Directed by thrill master John Carpenter, this edge-of-your seat adventure stars Kurt Russell as Jack Burton, a tough-talking, wisecracking truck driver whose hum-drum life on the road takes a sudden supernatural tailspin when his best friend’s fiancee is kidnapped. Speeding to the rescue, Jack finds himself deep beneath San Francisco’s Chinatown, in a murky, creature-filled world ruled by Lo Pan, a 2000-year-old magician who mercilessly presides over an empire of spirits. Dodging demons and facing baffling terrors, Jack battles his way through Lo Pan’s dark domain in a full-throttle, action-riddled ride to rescue the girl. Co-starring Kim Cattrall, this effects-filled sci-fi spectacle speeds to an incredible, twist-taking finish.
- Audio: English: 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio, Dolby Surround / Spanish & French: 5.1 Dolby Digital
- Language: Dubbed & Subtitled: English, French & Spanish
- Aspect Ratio: Widescreen: 2.35:1
Once you settle into the realization that this 1986 John Carpenter (Halloween) film is not going to be one of the director’s more masterful works, Big Trouble in Little China just becomes a full-tilt comic blast. Kurt Russell is hilarious as a drawling, would-be John Wayne hero who steps into the middle of a supernatural war in the heart of Chinatown. While kung fu warriors and otherworldly spirits battle over the fate of two women (Kim Cattrall and Suzee Pai), Russell’s swaggering idiot manages to knock himself out or underestimate the forces he’s dealing with. The whole thing is dopey, but it’s supposed to be dopey and Russell’s game performance brings an ironic edge. Carpenter directs some nifty spook effects (the sudden arrival of three martial arts demigods from out of nowhere is worth applause), and he also wrote the music. –Tom Keogh
Buy “Big Trouble in Little China “ For Only $12.99
June 4, 2008
#1
Im sorry, but when the flying ninjas with huge baskets on their heads started showing up, that was enough for me. This movie has no entertainment value whatsoever. Its movies like this that give good actors like Kurt Russel a bad name. Go ahead, say that this review wasn’t helpful, but this is still an awful movie.
June 4, 2008
#2
I loved “Buckaroo B and I loved “The Thing” and still love Mr. Russell — thus I thought the talent combo would produce a classic. It took nearly 20 years to finally getting around to seeing it. Sorry, guys, I don’t get it. I didn’t enjoy it. Didn’t have fun. It just plain stunk. The Goonies were better and that’s saying something.
June 4, 2008
#3
one of the worst kurt russell films, and that is saying something. i guess he’s just one of those guys you either love or hate. at least this movie’s not as bad as escape from l.a.
June 4, 2008
#4
Anyone who says the words “People who don’t Like this film just Didn’t Get It” are Fooling themselves, We get it, There Isn’t Much to Get, We just don’t much Like it. It is Far from the Classic that many make it Out to be, there is a Reason it was a Mega-Flop, that reason is… It’s a Stupid Movie.
I Love John Carpenter, “Escape from NY”, “Escape from LA” and “The Thing” are three of the Best films Ever. “Big Trouble in Little China” isn’t. It’s Barely even a Good film, only Kurt Russell’s Likable Lead and Kim Cattrall’s Comical and Beautiful Sidekick save the film from being an Utter mess. They are Funny, Adventurous, Charming and their Chemistry is Electric. I have Always thought that Cattrall was an Underrated Actress, but now with “Sex in the City” she is getting the Respect she Deserves.
The Story is too Crazed and Confused to put into Words, but it Involves Martial Arts and Ancient Oriental Hocus Pocus. Kurt’s Character wanders down the wrong alley in Chinatown and he is Hip-deep in it. The Action is Attention Getting at the very Least, lots of Flips and Spells from the Bad guys and lots of Punches and Wisecracks from the good guys.
Carpenter doesn’t handle the film very well; he has given Everyone too long a Leech. The Effects are Too Out There; the Performances are Too Overdone, (except for Russell and Cattrall of course) and the Script is All Over the place. It’s as if he was Experimenting with the Question, “Does a Big Hollywood Blockbuster Even Need a Director These Days”, the Answer is a Definite Yes.
I am Certain had I seen this film earlier in life, as I was growing up, that it would be an Absolute Favourite, but Alas, I missed my chance and now I see it as it Is, a Miss-fire. They Aimed for Silly, It Came out Stupid, but If you know what you’re getting In for, you can Sit back and Enjoy the Action, the Excitement and the Stupidity of it all.
June 4, 2008
#5
I’m a Kurt Russell Fan. I had never seen this movie and recently checked it out and its beyond Horrible. The comedy does not exist.(I cant remember one funny part) The acting besides Russell is bad, and even he didnt seem to fit well in the role. The plot is stupid and beyond farfetched. I have a pretty wild imagination but from start to finish my only thoughts on this movie were PLEASE HURRY UP AND END.
Will never watch again. THIS MOVIE SUCKS