Big Trouble in Little China (1986). Jack of All Genres.

#johncarpenter #bigtroubleinlittlechina #80s #80smovies
Stam Fine Reviews looks at John Carpenter's 1986 cult classic Big Trouble in Little China, a film that mixes a typical 80's action hero (Kurt Russell), martial arts, and Asian fantasy. Also stars Kim Cattrall, Dennis Dun, Victor Wong, James Hong.
It's one of several John Carpenter films that've been embraced by audiences in the years after a disappointing theatrical release.

[@rory_pond1701]

I've seen most of John Carpenter's films and this is by far my favorite. Best line: "Have you paid your dues, Jack? Yessir, the check is in the mail."

[@powerbomb4833]

This is one of the most unique movies ever made, which inspired a lot of movies going forward.

[@richmanz447]

I still quote this movie to this day.

[@jeremysmetana8583]

Infinitely quotable.

[@permiek]

"I was born ready"

[@permiek]

"Its all in the reflexes"

[@l.a.gothro3999]

James Hong is STILL alive & kicking!

[@blindguygamer]

Love. That. Movie.

[@jeremysmetana8583]

Our tastes and general thoughts on film tend to align most times, so I'm surprised it took you so long to like this movie. I loved it the first ten times I watched it in the 'eighties, the twenty-five or so times I watched it in the 'nineties, the dozen-and-a-half times I watched it in the 'oughts, etc... The dialogue is infinitely quotable, possibly among the most quotable of any film, and it's delivered snappily by a full cast that all have great comedic timing and great chemistry with one-another. The exposition is never painful, always engaging, and the world it builds is fantastical and fascinating. The film subverts tropes on the regular. I've loved this film forever. There's nothing like watching this movie on a rainy Saturday while enjoying a hoagie and a Coke. A side note to prove my geek bona fides: amongst tabletop role-players, Big Trouble In Little China is often considered to be the best Dungeons & Dragons movie ever made. I guess it probably helped that they didn't know they were making one.

[@l.a.gothro3999]

I loved it the first time I saw it because it was quirky to me, being quirky myself.

[@shaggycan]

Actually the best Big Trouble in Little China RPG is Feng Shui. It's amazing. One of my favorite RPGs of all time. Easy to learn and fun as hell to play. The shot clock initiative system is genius.

[@robbiethepict2783]

'Okay. You people sit tight, hold the fort and keep the home fires burning. And if we’re not back by dawn… call the president'.

[@carlrood4457]

Because of how it's laid out, it's a perfect cable/channel surfing movie. You can come in at almost any time and not really be lost and can enjoy the performances and action.

[@forlornhope9924]

One of my all time favourite films 😎 “Have you paid your dues Jack?” “Yes sir the cheque is in the mail “ fantastic 😎🇬🇧👍

[@Interstellar-in5wb]

Always been a big fan of this film. Saw it in the theater in 1986, loved it instantly. The mixture of Chinese mysticism, action, martial arts & comedic sensibility is unmatched and unique. It's totally original, and remains so to this day.

[@shannonbayley3684]

"It's all in the reflexes" 😎

[@dragonmac1234]

Old Jack always says what the hell, this is my second favourite Kurt Russell movie after The Thing.

[@shamedian7586]

I loved it at the time, and was totally amazed by it! I must watch it again soon.

[@mikehunt4986]

One of my favorite movies of all time! I've loved it ever since the first time I saw it on VHS in the 80s!

[@jasonblalock4429]

I always liked this one, but I agree, I do find myself enjoying more of Carpenter's stuff as an adult than when I first started watching his movies as a teen. Not sure why that is. Either way, BTILC is definitely a classic, and may have genuinely gotten better over time. Also, "Hey, I'm a reasonable guy, but I've just experienced some very unreasonable things!" is one of my all-time favorite lines.

[@carlrood4457]

I think sometimes you need maturity to appreciate great characters and dialog more. My go to example of movies that get better with my aging is From Russia With Love. As a kid, it seemed like the most boring of the James Bond films. Now it's among my favorites.

[@xiaoka]

I used to see Victor Wong almost every week at the cafe on Euclid Ave in Berkeley. He was teaching acting near the Berkeley campus I think. I stopped to say hi once. 😊 This was two or three years before he passed away. 😢

[@carlrood4457]

Kurt Russell's charisma and likeability really carries this movie. Jack's a regular guy with a big mouth. It's an interesting watch when you realize he's the sidekick and doesn't know it. Wang is the competent fighter and he's the one with a real stake in the adventure. He'd be the main character in most movies.

[@DavyDredd14]

"Everybody relax, I'm here." - Jack Burton

[@scotsmith2391]

I saw this in the theater when it came out and told everyone it was awesome. They didn't listen. Years later they saw it on TV and said, "Hey have you ever seen Big Trouble in Little China?" Me: 😑

[@sonofmisery]

Immediate Like for the "Skip Intro" joke. Hats off.

[@henrymach]

I was 15 when I saw this movie on the big screen and I rewatch it every couple years since then

[@tskmaster3837]

Big Trouble in Little China's ultimate secret/shame is that it's an "Old Dark House" movie complete with secret passages, limited locations, a guy in... usually it's just a gorilla suit but here it's cannibal Bigfoot I guess... long winded expositional dialogue taking turns with snappy banter between the leads. Then a martial arts movie happens... no matter what, it's how any description of this movie ends. it's an 80s fantasy horror action rom com... then a martial arts movie happens. I love it.

[@jasonblalock4429]

And you didn't mention the rapid-fire 1940s-style patter dialogue. It's a total mismash of influences from over the decades, but I think that gives it a bit of a timeless quality.

[@MissDebbieSue123]

"Arent you going to kiss her goodbye?" "Nope"

[@Chazzmatazz]

I will defnd this movie until the day I die. It is a unique masterpiece.

[@Kelticfury]

Absolutely top notch movie.

[@darkstar223]

Near perfect film and genre onto itself, which is tragically sad because it was wonderful to see such a imagination and passion given to the most delightful of fantasies

[@nunyabizness6595]

Carpenter worked with Russell on five things: Big T, the two Escape movies, The Thing and Elvis. Perfection. Also They Live was great.

[@MissDebbieSue123]

Kurt Russell was perfect for this movie. It was supposed to be a vehicle for Denis Dunne. "Are you crazy? Is that your problem?"

[@permiek]

one of my fav 80s movies, so good. great soundtrack as well. Damn, now I have to watch it again.

[@Lumibear.]

Like you I was utterly perplexed by this movie at first, but I love it now, my favourite part being that almost every second sentence is a golden quote, it just keeps giving.

[@BrendanPramjee]

I ❤ this movie sooooooooooop much

[@THEOUTCASTSCREATIVE]

Saw this for my 18th Birthday, it was absolutely Amazing, cinema was packed when I saw it.

[@SirSmoldham]

I was lucky enough to watch some of this being shot on the 20th Century Fox lot because I worked with the head security guard and many of the martial artists. This is one of the greatest genre films ever and a rumored follow up teaming Jack Burton with Buckaroo Banzai was an amazingly missed opportunity.

[@garyh525]

John Carpenter is a movie genius!!

[@Yxalitis]

You know...I'm beginning to think Auntie Beryl isn't a real person.

[@aaronleverton4221]

What? Impossible. There are so many events documented with eyewitness testimony.

[@kaitlyn__L]

I don’t think Frank is either 😉

[@Yxalitis]

@@kaitlyn__L I get that reference!

[@jeffnettleton3858]

Saw this in the theater, a couple of times, back in the day. Its awesomeness was readily apparent in the trailer and the film lived up to that. Anyone who didn't hop on for the ride was just plain uncool.. Surprised you didn't mention that the female journalist (the "hopelessly naive" one) was Richard Burton's daughter, Kate.

[@Derpy1969]

This movie is great. It’s classic craziness.

[@daveautzen9089]

I have watched a lot of your reviews, but this review is my new favorite. I love this film so much! The talk of a remake fills me with dread. I hope the rumored remake never happens.

[@shallendor]

Most John Carpenter films were failures when released, but now they are some of the most loved films!

[@Bawookles]

I remember when this came out, I was a little disappointed by it as I was expecting something with the dark tone of Escape From New York or The Thing. Now, I love the total goofiness of it. Favorite line: "Shut up, Mr. Burton! You are not brought upon this world to 'get it'!"

[@fatdog1963rb]

Skips a great bloke and I'm amazed of how much work the guy is doing! Saw big trouble in little China on release. After watching carpenters the thing I watched all his stuff! Had too

[@jw4499]

I remember going to see this film at the cinema There was probably five people in the cinema We loved it I still love this film

[@docbrown6550]

Awesome movie.

[@l.a.gothro3999]

Whenever I see a grown-up Kurt Russell, I think of those old Disney flicks that would be shown during recess if it was raining outside. "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes" is my personal favorite.

[@Chazzmatazz]

Dexter Riley!

[@srutzky]

This movie and "They Live" 💯 👍🏻. Please do "They Live" !! 😸 Also, there's an episode of Chuck, "Chuck Versus the Sizzling Shrimp", in which James Hong plays a character named Ben Lo Pan.

[@l.a.gothro3999]

I just light up with happiness (and sometimes a little cannabis) when I see you've got a new review uploaded!

[@americansupervillain4595]

I went to see this movie in theaters, and I liked it. But I never felt the need to rewatch it even when available online.

[@skribeworks]

BTILC was the first DVD I ever bought.

[@SingularityOrbit]

I keep forgetting the _Buckaroo Banzai_ connection to this film. I saw both in the theater during middle school. In both cases I had to tell everybody I knew about the film after seeing it. I think seeing those two films two years apart, and just a few years after _The Empire Strikes Back,_ cemented my personality . . . and, to this day, I wish I knew if that was a good thing. The movies were pretty great, at least.

[@manicpixiefangirl4189]

This movie is my brand of crazy. I wish there was more of this in the world.

[@stujm84]

I have a fond memory of seeing this at my cousins when we were around 10 or so back in the early to mid 90s, his dad having it on vhs. And oh boy, did we love it. I don't think my head was completely in tune with the plot but the effects and fight sequences were (and still are) top draw. Plus it had massive Mortal Kombat vibes, and with that being a recent release at the time, we was completely sold.

[@carlrood4457]

Kurt Russell is really one of my favorite actors. For someone who grew up in Hollywood as a child actor (his father, Bing Russell was an actor as well), he seems very well grounded and seems to have fun with his job. He's a pretty versatile actor. Another early adult role of his was in the comedy Used Cars.

[@killbotone6210]

Its an almost perfect movie.

[@NewMessage]

Oh, I am here for this ride!

[@justme6591]

I have a cap with the truck logo on it !! Got a version on DVD finally! Vhs long gone

[@Shindai]

This movie is so good :)

[@Funem]

A couple of other bits of info regarding Big Trouble... James Hong played Ben Lo Pan, a wheelchair bound Triad gangster in an episode of Chuck. A nod to his role in this film and Lo Pan also "suposedly" influenced the character Shang Tsung from Mortal combat. Raiden in Mortal combat was "suposedly" modeled after the character of Lightning one of the three storms in the film.

[@Trilaan]

My favorite movie, Stam, thank you!

[@ericsanimeshorts]

Great film

[@geebards]

I certainly saw it in the 80s and several time since. A truly great and massively unappreciated action movie - top of class for my money. Good review but not your funniest. Keep 'em coming and thanks for keeping keeping-on.

[@jamesabernethy7896]

How have you not done this movie before now!

[@JoJoLux2013]

Clearly, Mortal Kombat creators found their inspirations for Raiden and Shang Tsung !! I love that movie ^^

[@GrandAdmThrawn]

Ha, believe it or not, I re-watched this gem three days ago.

[@inkermoy]

Love BTILC! A perfect blend of so many genres! For me, Kung Fu Hustle has the same kind of vibe (though a bit more silly in places). Maybe a review of that too?

[@A1ml33y]

david Lo Pan & Shang Tsung both Compete in Mortal Kombat 😂 I ❤ This movie

[@bfragged]

I’m a big fan of skip’s movies

[@anthonyharmon1843]

In the airport scene, after he says, "You what I say when it's Miller Time?" I've always wondered what he would say before the Lords of Death interrupt him...

[@AllanGildea]

'Skip Intro'. He he he.

[@BTScriviner]

Haven't seen this in years. Guess I know what I'm doing today. 😀 Did you do "They Live," another Carpenter film,yet? It's even more true nowadays than it was in the 1980s.

[@BlazeInjun]

The only thing you missed was the Six Demon Bag.

[@BrokenCurtain]

One of the best Al Leong movies!

[@chrislail3824]

The pacing in this movie is flawless I do kinda wish it had just been a light R rating

[@normanrenner4648]

"You've just been Swansoned!"-SI

[@Cmdr1962]

My Friday is made! (Yes, I have no life. Anyway, I look forward to Auntie Beryl references.)

[@Interislander957]

Rewatched it recently where I only just realised he wasn't the hero.

[@Ra-zor]

My no 1 film of the 80's, and way way way before Mortal Kombat was even a pixel in a mainframes buffer dongle lol

[@organicketchup5171]

I need to see this again. It was pretty good but I've probably forgotten a lot of details.

[@nutherefurlong]

I think I liked it the first time, didn't the second, then really appreciated it the third. Similar arc

[@corvus1970]

I'm surprised you didn't mention the fact that this film was an influential fave of Ed Boon and John Tobias who went on to create a little franchise called "Mortal Kombat" that you may have heard of. ;)

[@michaelstaunton1632]

👍👍👍🎥

[@paulcooper8818]

I also did't appreciate Big Trouble in Little China (Town) on first couple of viewings. (for some reason I always want to add Town to the title). Even on first viewing, I loved James Hong as David Lo Pan, but originally found Kurt Russel's John Wayne'ish performance kind of off putting. Now if I notice it's on TV, I just sit down and start watching it, where ever it is in the movie and enjoy all the performances.

[@torchwood00]

Big Trouble in Little Sliders

[@akshaytrayner1960]

Great review

[@harveycreekin]

🐐

[@bensneb360]

The key to enjoying Big Trouble in Little China… it’s all in the wrist lol

[@hanniffydinn6019]

Sad really! like really sad! They don’t make such fun crazy movies like this anymore! 😫😫😫😫😫🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@TheBeird]

I had the exact same reaction. First time I saw it I hated it. I think I took it too literally. Then at a later age, I got over myself and I just got it. Seen it dozens of times now and have a blast!

[@user-ch1by3th8s]

🥋

[@DerekNewtonKeswick]

I’ll have to watch it. I did try once, many years ago, and couldn’t stand it.

[@jamestoney6108]

You know what Jack Burton says

[@MissDebbieSue123]

Jack Burton. Me.

[@homersanchez9425]

The Last Dragon is nonsensical fun too.

[@ADR69]

i wonder if a movie this weird could work today. i looooved this movie but never understood exactly wtf was going on lol

[@stevencowie7151]

JC does HK in the US. Simples!! Rewatch!!!

[@TomTermini]

BTiLC was supposed to be the sequel to Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension ... WD Richter cribbed the World Crime League boss (the demon dude) for BTiLC

[@normanrenner4648]

interesting..

[@miguelvelez7221]

That's not even remotely true and it's not hard to find out. W.D. Richter: "This thing about ‘Big Trouble’ once being a ‘Buckaroo Bonzai’ sequel script is absurd. The ‘Big Trouble in Little China’ writing credits clearly show where the script started. It was a gaslight-era western making the rewrite rounds because the studio wasn’t happy with what they had from the original writers. I suggested it be made into a contemporary story and was hired to rewrite it."

[@TomTermini]

@@miguelvelez7221 …. Oh sure Random Internet Dude said it… Always trust random men on the internet, unless they are DM-ing you on Twitter to ask you if they can buy you fancy things if you’re mean to them. Maybe read Ernest Cline's script for the World Crime League And judge for yourself how similar the two are…

[@TheMrTraynor]

I watched this before Escape from New York, so found it very difficult to take Snake Plisken at all seriously.

[@Skybird_]

Skips ok, but Main Menu puts him in his place.

[@asciimation]

If you want a weird, supernatural and totally bonkers martial arts film try 'Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky'.

[@jeremysmetana8583]

I think most purveyors of so-bad-it's-good flicks know Riki-Oh, but it's a totally different sort of film, really.

[@asciimation]

@@jeremysmetana8583 Definitely different, these two always remind me of each other for some reason though.

[@BellsCuriosityShop]

Dunno. Never reqlly got it. Pethaps seeing it 20 years after it was released didnt help.

[@IngieKerr]

It's very much like if you took a can of every raiders of the lost ark, shook it up, opened it, and sprayed it straight up your nose. But in a good way.