truck driver who squawks macho advice into his cb radio, his aid is enlisted when his buddy's fiance is kidnapped. They (and a handful of others) head into the Chinese underground to rescue her from marrying an ancient Chinese sorcerer named David (that's Chinese?) Lo Pan. Since the girl has green eyes, Lo Pan can become young again by marrying her. Russell and co. must endure tons of life threatening situations as they find their way through the hidden world underneath the streets of San Franciso's Chinatown. Lo Pan's cohorts are after them, and being affiliated with a sorcerer, they have powers all their own. Characters such as Rain, Thunder and Lightning, who can fly and know martial arts, are constantly battling Russell and his gang. It's a bit unclear as to why they aren't just killed, but only tied up or blindfolded and locked into a room. Also, it's never really explained who Lo Pan is or his origin, but the key for me in any movie is pacing, and this thing zips by nicely. The beginning is great as we're introduced to Russell as the egotistical hero, then plunged right into the action during a scene at an airport. The rest of the cast is great, Kattrall as the cute female lead, Hong is a hoot as Lo Pan, appearing at several different ages and types of make-up, Wong as the unfazed smart-ass Egg-Shenn, and despite what some others said, I thought Dennis Dun (Wang) was a decent enough actor. But it's no doubt that Russell is the star, with his sarcastic line readings, such as Dun telling him "My destiny rests in your capable hands," to which he responds annoyed, "Hey, I'll do my best". Or when he refers to the powerful, dangerous Lo Pan as simply "Dave". The only thing that brings this down from perfection is the two over-extended fight scenes at the front and end of the film. They go on WAY too long and are so chaotic that they make your head spin. I mean, if I had to watch Dun and that one guy leap into the air and slam their swords together as they fly across the room one more time, I wouldda screamed. Aside from that, this is just pure, mindless fun, with a terrific end credits song written and performed (except for vocals) by director Carpenter, that's become one of my favorite tunes over the years. He uses his trademark synthesizers, also incorporating some traditional Chinese music sounds along with a great beat. And despite a set-up for a sequel, there has yet to be a return of Jack Burton and the Pork Chop Express. Which may be good, as it would be tough to top what they cranked out here, one of the better adventure films over the years.
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I had to see it a second time to like it; now I love it., 28 November 2000
Author: Bill Cernansky from USA, Earth
I saw this movie when it came out in the theaters in 1986. It was basically marketed as an action drama. I hated it; it was unrealistic and the characters did unbelievable things. I didn't understand the motivation for Carpenter to make this film.
I didn't see it again for about two years. The second time was an epiphany; well this film is a comedy! I didn't get it the first time. It wasn't just a comedy; it was really, really funny.
This movie attracts my attention whenever it pops up on the tube. My old recorded-from-Cinemax copy wore out years ago, and I look forward to seeing it on DVD (hurry up DVD!). Kurt Russell is a hoot; genuine in the role of a knows-less-than-he-thinks truck driver.
The story is so original and so non-categorical that you can't explain it. Chop-socky Asian-American comedy-adventure supernatural superhero/supervillain action drama is the closest I can describe it, and I'm still miles away.
Personally, I think this film is much better than "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai", which has achieved cult status for no reason I can figure. Well acted, well directed, and very funny.
It's all in the reflexes.
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JACK BURTON. ME!, 21 November 2000
Author: cj102100 from humid in houston
this movie took about four years to grow on me. now it is one of my favorites. it is a movie that defies pigeonholing, classification, or definition. when people ask about it, i just say: rent it and watch it. i hope the dvd release (when it happens) will be a collector's edition, not a disappointment like the just released escape from new york. i can't wait.
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This is a fun movie with a lot of action., 5 November 2000
Author: jgusw from USA
If you like action/comedy movies, then you should take a look at this. It has a lot of action and a lot of laughs. The kids will love it. As for adults, you will probably hate this movie or love it. A must see if you have kids.
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This is a fun movie with a lot of action., 5 November 2000
Author: jgusw from USA
If you like action/comedy movies, then you should take a look at this. It has a lot of action and a lot of laughs. The kids will love it. As for adults, you will probably hate this movie or love it. A must see if you have kids.
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The Ultimate B-Movie., 22 September 2000
Author: Jonny Russell from Liverpool, England
In these days of outstanding but grim films like 'Fight Club' and 'American History X' it's good to know that one time there were films like this one which made you feel good about life. 'Big Trouble in little China' is a grossly underrated film, once more film critic's around the world show how they've got their heads shoved up their A**'s when it comes to stuff like this, how could a film with so much going for it, (i.e/ Superb Dialogue, outstanding performances (O.K not from Wang), great direction, and some of the funniest scenes I've ever seen in movies.) can be called "Boring", and "Over-blown" is beyond me.
Even if you disliked the film itself you'd have to admire the way it fits in so many different genre's of film into one! Highlights include Jack's monologes over his CB radio, the airport scene ('Where that come from?'), The hilarious anti-climatic ending, ('Goodbye mister Burton') and the wheelchair/well scene (trust me it's funny)
It's a hellova shame that in these days where you can pick up sh*t like "BASEketball" and "Space Marines" on DVD you can't buy a kick-ass film like this, so I urge you to go out today and pick yourself up a VHS copy of a truely great film, Laugh at Kurt Russell's Jack 'John Wayne' Burton, Wonder how the hell Wang was ever allowed to act in a film and ponder why this film isn't in 'the top 250 films ever' on this very site. (For god's sake even the 'Fight Club' rip off 'American Beauty' is!!) Maybe one day we'll be able to hear 'It's all in the reflex's' in a crisp DVD transfer. God I hope so.
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another Carpenter classic, 27 August 2000
Author: dx4lifexpac (dx4lifexpac@aol.com) from new york
in the 70's and 80's there is no better director then John Carpenter once again he brings us a classic with the great Kurt Russell, Big Trouble In Little China is so much fun to watch, |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:26 PM Author: self-absorbed glassy house What school? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919676) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:26 PM Author: startled emerald party of the first part principal's office NYU (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919683) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:28 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center lawyering is ruining my law school experience. I love my other classes and am considering leaving school (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919700) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:30 PM Author: Awkward carmine kitty cat telephone NYU can't possible be that TTT (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919708) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:31 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center it's no joke. If I hadn't applied so late I'd be at Columbia or Chicago right now. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919718) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:32 PM Author: Awkward carmine kitty cat telephone i'd raise a ruckus with the administration (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919723) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:34 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center what the hell am I going to say? I'm a 1L. and it's true: I don't socialize with my classmates, I have not taken the full alotted time to do assignments, and I don't think my writing is particularly great. I just don't think it's the worst in the class. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919743) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:39 PM Author: startled emerald party of the first part principal's office Wait and see if she actually fails you. In the mean time, document her shitty criticisms. She probably doesn't intend to fail you. If that's the case, complaining now will give her reason. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919769) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:34 PM Author: startled emerald party of the first part principal's office NYU is more TTT than I imagined, not that I expect the remaining top 5 to be any better. The mystique has completely vanished.
A lot of these apparently smart people are totally incapable of expressing their thoughts. I'd rather endure a glass shard enema than listen to these inarticulate verbal klutzes use a minute to explain what could be said in five seconds.
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:41 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center people here aren't that smart at all. they all think they are geniuses though
laughable how the same people whose reasoning is supposedly so superior to mine in lawyering are unable to grasp the simplest concepts in other classes. |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:48 PM Author: startled emerald party of the first part principal's office yeah, when I arrived I planned to slack in my main classes because I figured the competition would be too stiff to justify working for a high rank.
I've changed my mind. I hope I can make up for this first month. |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:54 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center you can, most of the people here have little ambition. a lot of people seem content with the idea that you can just show up to class and read commercial outlines before the final and get a B or slightly better average (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919854) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:54 PM Author: drab razzle-dazzle prole thats what they say - wait till thanksgiving, people start to freak out. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919858) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:56 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center I haven't been through finals yet, but I would think that if you didn't do any work before that you would be behind the 8 ball after thanksgiving, especially compared to people who have been working all along. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919864) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:58 PM Author: drab razzle-dazzle prole its a mystery. most people do their work first semester, and stop doing work after that. typically the grades people get dont depend on the amount of work done. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919871) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:58 PM Author: Aggressive travel guidebook Here is an actual huge douche -- how do you think the woman on the box feels about having her face immortalized on a douche-box http://shop.store.yahoo.com/buyinprivate/sumevedouc.html (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919874) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 11:16 PM Author: bearded cheese-eating juggernaut This movie occupied most my junior high years. Action, suspense, cheesy diaologue, and martial arts galore. What more could you ask for from a b-movie that is clearly a b-movie? Carpenter and the cast and crew must have had a blast on this film because I can't think of a single movie that combines some of my favorite things about movies: Action, comedy, violence, martial arts, and a small tour bus driver named Egg who also knows a little magic. Magic indeed. This is movie magic. Agree or disagree, you can't deny that Carpenter succeeded on all levels when he made this movie. Saturday matineeish? Yes. B-movie cheese? Yes. Pure movie-going fun? Absolutely. Watch and enjoy.
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18 out of 18 people found the following comment useful :-
Do you believe in magic?, 31 August 2004
Author: mastac-1 from United Kingdom
Despite his recent slide into mediocrity, John Carpenter is responsible for what could be termed some of the biggest cult movies of the 1980's. Following his resounding success with Halloween he went on to direct a number of quirky yet excellent movies that began to tail of toward the end of the 80's with the release of such dross as Prince of Darkness. Carpenters movies are probably some of the most under appreciated pictures of recent cinema history on a commercial level, and none more so than perhaps one of his finest, the delightfully absurd action movie Big Trouble in Little China.
The plot is as daft as they come. Loud mouthed truck driver Jack Burton (played by Carpenter's long time collaborator Kurt Russell) arrives in San Francisco's Chinatown where he agrees to help out old friend Wang (played by Denis Dun) by driving him to the airport to pick up his green eyed fiancé. Things quickly go south however when a band of street punks kidnap the girl and the motley duo set off in pursuit. The pair soon find themselves caught in the middle of gang war that takes on a decidedly mythical bent and are forced to flee while Jack's truck is stolen. All this occurs within the first fifteen to twenty minutes.
If there's one thing you can say about Big Trouble, it's that it's action packed. The plot (such as it is) moves at an incredible pace and the film rarely slows to take breath as it rolls from one action set piece to the next. In such movies, normally the dialogue, and subsequently the acting suffer from a lack of any real attention. Not so here. Carpenter balances everything so perfectly that it's a wonder his career took such a slide. Although the actual story may be incredibly absurd and at times suffers from some rather obvious gaps of logic, the dialogue never fails to sparkle. Russell gives his very best wise ass shtick as Burton, the confused have a go hero who's so out of his depth he should really be fish bait, while Dun excels with a character who is consistently more heroic and capable than the lead. Another wonderful turn comes from an appearance by a young Kim Cattrall (of Sex and the City fame) as Gracie Law, a downmarket lawyer with an ability to talk at incredible speed. Some of the scenes between these three are pure comic genius, as Dun and Cattrall rattle out plot information at a rapid staccato pace while an increasingly bewildered Russell tries desperately to keep up.
Despite such positive remarks, Big Trouble was perhaps one of Carpenter's biggest commercial flops. While many of the movie's fans find this difficult to understand I do not. The reason for its failure is really incredibly simple. In terms of its style and the underlying comedy behind the piece, Carpenter's loving part tribute, part send up of all things Kung Fu was way ahead of the curve in every important respect. Take the relationship between our 'hero' Jack and his 'sidekick' Wang. The true dynamic of this relationship is a wonderfully post modern slant on the cliché buddy dynamic that existed in the 80's and it was done long before post modernist humour became truly fashionable in films (the most obvious example of post modern piece of cinema being Scream). Despite receiving star billing, Russell's Jack is actually a sidekick to Wang. While Wang has the knowledge, the skill and the courage to make him a true classic hero figure, Jack lags behind, being brash, ignorant and of little actual use in a fight. Similarly the action, although remarkably quaint by today's standards in both its look and execution, is a surprisingly accurate foreshadow of the current Hollywood move toward the more graceful, balletic chaos exhibited by movies like The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Ultimately Big Trouble in Little China is a movie that survived thanks to the home video market and for that we can only be grateful. While its looks may have aged, its sense of humour and style is as fresh today as the day it first rolled out in cinemas. In short, it's pure escapist magic.
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17 out of 19 people found the following comment useful :-
Carpenter catches the spirit of the B grade serial flic 100 times better than Spielberg, 28 July 1999
Author: johnv-3 from texas
What can one say. The movie plays like one of those great old comic books you read as a kid. The dialogue is so cartoonish that you expect to see balloons appear above the characters heads. The acting is excellent, with everyone taking a tongue in cheek approach and obviously having a good time making the film. Some of the best fight scenes in recent memory, with everyone "kung-fu fighting" at the drop of a hat. Kurt Russel is a hoot as the more than slightly dumb macho hero. Cartoon violence minus the gore, humourous special effects, evil magicians, green eyed damsels in distress, even a monster or two.
A great film for a night of light movies! See it if you get a chance!
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11 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-
This John Carpenter movie has it all!, 23 October 1999
Author: Simon (simon@dawsoncity.co.uk) from N.Ireland
If you`ve ever heard of the director John Carpenter, you`ll be familiar with his works (of art), like Hallowe`en, Escape From New York, Assault On Precient 13, The Thing, They Live, and this movie, a mid 80`s classic starring none other than Carpenter`s favourite front man, Kurt Russell. Set in Chinatown, Los Angeles, its a modern day fable of good versus evil, Chinese black magic, the hero storms the castle type affair. Russell plays Jack Burton, a wise cracking long distance truck triver and all American hero, passing through Chinatown on some business. After a card game with old friend Wang Chi (Dennis Dun), Wang (now penniless thanks to Burton`s good fortune) pursuades Jack to drive him to the airport, to pick up his childhood sweetheart, a girl Wang has not seen since they were children. Its here the story begins, as Mao Yin, Wang`s girlfriend, is captured by a mysterious gang. The two form a pact to rescue the girl from the clutches of the evil Lo Pan, former crimelord of Chinatown, a myth who has apparently lived to the age of almost 200, with a little help from some black magic.
Thats it, I`m saying no more, cos I don`t want to spoil it. You`ve probably seen the movie anyway.
Its hard to pick a favourite John Carpenter film, very hard, but this one has it all. Its a great action movie, a great comedy, an original story, great lines, and even a love story, a perfect blend of what big screen entertainment should be. Its strange though, that the ending was left so open, begging for a sequel that was never made.
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10 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-
Its all in the reflexes, 24 July 2001
Author: lenny from old bridge new jersey
Now let me just speak my peace before some of you either laugh at me or totally agree with me but i feel Big Trouble in Little China is one of the greatest movies of all time!! Actually it is my favorite movie of all time!! Yes i know such movies as Saving Private Ryan, Shawshank Redemption, or even Willy Wonka might be looked upon as better movies but i say "Who Cares!!!" Big trouble in Little China is a fun movie that you can sit back on a lonely night and just enjoy. The plot is pretty basic and that is why it is easy to follow. Yet the acting of Kurt Russell alone makes the movie. Im not saying this just because i am a BIG KR fan but he just does a wonderful job in this movie as a Truck drive who has no clue on whats going on but just goes with the flow! The witty lines of Kurt Russell in this movie are some of the funniest lines i have ever heard come from an actors mouth.. I mean the whole part of Lo-pan and Jack in the wheelchair is one of the funniest peices of material i have ever seen on the big screen... Well gtg and just remember if some wild 8ft tall monster grabs the back of your favorite head and slams it aganist the bar room wall and ask if you paid your dues!!??! well just tell him what ole jack always says.. " Yes sir the check is in the mail"
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8 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
John Caprenter's opus magnum, 11 January 2000
Author: unclebyblood from The U.S. of A
John Carpenter really steps away from his usual fare in this easy going `fortune-cookie theater' parody that was originally the manuscript for the second Buckaroo Banzai movie. It features a cast of pithy characters, bizarre and memorable dialogue, entertaining special effects and fight scenes that are well choreographed by western standards.
For those of you who already love John Carpenter, prepare for one of his finest moments. In 1987 Carpenter's sentimental sci-fi-side made `Starman' an instant classic and in 1984 his tense, brooding gothism made `Prince of Darkness' truly frightening. Sandwiched in-between these movie greats is the 1986 production of `Big Trouble on Little China', where eastern martial arts mysticism meets John Wayne bravado with zany and often absurdly hilarious results. How can you not love a movie unwilling to take itself too seriously while at the same time still managing to keep a straight face?
Carpenter's skills as a director, producer and songwriter come together in this film to produce what many consider to be his finest work. Big Trouble' s theme and content naturally compliments Carpenter's style of cynical humor, flashy cinematic expression and loose, caricature-esque development of memorable story line figures. If this isn't his opus magnum then it is at least one of his greatest moments as a director.
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7 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
Why this movie is the greatest movie of all time, 6 October 2004
Author: Nick Barnhardt (phoenix_united_@hotmail.com) from Madison, Indiana
Big Trouble in Little China is one of the few films that generally impressed me and didn't give off a "fake" feeling like a lot of movies that are coming out today. I grew up watching this movie almost every day, and I continue to do so now. The characters in this movie are played very well, especially Kurt Russell's part as Jack Burton. The movie blends action, comedy, and even some science fiction/horror, all the while staying solid instead of seeming like a bunch of unrelated parts thrown together. If you are a fan of John Carpenter, Kurt Russell, action movies, the 80's, or a fan of great films, definitely check this one out. In fewer words, run out and BUY Big Trouble in Little China right now!
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3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Plain fun, 20 May 2002
Author: jrgirones (jrgirones@arenysdemar.com) from Arenys de Mar, Catalonia, Spain
This demonstrates the talent of John Carpenter: a movie that would have been ridiculous in other director's hands, here appears as one of the greatest and funniest cinematic jokes of all times. Everyone involved is aware of that and the feeling that they amused themselves a lot during the making of is trespassed to the viewers. I think it's not the director's finest at all (have you seen "The night of Halloween"?) and in some moments it even has the structure of a kung-fu computer game, but it's only intentional and self-conscious plain fun and that redeems it. Don't take it seriously and enjoy the marvelous fighting scenes!
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3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Best adventure/fantasy flick made ever, 23 February 2001
Author: journeyman_steve from midwest USA
John Carpenter's career peaked with Big Trouble in Little China -- and what a peak it is. No other director/writer has attempted to create what Carpenter did in the 80's. Why this took so long to come to DVD is beyond me. This movie makes the best mix of cavalier anti-heroes, humorous villains, dark magic overtones, and good old fashioned fight scenes (done up as a mix of kung fu with old west shoot-em-up).
Those who don't like this movie don't get it's inherent self-deprecatory theme. This movie is all about fun. If you don't get it, see a doctor about your broken funny bone!
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5 out of 7 people found the following comment useful :-
This movie moves me, 30 November 1998
Author: hatter from North Haven, Connecticut
Give this movie a ten, it has more excitement and pure fun than almost any other, John Carpenter has constructed a masterpiece. This movie is awesome, It's got Kurt Russell at his best. Every line that he says just rocks. This picture is the most unique film that had come around in years when it was released. Nothing comes close to its ingenuity or classic mixture of Chinese mythology. If you don't watch it I will personally search out and destroy you. Like some dude up there said, just chill with your popcorn snacks and drinks, and saddle up, because it's going to be one hell of a ride!
Also Known As:
John Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China (USA) (complete title)
Runtime: 99 min
Country: USA
Language: English / Cantonese
Color: Color (DeLuxe)
Sound Mix: 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) / Dolby (35 mm prints)
Certification: Australia:M / Canada:14A / Finland:K-16 / France:U / Norway:15 / Norway:16 (1986) / Sweden:15 / UK:15 / USA:PG-13 / West Germany:12 (w) / Germany:16 (special edition) / Singapore:PG / Iceland:14 (original rating) / Iceland:16 (video rating) / Spain:13
Trivia: Some of the lightning forms a Chinese symbol as it disappears. The symbol translates as "carpenter". This film was directed by John Carpenter. (more)
Goofs: Continuity: Jack Burton's Harley Davidson ballcap at the end of the film is different than the one he wears at the beginning. (more)
Quotes:
[first lines]
Pinstripe lawyer: Okay. But if I'm gonna be your attorney, then there are a few things I need to make clear. Like... you really believe in magic?
Egg Shen: You mean Chinese black magic?
Pinstripe lawyer: Yes, I suppose.
Egg Shen: Oh, absolutely.
Pinstripe lawyer: And, uh, things like spooks and demons and goblins?
Egg Shen: Oh, sure. And sorcery.
Pinstripe lawyer: And I suppose you expect me to believe in sorcery as well?
Egg Shen: Of course!
Pinstripe lawyer: Why?
[...]
(more)
Awards: 1 nomination (more)
BIG TROUBLE IN...
Memorabilia
Books | All Products
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User Comments:
8 out of 9 people found the following comment useful:-
John Caprenter's opus magnum, 11 January 2000
Author: unclebyblood from The U.S. of A
John Carpenter really steps away from his usual fare in this easy going `fortune-cookie theater' parody that was originally the manuscript for the second Buckaroo Banzai movie. It features a cast of pithy characters, bizarre and memorable dialogue, entertaining special effects and fight scenes that are well choreographed by western standards.
For those of you who already love John Carpenter, prepare for one of his finest moments. In 1987 Carpenter's sentimental sci-fi-side made `Starman' an instant classic and in 1984 his tense, brooding gothism made `Prince of Darkness' truly frightening. Sandwiched in-between these movie greats is the 1986 production of `Big Trouble on Little China', where eastern martial arts mysticism meets John Wayne bravado with zany and often absurdly hilarious results. How can you not love a movie unwilling to take itself too seriously while at the same time still managing to keep a straight face?
Carpenter's skills as a director, producer and songwriter come together in this film to produce what many consider to be his finest work. Big Trouble' s theme and content naturally compliments Carpenter's style of cynical humor, flashy cinematic expression and loose, caricature-esque development of memorable story line figures. If this isn't his opus magnum then it is at least one of his greatest moments as a director.
Big Trouble in Little China is a parody of kung fu movies so don't expect to take this movie seriously. Still, it's a lot of fun and worth seeing.
Kurt Russell stars as Jack Burton, a likable blue-collar trucker who gets involved in a supernatural battle with an immortal sorcerer named Lo Pan. Russell bands together with a rag tag group in Chinatown to get inside Lo Pan's lair and rescue a green-eyed virgin who has been abducted by Lo Pan's Wing Kong Hatchet Men. What ensues are chases, escapes and kung fu fights, all of which are tongue-in-cheek. The fight sequences are very funny with Wing Kong Hatchet Men somersaulting through the air.
Russell, who has been in many John Carpenter films, is always good and he brings just the right light-hearted feel to this role. He has some great sarcastic lines in this film.
Kim Cattrall is very appealing as Gracie Law (this movie is before her role on the TV show Sex In The City.) You'll recognize veteran actors Victor Wong (as Egg Shen) and James Hong (as Lo Pan).
John Carpenter films always have some elements of comedy in them but Big Trouble in Little China is really the only true comedy Carpenter has made (possibly Memoirs of an Invisible Man could be considered a comedy.) One of the better Carpenter films. Recommended.
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John Carpenter & Kurt Russel For Two Hours What Could Be Better?, 22 July 2005
Author: davidhutch007 from Sheffield, England
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Whe i first saw this movie on TV about seven years ago i was unsure of what to make of it, i had seen John Carpenters other works but found this unfamiliar ground for him apart from the film starring Kurt Russel who never ceases to impress in a Carpenter film. Now having watched this more times than i can remember i love the comic genius that pops up in nearly every scene of the film and is a great reason to watch the film.
The cast is impressive but top billing was invented for a reason and thats why when Kurt Russel is top billing for a film you know in one way or another the film will be great. In this film the audience identifies with Russles character because like him we are in the mystery and along for the ride. There are some great fights that make the Matrix stick out like a sore thumb.
The film plays more on story, character and action more than anything else so don't be surprised that the special effects are not what Steve Spielberg or ILM have put together because this film really doesn't care, it just wants you along for the ride and speaking of which i think i might just watch it again!
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A True Classic. Excellent even if shallow. One of my FAVS!, 4 July 2005
Author: Josh Myers (myrothe) from United States
There are very few movies that I can watch over and over again and never lose interest. This is indeed one of them. Its hard to describe exactly what is so addictive about Big Trouble In Little China. Its cheezy, its over the top, and quite ridiculous at times. However its all put together so well. Its just one hell of a fun ride, from the opening credits to the end. There is high flying (even wire fighting) kung fu. There are likable characters (Kurt Russells JACK BURTON is like an over the top John Wayne with an Adonis complex). There is loads of humor, Chinese sorcery, Demons, swordplay, gun play, and an infinite amount of great, quotable lines ("Its all in the reflexes"). The soundtrack is top notch as well. Kind of a mix of Chinese electronic mixed with that John Carpenter action flick flare. It is also one of those rare 80's movies where the villains are fairly cool (rather than bumbling boobs). Just check out the three storms :) Anyway this isn't exactly a "deep" movie, but its well worth a watch or twenty. In fact this probably ranks as one of my top 3 favs of all time.
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Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
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A funny parody of kung fu movies, 9 August 2005
Author: Terry Foty from Portland, Oregon US
Big Trouble in Little China is a parody of kung fu movies so don't expect to take this movie seriously. Still, it's a lot of fun and worth seeing.
Kurt Russell stars as Jack Burton, a likable blue-collar trucker who gets involved in a supernatural battle with an immortal sorcerer named Lo Pan. Russell bands together with a rag tag group in Chinatown to get inside Lo Pan's lair and rescue a green-eyed virgin who has been abducted by Lo Pan's Wing Kong Hatchet Men. What ensues are chases, escapes and kung fu fights, all of which are tongue-in-cheek. The fight sequences are very funny with Wing Kong Hatchet Men somersaulting through the air.
Russell, who has been in many John Carpenter films, is always good and he brings just the right light-hearted feel to this role. He has some great sarcastic lines in this film.
Kim Cattrall is very appealing as Gracie Law (this movie is before her role on the TV show Sex In The City.) You'll recognize veteran actors Victor Wong (as Egg Shen) and James Hong (as Lo Pan).
John Carpenter films always have some elements of comedy in them but Big Trouble in Little China is really the only true comedy Carpenter has made (possibly Memoirs of an Invisible Man could be considered a comedy.) One of the better Carpenter films. Recommended.
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John Carpenter & Kurt Russel For Two Hours What Could Be Better?, 22 July 2005
Author: davidhutch007 from Sheffield, England
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Whe i first saw this movie on TV about seven years ago i was unsure of what to make of it, i had seen John Carpenters other works but found this unfamiliar ground for him apart from the film starring Kurt Russel who never ceases to impress in a Carpenter film. Now having watched this more times than i can remember i love the comic genius that pops up in nearly every scene of the film and is a great reason to watch the film.
The cast is impressive but top billing was invented for a reason and thats why when Kurt Russel is top billing for a film you know in one way or another the film will be great. In this film the audience identifies with Russles character because like him we are in the mystery and along for the ride. There are some great fights that make the Matrix stick out like a sore thumb.
The film plays more on story, character and action more than anything else so don't be surprised that the special effects are not what Steve Spielberg or ILM have put together because this film really doesn't care, it just wants you along for the ride and speaking of which i think i might just watch it again!
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A True Classic. Excellent even if shallow. One of my FAVS!, 4 July 2005
Author: Josh Myers (myrothe) from United States
There are very few movies that I can watch over and over again and never lose interest. This is indeed one of them. Its hard to describe exactly what is so addictive about Big Trouble In Little China. Its cheezy, its over the top, and quite ridiculous at times. However its all put together so well. Its just one hell of a fun ride, from the opening credits to the end. There is high flying (even wire fighting) kung fu. There are likable characters (Kurt Russells JACK BURTON is like an over the top John Wayne with an Adonis complex). There is loads of humor, Chinese sorcery, Demons, swordplay, gun play, and an infinite amount of great, quotable lines ("Its all in the reflexes"). The soundtrack is top notch as well. Kind of a mix of Chinese electronic mixed with that John Carpenter action flick flare. It is also one of those rare 80's movies where the villains are fairly cool (rather than bumbling boobs). Just check out the three storms :) Anyway this isn't exactly a "deep" movie, but its well worth a watch or twenty. In fact this probably ranks as one of my top 3 favs of all time.
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Tons of fun, 1 July 2005
Author: mic-hell from Italy
Let's face it, this is just what kill bill pretends to be. I mean, a simple adventure movie fueled with martial arts and oriental philosophy (here Chinese rather than Japanese), extremely cool characters like Egg Shen or Thunder and cheesy but enjoyable special effects (like the magic fight between Lo Pen and Egg Shen or the eye-guardian). Plus, there is a lot of irony, mainly in the character of Jack Burton, when he does the tough guy or when he repeatly does stupid things and looks like a jerk. You'll laugh or smile nearly every time he'll appear on the screen. Not for the fine mouthed, but if you are bored, it's difficult to find something more funny, clever, entertaining, naive and exaggerated than Big Trouble.
And let the cinephile bore with Wim Wenders and Michelangelo Antonioni...
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John Carpenter may have reached his apex with this movie., 21 June 2005
Author: Lee Eisenberg (lme@lclark.edu) from Portland, Oregon, USA
Okay. The title should identify that this is not a serious movie. And believe you me, it isn't (I mean that positively). Kurt Russell plays Jack Burton, a truck driver who sounds like he spends all day watching reruns of sitcoms and Sylvester Stallone movies. Then, when Gracie Law (Kim Cattrall) is captured, Jack and several other people have to go underground in San Francisco's Chinatown to try and rescue her. Down there, they find evil sorcerer Lo Pan and his empire. From there, the movie is basically a litany of various forms of ass-kicking. My favorite scene was the fight scene where everyone is just flying at each other.
"Big Trouble in Little China" is completely silly - and rather ridiculous - from beginning to end, but the good kind of silly and ridiculous. If nothing else, the whole thing is worth seeing just to hear Kurt Russell's hilariously sarcastic comments.
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Lord what fun!, 1 June 2005
Author: el_nickster from Washington, DC USA
This may be John Carpenter's most enjoyable film. He busts out of horror to make an action/comedy that satirizes both American-style "two buddies with guns" flicks and Chinese kung fu action flicks. Don't let the movie's low marks with the critics fool you: the critics back in the 1980s didn't watch kung fu movies, so they didn't get the jokes! A rambling tough-guy truck driver gets lost in the city, and accidentally pulls his truck into the middle of a massive kung fu gang fight in Chinatown. As a result, he befriends a local Chinese guy whose fiancée has been kidnapped by a triad who follow an evil spirit (Loh Pan). Said evil spirit had decided to marry said fiancée himself, as part of a ritual to summon said evil spirit into the physical world. The two men lead a group of civic minded martial artists into the depths of the earth to rescue the fair maiden and put an end to the dastardly deeds of Loh Pan.
Okay, enough plot summary. This is one fun movie. Crazy feats of kung fu. Ridiculously campy dialog. Actually funny dialog. So-campy-its-funny dialog. A main character who can't do anything right. Whacky monsters that seem to be modeled after Ming figurines on your Aunt's coffee table. An old herbalist who dispenses super potions and fortune-cookie wisdom. Kung fu gang fights. Kung fu gun fights. Gorilla fu. Kurt Russel fu.
All that fu aside, there is a reason this is a cult classic. If you like cult films, you are going to like BTLC.
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The greatest adventure ever told, serial B-movie style..., 26 May 2005
Author: Tomius J. Barnard from United Kingdom
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Big Trouble in Little China isn't your average adventure movie. Sure, it's got the classic action sequences and all the beat 'em up elements, but it's done with just the right amount of tongue-in-cheek humour and over-the-top comic book antics, that it's weighed out into something real special. Only Carpenter could pull off this B-movie (on purpose), that really sets the stakes for an all-time classic and of course, your enjoyable adventure flick.
Jack Burton (Kurt Russell) is a trucker who gets caught up with his friend Wang (Dennis Dun) in a downtown Chinatown conspiracy. An age old Magician called Lo Pan is planning on returning from the spirit world and needs to sacrifice a girl with "green eyes" to do so. Wang's girlfriend fits that exact description, and she's caught and it's up to him to rescue her. Of course, Wang owes Jack money so Jack decides it's best to stick with Wang until he's paid up, but gets caught up in something out-of-this-world. Teaming up with some strange and memorable characters, Jack and Wang hit the underground warehouse for Lo Pan's operations, and involve themselves in a mission that will save Chinatown for ages to come!
It really is spectacular, with everybody performing to their best of ability. It's hard to explain the "feeling" you get from watching this movie, but it's a good one. Never before has an adventure made me feel so alive. In fact, it makes me want to go on this particular quest myself! I recommend it to the highest heavens: you won't be disappointed with John Carpenter's 1986 classic, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA.
Overall: The greatest adventure movie of all time: cinema at it's best. (5/5)
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Movie Ridicule Perfection, 16 March 2005
Author: Patrick Gray from United States
John Carpenter's "Big Trouble in Little China" is a recent personal favorite. Hero, Jack Burton goes on an oddball trip through Little China to discover secrets in Chinese Mysticism and the universal plot of obliteration schemed by the evil, yet lovable, David Lo Pan. Although many consider this film too obscure to be taken seriously, Carpenter's intention wasn't to make a serious "kung-fu action/adventure" film. At its best, it's a simple satire on generations of action and karate movies. While taking elements from the 80's, it becomes a time capsule holding all things sacred to film goers looking for a break from the monotony in the industry. I salute Mr. Carpenter for being ahead of his time to critique an unborn generation already in ruin with dead film.
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Chines Ghost Story with very high fun factor, 3 March 2005
Author: spacemonkey_fg from Puerto Rico
Title: Big Trouble in Little China
Director: Jhon Carpenter
Stars: Kurt Russel, Kim Katral, Dennis Dun, Victor Wong
Its been called by Jhon Carpenter a "Chinese ghost story" and I agree with him. I can safely say this is one of those movies that I have seen over a kagillion times, and I never get tired of it.
Its filled to the brim with Chinese lore, you know Chinese gods like Ching Dai, and Chinese ghosts like "Lo-Pan", and monsters like the "Chinese wild man" a monster thats a cross between chewbacka and a very deranged gorilla. Its all embellished in a Chinese style ghost story thats done to perfection by our old pal Jhon Carpenter.
The plot is about Jack, a San Francisco truck driver and Wang Chi the owner of the Chinese restaurant in San Francisco china town. Wang Chis fiancée named Maoyin is kidnapped by a gang of thugs called "The Lords of Death".
Jack joins Wang Chi in rescuing her, and in doing so go deeper into the world of Chinese ghosts and monsters. You see Lou Pan the bad guy, needs Maoyin to turn back into a human, see hes cursed with being a ghost forever.
Chaos is what follows. Or as Wang says "we really shook the pillars of heaven didn't we jack?"
The film is great fun, and most of that fun comes from the great characters in the film, I think its safe to say that all the characters are interesting and likable. Lets see we have:
Jack Burton- played by Kurt Russell is my favorite of the bunch. Some of his lines have me cracking up most of the time! Hes only in this for the dough. Or is he? Maybe underneath his rough exterior he just cares about his friends.
Wang Chi- played by Dennis Dun. Just a dude in love and willing to do anything to get his love back. And don't stand in his way, once hes got a sword in hand your in for some trouble.
Egg Chen- and old bus driver/tour guide/wise man who's also dwells a little in black magic and magic potions. Oh and he also carries around something called the "7 demon bag" so watch out.
Gracie Law- played by Kim Katrall, who plays this nosy lawyer willing to do anything to let the rest of the world know what is going on in the San Francisco underground sewers. And shes in love with Jack.
There's a whole Chinese temple underneath the streets of Chinatown in the world of Big Trouble in Little China!
It doesn't shy down in the special fx dept. It has visual fx left and right, lets see: green balls of flame, a guy who can manipulate lightning, magic power battles, people having sword fights in mid-air, and monsters with 50 eyeballs. You name it, its in there. And done well.
It doesn't disappoint in the action department either, we get karate fights all through out the movie, they pale a little in comparison to todays matrix-style fighting, but they are not all that bad.
Before martial arts were made cool by films like The Matrix and Hidden Dragon Crouching Tiger...there was Big Trouble in Little China, one of Jhon Carpenters best efforts!
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Entertaining fantasy fluff, 30 January 2005
Author: Fiendish_Dramaturgy from http://fiendishdramaturgy.elswet.com or leave a Private Message.
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Big Trouble in Little China is touted as one of Carpenter's many masterpieces. In fact, it's even touted by some Carpenter fans as his best movie. I have to disagree on both counts. While it is far from a "masterpiece," it is an enjoyable endeavor. But John Carpenter has done far superior work. The budget does not make the movie. (Look at "Gigli.") Big-named stars do not make the movie. (Look at "Gigli.") Personally, I thought "In the Mouth of Madness" was a much superior attempt.
When a big name moves out of their usual genre into that of Fantasy, there is almost always evidence of a large-scale rally of support for this move. Stephen King strayed from his horror genre into Fantasy by way of "Eyes of the Dragon." That was so well received by his horror-fan audience that he did more than stray; he dove head first into the "Dark Tower" series. That series has been phenomenally successful. Dean Koontz strayed from his usual political-thriller formula and wrote "Dragon's Tears." It did not fare as well as King's walkabout, but his fan base is not quite as large. Peter Jackson side-stepped the horror genre for a horror/fantasy when he did "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy which was also phenomenally successful. Wes Craven's "Vampire in Brooklyn" was his attempt at a horror/fantasy/comedy which was moderately well received. I'll stop here, as I'm sure you get the general idea.
Now, don't get me wrong. I believe a fan should support the work of the object of their devotion, but never blindly. A "star" (be they in front of the camera, behind the camera, or behind the scenes) deserves any level of devotion only if they are worthy. Only if their work is worthy. I am a Lucas fan. I've enjoyed all his movies. Yep. That's right. Every one, including the SW prequels. But I do not support his Star Wars OT money machine. I refuse to support him any further until he listens to the millions of fans who made him who he is today and gives us the OT in its original form. He has forgotten his fans; turned a deaf ear to us, and for that, he is usurped as the Fantasy King. Jackson sits on that throne today.
Carpenter should have stayed more within the boundaries of horror and action with this attempt, and dropped the comedic aspect all together. It is not his forté, and it shows. I found the levity to be distracting from the work, and rather out of place in this dark fantasy. He walked up to the bell, but would not ring it. To me, that shows a lack of courage and faith in his work. Had this been darker, had he put more of himself and less Hollywood in this work, it would have been a thousand times better.
The martial arts elements are obviously choreographed, but most movie martial arts are. This, however, was executed poorly, as you could virtually see the "dance feet" chalked on the floor. Step, two, three, Kick, two three. The villains telegraph from so far away, you would have had advance notice of their attacks days in advance.
The characters are cardboard cut outs of the worst stereotypes of the 1980's. Jack Burton is a macho tough guy with little or no brains, just brawn, and not much of that, either. Gracie Law is your typical ditsy blonde with too much mouth and very little brains to get in the way. The bad guys are in a gang, the heroine is dumpy and startlingly non-sexual, and you have the "cute" sidekick element. You also have a decent (but anti-climactic) clash of good wizard vs. cursed/evil wizard and their respective armies (which amount to a dozen or so men). There are some monsters, but in this critic's opinion, they were hokey and unintentionally factored into the comedic aspects of this movie. I was not afraid.
Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China is a shallow look into the virtual bottomless ocean that is Chinese theology, mythology, legend, and religious belief systems. It contains the elements of horror (however minuscule), comedy, mysticism, and fantasy. It is not a thinking person's work, nor is it of "masterpiece" quality and/or content.
It is entertaining, well enacted, nicely executed, and enjoyable. But it is a popcorn movie, and nothing more. It is not epically filmed. You will not be frightened, touched, or inspired. You will chuckle, but not laugh outright. You will neither be enlightened nor educated in the ways of these ancient people. You will merely be entertained.
For most movie goers, that element alone, is enough. If that is enough for you, then this movie will not let you down as long as you don't have expectations which exceed the real limits of this work.
For a much better fantasy, I recommend "The Dark Crystal," or "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."
It rates a 7.2/10 from...
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Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
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A Flawed Classic, 24 November 2002
Author: Graphic from Baltimore
I'm quite aware that this movie is far from perfect. But most of us have a soft spot for some corny movie that were sick of, seen a million times since we were toddlers, know by heart, and still love.
This movie is a personal classic of mine. I must have seen this movie a hundred times, literally. At least 3-6 times a year. I can recite the script in my sleep but every time I see it, it's a blast...if only for a little nostalgia.
10/10
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Surprisingly OK fantasy comedy, 29 October 2002
Author: soranno from Las Vegas, Nevada
Kurt Russell may seem miscast here but he manages to make his role as a truck driver who goes underneath San Francisco's Chinatown district and battles evil spirits with magical powers a little better than one might expect. Not as good as a similiarly themed film from the same year called "The Golden Child" but an amusing and fairly enjoyable fantasy nonetheless.
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CLASSIC STRANGE MOVIE!!!, 25 August 2002
Author: Steve Sandberg (flodman123@aol.com) from Illinois
There are many strange movies in America these days, most of them I'm not too impressed with. I watched Big Trouble in Little China, almost John Carpenter's best but just behind the Thing, and loved it. It's amazing. Great special effects, Kurt Russell's hilarious Jack Burton, extremely funny lines, cool martial arts fighting, and just a completely strange but brilliant plot. I just love how Kurt Russell portrayed Jack Burton, it's definitely his most amazing performance. I end my review saying this, everything about this movie is great, it deserves a 10 out of 10 and that is what it got from me.
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Must See, 1 August 2002
Author: jdier from United States
This is a must see for any Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, or David Carpenter fan.
DVD watchers make sure to listen to the director commentary. It is basically Russell and Carpenter sitting around smoking and drinking beers while they watch the movie. Worthy of a rental just for that track!
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Silly but quite good fun to watch, 25 July 2002
Author: bob the moo from Birmingham, UK
Jack Burton is a trucker who agrees to pick his friend's fiancée. However Chi's fiancée has green eyes making her a target for immortal sorcerer Lo Pan. Jack loses both his truck and the girl to Lo Pan's warriors and must do battle with the spirits to get them back.
John Carpenter seems to be cursed to do bad movies recently. However this was made back when his name before the title meant something and this manages to be good simply because it's quite fun to watch with your tongue in your cheek. The plot is silly, the action daft and the characters exaggerated, but yet this is all done with some charm and actually makes this a better film.
The weaknesses are that it's silly of course and some may find it to be just brainless fodder – which it probably is in fairness. A bigger failing is that the martial arts action just isn't very good. Compare it to movies made in HK about the same time and you'll see what I mean. Why Carpenter didn't make it better is beyond me. However if you buy into the sense of fun then these are minor.
Russell is good with his Clint Eastwood impression actually being good for a laugh and Cattrall seems to be enjoying herself too. Many of the Oriental characters are caricatures but lets not forget this is juts an action comedy and not an art movie!
Overall it's silly with average action scenes. However for some reason it manages to be better than it's parts and is actually quite good fun to watch.
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"Have you paid your dues, Jack?", 14 July 2002
Author: mamitag
You HAVE to just let this movie take you where it's going. Don't fight it, don't question it. Kurt Russell says on the DVD commentary that this movie only works because all the actors are in the same movie; no one is trying to make it what it cannot be. This may be so, but in my opinion the CHARACTERS are all in different movies, often at different times! We've got romance, adventure, comedy, horror, mysticism, and martial arts, with a big dial that is supposed to point to the overriding mood, but it keeps getting moved. If you agree with this movie, you'll love it. Fight it, and you'll be miserable.
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Definately a film like no other, 19 June 2002
Author: Krug Stillo (nhargii@hotmail.com) from England
John Carpenter upset a lot of people releasing his unsociable alien in The Thing on a public still in the friendly alien E.T. hype. Unprepared cinema-goers and a case of bad timing forced Carpenter into a state of purgatory. Leaving his usual flair for horror behind him, he directed the family friendly sci-fi, Starman (1984) and followed its success with Big Trouble in Little China; definately a movie like no other...
Kurt Russell plays the loud mouthed, hopelessly inept, reluctant 'hero', Jack Burton. This comedic character demands the money owed to him by his friend, Wang. Before you can even say the title of this film, Wang's fioncee gets kidnapped, Jack's truck gets stolen and they're both up to their necks in mysticism, wizardry, monsters and Kung Fu experts.
As has been the problem with previous Carpenter and Russell vehicles (The Thing & Escape from New York), Big Trouble in Little China was a film way ahead of its time. It failed at the box office in 1986, despite high production values, an original concept, great photography and your usual superb synthersizer score from Carpenter. After this disappointment Carpenter left the studio, returning to independent filmmaking for Prince of Darkness (1987).
The DVD (both regions) has a great commentary and really conveys exactly how funny Big Trouble in Little China is meant to be. It's also loaded with extras, one of which is the music video performed by The Coupe de Villes (a band comprising of John Carpenter, Tommy Wallace (director of Halloween III) and Nick Castle (Michael Myers in the original Halloween). If you haven't seen this film and have a taste for something completely different, then it's worth seeking out.
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It deserved a trilogy, 13 May 2002
Author: Tasos Tz. from London, England
I believe that most people first saw 'Big Trouble in Little China' on video. It is one of those 80's action/thriller movies that gained a cult status along with 'Back to the future', 'Fright Night', 'Predator' and 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'.
The production design is absolutely marvelous. Every set is a work of art and it is presented with economy and style. Curt Rusell is magnificent as the laid back truck driver and the rest of the cast is excellent too.
The martial arts scenes are probably the best ones ever filmed in Hollywood. John Carpenter's direction is simply excellent and he had to deal with possibly the most demanding project he ever worked with. Humor, action and horror are combined flawlessly from beginning to end.
An absolute classic that totally deserved a sequel, even a trilogy.
10/10 (they don't make 'em like that any more)
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Great Action-Comedy, 11 May 2002
Author: LuboLarsson from Scotland
Viewed as what it is a tongue in cheek action-comedy, this film really is a treat. Kurt Russell is great as the "hero" of the film, that is he thinks he's a hero, but really he's a bit of an idiot! Thats where the humour comes in, and Kurt is great as this sort of character, similar to the one he played in Tango and Cash. This film was directed by John Carpenter, back when he made decent films i.e before around 1987. This isn't as good as Russell and Carpenters films like Escape from New York or The Thing but then it's a diffrent sort of film. The martial arts in the film is superbly done and that plus the comedy make up for the dodgy storyline. Another plus point is Sex in the City star Kim Catrall, she's a great comedy actres and is very nice to look at. If only John Carpenter could still make films of this quality. I recommend th DVD as it features a light hearted commentary by star and director. ***7/10***
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Classic Kung-fu movie that never gets old!, 1 May 2002
Author: evenbetter (evenbetter@writeme.com)
Big Trouble in Little China, in my opinion, is one of the best movies to come out of the 80's, although it appeared with little fanfare.
The story goes like this: Jack Burton and his truck (The Pork Chop Express) travel to San Francisco's China Town to deliver a shipment. While there, he reunites with an old friend, Wang Chi, who, consequently, is getting married in a few days. Unfortunately, Lo Pan, an ancient Chinese demon/sorcerer/businessman has his sights set on the same women because only a green-eyed girl can restore his mortality. Eventually, Jack and Wang go on an adventure to rescue a whole bevy of women with green eyes and stop Lo Pan before he can rule the universe.
The best elements of Big Trouble in Little China are the characters and the situations that develop between them. The Three Storms are defintely a great addition to the movie, and the intense fight sequences were ahead of their time. The "big final fight" between the "good" and "bad" gangs is hilarious, exciting, and special-effects laden including: a sort of magical game of "Mortal Kombat"; a man kicking another man 3 times in row (very quickly); Wang and Rain sword fighting in *mid-air*; and Jack Burton displaying his amazing throwing arm ("It's all in the reflexes").
Oh, and Kurt Russel's portrayal of Jack Burton is timeless and very funny. He's not totally brainless as some might lead on; I think he doesn't totally understand (or want to understand) the magical things that are occuring, but he nevertheless continues because his friendship with Wang.... and he wants his truck back.
"Do you know what Jack Burton says in a time like this?"
"Who?"
"Jack Burton; *me*!"
<Wang flips in and gives Jack the nod>
"Ol' Jack always says, 'What the hell..'"
IMDb user comments for
Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
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Don't try to pigeonhole it - you'll just get a headache, 11 January 2001
Author: Gislef from Iowa City, IA
Big Trouble is quite simple a comedy-action movie. It has no other purpose. Carpenter isn't trying to make any big statements, or send a message, or even really engage the audience to do anything other then ooh at the action sequences and laugh at the funny stuff. There's no moral. He's having fun: Kurt Russell is having fun. Everyone is having fun. All Carpenter wants you to do is sit down and have as much fun as he had making this. Grab some popcorn, grab a few friends, sit down and watch this late-night, and have a ball.
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We used to have a word for this: 'Bitchin', 9 January 2001
Author: Mr Pants (maestropants@yahoo.com) from Columbus, Ohio
This really is a movie for junior-high school boys, isn't it? it has broad stereotypical representations, ridiculously complex backstory, and only the very slightest understandings of interactions between men and women. This is not to say it's a *bad* movie ... it's a GREAT BAD MOVIE!
The portrayal of Chinese/Chinese-Americans here is tempered quite a bit by Kurt Russell's overblown John Wayne performance. It seems to tell us, "if you think this is what the Chinese are really like, well then, this is how *Americans* look in the same light." It also helps that the American is clueless and ultimately is mostly a tag-along who utters macho comments of dubious wit along the way.
Its treatment of love is no less broad, with Jack Burton and Gracie Law's inexplicable attraction, that seems to be built up only so it can't be dropped (in true macho style) at the end. If you're not too PC to see through all this, it is absolutely hilarious.
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big fun in little china, 3 January 2001
Author: mcfly-31 from anaheim, ca
Though a bit incoherent at times, this is a terrific all-out adventure full of bizarre imagery for fans of the genre. Russell is perfect as a John Wayne wannabe, a guy who tries to be cool, but always comes up short. As a truck driver who squawks macho advice into his cb radio, his aid is enlisted when his buddy's fiance is kidnapped. They (and a handful of others) head into the Chinese underground to rescue her from marrying an ancient Chinese sorcerer named David (that's Chinese?) Lo Pan. Since the girl has green eyes, Lo Pan can become young again by marrying her. Russell and co. must endure tons of life threatening situations as they find their way through the hidden world underneath the streets of San Franciso's Chinatown. Lo Pan's cohorts are after them, and being affiliated with a sorcerer, they have powers all their own. Characters such as Rain, Thunder and Lightning, who can fly and know martial arts, are constantly battling Russell and his gang. It's a bit unclear as to why they aren't just killed, but only tied up or blindfolded and locked into a room. Also, it's never really explained who Lo Pan is or his origin, but the key for me in any movie is pacing, and this thing zips by nicely. The beginning is great as we're introduced to Russell as the egotistical hero, then plunged right into the action during a scene at an airport. The rest of the cast is great, Kattrall as the cute female lead, Hong is a hoot as Lo Pan, appearing at several different ages and types of make-up, Wong as the unfazed smart-ass Egg-Shenn, and despite what some others said, I thought Dennis Dun (Wang) was a decent enough actor. But it's no doubt that Russell is the star, with his sarcastic line readings, such as Dun telling him "My destiny rests in your capable hands," to which he responds annoyed, "Hey, I'll do my best". Or when he refers to the powerful, dangerous Lo Pan as simply "Dave". The only thing that brings this down from perfection is the two over-extended fight scenes at the front and end of the film. They go on WAY too long and are so chaotic that they make your head spin. I mean, if I had to watch Dun and that one guy leap into the air and slam their swords together as they fly across the room one more time, I wouldda screamed. Aside from that, this is just pure, mindless fun, with a terrific end credits song written and performed (except for vocals) by director Carpenter, that's become one of my favorite tunes over the years. He uses his trademark synthesizers, also incorporating some traditional Chinese music sounds along with a great beat. And despite a set-up for a sequel, there has yet to be a return of Jack Burton and the Pork Chop Express. Which may be good, as it would be tough to top what they cranked out here, one of the better adventure films over the years.
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I had to see it a second time to like it; now I love it., 28 November 2000
Author: Bill Cernansky from USA, Earth
I saw this movie when it came out in the theaters in 1986. It was basically marketed as an action drama. I hated it; it was unrealistic and the characters did unbelievable things. I didn't understand the motivation for Carpenter to make this film.
I didn't see it again for about two years. The second time was an epiphany; well this film is a comedy! I didn't get it the first time. It wasn't just a comedy; it was really, really funny.
This movie attracts my attention whenever it pops up on the tube. My old recorded-from-Cinemax copy wore out years ago, and I look forward to seeing it on DVD (hurry up DVD!). Kurt Russell is a hoot; genuine in the role of a knows-less-than-he-thinks truck driver.
The story is so original and so non-categorical that you can't explain it. Chop-socky Asian-American comedy-adventure supernatural superhero/supervillain action drama is the closest I can describe it, and I'm still miles away.
Personally, I think this film is much better than "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai", which has achieved cult status for no reason I can figure. Well acted, well directed, and very funny.
It's all in the reflexes.
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JACK BURTON. ME!, 21 November 2000
Author: cj102100 from humid in houston
this movie took about four years to grow on me. now it is one of my favorites. it is a movie that defies pigeonholing, classification, or definition. when people ask about it, i just say: rent it and watch it. i hope the dvd release (when it happens) will be a collector's edition, not a disappointment like the just released escape from new york. i can't wait.
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This is a fun movie with a lot of action., 5 November 2000
Author: jgusw from USA
If you like action/comedy movies, then you should take a look at this. It has a lot of action and a lot of laughs. The kids will love it. As for adults, you will probably hate this movie or love it. A must see if you have kids.
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This is a fun movie with a lot of action., 5 November 2000
Author: jgusw from USA
If you like action/comedy movies, then you should take a look at this. It has a lot of action and a lot of laughs. The kids will love it. As for adults, you will probably hate this movie or love it. A must see if you have kids.
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The Ultimate B-Movie., 22 September 2000
Author: Jonny Russell from Liverpool, England
In these days of outstanding but grim films like 'Fight Club' and 'American History X' it's good to know that one time there were films like this one which made you feel good about life. 'Big Trouble in little China' is a grossly underrated film, once more film critic's around the world show how they've got their heads shoved up their A**'s when it comes to stuff like this, how could a film with so much going for it, (i.e/ Superb Dialogue, outstanding performances (O.K not from Wang), great direction, and some of the funniest scenes I've ever seen in movies.) can be called "Boring", and "Over-blown" is beyond me.
Even if you disliked the film itself you'd have to admire the way it fits in so many different genre's of film into one! Highlights include Jack's monologes over his CB radio, the airport scene ('Where that come from?'), The hilarious anti-climatic ending, ('Goodbye mister Burton') and the wheelchair/well scene (trust me it's funny)
It's a hellova shame that in these days where you can pick up sh*t like "BASEketball" and "Space Marines" on DVD you can't buy a kick-ass film like this, so I urge you to go out today and pick yourself up a VHS copy of a truely great film, Laugh at Kurt Russell's Jack 'John Wayne' Burton, Wonder how the hell Wang was ever allowed to act in a film and ponder why this film isn't in 'the top 250 films ever' on this very site. (For god's sake even the 'Fight Club' rip off 'American Beauty' is!!) Maybe one day we'll be able to hear 'It's all in the reflex's' in a crisp DVD transfer. God I hope so.
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another Carpenter classic, 27 August 2000
Author: dx4lifexpac (dx4lifexpac@aol.com) from new york
in the 70's and 80's there is no better director then John Carpenter once again he brings us a classic with the great Kurt Russell, Big Trouble In Little China is so much fun to watch, |
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Date: September 29th, 2005 2:54 AM Author: Wonderful Mediation Striped Hyena brilliant -- the old paste something really long and incongruous joke. never fails. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3929097) |
Date: September 27th, 2005 9:40 PM Author: drab razzle-dazzle prole dude its one teacher. My lawyering prof was great.
She is not going to fail you, just ignore her. |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:44 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center It hurts the ego to be constantly told that you're the worst student in the class. There's a limit to how much you can be stepped on. It's already pretty bad, and I have to do this for the rest of the year? I hope it gets better. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919792) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:46 PM Author: drab razzle-dazzle prole Who is the prof? tell Revesz she is being a fucking douche. These lawyering profs are barely above pond scum - you can fuck with them more than they can fuck with you.
However, it sounds like you might be being a little bitchy about this too. You could show up for class on time and attend some of the lawyering events. No need to be too cool for school the first month. |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:51 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center honestly it's not like I haven't gone to any. I've been to the one that the TAs organized. I haven't done anything else and I don't make small talk with my classmates after class.
and the late thing, yea, I won't be late anymore. but I was only late twice, and by no more than 5 minutes in a 2 hour class. other people have been like 15 minutes late on the day on which they were supposed to present something. |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:53 PM Author: drab razzle-dazzle prole what do you mean your assignments are rejected? Like you have to redo them?
I dont really see what she can do - if you show up to class and do your assignments, you cannot be failed. |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:55 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center not only do I have to redo them, but they come back with comments basically saying they are nowhere near good enough. and then when I redo them they (at least this current assignment) get rejected again. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919859) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:57 PM Author: drab razzle-dazzle prole and honestly some of the comments are like "you are too late for class, and you need to make more friends"?
Also, have you had someone else read your stuff? are you sure its not crap? |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:59 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center the socializing comment was made to me in person, but yea the written comments are like "I don't think you are taking this class seriously because you have been late to class"
actually I can tell that she doesn't read the whole thing, because there are no comments toward the end. |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 10:01 PM Author: drab razzle-dazzle prole what type of substantive comments are there for the redo? You should just make the changes she requests and turn it back in. If she still rejects it, tell her to give better feedback next time. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919890) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 10:04 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center well other than some correcting the bluebooking and a few stylistic changes, the feedback is insufficient to warrant the general comments.
the general comments are to the effect of "I hope you aren't trying because if you are your writing is really bad" |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 10:38 PM Author: drab razzle-dazzle prole tell her to give you some concrete feedback, or accept the fucking paper. then tell revesz. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3920176) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:57 PM Author: Mauve greedy deer antler ape Not only did I never have a single assignment sent for a redo, I don't know of anybody that ever had a single assignment reassigned. I'm not sure what to say but that sucks. Seriously try to get out of it. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919868) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 10:12 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center how could I try to get out of it? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919970) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 10:37 PM Author: Mauve greedy deer antler ape I mean as far as switching classes - a different prof next semester (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3920167) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:51 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center dont want to out myself by naming the prof. Probably most of the people in my lawyering class could ID me (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919835) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 11:05 PM Author: Onyx fragrant office "These lawyering profs are barely above pond scum - you can fuck with them more than they can fuck with you."
Comments like this make it hard to feel sorry for anyone on this board. What the fuck is it with you people? How can you all act so consistently like pieces of absolute shit. And what are you, a fucking law studented headed for a future of pointless paperwork and self-loathing? |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 11:12 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center the prof is a complete shitbasket for evaluating my work based on whether or not I was late to class and what time I turned it in
is this what I'm paying for? some failed associate giving me a hard time for no reason? most people get paid for this shit |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 11:13 PM Author: razzmatazz windowlicker what does she look like? what are the initials of your TA's? Give me something here. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3920527) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 11:15 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center any identifying info could be used by someone in my section to out me. or even worse a TA could figure out who I am and pass it along to the prof, as if I dont have enough problems already (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3920562) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 9:58 PM Author: multi-colored round eye She must really need to get laid. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3919873) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 11:09 PM Author: razzmatazz windowlicker Who is it? I wonder if I had this prof. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3920476) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 11:09 PM Author: Passionate Impressive Partner what a bunch a whiners (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3920485) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 11:14 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center there is a limit to the number of times you can asked to redo something without venting a little (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3920536) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 11:15 PM Author: razzmatazz windowlicker You're inviting trouble by being late to class, especially more than once. Get to class on time. I was always on time for my lawyering class. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3920561) |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 11:18 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center I've been late twice. not only are there others who are more frequently late than I am, but people have even been late on the day they were supposed to make a *presentation*.
she hasn't rejected anyone else's assignments as far as I know. fact is, I'm being picked on because she doesn't like me, probably because I haven't really been very social with all of these douches. |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 11:18 PM Author: bearded cheese-eating juggernaut This movie occupied most my junior high years. Action, suspense, cheesy diaologue, and martial arts galore. What more could you ask for from a b-movie that is clearly a b-movie? Carpenter and the cast and crew must have had a blast on this film because I can't think of a single movie that combines some of my favorite things about movies: Action, comedy, violence, martial arts, and a small tour bus driver named Egg who also knows a little magic. Magic indeed. This is movie magic. Agree or disagree, you can't deny that Carpenter succeeded on all levels when he made this movie. Saturday matineeish? Yes. B-movie cheese? Yes. Pure movie-going fun? Absolutely. Watch and enjoy.
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18 out of 18 people found the following comment useful :-
Do you believe in magic?, 31 August 2004
Author: mastac-1 from United Kingdom
Despite his recent slide into mediocrity, John Carpenter is responsible for what could be termed some of the biggest cult movies of the 1980's. Following his resounding success with Halloween he went on to direct a number of quirky yet excellent movies that began to tail of toward the end of the 80's with the release of such dross as Prince of Darkness. Carpenters movies are probably some of the most under appreciated pictures of recent cinema history on a commercial level, and none more so than perhaps one of his finest, the delightfully absurd action movie Big Trouble in Little China.
The plot is as daft as they come. Loud mouthed truck driver Jack Burton (played by Carpenter's long time collaborator Kurt Russell) arrives in San Francisco's Chinatown where he agrees to help out old friend Wang (played by Denis Dun) by driving him to the airport to pick up his green eyed fiancé. Things quickly go south however when a band of street punks kidnap the girl and the motley duo set off in pursuit. The pair soon find themselves caught in the middle of gang war that takes on a decidedly mythical bent and are forced to flee while Jack's truck is stolen. All this occurs within the first fifteen to twenty minutes.
If there's one thing you can say about Big Trouble, it's that it's action packed. The plot (such as it is) moves at an incredible pace and the film rarely slows to take breath as it rolls from one action set piece to the next. In such movies, normally the dialogue, and subsequently the acting suffer from a lack of any real attention. Not so here. Carpenter balances everything so perfectly that it's a wonder his career took such a slide. Although the actual story may be incredibly absurd and at times suffers from some rather obvious gaps of logic, the dialogue never fails to sparkle. Russell gives his very best wise ass shtick as Burton, the confused have a go hero who's so out of his depth he should really be fish bait, while Dun excels with a character who is consistently more heroic and capable than the lead. Another wonderful turn comes from an appearance by a young Kim Cattrall (of Sex and the City fame) as Gracie Law, a downmarket lawyer with an ability to talk at incredible speed. Some of the scenes between these three are pure comic genius, as Dun and Cattrall rattle out plot information at a rapid staccato pace while an increasingly bewildered Russell tries desperately to keep up.
Despite such positive remarks, Big Trouble was perhaps one of Carpenter's biggest commercial flops. While many of the movie's fans find this difficult to understand I do not. The reason for its failure is really incredibly simple. In terms of its style and the underlying comedy behind the piece, Carpenter's loving part tribute, part send up of all things Kung Fu was way ahead of the curve in every important respect. Take the relationship between our 'hero' Jack and his 'sidekick' Wang. The true dynamic of this relationship is a wonderfully post modern slant on the cliché buddy dynamic that existed in the 80's and it was done long before post modernist humour became truly fashionable in films (the most obvious example of post modern piece of cinema being Scream). Despite receiving star billing, Russell's Jack is actually a sidekick to Wang. While Wang has the knowledge, the skill and the courage to make him a true classic hero figure, Jack lags behind, being brash, ignorant and of little actual use in a fight. Similarly the action, although remarkably quaint by today's standards in both its look and execution, is a surprisingly accurate foreshadow of the current Hollywood move toward the more graceful, balletic chaos exhibited by movies like The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Ultimately Big Trouble in Little China is a movie that survived thanks to the home video market and for that we can only be grateful. While its looks may have aged, its sense of humour and style is as fresh today as the day it first rolled out in cinemas. In short, it's pure escapist magic.
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17 out of 19 people found the following comment useful :-
Carpenter catches the spirit of the B grade serial flic 100 times better than Spielberg, 28 July 1999
Author: johnv-3 from texas
What can one say. The movie plays like one of those great old comic books you read as a kid. The dialogue is so cartoonish that you expect to see balloons appear above the characters heads. The acting is excellent, with everyone taking a tongue in cheek approach and obviously having a good time making the film. Some of the best fight scenes in recent memory, with everyone "kung-fu fighting" at the drop of a hat. Kurt Russel is a hoot as the more than slightly dumb macho hero. Cartoon violence minus the gore, humourous special effects, evil magicians, green eyed damsels in distress, even a monster or two.
A great film for a night of light movies! See it if you get a chance!
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11 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-
This John Carpenter movie has it all!, 23 October 1999
Author: Simon (simon@dawsoncity.co.uk) from N.Ireland
If you`ve ever heard of the director John Carpenter, you`ll be familiar with his works (of art), like Hallowe`en, Escape From New York, Assault On Precient 13, The Thing, They Live, and this movie, a mid 80`s classic starring none other than Carpenter`s favourite front man, Kurt Russell. Set in Chinatown, Los Angeles, its a modern day fable of good versus evil, Chinese black magic, the hero storms the castle type affair. Russell plays Jack Burton, a wise cracking long distance truck triver and all American hero, passing through Chinatown on some business. After a card game with old friend Wang Chi (Dennis Dun), Wang (now penniless thanks to Burton`s good fortune) pursuades Jack to drive him to the airport, to pick up his childhood sweetheart, a girl Wang has not seen since they were children. Its here the story begins, as Mao Yin, Wang`s girlfriend, is captured by a mysterious gang. The two form a pact to rescue the girl from the clutches of the evil Lo Pan, former crimelord of Chinatown, a myth who has apparently lived to the age of almost 200, with a little help from some black magic.
Thats it, I`m saying no more, cos I don`t want to spoil it. You`ve probably seen the movie anyway.
Its hard to pick a favourite John Carpenter film, very hard, but this one has it all. Its a great action movie, a great comedy, an original story, great lines, and even a love story, a perfect blend of what big screen entertainment should be. Its strange though, that the ending was left so open, begging for a sequel that was never made.
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10 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-
Its all in the reflexes, 24 July 2001
Author: lenny from old bridge new jersey
Now let me just speak my peace before some of you either laugh at me or totally agree with me but i feel Big Trouble in Little China is one of the greatest movies of all time!! Actually it is my favorite movie of all time!! Yes i know such movies as Saving Private Ryan, Shawshank Redemption, or even Willy Wonka might be looked upon as better movies but i say "Who Cares!!!" Big trouble in Little China is a fun movie that you can sit back on a lonely night and just enjoy. The plot is pretty basic and that is why it is easy to follow. Yet the acting of Kurt Russell alone makes the movie. Im not saying this just because i am a BIG KR fan but he just does a wonderful job in this movie as a Truck drive who has no clue on whats going on but just goes with the flow! The witty lines of Kurt Russell in this movie are some of the funniest lines i have ever heard come from an actors mouth.. I mean the whole part of Lo-pan and Jack in the wheelchair is one of the funniest peices of material i have ever seen on the big screen... Well gtg and just remember if some wild 8ft tall monster grabs the back of your favorite head and slams it aganist the bar room wall and ask if you paid your dues!!??! well just tell him what ole jack always says.. " Yes sir the check is in the mail"
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8 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
John Caprenter's opus magnum, 11 January 2000
Author: unclebyblood from The U.S. of A
John Carpenter really steps away from his usual fare in this easy going `fortune-cookie theater' parody that was originally the manuscript for the second Buckaroo Banzai movie. It features a cast of pithy characters, bizarre and memorable dialogue, entertaining special effects and fight scenes that are well choreographed by western standards.
For those of you who already love John Carpenter, prepare for one of his finest moments. In 1987 Carpenter's sentimental sci-fi-side made `Starman' an instant classic and in 1984 his tense, brooding gothism made `Prince of Darkness' truly frightening. Sandwiched in-between these movie greats is the 1986 production of `Big Trouble on Little China', where eastern martial arts mysticism meets John Wayne bravado with zany and often absurdly hilarious results. How can you not love a movie unwilling to take itself too seriously while at the same time still managing to keep a straight face?
Carpenter's skills as a director, producer and songwriter come together in this film to produce what many consider to be his finest work. Big Trouble' s theme and content naturally compliments Carpenter's style of cynical humor, flashy cinematic expression and loose, caricature-esque development of memorable story line figures. If this isn't his opus magnum then it is at least one of his greatest moments as a director.
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7 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
Why this movie is the greatest movie of all time, 6 October 2004
Author: Nick Barnhardt (phoenix_united_@hotmail.com) from Madison, Indiana
Big Trouble in Little China is one of the few films that generally impressed me and didn't give off a "fake" feeling like a lot of movies that are coming out today. I grew up watching this movie almost every day, and I continue to do so now. The characters in this movie are played very well, especially Kurt Russell's part as Jack Burton. The movie blends action, comedy, and even some science fiction/horror, all the while staying solid instead of seeming like a bunch of unrelated parts thrown together. If you are a fan of John Carpenter, Kurt Russell, action movies, the 80's, or a fan of great films, definitely check this one out. In fewer words, run out and BUY Big Trouble in Little China right now!
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3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Plain fun, 20 May 2002
Author: jrgirones (jrgirones@arenysdemar.com) from Arenys de Mar, Catalonia, Spain
This demonstrates the talent of John Carpenter: a movie that would have been ridiculous in other director's hands, here appears as one of the greatest and funniest cinematic jokes of all times. Everyone involved is aware of that and the feeling that they amused themselves a lot during the making of is trespassed to the viewers. I think it's not the director's finest at all (have you seen "The night of Halloween"?) and in some moments it even has the structure of a kung-fu computer game, but it's only intentional and self-conscious plain fun and that redeems it. Don't take it seriously and enjoy the marvelous fighting scenes!
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3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Best adventure/fantasy flick made ever, 23 February 2001
Author: journeyman_steve from midwest USA
John Carpenter's career peaked with Big Trouble in Little China -- and what a peak it is. No other director/writer has attempted to create what Carpenter did in the 80's. Why this took so long to come to DVD is beyond me. This movie makes the best mix of cavalier anti-heroes, humorous villains, dark magic overtones, and good old fashioned fight scenes (done up as a mix of kung fu with old west shoot-em-up).
Those who don't like this movie don't get it's inherent self-deprecatory theme. This movie is all about fun. If you don't get it, see a doctor about your broken funny bone!
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5 out of 7 people found the following comment useful :-
This movie moves me, 30 November 1998
Author: hatter from North Haven, Connecticut
Give this movie a ten, it has more excitement and pure fun than almost any other, John Carpenter has constructed a masterpiece. This movie is awesome, It's got Kurt Russell at his best. Every line that he says just rocks. This picture is the most unique film that had come around in years when it was released. Nothing comes close to its ingenuity or classic mixture of Chinese mythology. If you don't watch it I will personally search out and destroy you. Like some dude up there said, just chill with your popcorn snacks and drinks, and saddle up, because it's going to be one hell of a ride!
Also Known As:
John Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China (USA) (complete title)
Runtime: 99 min
Country: USA
Language: English / Cantonese
Color: Color (DeLuxe)
Sound Mix: 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) / Dolby (35 mm prints)
Certification: Australia:M / Canada:14A / Finland:K-16 / France:U / Norway:15 / Norway:16 (1986) / Sweden:15 / UK:15 / USA:PG-13 / West Germany:12 (w) / Germany:16 (special edition) / Singapore:PG / Iceland:14 (original rating) / Iceland:16 (video rating) / Spain:13
Trivia: Some of the lightning forms a Chinese symbol as it disappears. The symbol translates as "carpenter". This film was directed by John Carpenter. (more)
Goofs: Continuity: Jack Burton's Harley Davidson ballcap at the end of the film is different than the one he wears at the beginning. (more)
Quotes:
[first lines]
Pinstripe lawyer: Okay. But if I'm gonna be your attorney, then there are a few things I need to make clear. Like... you really believe in magic?
Egg Shen: You mean Chinese black magic?
Pinstripe lawyer: Yes, I suppose.
Egg Shen: Oh, absolutely.
Pinstripe lawyer: And, uh, things like spooks and demons and goblins?
Egg Shen: Oh, sure. And sorcery.
Pinstripe lawyer: And I suppose you expect me to believe in sorcery as well?
Egg Shen: Of course!
Pinstripe lawyer: Why?
[...]
(more)
Awards: 1 nomination (more)
BIG TROUBLE IN...
Memorabilia
Books | All Products
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User Comments:
8 out of 9 people found the following comment useful:-
John Caprenter's opus magnum, 11 January 2000
Author: unclebyblood from The U.S. of A
John Carpenter really steps away from his usual fare in this easy going `fortune-cookie theater' parody that was originally the manuscript for the second Buckaroo Banzai movie. It features a cast of pithy characters, bizarre and memorable dialogue, entertaining special effects and fight scenes that are well choreographed by western standards.
For those of you who already love John Carpenter, prepare for one of his finest moments. In 1987 Carpenter's sentimental sci-fi-side made `Starman' an instant classic and in 1984 his tense, brooding gothism made `Prince of Darkness' truly frightening. Sandwiched in-between these movie greats is the 1986 production of `Big Trouble on Little China', where eastern martial arts mysticism meets John Wayne bravado with zany and often absurdly hilarious results. How can you not love a movie unwilling to take itself too seriously while at the same time still managing to keep a straight face?
Carpenter's skills as a director, producer and songwriter come together in this film to produce what many consider to be his finest work. Big Trouble' s theme and content naturally compliments Carpenter's style of cynical humor, flashy cinematic expression and loose, caricature-esque development of memorable story line figures. If this isn't his opus magnum then it is at least one of his greatest moments as a director.
Big Trouble in Little China is a parody of kung fu movies so don't expect to take this movie seriously. Still, it's a lot of fun and worth seeing.
Kurt Russell stars as Jack Burton, a likable blue-collar trucker who gets involved in a supernatural battle with an immortal sorcerer named Lo Pan. Russell bands together with a rag tag group in Chinatown to get inside Lo Pan's lair and rescue a green-eyed virgin who has been abducted by Lo Pan's Wing Kong Hatchet Men. What ensues are chases, escapes and kung fu fights, all of which are tongue-in-cheek. The fight sequences are very funny with Wing Kong Hatchet Men somersaulting through the air.
Russell, who has been in many John Carpenter films, is always good and he brings just the right light-hearted feel to this role. He has some great sarcastic lines in this film.
Kim Cattrall is very appealing as Gracie Law (this movie is before her role on the TV show Sex In The City.) You'll recognize veteran actors Victor Wong (as Egg Shen) and James Hong (as Lo Pan).
John Carpenter films always have some elements of comedy in them but Big Trouble in Little China is really the only true comedy Carpenter has made (possibly Memoirs of an Invisible Man could be considered a comedy.) One of the better Carpenter films. Recommended.
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John Carpenter & Kurt Russel For Two Hours What Could Be Better?, 22 July 2005
Author: davidhutch007 from Sheffield, England
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Whe i first saw this movie on TV about seven years ago i was unsure of what to make of it, i had seen John Carpenters other works but found this unfamiliar ground for him apart from the film starring Kurt Russel who never ceases to impress in a Carpenter film. Now having watched this more times than i can remember i love the comic genius that pops up in nearly every scene of the film and is a great reason to watch the film.
The cast is impressive but top billing was invented for a reason and thats why when Kurt Russel is top billing for a film you know in one way or another the film will be great. In this film the audience identifies with Russles character because like him we are in the mystery and along for the ride. There are some great fights that make the Matrix stick out like a sore thumb.
The film plays more on story, character and action more than anything else so don't be surprised that the special effects are not what Steve Spielberg or ILM have put together because this film really doesn't care, it just wants you along for the ride and speaking of which i think i might just watch it again!
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A True Classic. Excellent even if shallow. One of my FAVS!, 4 July 2005
Author: Josh Myers (myrothe) from United States
There are very few movies that I can watch over and over again and never lose interest. This is indeed one of them. Its hard to describe exactly what is so addictive about Big Trouble In Little China. Its cheezy, its over the top, and quite ridiculous at times. However its all put together so well. Its just one hell of a fun ride, from the opening credits to the end. There is high flying (even wire fighting) kung fu. There are likable characters (Kurt Russells JACK BURTON is like an over the top John Wayne with an Adonis complex). There is loads of humor, Chinese sorcery, Demons, swordplay, gun play, and an infinite amount of great, quotable lines ("Its all in the reflexes"). The soundtrack is top notch as well. Kind of a mix of Chinese electronic mixed with that John Carpenter action flick flare. It is also one of those rare 80's movies where the villains are fairly cool (rather than bumbling boobs). Just check out the three storms :) Anyway this isn't exactly a "deep" movie, but its well worth a watch or twenty. In fact this probably ranks as one of my top 3 favs of all time.
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Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
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A funny parody of kung fu movies, 9 August 2005
Author: Terry Foty from Portland, Oregon US
Big Trouble in Little China is a parody of kung fu movies so don't expect to take this movie seriously. Still, it's a lot of fun and worth seeing.
Kurt Russell stars as Jack Burton, a likable blue-collar trucker who gets involved in a supernatural battle with an immortal sorcerer named Lo Pan. Russell bands together with a rag tag group in Chinatown to get inside Lo Pan's lair and rescue a green-eyed virgin who has been abducted by Lo Pan's Wing Kong Hatchet Men. What ensues are chases, escapes and kung fu fights, all of which are tongue-in-cheek. The fight sequences are very funny with Wing Kong Hatchet Men somersaulting through the air.
Russell, who has been in many John Carpenter films, is always good and he brings just the right light-hearted feel to this role. He has some great sarcastic lines in this film.
Kim Cattrall is very appealing as Gracie Law (this movie is before her role on the TV show Sex In The City.) You'll recognize veteran actors Victor Wong (as Egg Shen) and James Hong (as Lo Pan).
John Carpenter films always have some elements of comedy in them but Big Trouble in Little China is really the only true comedy Carpenter has made (possibly Memoirs of an Invisible Man could be considered a comedy.) One of the better Carpenter films. Recommended.
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John Carpenter & Kurt Russel For Two Hours What Could Be Better?, 22 July 2005
Author: davidhutch007 from Sheffield, England
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Whe i first saw this movie on TV about seven years ago i was unsure of what to make of it, i had seen John Carpenters other works but found this unfamiliar ground for him apart from the film starring Kurt Russel who never ceases to impress in a Carpenter film. Now having watched this more times than i can remember i love the comic genius that pops up in nearly every scene of the film and is a great reason to watch the film.
The cast is impressive but top billing was invented for a reason and thats why when Kurt Russel is top billing for a film you know in one way or another the film will be great. In this film the audience identifies with Russles character because like him we are in the mystery and along for the ride. There are some great fights that make the Matrix stick out like a sore thumb.
The film plays more on story, character and action more than anything else so don't be surprised that the special effects are not what Steve Spielberg or ILM have put together because this film really doesn't care, it just wants you along for the ride and speaking of which i think i might just watch it again!
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A True Classic. Excellent even if shallow. One of my FAVS!, 4 July 2005
Author: Josh Myers (myrothe) from United States
There are very few movies that I can watch over and over again and never lose interest. This is indeed one of them. Its hard to describe exactly what is so addictive about Big Trouble In Little China. Its cheezy, its over the top, and quite ridiculous at times. However its all put together so well. Its just one hell of a fun ride, from the opening credits to the end. There is high flying (even wire fighting) kung fu. There are likable characters (Kurt Russells JACK BURTON is like an over the top John Wayne with an Adonis complex). There is loads of humor, Chinese sorcery, Demons, swordplay, gun play, and an infinite amount of great, quotable lines ("Its all in the reflexes"). The soundtrack is top notch as well. Kind of a mix of Chinese electronic mixed with that John Carpenter action flick flare. It is also one of those rare 80's movies where the villains are fairly cool (rather than bumbling boobs). Just check out the three storms :) Anyway this isn't exactly a "deep" movie, but its well worth a watch or twenty. In fact this probably ranks as one of my top 3 favs of all time.
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Tons of fun, 1 July 2005
Author: mic-hell from Italy
Let's face it, this is just what kill bill pretends to be. I mean, a simple adventure movie fueled with martial arts and oriental philosophy (here Chinese rather than Japanese), extremely cool characters like Egg Shen or Thunder and cheesy but enjoyable special effects (like the magic fight between Lo Pen and Egg Shen or the eye-guardian). Plus, there is a lot of irony, mainly in the character of Jack Burton, when he does the tough guy or when he repeatly does stupid things and looks like a jerk. You'll laugh or smile nearly every time he'll appear on the screen. Not for the fine mouthed, but if you are bored, it's difficult to find something more funny, clever, entertaining, naive and exaggerated than Big Trouble.
And let the cinephile bore with Wim Wenders and Michelangelo Antonioni...
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John Carpenter may have reached his apex with this movie., 21 June 2005
Author: Lee Eisenberg (lme@lclark.edu) from Portland, Oregon, USA
Okay. The title should identify that this is not a serious movie. And believe you me, it isn't (I mean that positively). Kurt Russell plays Jack Burton, a truck driver who sounds like he spends all day watching reruns of sitcoms and Sylvester Stallone movies. Then, when Gracie Law (Kim Cattrall) is captured, Jack and several other people have to go underground in San Francisco's Chinatown to try and rescue her. Down there, they find evil sorcerer Lo Pan and his empire. From there, the movie is basically a litany of various forms of ass-kicking. My favorite scene was the fight scene where everyone is just flying at each other.
"Big Trouble in Little China" is completely silly - and rather ridiculous - from beginning to end, but the good kind of silly and ridiculous. If nothing else, the whole thing is worth seeing just to hear Kurt Russell's hilariously sarcastic comments.
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Lord what fun!, 1 June 2005
Author: el_nickster from Washington, DC USA
This may be John Carpenter's most enjoyable film. He busts out of horror to make an action/comedy that satirizes both American-style "two buddies with guns" flicks and Chinese kung fu action flicks. Don't let the movie's low marks with the critics fool you: the critics back in the 1980s didn't watch kung fu movies, so they didn't get the jokes! A rambling tough-guy truck driver gets lost in the city, and accidentally pulls his truck into the middle of a massive kung fu gang fight in Chinatown. As a result, he befriends a local Chinese guy whose fiancée has been kidnapped by a triad who follow an evil spirit (Loh Pan). Said evil spirit had decided to marry said fiancée himself, as part of a ritual to summon said evil spirit into the physical world. The two men lead a group of civic minded martial artists into the depths of the earth to rescue the fair maiden and put an end to the dastardly deeds of Loh Pan.
Okay, enough plot summary. This is one fun movie. Crazy feats of kung fu. Ridiculously campy dialog. Actually funny dialog. So-campy-its-funny dialog. A main character who can't do anything right. Whacky monsters that seem to be modeled after Ming figurines on your Aunt's coffee table. An old herbalist who dispenses super potions and fortune-cookie wisdom. Kung fu gang fights. Kung fu gun fights. Gorilla fu. Kurt Russel fu.
All that fu aside, there is a reason this is a cult classic. If you like cult films, you are going to like BTLC.
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The greatest adventure ever told, serial B-movie style..., 26 May 2005
Author: Tomius J. Barnard from United Kingdom
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Big Trouble in Little China isn't your average adventure movie. Sure, it's got the classic action sequences and all the beat 'em up elements, but it's done with just the right amount of tongue-in-cheek humour and over-the-top comic book antics, that it's weighed out into something real special. Only Carpenter could pull off this B-movie (on purpose), that really sets the stakes for an all-time classic and of course, your enjoyable adventure flick.
Jack Burton (Kurt Russell) is a trucker who gets caught up with his friend Wang (Dennis Dun) in a downtown Chinatown conspiracy. An age old Magician called Lo Pan is planning on returning from the spirit world and needs to sacrifice a girl with "green eyes" to do so. Wang's girlfriend fits that exact description, and she's caught and it's up to him to rescue her. Of course, Wang owes Jack money so Jack decides it's best to stick with Wang until he's paid up, but gets caught up in something out-of-this-world. Teaming up with some strange and memorable characters, Jack and Wang hit the underground warehouse for Lo Pan's operations, and involve themselves in a mission that will save Chinatown for ages to come!
It really is spectacular, with everybody performing to their best of ability. It's hard to explain the "feeling" you get from watching this movie, but it's a good one. Never before has an adventure made me feel so alive. In fact, it makes me want to go on this particular quest myself! I recommend it to the highest heavens: you won't be disappointed with John Carpenter's 1986 classic, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA.
Overall: The greatest adventure movie of all time: cinema at it's best. (5/5)
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Movie Ridicule Perfection, 16 March 2005
Author: Patrick Gray from United States
John Carpenter's "Big Trouble in Little China" is a recent personal favorite. Hero, Jack Burton goes on an oddball trip through Little China to discover secrets in Chinese Mysticism and the universal plot of obliteration schemed by the evil, yet lovable, David Lo Pan. Although many consider this film too obscure to be taken seriously, Carpenter's intention wasn't to make a serious "kung-fu action/adventure" film. At its best, it's a simple satire on generations of action and karate movies. While taking elements from the 80's, it becomes a time capsule holding all things sacred to film goers looking for a break from the monotony in the industry. I salute Mr. Carpenter for being ahead of his time to critique an unborn generation already in ruin with dead film.
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Chines Ghost Story with very high fun factor, 3 March 2005
Author: spacemonkey_fg from Puerto Rico
Title: Big Trouble in Little China
Director: Jhon Carpenter
Stars: Kurt Russel, Kim Katral, Dennis Dun, Victor Wong
Its been called by Jhon Carpenter a "Chinese ghost story" and I agree with him. I can safely say this is one of those movies that I have seen over a kagillion times, and I never get tired of it.
Its filled to the brim with Chinese lore, you know Chinese gods like Ching Dai, and Chinese ghosts like "Lo-Pan", and monsters like the "Chinese wild man" a monster thats a cross between chewbacka and a very deranged gorilla. Its all embellished in a Chinese style ghost story thats done to perfection by our old pal Jhon Carpenter.
The plot is about Jack, a San Francisco truck driver and Wang Chi the owner of the Chinese restaurant in San Francisco china town. Wang Chis fiancée named Maoyin is kidnapped by a gang of thugs called "The Lords of Death".
Jack joins Wang Chi in rescuing her, and in doing so go deeper into the world of Chinese ghosts and monsters. You see Lou Pan the bad guy, needs Maoyin to turn back into a human, see hes cursed with being a ghost forever.
Chaos is what follows. Or as Wang says "we really shook the pillars of heaven didn't we jack?"
The film is great fun, and most of that fun comes from the great characters in the film, I think its safe to say that all the characters are interesting and likable. Lets see we have:
Jack Burton- played by Kurt Russell is my favorite of the bunch. Some of his lines have me cracking up most of the time! Hes only in this for the dough. Or is he? Maybe underneath his rough exterior he just cares about his friends.
Wang Chi- played by Dennis Dun. Just a dude in love and willing to do anything to get his love back. And don't stand in his way, once hes got a sword in hand your in for some trouble.
Egg Chen- and old bus driver/tour guide/wise man who's also dwells a little in black magic and magic potions. Oh and he also carries around something called the "7 demon bag" so watch out.
Gracie Law- played by Kim Katrall, who plays this nosy lawyer willing to do anything to let the rest of the world know what is going on in the San Francisco underground sewers. And shes in love with Jack.
There's a whole Chinese temple underneath the streets of Chinatown in the world of Big Trouble in Little China!
It doesn't shy down in the special fx dept. It has visual fx left and right, lets see: green balls of flame, a guy who can manipulate lightning, magic power battles, people having sword fights in mid-air, and monsters with 50 eyeballs. You name it, its in there. And done well.
It doesn't disappoint in the action department either, we get karate fights all through out the movie, they pale a little in comparison to todays matrix-style fighting, but they are not all that bad.
Before martial arts were made cool by films like The Matrix and Hidden Dragon Crouching Tiger...there was Big Trouble in Little China, one of Jhon Carpenters best efforts!
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Entertaining fantasy fluff, 30 January 2005
Author: Fiendish_Dramaturgy from http://fiendishdramaturgy.elswet.com or leave a Private Message.
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Big Trouble in Little China is touted as one of Carpenter's many masterpieces. In fact, it's even touted by some Carpenter fans as his best movie. I have to disagree on both counts. While it is far from a "masterpiece," it is an enjoyable endeavor. But John Carpenter has done far superior work. The budget does not make the movie. (Look at "Gigli.") Big-named stars do not make the movie. (Look at "Gigli.") Personally, I thought "In the Mouth of Madness" was a much superior attempt.
When a big name moves out of their usual genre into that of Fantasy, there is almost always evidence of a large-scale rally of support for this move. Stephen King strayed from his horror genre into Fantasy by way of "Eyes of the Dragon." That was so well received by his horror-fan audience that he did more than stray; he dove head first into the "Dark Tower" series. That series has been phenomenally successful. Dean Koontz strayed from his usual political-thriller formula and wrote "Dragon's Tears." It did not fare as well as King's walkabout, but his fan base is not quite as large. Peter Jackson side-stepped the horror genre for a horror/fantasy when he did "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy which was also phenomenally successful. Wes Craven's "Vampire in Brooklyn" was his attempt at a horror/fantasy/comedy which was moderately well received. I'll stop here, as I'm sure you get the general idea.
Now, don't get me wrong. I believe a fan should support the work of the object of their devotion, but never blindly. A "star" (be they in front of the camera, behind the camera, or behind the scenes) deserves any level of devotion only if they are worthy. Only if their work is worthy. I am a Lucas fan. I've enjoyed all his movies. Yep. That's right. Every one, including the SW prequels. But I do not support his Star Wars OT money machine. I refuse to support him any further until he listens to the millions of fans who made him who he is today and gives us the OT in its original form. He has forgotten his fans; turned a deaf ear to us, and for that, he is usurped as the Fantasy King. Jackson sits on that throne today.
Carpenter should have stayed more within the boundaries of horror and action with this attempt, and dropped the comedic aspect all together. It is not his forté, and it shows. I found the levity to be distracting from the work, and rather out of place in this dark fantasy. He walked up to the bell, but would not ring it. To me, that shows a lack of courage and faith in his work. Had this been darker, had he put more of himself and less Hollywood in this work, it would have been a thousand times better.
The martial arts elements are obviously choreographed, but most movie martial arts are. This, however, was executed poorly, as you could virtually see the "dance feet" chalked on the floor. Step, two, three, Kick, two three. The villains telegraph from so far away, you would have had advance notice of their attacks days in advance.
The characters are cardboard cut outs of the worst stereotypes of the 1980's. Jack Burton is a macho tough guy with little or no brains, just brawn, and not much of that, either. Gracie Law is your typical ditsy blonde with too much mouth and very little brains to get in the way. The bad guys are in a gang, the heroine is dumpy and startlingly non-sexual, and you have the "cute" sidekick element. You also have a decent (but anti-climactic) clash of good wizard vs. cursed/evil wizard and their respective armies (which amount to a dozen or so men). There are some monsters, but in this critic's opinion, they were hokey and unintentionally factored into the comedic aspects of this movie. I was not afraid.
Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China is a shallow look into the virtual bottomless ocean that is Chinese theology, mythology, legend, and religious belief systems. It contains the elements of horror (however minuscule), comedy, mysticism, and fantasy. It is not a thinking person's work, nor is it of "masterpiece" quality and/or content.
It is entertaining, well enacted, nicely executed, and enjoyable. But it is a popcorn movie, and nothing more. It is not epically filmed. You will not be frightened, touched, or inspired. You will chuckle, but not laugh outright. You will neither be enlightened nor educated in the ways of these ancient people. You will merely be entertained.
For most movie goers, that element alone, is enough. If that is enough for you, then this movie will not let you down as long as you don't have expectations which exceed the real limits of this work.
For a much better fantasy, I recommend "The Dark Crystal," or "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."
It rates a 7.2/10 from...
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A Flawed Classic, 24 November 2002
Author: Graphic from Baltimore
I'm quite aware that this movie is far from perfect. But most of us have a soft spot for some corny movie that were sick of, seen a million times since we were toddlers, know by heart, and still love.
This movie is a personal classic of mine. I must have seen this movie a hundred times, literally. At least 3-6 times a year. I can recite the script in my sleep but every time I see it, it's a blast...if only for a little nostalgia.
10/10
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Surprisingly OK fantasy comedy, 29 October 2002
Author: soranno from Las Vegas, Nevada
Kurt Russell may seem miscast here but he manages to make his role as a truck driver who goes underneath San Francisco's Chinatown district and battles evil spirits with magical powers a little better than one might expect. Not as good as a similiarly themed film from the same year called "The Golden Child" but an amusing and fairly enjoyable fantasy nonetheless.
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CLASSIC STRANGE MOVIE!!!, 25 August 2002
Author: Steve Sandberg (flodman123@aol.com) from Illinois
There are many strange movies in America these days, most of them I'm not too impressed with. I watched Big Trouble in Little China, almost John Carpenter's best but just behind the Thing, and loved it. It's amazing. Great special effects, Kurt Russell's hilarious Jack Burton, extremely funny lines, cool martial arts fighting, and just a completely strange but brilliant plot. I just love how Kurt Russell portrayed Jack Burton, it's definitely his most amazing performance. I end my review saying this, everything about this movie is great, it deserves a 10 out of 10 and that is what it got from me.
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Must See, 1 August 2002
Author: jdier from United States
This is a must see for any Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, or David Carpenter fan.
DVD watchers make sure to listen to the director commentary. It is basically Russell and Carpenter sitting around smoking and drinking beers while they watch the movie. Worthy of a rental just for that track!
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Silly but quite good fun to watch, 25 July 2002
Author: bob the moo from Birmingham, UK
Jack Burton is a trucker who agrees to pick his friend's fiancée. However Chi's fiancée has green eyes making her a target for immortal sorcerer Lo Pan. Jack loses both his truck and the girl to Lo Pan's warriors and must do battle with the spirits to get them back.
John Carpenter seems to be cursed to do bad movies recently. However this was made back when his name before the title meant something and this manages to be good simply because it's quite fun to watch with your tongue in your cheek. The plot is silly, the action daft and the characters exaggerated, but yet this is all done with some charm and actually makes this a better film.
The weaknesses are that it's silly of course and some may find it to be just brainless fodder – which it probably is in fairness. A bigger failing is that the martial arts action just isn't very good. Compare it to movies made in HK about the same time and you'll see what I mean. Why Carpenter didn't make it better is beyond me. However if you buy into the sense of fun then these are minor.
Russell is good with his Clint Eastwood impression actually being good for a laugh and Cattrall seems to be enjoying herself too. Many of the Oriental characters are caricatures but lets not forget this is juts an action comedy and not an art movie!
Overall it's silly with average action scenes. However for some reason it manages to be better than it's parts and is actually quite good fun to watch.
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"Have you paid your dues, Jack?", 14 July 2002
Author: mamitag
You HAVE to just let this movie take you where it's going. Don't fight it, don't question it. Kurt Russell says on the DVD commentary that this movie only works because all the actors are in the same movie; no one is trying to make it what it cannot be. This may be so, but in my opinion the CHARACTERS are all in different movies, often at different times! We've got romance, adventure, comedy, horror, mysticism, and martial arts, with a big dial that is supposed to point to the overriding mood, but it keeps getting moved. If you agree with this movie, you'll love it. Fight it, and you'll be miserable.
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Definately a film like no other, 19 June 2002
Author: Krug Stillo (nhargii@hotmail.com) from England
John Carpenter upset a lot of people releasing his unsociable alien in The Thing on a public still in the friendly alien E.T. hype. Unprepared cinema-goers and a case of bad timing forced Carpenter into a state of purgatory. Leaving his usual flair for horror behind him, he directed the family friendly sci-fi, Starman (1984) and followed its success with Big Trouble in Little China; definately a movie like no other...
Kurt Russell plays the loud mouthed, hopelessly inept, reluctant 'hero', Jack Burton. This comedic character demands the money owed to him by his friend, Wang. Before you can even say the title of this film, Wang's fioncee gets kidnapped, Jack's truck gets stolen and they're both up to their necks in mysticism, wizardry, monsters and Kung Fu experts.
As has been the problem with previous Carpenter and Russell vehicles (The Thing & Escape from New York), Big Trouble in Little China was a film way ahead of its time. It failed at the box office in 1986, despite high production values, an original concept, great photography and your usual superb synthersizer score from Carpenter. After this disappointment Carpenter left the studio, returning to independent filmmaking for Prince of Darkness (1987).
The DVD (both regions) has a great commentary and really conveys exactly how funny Big Trouble in Little China is meant to be. It's also loaded with extras, one of which is the music video performed by The Coupe de Villes (a band comprising of John Carpenter, Tommy Wallace (director of Halloween III) and Nick Castle (Michael Myers in the original Halloween). If you haven't seen this film and have a taste for something completely different, then it's worth seeking out.
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It deserved a trilogy, 13 May 2002
Author: Tasos Tz. from London, England
I believe that most people first saw 'Big Trouble in Little China' on video. It is one of those 80's action/thriller movies that gained a cult status along with 'Back to the future', 'Fright Night', 'Predator' and 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'.
The production design is absolutely marvelous. Every set is a work of art and it is presented with economy and style. Curt Rusell is magnificent as the laid back truck driver and the rest of the cast is excellent too.
The martial arts scenes are probably the best ones ever filmed in Hollywood. John Carpenter's direction is simply excellent and he had to deal with possibly the most demanding project he ever worked with. Humor, action and horror are combined flawlessly from beginning to end.
An absolute classic that totally deserved a sequel, even a trilogy.
10/10 (they don't make 'em like that any more)
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Great Action-Comedy, 11 May 2002
Author: LuboLarsson from Scotland
Viewed as what it is a tongue in cheek action-comedy, this film really is a treat. Kurt Russell is great as the "hero" of the film, that is he thinks he's a hero, but really he's a bit of an idiot! Thats where the humour comes in, and Kurt is great as this sort of character, similar to the one he played in Tango and Cash. This film was directed by John Carpenter, back when he made decent films i.e before around 1987. This isn't as good as Russell and Carpenters films like Escape from New York or The Thing but then it's a diffrent sort of film. The martial arts in the film is superbly done and that plus the comedy make up for the dodgy storyline. Another plus point is Sex in the City star Kim Catrall, she's a great comedy actres and is very nice to look at. If only John Carpenter could still make films of this quality. I recommend th DVD as it features a light hearted commentary by star and director. ***7/10***
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Classic Kung-fu movie that never gets old!, 1 May 2002
Author: evenbetter (evenbetter@writeme.com)
Big Trouble in Little China, in my opinion, is one of the best movies to come out of the 80's, although it appeared with little fanfare.
The story goes like this: Jack Burton and his truck (The Pork Chop Express) travel to San Francisco's China Town to deliver a shipment. While there, he reunites with an old friend, Wang Chi, who, consequently, is getting married in a few days. Unfortunately, Lo Pan, an ancient Chinese demon/sorcerer/businessman has his sights set on the same women because only a green-eyed girl can restore his mortality. Eventually, Jack and Wang go on an adventure to rescue a whole bevy of women with green eyes and stop Lo Pan before he can rule the universe.
The best elements of Big Trouble in Little China are the characters and the situations that develop between them. The Three Storms are defintely a great addition to the movie, and the intense fight sequences were ahead of their time. The "big final fight" between the "good" and "bad" gangs is hilarious, exciting, and special-effects laden including: a sort of magical game of "Mortal Kombat"; a man kicking another man 3 times in row (very quickly); Wang and Rain sword fighting in *mid-air*; and Jack Burton displaying his amazing throwing arm ("It's all in the reflexes").
Oh, and Kurt Russel's portrayal of Jack Burton is timeless and very funny. He's not totally brainless as some might lead on; I think he doesn't totally understand (or want to understand) the magical things that are occuring, but he nevertheless continues because his friendship with Wang.... and he wants his truck back.
"Do you know what Jack Burton says in a time like this?"
"Who?"
"Jack Burton; *me*!"
<Wang flips in and gives Jack the nod>
"Ol' Jack always says, 'What the hell..'"
IMDb user comments for
Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
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Don't try to pigeonhole it - you'll just get a headache, 11 January 2001
Author: Gislef from Iowa City, IA
Big Trouble is quite simple a comedy-action movie. It has no other purpose. Carpenter isn't trying to make any big statements, or send a message, or even really engage the audience to do anything other then ooh at the action sequences and laugh at the funny stuff. There's no moral. He's having fun: Kurt Russell is having fun. Everyone is having fun. All Carpenter wants you to do is sit down and have as much fun as he had making this. Grab some popcorn, grab a few friends, sit down and watch this late-night, and have a ball.
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We used to have a word for this: 'Bitchin', 9 January 2001
Author: Mr Pants (maestropants@yahoo.com) from Columbus, Ohio
This really is a movie for junior-high school boys, isn't it? it has broad stereotypical representations, ridiculously complex backstory, and only the very slightest understandings of interactions between men and women. This is not to say it's a *bad* movie ... it's a GREAT BAD MOVIE!
The portrayal of Chinese/Chinese-Americans here is tempered quite a bit by Kurt Russell's overblown John Wayne performance. It seems to tell us, "if you think this is what the Chinese are really like, well then, this is how *Americans* look in the same light." It also helps that the American is clueless and ultimately is mostly a tag-along who utters macho comments of dubious wit along the way.
Its treatment of love is no less broad, with Jack Burton and Gracie Law's inexplicable attraction, that seems to be built up only so it can't be dropped (in true macho style) at the end. If you're not too PC to see through all this, it is absolutely hilarious.
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big fun in little china, 3 January 2001
Author: mcfly-31 from anaheim, ca
Though a bit incoherent at times, this is a terrific all-out adventure full of bizarre imagery for fans of the genre. Russell is perfect as a John Wayne wannabe, a guy who tries to be cool, but always comes up short. As a truck driver who squawks macho advice into his cb radio, his aid is enlisted when his buddy's fiance is kidnapped. They (and a handful of others) head into the Chinese underground to rescue her from marrying an ancient Chinese sorcerer named David (that's Chinese?) Lo Pan. Since the girl has green eyes, Lo Pan can become young again by marrying her. Russell and co. must endure tons of life threatening situations as they find their way through the hidden world underneath the streets of San Franciso's Chinatown. Lo Pan's cohorts are after them, and being affiliated with a sorcerer, they have powers all their own. Characters such as Rain, Thunder and Lightning, who can fly and know martial arts, are constantly battling Russell and his gang. It's a bit unclear as to why they aren't just killed, but only tied up or blindfolded and locked into a room. Also, it's never really explained who Lo Pan is or his origin, but the key for me in any movie is pacing, and this thing zips by nicely. The beginning is great as we're introduced to Russell as the egotistical hero, then plunged right into the action during a scene at an airport. The rest of the cast is great, Kattrall as the cute female lead, Hong is a hoot as Lo Pan, appearing at several different ages and types of make-up, Wong as the unfazed smart-ass Egg-Shenn, and despite what some others said, I thought Dennis Dun (Wang) was a decent enough actor. But it's no doubt that Russell is the star, with his sarcastic line readings, such as Dun telling him "My destiny rests in your capable hands," to which he responds annoyed, "Hey, I'll do my best". Or when he refers to the powerful, dangerous Lo Pan as simply "Dave". The only thing that brings this down from perfection is the two over-extended fight scenes at the front and end of the film. They go on WAY too long and are so chaotic that they make your head spin. I mean, if I had to watch Dun and that one guy leap into the air and slam their swords together as they fly across the room one more time, I wouldda screamed. Aside from that, this is just pure, mindless fun, with a terrific end credits song written and performed (except for vocals) by director Carpenter, that's become one of my favorite tunes over the years. He uses his trademark synthesizers, also incorporating some traditional Chinese music sounds along with a great beat. And despite a set-up for a sequel, there has yet to be a return of Jack Burton and the Pork Chop Express. Which may be good, as it would be tough to top what they cranked out here, one of the better adventure films over the years.
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I had to see it a second time to like it; now I love it., 28 November 2000
Author: Bill Cernansky from USA, Earth
I saw this movie when it came out in the theaters in 1986. It was basically marketed as an action drama. I hated it; it was unrealistic and the characters did unbelievable things. I didn't understand the motivation for Carpenter to make this film.
I didn't see it again for about two years. The second time was an epiphany; well this film is a comedy! I didn't get it the first time. It wasn't just a comedy; it was really, really funny.
This movie attracts my attention whenever it pops up on the tube. My old recorded-from-Cinemax copy wore out years ago, and I look forward to seeing it on DVD (hurry up DVD!). Kurt Russell is a hoot; genuine in the role of a knows-less-than-he-thinks truck driver.
The story is so original and so non-categorical that you can't explain it. Chop-socky Asian-American comedy-adventure supernatural superhero/supervillain action drama is the closest I can describe it, and I'm still miles away.
Personally, I think this film is much better than "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai", which has achieved cult status for no reason I can figure. Well acted, well directed, and very funny.
It's all in the reflexes.
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JACK BURTON. ME!, 21 November 2000
Author: cj102100 from humid in houston
this movie took about four years to grow on me. now it is one of my favorites. it is a movie that defies pigeonholing, classification, or definition. when people ask about it, i just say: rent it and watch it. i hope the dvd release (when it happens) will be a collector's edition, not a disappointment like the just released escape from new york. i can't wait.
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This is a fun movie with a lot of action., 5 November 2000
Author: jgusw from USA
If you like action/comedy movies, then you should take a look at this. It has a lot of action and a lot of laughs. The kids will love it. As for adults, you will probably hate this movie or love it. A must see if you have kids.
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This is a fun movie with a lot of action., 5 November 2000
Author: jgusw from USA
If you like action/comedy movies, then you should take a look at this. It has a lot of action and a lot of laughs. The kids will love it. As for adults, you will probably hate this movie or love it. A must see if you have kids.
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The Ultimate B-Movie., 22 September 2000
Author: Jonny Russell from Liverpool, England
In these days of outstanding but grim films like 'Fight Club' and 'American History X' it's good to know that one time there were films like this one which made you feel good about life. 'Big Trouble in little China' is a grossly underrated film, once more film critic's around the world show how they've got their heads shoved up their A**'s when it comes to stuff like this, how could a film with so much going for it, (i.e/ Superb Dialogue, outstanding performances (O.K not from Wang), great direction, and some of the funniest scenes I've ever seen in movies.) can be called "Boring", and "Over-blown" is beyond me.
Even if you disliked the film itself you'd have to admire the way it fits in so many different genre's of film into one! Highlights include Jack's monologes over his CB radio, the airport scene ('Where that come from?'), The hilarious anti-climatic ending, ('Goodbye mister Burton') and the wheelchair/well scene (trust me it's funny)
It's a hellova shame that in these days where you can pick up sh*t like "BASEketball" and "Space Marines" on DVD you can't buy a kick-ass film like this, so I urge you to go out today and pick yourself up a VHS copy of a truely great film, Laugh at Kurt Russell's Jack 'John Wayne' Burton, Wonder how the hell Wang was ever allowed to act in a film and ponder why this film isn't in 'the top 250 films ever' on this very site. (For god's sake even the 'Fight Club' rip off 'American Beauty' is!!) Maybe one day we'll be able to hear 'It's all in the reflex's' in a crisp DVD transfer. God I hope so.
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another Carpenter classic, 27 August 2000
Author: dx4lifexpac (dx4lifexpac@aol.com) from new york
in the 70's and 80's there is no better director then John Carpenter once again he brings us a classic with the great Kurt Russell, Big Trouble In Little China is so much fun to watch, |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 11:31 PM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center An idea occurs to me: Should I tell my prof that I 1)Have some kind of mental disorder, learning disability or the like 2)Am in heroin withdrawal 3)tell her my parents died
maybe that way she'll get the fuck off of my back. if she had lower standards that might result in less rejecting of my assignments. Plus she might feel bad for me or something |
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Date: September 27th, 2005 11:35 PM Author: Useless piazza You should have a conference with her, and ask what the deal is and then do your best to conform to her expectations. She's a fucktard but you're probably stuck with her so I'd try to deal and get it over with. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3920760) |
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Date: September 29th, 2005 12:31 AM Author: Out-of-control Topaz Heaven Scourge Upon The Earth Stop whining PublicOnion. What're you going to do at a big firm when a partner tells you that you did a shitty job? Go post on XOXO? Fuck you. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=268011&forum_id=2#3928450) |
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Date: September 29th, 2005 2:20 AM Author: Drunken swashbuckling center hey fuckface-you get paid to do a job. On the other hand I am paying this cunthole to tell me to redo assignments because I was too late to class to hear about not putting citations in parentheses.
you're probably a TA |
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Date: September 29th, 2005 2:53 AM Author: Wonderful Mediation Striped Hyena if a partner were as unreasonable as this assclown pseudo-prefessor, you'd stop working for him, either tacitly or by telling him that's the price for his douchbaggery.
but it's good to know there are people like you who do what they're told, no matter how unreasonable.
these sorts of teachers have very fragile conceptions of there place, especially around HLS. she has no leverage. tell her: look, this is an aisnine policy; fix it or we petition the dean, or whoever handles things like this. she looking to break into being a real professor, and likely doesn't want it widely known what she has to do to command attention to her class |