Big Trouble In Little China Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Adventure doesn't come any bigger!
They told Jack Burton to go to hell...and that's exactly where he's going! (From Trailer)
It's all in the reflexes!
Some people pick the darnedest places to start a fight!
Try to find big reason before you visit world of magic...
Jack Burton's in for some serious trouble and you're in for some serious fun.
A Mystical, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Kung Fu, Monster, Ghost Story!
Somewhere in the 80s, trucker Jack Burton arrives in a small town to deliver his cargo and win a few bucks playing cards with the locals down at the Chinese market. Practically bankrupting nearly all of his opponents, his friend Wang bets him a game of "double or nothing" to try and regain his cash and loses. Jack wants his well earned money, but Wang explains he doesn't have the cash on him and that'll he pay later because he's due to pick up a long, lost girlfriend from the airport. Convinced Wang's pulling something sly, Jack insists he drive Wang to the airport so they can stick together. However, at the airport Wang's girlfriend is captured by the Lords of Death, a streetwise Chinatown gang. She is essential for an upcoming plan to revive a thousand year old Chinese sorcerer and bring him back to the world as a mortal again. So begins a daring adventure to rescue Wang's girl and stop the ruthless operation that's going on down in Little China. Teaming up with a cast of very different individuals, Jack and Wang delve deep into an uncovering conspiracy in which everything's not exactly as it seems. Here comes big trouble...
| Kurt Russell | Jack Burton |
| Kim Cattrall | Gracie Law |
| Dennis Dun | Wang Chi |
| James Hong | David Lo Pan |
| Victor Wong | Egg Shen |
| Kate Burton | Margo |
| Donald Li | Eddie Lee |
| Carter Wong | Thunder |
| Peter Kwong | Rain |
| James Pax | Lightning |
| Suzee Pai | Miao Yin |
| Chao Li Chi | Uncle Chu |
| Jeff Imada | Needles |
| Rummel Mor | Joe Lucky |
| Craig Ng | One Ear |
| John Carpenter |
7.10 out of 10 (23736 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Why this movie is the greatest movie of all time
posted on 15 Aug 2009Big 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!
Cultadventure, Not for everyone
posted on 12 Aug 2009This is a movie of great value and meaning for teenagers and young adults who grew up in it's time. The main problem for me when I watched this the first time is that the storytelling is so liberal when it comes to boundaries of the genre that you don't really know what type of movie you're watching. At first you have the impression of adventure action, then comedy action, then hardcore action..furthermore it goes on to horror sci-fi and then back to comedy action again in a haze of genre confusion and settles down at something like adventure-horror-action-comedy.That said, of course that type of storytelling is original in a sense, and all those unusual elements to it made it stand out as a cult film, and obviously a few people liked that, but to me it was always a downside. I was not satisfied with the story being so loosely hinged and unsecured that you have no idea what "scheme" to use when watching the movie. It was like the mixing of genres destroyed each others credibility.I think the movie would be a lot better if they either cut out the comedy and based it as a horror action(i.e The Thing) movie or cut out the horror and base it as action adventure(i.e Escape from New York). In addition the movie is a victim of evolution as the visual effects have been outdated years ago, which really isn't a bad FX gig, it's just that Big Trouble was made to rely heavily on special effects, and that at the time of release, the special effects were so new in style and cool that they never took the time to detail it on screen so that it would seem realistic in the future. A more conservative approach would definitely have payed off in my opinion.Not timeless, still the movie holds some value with a few funny scenes as well as good martial arts scenes.
the real unforgettable entertainment
posted on 12 Aug 2009Words really can't describe how great this movie is. I loved it as a child and still love it as an adult. I personally believe BTILCH is gonna stay here for a long time in almost the same case as with "The Wizard Of Oz" continuing to entertain another generations, real timeless classic that will never lose its charm. John Carpenter is a real genius, not only absorbs into a completely different genre from "Starman" that did 2 years before but does that like he was an Asian kung-fu master and not a horror master like he's used to be. Only the greats like him can succeed in every genre (and, i dare to say, in every decade). Now you have to excuse me i'm gonna show it to my children.
Kung Fu when Kung Fu Wasn't Cool.
posted on 22 Jul 2009If there was ever a movie ahead of (or behind) its time, this is it. While people continue to "oooh" and "aaaah" over the flying martial arts in CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, this one continues to collect dust on most video store shelves.Largely misunderstood when it was initially released in theaters, this is one of Carpenter's strangest works, combining action, humor, martial arts, and magic into one odd film that is nearly impossible to classify. But if you passed it up before, or watched it but didn't quite get it, you should give it another look. The new DVD print makes the movie look and sound better than ever, and the film is beautiful to watch, with many vibrant colors and thoughtful cinematography. It's quirky, yes, but a lot of fun.
This movie has it all
posted on 13 Jun 2009This movie has it all, special effects, action, humor, and most of all machismo. Its, just true escapism, not a serious movie. Whoever, did the comment about Kurt Russel being John Wayne is right, and Russel does it well. Lot's of Karate, and stupid humor, I love this, and let's not forget about the monster. Rent it, be it, live it. What a great concept, and a great movie.
The Ultimate B-Movie.
posted on 01 Jun 2009In 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.
In the grand tradition of Hong Kong action
posted on 08 May 2009BTILC is perhaps the greatest B movie ever made. It combines the absolute classic elements of cheesy flying martial arts action with marginal-quality acting and perhaps the best one-liners ever. Add to that John Carpenter's penchant for creating strange situations and Kurt Russell's perfect portrayal of a semi-hero and you have a true classic American movie. Any movie that can almost single handedly influence a classic video game as much as BTILC influenced Mortal Kombat has to be a hit.Perhaps the biggest factor of this movie are the characters. Jack Burton is the ubiquitous "white guy in a Kung Fu movie" and Kurt Russell pulls off a fabulous performance with equal portions complaints and heroics, while the real main players in the story line (Egg Shen, Wang Chi, David LoPan, among others) were perfect fits, mixing in a seriousness of the situation with some very unexpected American humor.This is the kind of movie you can throw in any time. Its great to simply watch, but even if you're busy doing something else, the sound and the music tell the story well, while any scene you watch, even on its own, is entertaining. Truly a package deal.If you want a serious martial arts movie, a comedy, or Schwarzenegger action film, this is NOT the movie you want. If you want all of that in equal portions in a single movie, then this is it.
Great fun!
posted on 29 Apr 2009Big Trouble in Little China has great one liners, great action, great humor and Kurt Russell. Kurt Russell is basically doing his best John Wayne impression in this film. He marches through every scene with a aura of bravado that only Wayne seems to possess. It's great fun to just plop this film into the VCR or LD player and just let it go. You get caught up in the sheer goofiness of the script and likeability of Kurt Russell. Plus he's got a great motto: "Give me your best shot. I can take it."
The Worst Movie I Have EVER Seen!!
posted on 17 Apr 2009This movie has got to be one of the worst, if not the worst movies, I have ever seen. The plot is absolutely abysmal. The acting is mediocre. And the least said about the special effects the better. It made me regret paying £3.50 to the video rental store. This film gets 1 star from me and thats only because you cant give a lower rating.
Lots of one-liners, special effects, and martial arts mayhem in this endearingly silly movie.
posted on 08 Apr 2009Jack Burton (Kurt Russell) is a swaggering trucker with an attitude who is caught up in strange events as he witnesses the kidnapping of his friend Wang's (Dennis Dun) fiancée (Suzee Pai). In their quest to rescue the girl, they travel to various seedy locations in and under San Francisco's Chinatown, a territory ruled by the zealous and bitter 2,000 year old spirit David Lo Pan (James Hong)."Big Trouble in Little China" marked the fourth collaboration between Russell and his frequent director, genre favorite John Carpenter (after 'Elvis', "Escape From New York", and "The Thing"). The actor offers one of his most entertaining performances, portraying him as an ineffectual, clueless bozo who thinks he's the heroic lead but doesn't realize that he's actually the comedy relief. Wang, while going through the motions of looking to Burton for leadership, is actually the one with the courage, determination, and energy necessary to save the day. This whole spin on the standard "buddy" movie formula is just one under-appreciated aspect of the movie.Kim Cattrall, a dozen years or so before her great latter-day success on 'Sex and the City' is an appealing female lead who can not only look gorgeous but also match the energy level of her co-stars and deliver rapid-fire exposition in an entertaining way. Dun is likable as Wang and the supporting cast is superb as well, with under-appreciated actors like Hong, who's been in the business over fifty years and is still working into his seventies, and the endearingly eccentric Victor Wong as Egg Shen, who has since passed on, but had the distinction of appearing as Professor Birack in Carpenter's next film, "Prince of Darkness".The movie is a wild, rollicking ride, which does not offer the audience many chances to breathe, with one enjoyable set piece after another. The whole tone of the film is comedic, and the unaware should take note that the film is not meant to be taken seriously. It's the kind of film that both makes fun of and pays tribute to its inspiration, in this case, old-fashioned kung fu pictures. Its failure in its initial theatrical run may well have been partly due to Twentieth Century Fox not quite knowing how to promote the picture, since it *is* a combination of mystic fantasy, martial arts action, and broad comic spoof.Burton's dialog is full of some enjoyably goofy lines, and there are some great moments that truly define the character, such as when he goes into the final battle with lipstick on his face, or what happens during an earlier battle when he does his own battle cry and shoots out part of the ceiling, only to have it fall on his head and knock him out cold. Hilarious! This is a fun B-level picture with no pretensions. It's just pure, simple entertainment, plain and simple - a solid 100 minutes of diversion for fans of Carpenter and Russell. They haven't worked together since 1996's "Escape From L.A.", but here's hoping that they *will* work together again sometime in the near future.Trivia note: Richard Edlund - the professional special effects man who contributed so much to "Ghostbusters", "Fright Night", and "Die Hard" may be the most prominent name in the credits in terms of the special effects, but the crew can also boast such future effects notables as Steve Johnson ("Species") and Screaming Mad George ("Society").Also, in addition to providing another of his own great electronic music scores, Carpenter composed the title tune, played over the closing credits, and performs it with his group, The Coupe de Villes, also consisting of his longtime colleagues Tommy Lee Wallace and Nick Castle. Carpenter's the singer - listen to this song and be amazed at how low he brought his voice - it doesn't sound like him at all!7/10
"It's all in the reflexes"
posted on 24 Mar 2009You can't actually go wrong when you've got John working with Kurt, Victor and myths. The plot is great, develops swiftly, and the pacing is fast and non-stop without this ever being overwhelming. It doesn't overstay its welcome, either. Russell delivers one-liners, and a spot-on performance, heck, everyone who needs to, acts well in this. They also found the coolest, meanest looking Asians who could fight and put 'em in this. The martial arts are seriously kick-ass. The supernatural aspects are a perfect mix of silly and incredible, with fantastic and interesting material, done in a tone that is relatively respectful but also poking fun, so regardless of how you feel about spiritual type stuff, if you like adventure flicks(and, honestly, in almost all cases, I don't, and I enjoyed myself immensely), you will probably love this. This has highly imaginative, and quite weird, creatures and occurrences. The humor is excellent, much of it coming from the well-written dialog, the music is well-composed and fitting, and this is a smoothly blended mix of fun-filled action, horror and mystical events in a film that you can barely take your eyes off, all of this adding up to a real tour de force by Carpenter. Whoever says movies can't be creative and hold surprises... you're watching the wrong ones. There is language in this, reasonably infrequent and mostly mild, no sex and the violence is PG, whilst rather exciting and engaging. I recommend this to any fan of the director, actors and/or anyone else who helped make this happen. 7/10
Just the weirdest most amazing masterpiece ever
posted on 19 Feb 2009To anyone who has wondered, "i wonder what would happen if Kurt Russell was walking in Chinatown and found a drain full of weird 80's kung fu magic", then believe it or not, this film will answer your question and more. Tarantino tried hard to emulate this spectacle of Kung Fu mastery in Kill Bill Vol.2, but he can't compare to this. B Movie's are meant to be a film that interest sub-cultures and avid film goers, but this is something else. Move out the way Godfather, Shawshank, and all the other wannabes, this is how to make a film. Just give Kurt a gun a girl and a bootylicious (yes, thats right) storyline, and you've got your all time #1.
One of John Carpenter's few comedies.
posted on 16 Feb 2009Imagine a movie that makes a hero out of a man so dense that he can't keep up in most conversations and is useless in a fight. That is Kurt Russell's Jack Burton, played with a slight John Wayne impersonation and a massive superiority complex. Most of the heavy lifting is done by "sidekick" Dennis Dunn as the high flying Wang Chi and Victor Wong as the mysterious Egg Shen. James Wong is fantastic as both the ten foot tall roadblock and the little basket case on wheels, Lo Pan, who kidnaps Wang's girl and Jack's partner in sexual tension. What passes for a plot, which is just an excuse for fights and silliness, has the two of them storming Lo Pan's castle for their damsels, several times, until they it right. The only sad thing is that this marked the beginning of the end of Carpenter's hot streak. People, including those in the studio, didn't get this movie and he had more then enough of their talk. If some don't love it, they just have poor reflexes.P.S. The commentary by Russell and Carpenter is classic. Two old friends shooting the breeze, reminiscing about a movie they loved making. As a matter of fact, the commentaries from The Thing and Escape From New York are a blast too.
The Illest Movie Ever
posted on 20 Jan 2009I've watched this movie about a hundred times, and consider it among my favorites, if not my favorite of all time. Its a sort of combination of an American action movie with a Chinese martial arts film, mixed with some old school Chinese mysticism themes, and a tight soundtrack.The film is highlighted by its wide array of diverse characters, including macho tough guy Jack Burton, his Chinese homeboy Wang, bad guy extrardinare Lo Pan and his three main henchmen (including one who has a few memorable lines in thick Chinese accents, such as "I can halp you" and "Pray you cards aright--you live to talk about it!"), and a slew of others.BTILC is packed with awesome scenes, including a memorable "Chinese standoff" fight scene, and tons of tight fighting Chinese related material.
It's not big and it's not clever
posted on 14 Jan 2009Big Trouble… is an awful film; repeat after me - an AWFUL film.OK, so it knows it's dreadful; so it's a parody of other, possibly more awful films; so it was made in the 1980s; so it's a John Carpenter flick. That doesn't excuse it. It's still diabolical (in pretty much every sense of the word).Of course everyone DOES know it's crap. The actors ham it up (particularly Kim Cattrall and a sublime-yet-not-quite-sublime-enough-to-rescue-the-film Kurt Russell). The score is as you would expect with a John Carpenter film – i.e. it's by John Carpenter. So anyone who's seen Assault on Precinct 13 knows what level of naff synth to expect.The plot manages the extraordinary feat of being more bonkers than the Hong Kong genre it parodies. Talking of the Chinese, BTiLC's characterisation of Chinese people is a bit suspect too. The white actors are allowed to ham it up, but the Chinese ones have to play it straight. This makes it look like the joke is on them, which isn't true, but you could be forgiven for thinking it was. In its own unique way it's more 1980s than Top Gun. Ah, it really is awful.The only real question for me is why I own a copy, even though I saw it before I bought it. I don't know, I just don't know. Like smoking and Star Wars, I suppose you just get suckered into these things when you're young. If I was mad enough to make a case for this Scooby Doo meets Fu Manchu of a film, I might try to point to its infectious exuberance. That and, possibly, the wonderfully executed cowardly and incompetent heroics of Jack Burton (aka Kurt Russell). It's a sad fact that Kurt Russell has probably never been better. He is an absolute joy to watch in BTiLC, something that can't be said for the rest of the film.I absolutely refuse to give this film more than 4/10 though. I like it, I am ashamed, and that is enough. May I be forgiven.
Great Film
posted on 09 Dec 2008This is one of best films I've ever watched. It's not good acting, or good martial arts, but its is definitely fun to watch. The quotes of Jack Burton (Kurt Russell) is memorable. Especially, the part where he goes into a brothel, and was asked : 'Are you ready' and he replies, 'I was born ready'... such a classic!Highly recommend, great entertainment from start to finish!
I love this movie!
posted on 31 Aug 2009I have a few guilty pleasures and this is one of them. I'm not sure why I like this movie so much, but I really enjoyed watching it and decided it was finally time to pick it up on DVD.
Plus I got it for $2!
This is probably one of Kurt Russell's lesser known movies, but that does not make it any less entertaining. I find the story to be pretty intriguing too.