Big Trouble in Little China

1986’s “Big Trouble in Little China”, directed by John Carpenter.

Starring Kurt Russell, Dennis Dun, Victor Wong, James Hong, Kim Cattrell, Kate Burton, and Suzee Pai.

What is it about?

Russell stars as an outspoken trucker, resting on his route in San Francisco, and visiting his old friend, Dun. After a night of drunken gambling, Russell goes with Dun to pick up Dun’s fiancee (Suzee Pai) at the airport. A unruly gang shows up to kidnap Pai, and despite Russell’s (lack of) heroics, gets away. Hot on her trail, Russell and Dun end up in Chinatown, where 2 rival gangs get into an epic kung fu battle. The battle appears to be over, when 3 martial arts cosmic masters show up and begin slaughtering the group indiscriminately. Russell and Dun leave in Russell’s truck, and end up running over a Chinese immortal (Victor Wong). Disorientated by the resulting beams of light shooting out of his mouth and eyes, Russell and Dun leave on foot, regroup with more friends (such as lawyer Kim Cattrell), and go about recovering Dun’s fiancé, Russell’s truck, and in getting a story to report on. Deep in the sewers of San Francisco, the gang end up penetrating Wong’s stronghold, and embark on a journey of illicit telephone repairs, floating eyeball creatures, jailed prisoners, demon hellions, and lightning and mysticism sorcery.

Why is it worth seeing?

“Big Trouble” is the bible for adolescent boys, a throwback to the days where the North American zeitgeist was based around “American Ninja” and dojos on every street corner promising suburban kids that they could use martial arts to kick ass. It also happens to be a rollicking good time. There are those that will say it is stupid- they are missing the point and projecting! Kill them!

This is the genuine article, a rollicking kung fu epic with just enough lightning and sword fights to promise an annual re-watch from those who can stomach the absurd premise and cartoon fighting. Carpenter, ever the master of B movies, took an abrupt left turn from works such as “Halloween”, “Assault on Precinct 13”, and “Prince of Darkness” to make something as goofy as it gets. Once you suspend your sense of reality, “Big Trouble” moves fast and doesn’t stop until the final temple (resembling a food court) crumbles from the martial arts mayhem. Russell, who generally has done some of his best work with Carpenter, here does the world’s least competent impression of John Wayne, all bluster and zero follow through- and the results are hilarious. This is one American hero who does not save the day- but he tries! And his friends kick ass for him! “Yes sir, your cheque’s in the mail!”
For those who can appreciate retro camp, “Big Trouble” is big fun that features almost as many laughs as back flips.

Rating:

4/5

Trailer: Click Here.