*Big Trouble in Little China* is right up my alley!

Hello My Friends!! Thanks so much for being here to watch with me!!! This movie is giving me life! It was such a fun adventure!!!!
If you cannot wait for the YT edits check out my full length reactions on Patreon! Come be a part of fun crew of amazing cinephiles that has assembled over there!!
/ holddowna
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Original Movie: Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favour of fair use. No Copyright infringement intended. All rights belong to their respective owners.

[@jenssylvesterwesemann7980]

"How'd you get up there?" - "It wasn't easy!" may be the most ingenious storytelling cop-out in screenplay history. I absolutely adore this film.

[@MrLovegrove]

The watermelon line in The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension is better

[@zairac2564]

This works, and it's funny AF. "Somehow, Palatine returned" just doesn't.

[@daneng3641]

@@MrLovegrove I love both equally.

[@MrLovegrove]

@@daneng3641 that's fair. I just have slightly more love for the one I heard first.

[@daneng3641]

@@MrLovegrove Unexplained absurdity is what makes it great.

[@atrus3823]

This movie is way more clever than it gets credit. The fact that they bothered to include a scene where she wipes the lipstick off AFTER he’s had his big moment just makes it that much better 😂

[@Dracounguis]

_"Everyone relax, I'm here!"_ should be your new catchphrase. 😆

[@holddowna]

😂😂😂 I shoulda done more jack Burton! Impressions I didn’t like my takes i did lolol

[@michaelkingswood]

I've been using that line for decades

[@harveylee51]

@@holddowna I do some impressions myself and of course Jack Burton is among them 😄🎤 i look forward to your next take on it and i loved your reaction to this kung -fu comedy and fantasy classic ! Cheers .😃

[@cyberingcatgirls7069]

@@holddowna In college I memorized, not just the words, but the delivery, inflection, etc. of, "When that eight foot tall gorilla grabs yer neck, taps the back of yer favorite head up against a barroom wall and he looks ya crooked in the eye and he asks ya if you paid yer dues...well you just remember what ol' Jack Burton says at a time like that. 'Have you paid yer dues Jack?' 'Yessir, the check is in the mail.'" I, uh...I had a lot of free time in college. >_>

[@Will_3000]

Jack Burton has a plethora of one-liners, and the delivery Kurt uses makes everything legendary 😎

[@3Kings_Industries]

The creators of Mortal Kombat specifically referenced this film as inspiration for their characters.

[@charlize1253]

This and "Bloodsport"! If you watch both, you can see several of what would become the Mortal Kombat avatars

[@18DWest]

@@charlize1253Who from Bloodsport would you consider as templates for Mortal Kombat characters? I get more street fighter templates from Bloodsport.

[@ulibarriL]

I can only think of two characters from the original MK that had characters inspired by Big Trouble in Little China: Raiden and Shang Tsung. Goro takes after the creature that arises from the portal in the movie The Gate, and Johnny Cage takes after Jean Claude. Scorpion and Sub-Zero are both the quintessential pop culture version of Japanese shinobi. I have no idea what inspired Kano and Sonya, but there was a familiarity to both of them when this game was eating my quarters back in the day.

[@RashaadJackson-dk4wg]

When the three storm simultaneously threw the knife was that the inspiration for kano's weapon?

[@charlize1253]

@@ulibarriL Liu Kang is copied from Bruce Lee in "Enter the Dragon," he looks and moves like Bruce in that movie. I can't recall the MK character name, but there was a character who primarily kicked who was based on a fighter in Bloodsport who used Savate (Brazilian kickboxing) style, that's the style where you hold your hands in front with elbows out kind of like a T-Rex

[@7rollface]

"He's like Raiden from Mortal Kombat". Nope. Raiden is like Lightning from this film. I'll tell you what, more people seem to be reacting to this film of late, and it's really refreshing to watch someone who just instantly *really* gets it. Most underrated quote of the film: "Do you have a gun I hope?"

[@user-EricWatson55]

@@7rollface Yet, I suspect they took the idea for Blanka from this one.

[@keithsimpson6563]

Yes this movie is where the got the inspiration for Raiden from Mortal kombat. This movie was out a few years before Mortal kombat. I seen this movie at the theater about 5 times. I loved the ally fight scene.

[@RonnieLongLV]

Damn you beat me to the fun fact lol

[@Ranger1PresentsVirtualRealms]

For me my favorite line is "Son of a b1tch must pay", and have used it myself in more than one highly amusing situation.

[@nedzed3663]

Jack Burton is the best comedy relief sidekick in cinema history

[@holddowna]

Truly!!!

[@davidpumpkinsjr.5108]

Jack Burton thinks he's Snake Plisskin. What he doesn't realize is that he's really Dexter Reilly.

[@nedzed3663]

@davidpumpkinsjr.5108 Which makes it even more hilarious that he was the guy who one shotted the main villain. Especially when the guy who dedicated his life to whiping the dude out couldn't get the job done with an entire arsenal of mystical weapons and exhaustive research was there fighting for his life elsewhere, after losing a video game sword battle to him with magic frat rings

[@championskyeterrier]

I love that Jack is both a bumbling buffoon and also cohero of the story, he actually kills Lo Pan because it's all in the reflexes.

[@jpavlik04]

I hate this "Jack is the sidekick" argument. Carpenter didn't start saying it until years after the movie came out when it was already a popular cult theory. At best BTiLC is a "buddy cop" movie. Jack accomplishes tasks Wang could not. HE DEFEATS THE MAIN VILLAIN for goodness sake. The majority of his comedy moments come from the "fish out of water" story element. The story revolves around him as much or more than Wang. All arguments that Wang is the true lead could just as easily be made about Shen.

[@BruceFord-kx9sl]

Wow - it's been 40 years I have been using these lines in real life - no one has picked up on it. Every time someone has asked me if i'm ready, I have replied "I was born ready" since the age of 13. Thanks for the reminding me of this great movie. Cheers

[@mickesmanymovies]

To be fair, the exchange "Are you ready?" - "I was born ready." dates back to at least 1973, with the movie 'White Lightning', where Roy Boone (Bo Hopkins) and Gator McKlusky (Burt Reynolds) has that same short conversation. And then again in 1977, where Burt Reynolds and Sally Field does the same thing. Kurt Russel even mimics the character McKlusky's raspy voice when saying it. :)

[@TheWindcrow]

Jack :" Egg, how'd you get up there" Egg : "wasn't easy" XD greastest line

[@generic_sauce]

I don't think I've ever seen anyone enjoying this movie so much 🤣

[@holddowna]

😂😂❤️

[@Will_3000]

If reaction channels existed when I was little, you would've been surprised at the fun my dad and I had watching this... I love that Ames immediately understood this movie and how uniquely crazy and wonderful it was 💙

[@tabithawilliams7280]

I've always loved the way Kurt Russell used the John Wayne voice for Jack Burton. Too funny, every line is gold.

[@crankfastle8138]

Excuse me. John Wayne stole Jack Burton's voice.

[@josoffat7649]

Yes, very interesting backstory to the creation of the movie and why carpenter described jack burton as john wayne without a clue.

[@user-EricWatson55]

UCLA used to hold a class on John Carpenter's film "Big Trouble In Little China". It was focused on the incredible amount of over-explaining of everything in the story. You can't predict what's coming, but it WILL be explained at great length. 😂

[@andrewdavid9412]

The audience is Jack Burton, seeing it all for the first time as a complete outsider and saying "WTF" as it happens. John Carpenter's film "The Thing" follows the same theme, you never know more than the main characters and react with them in real time. The ending is the same because just like MacReady and Childs you don't know what's going to happen. It's my favorite style of film and "Chinatown" is at the top of the mountain. You might think you know what's happening, but you don't.

[@redjakOfficial]

This movie is DnD campain, and Carpenter is the dm tossing around exposition between dungeon crawling and fights. He does a great job too, it's well paced and rarely feels forced.

[@ElJefe3126]

@@redjakOfficial There's even the scene where the party divvys up the loot, and one guy gives up the +2 sword (shotgun) for the +4 axe (submachine gun).

[@redjakOfficial]

​@@ElJefe3126Don't forget the magic potion and the six demons bag !

[@motrock2]

When I was a kid in the late 80s; my friends and I watched this OVER AND OVER. What a great era to be a kid in. I will maintain the 80s was the best era for movies!

[@charlize1253]

This movie was more culturally relevant in the 80s because TV stations in the 70s used to play kung-fu marathons to fill time on Saturday afternoons, imported from China with wire stunts, cheap special effects, and bad English dubbing. To 80s kids, this movie is instantly recognizable as both a callback and parody of those Saturday marathons.

[@leecarpio1168]

I agree! The 80s is also the best era for music as well!

[@redjakOfficial]

I litterally damage the VHS tape I watched it so much

[@Ranger1PresentsVirtualRealms]

One thing that I think some folks overlook is that Eggs potion increases whatever talents you have to crazy levels. With Egg it was his magical ability, with the "gold turbans" it increased their fighting abilities, with Wang it increased his speed/agility, and with Jack it increased the one exceptional quality he possessed... his reflexes.

[@NefariousKoel]

James Hong is wonderful as Lo Pan. I always crack up at his snarky comments to Jack.

[@CorwinPatrick]

"You are not put upon this world to 'Get it'..."

[@chrispeel3123]

And he still knows his lines today.

[@Dystopia1111]

"Now this realllly pisses me off to no end!" cracks me up every time. Perfect delivery.

[@cmlemmus494]

@@chrispeel3123 Not to mention looking younger at 95 than in the old makeup here.

[@0okamino]

There was a much easier way to defeat him, though. Just bring in Ted Striker to tell some excruciatingly uninteresting stories about his past, and the rest will work itself out.

[@GatorScribe726]

I’d usually say my favorite movie duo is Val and Earl from “Tremors,” but dang, Jack Burton and Wang are right up there!

[@cyberingcatgirls7069]

*paper, rock, scissors* ✋

[@foreignmilk5589]

lets give a giant honorable movie duo mention to john candy and eugene levy in armed and dangerous

[@johnmiller7682]

What makes this movie great, but also confuses some people, is that Jack is not the hero, but he thinks he is. Wang is the hero. Jack is the bumbling sidekick.

[@holddowna]

😂

[@Dracounguis]

Yes except for his one reflex movement at the end that kills the bad guy.

[@jovanjorgovan23]

What makes these reaction videos less great is this exact comment on every single one of them 😐

[@bluebird3281]

@@jovanjorgovan23 Did you know when Thunder cracked that statue with his hand fighting Wang that yell was real because broke his hand and they left it in movie. He found Merry and Pippin later on.

[@cesarvidelac]

​@@holddownaYes, this movie sort of an early homage to the Kung fu movies from the 70s and early 80s. The white hero playing the comic relief underlines that. I guess the Kung fu fans understood it but If you are not familiar with Kung Fu movies you will get very confused 😂

[@user-EricWatson55]

No tools. Yet carrying a rotary phone proves they're from the phone company. 😂

[@promontorium]

I'm having to learn telephony at my job because it's a dying technology and they don't want to pay for a specialist, so anyway I learned recently you can do basic telephone line troubleshooting with just a phone. In fact the primary test equipment for technicians is basically a telephone with aligator clips: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lineman%27s_handset

[@thefallenfaith1986]

​@@promontoriumVery cool information. I love all the obscure information I learn in the comments sections...

[@mr44mag]

Different era. This film was released in 86'. Until 84', Ma Bell had a complete monopoly and could do whatever it wanted with you. They were nationwide thugs that would even decide what brand phone you could put in your home and would cut you off if you didn't use it. Seeing the phone company might be worse than seeing the IRS.

[@CorwinPatrick]

@@mr44mag The WKRP in Cincinnati TV show directly referenced this with the hilarious "Phone Cops" episode.

[@katenunyabizness9221]

@@promontorium Yep, that and a punch down tool and a pocket knife is all you really need lol. As long as I had access to those I was able to fix 98% of the issues during my 10 year run in telecommunications.

[@starvision5209]

Finally, somebody "gets" this movie!

[@videostash413]

sounds like you got it before she did, give yourself a little credit bro

[@whitediggity]

You remember what ol’ Jack Burton does. Like and subscribe.

[@holddowna]

😂😂😂😂❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@stanleysmith2221]

Lol😅😅😅

[@iKvetch558]

Kurt Russell really has played some of the MOST iconic characters in all of cinema...Jack Burton, Snake Plissken, Captain Ron Rico, Wyatt Earp, Elvis Presley, Herb Brooks, Stuntman Mike McKay, John The Hangman Ruth...and there are a bunch more besides those. Hold Down A should definitely react to a massively underrated Kurt Russell movie with another character that should be much more iconic...she should check out Kurt as "Todd" in Soldier from 1998...such a classic, IMHO.

[@Video_Crow]

Add to that list "Used Cars".

[@vicblatz5204]

Ray Tango.

[@thefallenfaith1986]

Stargate, as well.

[@ulibarriL]

I could not 'unsee' Jack Burton while watching Guardian's of the Galaxy xD

[@cleekmaker00]

And before all of these, there was Morgan "Two Persons" Beaudine.

[@richeaton5752]

13:23 "She has green eyes." "That's an extra to these people. It's like leather bucket seats." lol

[@chardtomp]

Kim Cattrall's eyes are actually brown. She had to wear green contacts, but her eyes were badly rejecting them so she's only wearing them in the closeups.

[@Stubbies2003]

I was surprised she didn't laugh at that line.

[@user-EricWatson55]

"Physics. Jack Burton understands physics.". Yeah, and not much else. 😂

[@holddowna]

😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🙈

[@davidbennett1357]

"jack burton understands physics"..... lets not get carried away, there Jack....

[@user-go4vz2ir6r]

Also knows the Richter scale!

[@erickent3557]

"Those boots are serious..." !! Hard to describe the '80s context of ~those~ boots on ~that~ kinda guy, but it's PERFECT.

[@ravissary79]

Lone wolf McQuaid, and what about Billy Jack? (Never saw it)... what else?

[@SentinelGiga]

There aren't many films I consider flawless but this is one of them. The pacing, the bants, the sheer insanity, Wang & Jack are my fav screen bromance of all time, and James Hong is an absolute riot as Lo Pan. It's just pure, concentrated joy.

[@leftcoaster67]

You were not put on this Earth to "Get it." :D

[@teeheeteeheeish]

I can’t believe someone made this movie, but I’m glad they did

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

Yeah, we owe John Carpenter a giant ‘thank you’ for making this wonderful film. It’s two hours of chaotic joy. It feels like a movie that was made simply for the love of filmmaking & it really comes across in the finished product.

[@JonahPedersen-tz3uk]

The first time I saw was in the Marines; they had a drinking game called “Jack Burton Appreciation Night”. Viewers would take a shot anytime an actor said; -Jack -China -magic -Lo Pan -girl with green eyes I don’t remember much.

[@stratusmind]

this was one of my favorite movies as a kid

[@holddowna]

Soo good

[@brossjackson]

As soon as you started giggling when Jack Burton was talking on the CB radio, I knew you were on the right wavelength for this movie. For further martial arts: Old school stuff: "Enter the Dragon", "The 36th Chamber of Shaolin" Supernatural Hong Kong nonsense (of the sort that inspired this movie): "A Chinese Ghost Story" Jackie Chan: "Drunken Master 2" Modern serious Wu Xia: "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "House of Flying Daggers", "Hero" Marvel version: "Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings"

[@kennethmacgregor-Gregorach]

Kung Fu Hustle!

[@Kurlach]

Putting Shang Chi and Enter the Dragon in the same paragraph just made me feel very unwell, not to mention depressed.

[@kennethmacgregor-Gregorach]

@@Kurlach Yup, Shang Chi is the gas station sushi version of true wuxia or martial arts film

[@AshenCorvum]

The entire old man Lo Pan scene is my favorite, "Now this really pisses me off to no end!"

[@Fatherofheroesandheroines]

You know what I say? Yes, sir, the reaction is in the mail!

[@Rickhorse1]

IMO, Kurt Russell is one of the most underrated actors in the last 40 years. His range is amazing. He can believably play action hero, bad guy, comedy, rom-com..anything. And the amazing thing is that he never was truly a top level movie star. He WAS a respected actor in the business...only today does he seem to get more recognition because people look at his imdb page & say "holy shit" he's had some kind of career!

[@historian8214]

Remember him as the Jungle Boy in Gilligan's Island? Disney megastar in his youth, Snake Plissken, Jack Burton, and MacReady in his prime. The man is a legend, and his collaborations with John Carpenter alone have been iconic.

[@blueroninstudios]

If there's one thing I particularly love about people reacting to this film ... it's that last loud and completely unexpected jumpscare before the credits roll! 🤣😎

[@mamalannightshyaman]

I’ve seen so many reactions to this from people who pretty much chose to not get it. So glad you get it. An 80s action comedy masterpiece

[@dstrong86bluecoffee]

JAMES HONG (playing the bad guy David Lo Pan) was also in the movie comedy AIRPLANE where he was the Japanese soldier who kills himself rather than listen to the boring story from Ted the pilot. James Hong was born in Minnesota and has acted in TV and movies from the 1950's thru 2022, and as a voice actor in animation for Asian characters. Thanks (Dave Strong)

[@DavidGowers]

Honestly, this is STILL one of the greatest movies ever made and it captures that 80s cheese perfectly. It really treads that line between knowing it's a big cheesefest and taking itself at least semi-seriously. As great as ALL of Carpenter's movies are, this is easily my favourite because it's just the whole damn package on its own. Perfect script, perfect cast, perfect EVERYTHING.

[@mirozen_]

The excellent actor James Hong played Lo Pan. Fun Fact - James guest starred in an episode of the television series "Chuck" as a character named Ben Lo Pan (who is also in a wheelchair just as the mortal aspect of Lo Pan was in Big Trouble). On the TV show Chuck Ben Lo Pan is a Triad gangster who operates from the Bamboo Dragon restaurant in Los Angeles.

[@passenthrualaska3293]

I loved early in when you said something to the effect of 'I'm not even trying to analyze this, I'm just here for the ride.' That is the perfect mindset for this movie, don't overthink it, just sit back, relax, and have fun. Quite a few 80's movies do that formula well. Back then they made some of the best just plain old fun movies, ones that you didn't need to over think, or search out the layers of meaning and subtext. Delightful, stress relieving, mind numbing, entertaining, relaxation.

[@dismaspickman773]

This is one of my favorites... one thing I wish we would see is a movie staring Kurt Russell and Bruce Campbell, co-directed by John Carpenter and Sam Raimi. Every single nerd of a certain age would see that movie, no question.

[@O_Towne_Bear]

"Everybody relax, I'm here" is what I say when I get to the office a bit late. Works every time.

[@Airihi]

My favorite movie quote/scene is "We really shook the pillars of Heaven, didn't we, Wang?" "No horseshit, Jack" "No horseshit"

[@ElJefe3126]

I once used that for real when a friend and I won 2 of 3 delegate spots for a national political convention. Fortunately, he had seen the movie, too, and immediately got the reference.

[@jean-philippedoyon9904]

When 2 of the design of the characters becomes Raiden and Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat, you know it's pretty creative !

[@bfallingstar]

I don’t usually drop everything to watch a video when I get a notification. But I have always loved this movie and I love your reactions, so “Here Goes!”

[@exoterric]

Your use of "nards" warms the heart of this child of the 80's Edit: you might enjoy Dark Star. John Carpenter and Dan O'Bannon of the Alien trilogy. Epic filmmakers basically doing a grad school project. Very weird, but I love it.

[@ravissary79]

Wolfman's got nards!!!

[@slaaneshhedonite7068]

Return of the Drunken Master is one of my all time favorite martial arts films! Jackie Chan doing Drunken style fighting is so much fun.

[@adgato75]

Lo Pan is played by James Hong. He's awesome and has a TON of credits. You have absolutely seen him in something else, even if you don't realize it

[@Fmanzo10]

He’s in every Kung Fu Panda movie and the series I believe.

[@patrickbateman7369]

What the hell took you so long!!?? This is EXACTLY your kind of movie!!!

[@holddowna]

Right!!!!!!

[@r.davidvaughan]

@@holddowna she's young, she's got a lot of 80s greatness we grew up on

[@crankfastle8138]

​@@r.davidvaughanI believe she grew up in the same 80s we did.

[@r.davidvaughan]

@@crankfastle8138 nah she ain't that old,maybe born in 80s, watch the movies n know the culture like I did anyway, she's I'm guessing mid to late 20s her age, very pretty but she ain't no grey haired born in 70s 50 lol

[@jean-philippedoyon9904]

Most fun thing about this movie, the magic and mystical elements are not really hidden from the public...it's just in a spot of the city people just don't care ! And the more the movie build, the more the powers and mystic elements becomes crazy ! They are pretty much flying at the end !! It's insane that movie bombed at the time, one of the most fun and a good candidate for best John Carpenter movie with The Thing no question !

[@shawnbridges8703]

It is always a pleasure to witness a first timer who gets this movie! The shocked look you pulled when Jack killed Lopan . You are totally adorable. Thanks for letting us come along for the ride.

[@richtea615]

This movie is a masterpiece and ought to be preserved in the National Film Registry for its culturally, historically, or aesthetically significance.

[@jasonbeatty831]

One of the funnest times you could ever have at a theatre is seeing this on the big screen. If there’s ever a midnight showing showing of this anywhere near you, go.

[@commander515]

I love this film, just a perfect 80's popcorn flick. Automatic watch anytime I see it pop up in a reaction channel's thumbnails. The dialogue is so fast and snappy it's easy to miss how brilliant it is, which really is a reflection of the entire production - great writing, directing, choreo, makeup, music, and practical effects. It's a wild and wacky film but everyone plays it so straight (while also somehow hamming it up beautifully at the same time). It's hard to explain to someone who hasn't seen it. For martial arts films, it's hard to go wrong with 'Enter the Dragon'. Iconic Bruce Lee performance and his best-known role (though there are certainly plenty of others).

[@jimclayson]

James Hong (who played Lo Pan) has been acting in movies and TV shows and voice work (which he's still doing) in countless projects since the 1940s... but this is the role I always think of when I see him on the screen or hear his voice. 😁

[@sedawk]

He was born in Minnesota and has an American mid-west accent. He is always putting on a Chinese accent for all his roles.

[@Solarsystemrdffdfyyhh]

Cartwright! Cartwright!

[@grntbggr126]

James Hong (Lopan) is a legend, from Airplane to Kung Fu Panda, to Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. He was even in the original episode of Seinfeld. Absolute legend!

[@InvidiousProductions]

Cartwright!

[@thepodbaydoorshal]

It’s a joy to watch your joy while watching this film. You either get it or you don’t. The joke can’t be explained. You definitely got it!

[@notjustforhackers4252]

Martial Arts movies... Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) Kung Fu Hustle (2004) Hero (2002) Blade of the Immortal (2017)

[@bilimus_]

It's all in the reflexes.

[@Halderic]

"what? where'd you get that!?" line ALWAYS cracks me up. (in response to the guy bringing out weapons)

[@passenthrualaska3293]

Have you seen Berry Gordy's 'The Last Dragon'? Given your enjoyment of this film I think you would love it. It is a bit of a hidden cult classic that really does deserve so much more love. While it is a very different story, it still has some of those similar 'fun movie' 80's tones.

[@shawnobrien3235]

You might be the only person in the world that doesn't drive me nuts talking through a movie. I'd love to see you do a series of Kurt Russell flicks. He has a ton of great movies, try Escape from New York, and Soldier. His brand of comedy is on full display in Overboard, it's a bit cheesy but fun.

[@slaaneshhedonite7068]

I have two 24x36 Carpenter posters in the ManCave. This and Prince of Darkness (one of my favorite endings ever).

[@cruelangel8689]

No matter how many times I watch it, that ending still gives me chills.

[@slaaneshhedonite7068]

@@cruelangel8689 not many appreciate it nearly as much as they should. When I was a kid that church was close to the children’s museum in LA. I remember walking by it and my mom had no idea why just seeing that church was more exciting than anything else I saw that day.

[@davidpumpkinsjr.5108]

The cold open was added at the insistence of the studio. Both John Carpenter and Kurt Russell were against it (and remain so to this day) but the studio held firm and I'm glad they did. I think it's one of the best cold opens in cinema. The entire scene is shot in a way to create an air of mystery and unease. The low angles and low lighting are meant to unnerve the viewer and Victor Wong and Jerry Hardin both acted the hell out of that scene. They always did, of course, they're both singular talents. Sometimes, notes from the studio ARE helpful and it takes an outside perspective to see what a film needs.

[@crankfastle8138]

Yeah, movies made single handedly tend to be missing something. They're rarely great.

[@RealMoukeycat]

This is one of the most fun movies. I think this and Goonies were my favorite movies as a kid.

[@johncmoore416]

This movie was my entire childhood back in the 80's and 90s

[@Braincleaner]

I love that Wang is the hero and jack is the side-kick.

[@holddowna]

Soo good

[@davidbennett1357]

@@holddowna why in the world does google think that "soo good" needs to be translated into english?? I swear sometimes google seems SO smart and other times it seems SOO stupid.....

[@Stubbies2003]

@@davidbennett1357 Hardly any different than when auto correct decides to correct your text to complete non sense while you are typing on the phone.

[@crankfastle8138]

​@@davidbennett1357because it clearly means good morning in another language and the spelling diverts from English.

[@TheMikeman1971]

Uncle Chu: What the hell is Gracie Law doing here? Jack Burton: She can't get enough of me. Gracie: Hah! He wishes.

[@AlanCanon2222]

Written by W. D. Richter, who directed "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai: Across the Eighth Dimension" (1984), a movie known for going in several directions at once. An early draft of "Big Trouble" had Buckaroo and his friends come in and give Jack an assist. You might try giving Buckaroo Banzai a watch if you like the deadpan ridiculous tone of this film.

[@Scallycowell]

That makes the cheesy dialogue make so much more sense

[@SFOlson]

I wholeheartedly agree with you, she should definitely give that a watch.

[@JamesMeechan-os6sl]

Buckaroo Banzai you are talking about is getting re released dvd on 25th of November in uk

[@joegreene7619]

No matter where you go, there you are. Buckaroo Banzai is the greatest film ever made. My local Alamo Drafthouse just did a 40th anniversary viewing a couple of weeks ago and it was a packed house.

[@zenarcher9633]

"Laugh-a while you can, Monkey-Boy!"

[@Maya_Ruinz]

This movie is so amazing, the amount of one liners every second just makes it so memorable. 'keep the home fires burnin!"

[@tomdalsin5175]

This is the first reaction of yours that I've seen. I'm super duper mega impressed with how receptive and appreciative you were of this legendary masterpiece of a film. You immediately understood, better than almost anyone else. I also agree with the hill you're dying on. Practical effects need to be used more often, and judicially mixing it with CG is the best combination.

[@holddowna]

❤️❤️❤️loved this movie a lot !

[@Ahardcorecasual]

I like that John Carpenter's name and Kurt Russel on screen followed by a dog immediately invokes memories of 'will this cute doggie burst into a Lovecraftian alien'

[@r.davidvaughan]

i always enjoy this girls reactions of old movies i grew up on, she fun and funny

[@holddowna]

Lol!

[@r.davidvaughan]

​@@holddownabeautiful girl too, you and that girl "popcorn in bed" both had the harshest reaction to the full metal jacket Pyle goes nuts reaction, it really screwed you both up for rest of the movie

[@RasMix1]

I love that the movie is really about Wang and his heros journey. its a pretty damn near perfect movie.

[@Pandaemoni]

This film was a box office flop, following the disappointment that was The Thing. John Carpenter is definitely a director who benefitted from the rise of HBO and home video as both movies are obviously well loved today.

[@rf3899]

I was a teenager when this came out and me and my brother watched it over and over so many times that we knew every line of the movie, word for word. Loved your reaction!!!

[@user-EricWatson55]

Jack Burton talks big, but tends to bumble his way into being the hero. 😂

[@r.davidvaughan]

@@user-EricWatson55 the classic 80s heros, attack with false bravado let fate do its job and act like your in control the whole time!!! And look good doing it!!!

[@user-EricWatson55]

@@r.davidvaughan Don't forget Ash Williams from "The Evil Dead" series!

[@r.davidvaughan]

@@user-EricWatson55 shop smart!! shop S mart!!!

[@craigsolano8812]

Russel's best character role imo! Thanks for understanding this movie! It was a fun movie. Glad you liked it. "Hollow? Hollow. F it."

[@Dracounguis]

As they pan to the back of his truck, how do you not expect a monster to pop out? 😆

[@Stubbies2003]

Well given her reaction to it I'm glad she didn't see it coming. Perfect ending on the reaction to a super campy movie.

[@raptor96]

This is easily in my top 5 favorite movies of all time! Typical 80's feel with Kurt Russell who is brilliant. It's a funny movie, but well laid out. Im glad this made your list!

[@Kaden-cv2xd]

You are clearly one of the warmest people on KZbin 💯

[@gregghelmberger]

The studio predicted that this would be THE hit of the summer of 1986. That was before it ran into an "Aliens"-shaped buzzsaw that chewed it up. It didn't find an audience until it had been out on VHS for a couple of years.

[@user-EricWatson55]

Kurt Russell was my first favorite actor. I started watching him in Disney films, such as "The Strongest Man In The World", "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes" and "Now You See Him, Now You Don't".

[@MicksKicks-]

His whole catalogue is great. Even acting with Elvis when he was a kid!

[@yadaroni]

It makes me so happy to see someone really give this movie a chance. People say it's corny...it's supposed to be. People say it's outrageous and unbelievable...it's supposed to be. I get that it's not for everyone, but it's exactly what it's supposed to be.

[@JMUDoc]

This film makes no sense until you clock that Jack is the SIDEKICK.

[@brendaoldenkamp9735]

This movie is definitely one of Kurt Russell's best movies. Along with Used Cars (1980), Escape from New York (1981), The Thing (1982), Overboard (1987), Backdraft (1991), Tombstone (1993), Stargate (1994), Escape from L.A. (1996), Soldier (1998), 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001), Dark Blue (2002), Miracle (2004), Death Proof (2005) and Bone Tomahawk (2015).

[@jonathanross149]

There is a rumor that this film started out as the sequel to "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension". Sadly, it's not true, but if you like this film, you will like that film.

[@GairBear49]

There is a connection between the films. W.D.Richter was one of the writers of Big Trouble in Little China and he was also the Director of The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension.

[@ElJefe3126]

@@GairBear49 "Big Boo-TAY! Big Boo-TAY!"

[@VelcroSnake93]

"Wang is cool" - Always was my favorite, didn't understand until I was older that he was actually the main character.

[@countgeekula9143]

First saw Big Trouble at the cinema back in '86 and been a firm favourite ever since. Top tier Carpenter and Kurt Russell is so good as Jack. Huge fun from start to finish.

[@barstro]

Glad that you enjoyed this movie. There was chaos, confusion, martial arts, and some magic. Some people don't get it or take it too seriously. This was a wild ride. You are absolutely correct about the special effects. A lot of the movies with practical special effects are remembered for those effects, such as The American Werewolf in London, The Howling, The thing, Dawn of the Dead, etc. I went to see this movie when it came out when I stationed in Japan. I had no idea what it was about and most of the people in the audience didn't either, they just wanted to see a new movie. This movie turned out to be a lot of fun with great special effects, action and comedic elements. Jack Burton thought that he was the hero but he was the sidekick. I would suggest you check out John Carpenter's Prince of Darkness.

[@tru3sk1ll]

I played world of warcraft for decades, these were my emotes: Gear check - "I'm a reasonable guy. But, I've just experienced some very unreasonable things." Late to raid - "everyone relax, I'm here" Starting raid - "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." Rezzing teammate - "I know, there's a problem with your face." Starting final boss - "Just remember what ol' Jack Burton does when the earth quakes, and the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big ol' storm right square in the eye and he says, "Give me your best shot, pal. I can take it.""

[@BuccWylde]

"The darkest magic...my soul swims in it" - Lo Pan

[@MichaelDugan-b5v]

I’m the only person I have ever known that loves this movie. Does that make this a guilty pleasure?

[@patrickbateman7369]

Alot of us have the same feeling!

[@Bar-Lord]

Nope. You’ll get many that have never heard of it, and that’s where you get the chance to introduce them to something very different, and something they won’t see made today.

[@user-EricWatson55]

You're definitely not alone. This film is fun! 😂

[@webcrawler2007]

Nah, this movie kicks ass

[@ElJefe3126]

Nope. You've just finally found your tribe.

[@plfish77]

Your comments on CGI effects versus visual effects are spot on

[@redjakOfficial]

If you're curious about Chinese sword and sorcery movies (the style Carpenter took inspiration from in this film), I recommend starting with Tsui Hark's "Zu : Warriors from the Magic Mountain", and the "Chinese Ghost Stories" trilogy. It's very different from traditional kung fu movies, with kind of dark fantasy universe and over the top magic powers based on old tales and legends.

[@chadlynch1551]

"How'd you get up there?" "Wasn't easy!"

[@babalonkie]

John Carpenter... Halloween, The Thing, Escape from New York, Escape from LA, This and more... A massively underrated Director and writer... and Kurt Russel was perfect.

[@jeffreytalayumptewa7238]

I’m a 90’s kid but my parents raised me right always watching this as a child haha one of my favorites!

[@rdawgo14]

I think this movie still doesn't get enough credit for the brilliant idea of having the white male movie star lead be the comic sidekick to the story's primary hero, Wang Chi. we see everything from Jack Burton's perspective, but we also see who is generally actually saving the day. That is crazy innovative, especially in the 1980s, and they pull it off amazingly, primarily because Russell is a great comic actor in the body of a megahunk, and he fully commits here.

[@3Kings_Industries]

That sounds like a great remake idea, the whole film from Wang Chi's perspective.

[@Srial3523]

You know rewatching the beginning of this gives me a new appreciation for this movie. Jack Burton isn't just the comedic sidekick. He's the fall guy. The District Attorney in the beginning is looking for Jack Burton. Obviously he found Egg, Wang has a restaurant and is easy to find, Gracie is a lawyer he probably could find in a minute. But the DA is convinced Jack Burton is the cause, when any of those 3 people could have basically exonerated him because mostly he was just along for the ride. They pinned the blame for everything on him (or at least didn't stop the authorities from assuming it), Jack Burton is a wanted fugitive for potentially dozens of murders of henchmen, security guards, explosions property damage and the murder of a very important business person in the city (okay he DID comit that crime).

[@barefootanimist]

As a guy who grew up with a love for the cheesy martial-arts films of the '80s, I highly recommend you see Sho Kosugi in "Revenge of the Ninja." You could also check out "Enter the Dragon," starring Bruce Lee. That says nothing of the much more recent, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

[@ronfehr7899]

I remember at least two other movies that Victor Wong (Egg Shen) had roles in, if you're interested in seeing more of him. Like this movie, he did not have the starring role, but his parts were memorable. The Golden Child, with Eddie Murphy Tremors, with Kevin Bacon

[@Failedprodegy42]

In the Chinese standoff the storms show up, Thunder has cool blades, Lightning has spinning blades but Wind takes out 2 big backscratchers! 🤣