Big Trouble In Little China (DVD) > Reviews > A mystical horror kung fu romantic comedy

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Good
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Standard
Soundtrack	Outstanding

Advantages:	a well written script, and perfectly cast
Disadvantages:	Some secondary could have been removed

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

This has to be the film that started my interest in Kung Fu. It is also the first video I ever owned, and was bought for me one Christmas fifteen years ago (I still wonder if my parents realise just how much this film influenced my life). However, it does make for a good film as an entry into the Kung Fu genre, due to the distinct but not overwhelming Hollywood influences.

Despite the fact it is over fifteen years old, the video quality is still unmarred, and it has been watched a lot (With the occaiosional girly being subjected to it’s hormones!). This is, and I am not unashamed to admit it, a very much untypical male film. But it is presented in such an un-insulting manner that you can forgive it. That and the fact Kim Cattral is the definite brains of the film, and gives an evil priest one punch that sends him flying (“No way… HI-YAH!”).

John Carpenter has made it clear with this film that he has studied Chinese mythology, and this fact has made Big Trouble In Little China to be the best film he has ever made. One of the reasons that this film works is that it is an unashamedly Hong Kong inspired film made by a great director. But the added bonus is that he has brought in a lot of Hong Kong Actors to support the cast (With Victor Wong playing Egg Chen, and James Hong as Lo Pan) and a skilled film crew (Such as Stunt Director being who either plays a recurring character or there has been a definite mistake in continuity) by their mere presence add a distinct oriental quality to the aura of the film.

The films centers around two friends Jack Burton (Played wonderfully by Kurt Russell) and Wang (Dennis Dun) and there interaction when Mao Yin (Wang’s girlfriend) is kidnapped by the Lords of Death who work for the evil Lo Pan. Simple does not even come close when it comes to describing the plot, as it is merely a support for the films choreography and humour

The secondary theme is of the ramifications of when East meets West. Study would be perhaps too serious for the depth at which it is explored, but it does make intriguing observations.

This is where a lot of the humour stems from. Be it either the sharp dialogue between Jack and Wang; or the results of Jack’s testosterone attitude confronting the Eastern culture. A sign of a good film is if the film still makes you laugh after repeated viewings. Fifteen years later, I find myself still giggling at Jack’s testosterone fueled blunderings. Be it from the wild firing of his machine gun into the air in a fit of exuberance, causing part of the ceiling to collapse and knock himself out. Or the verbal sparring between the characters. This film has a tightly written plot, and it shows through.

The Horror is very much of the Monster school of Horror (A sharp left past Gore University!). But it does not delve too much (Thankfully) into the realm of “Man in a rubber suit”. The sewer monster being impressive (At its time), and the Chinese Wild Man was the closest the films dives to Man in Rubber Suit syndrome (Thankfully, it is hairy, and walks with a loping grace to stem some disbelief).

However, the aforementioned genre’s are the sidelines to the main field. That being action. With the choreography and camera work used to great effect for the Chinese Stand-offs. While none of the main actors were trained in the Martial Arts. A lot of the extra’s and crew were, and again this shows in the action sequences. In this film it is obvious that John Carpenter is showing his appreciation for the genre.

The special effects are nothing special, and are not presented as the main feature of the film. However, the music is (As with all Carpenter films) performed by John Carpenter, and provide a well executed core to set the mood for each scene. From the opening music at the start with Kurt Russell’s monologue beautifully describing Jack Burton’s character. To the ethnic beat of the Funeral march of the Chan Sings. These scores have been excellently presented

Surprisingly, this film bombed at the cinema when it was first released, despite its current cult status. However it seems to have gained commercial success through video sales. Despite constant rumours of the possibility of a sequel being made, and the enjoyment he had making the film. John Carpenter has made it clear that their will be no Big Trouble In Little China 2, for it did not make a profit upon its initial cinema release.

I personally cannot recommend this film enough. However, I feel sentimental value may make this opinion biased, in that I adore watching the film, and is a great pick-me-up whenever I feel down. Friends realise I am not feeling my usual self when I begin quoting Jack Burton. Although I still have to ask the Managing Director “Are you crazy, is that your problem?”.