Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

 Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

 

6/10

Starring

Kurt Russell

Kim Cattrall

Dennis Dun

 

Directed by John Carpenter

 

How do you know you’re watching a flick done in the 80s? The music is usually the big giveaway. The scores in those days were always synthesized rock music, and your head always nods along.

Big Trouble in Little China was a movie John Carpenter wanted to make because of the martial arts aspect. Carpenter always wanted to make a martial arts film, and he drove to make this not just another B-rated martial arts flick. The result is this cult classic. The movie was a critical success, but at the time of its release, it was a box office dud.

One thing that really stands out in this movie is Kurt Russell’s portrayal of Jack. He crafted his character to have a typical Western hero feel, but with some modern-day jive and enough silliness. All through the film, he was a tough guy who was always in over his head and was only able to save the day because he had nice reflexes.

The movie plot is silly, and the acting at times just doesn’t add up. Some of the characters were a waste, and the bad guy just sucked. Yet, I liked the movie.

The plot introduces us to Jack, a truck driver who seems to have made that aspect of his life the only thing about him that matters. After restaurant owner Wang (who is also Jack’s best friend) lost a bet to him, Jack decided to drive Wang (Dennis Dun) to his restaurant so they could get the money owed. Wang wanted Jack to first take him to the airport to pick up his fiancée. It was there that the fiancée got kidnapped by some gang members from Chinatown.

With the help of a lawyer (Kim Cattrall) who was also at the airport, they were able to track the kidnappers and found themselves in the middle of a good vs. evil war between two factions in Chinatown.

The bad guys have Wang’s fiancée, and their boss, Lo Pan, is a powerful sorcerer who wants to sacrifice her. Wang and Jack have to find a way to save her before the ritual, and inevitably, save the world.

The comedy in this film is not just in the happenings on screen, but also in some of the lines from the characters. Even though the effects are below par, the film itself is worth seeing. The directing and acting needed a little tune-up. For example, Jack lost his truck, and he’s going out of his mind. His friend had his fiancée kidnapped, and he seems to be cool about it for the first twenty minutes of the film.

There are plans to make a sequel, which will star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, though the possibility of that happening is still up in the air. One thing I hope is that John Carpenter is involved.

Carpenter went ahead to make some comic book series about the film. If 80s-style action movies aren’t your thing, this will not change your mind. But if 80s-style movies are your go-to, then you’ll love this.