Upon its release, I would rent Big Trouble In Little China from the video store every Friday night (or at least fortnightly) along with Project A, Lucky Seven, The Last Dragon, or any amount of other Jackie Chan classics I was able to get my hands on!
I was already hooked on Hong Kong cinema by this stage, and at 9 years old, wanted to see anything that had a hint of kung-fu action or ninjas in it. I can't remember if it was the video store clerk or my dad that put Carpenters latest flick in my hands, but either way, I was hooked after my first viewing. At that age, I can remember feeling very excited, scared, and highly entertained at this action adventure film. I hadn't seen anything from Hong Kong or Taiwan (in terms of a fantasy film) with a budget like this, so it felt so much bigger and glossier with its special effects, incredible sets, and Hollywood look.
Over 30 years later, and Big Trouble In Little China still highly entertains - although now, for many other reasons. Being a film maker and adult, I can now see the flaws and things that really didn't work for the film, albeit a handful at most. Watching the Arrow Video blu-ray release was a stunning experience and shed a whole new light on the film which I have to say, looked amazing. Its so atmospheric, popping with colour when it comes about, laced with incredible sets and dripping with just enough Hollywood cheese so as not to put you off. Having been sucking up the best of HK cinema my whole life, I can honestly say the kung-fu fights weren't anything spectacular here to me now, but as a kid, they were so much fun. And while other US action films, such as the Canon ninja collection were gaining so much attention for their martial arts action, it was this and The Last Dragon that showcased the better and more exciting battles for me. This was all down to the great James Lew who worked as fight choreographer and actor for the film. Lew has since went on to work on countless projects from Power Rangers to Marvel's Netflix shows, and of course, played the hilarious bad guy in American Ninja 5...
Clearly inspired by the best of Hong Kong cinema, Carpenter and his team managed to pull off something a little unique that, ultimately, was a box office flop upon release. Of course, that didn't stop it quickly gaining a cult following that has made the film what it is today. The thought of an Asian guy playing the lead over Kurt Russell's hilarious action-hero-wannabe truck driver, Jack Burton, scared studio bosses - but it happened. And while Dennis Dun did a fantastic job and fits the bill, I can't help but wonder what if Jackie Chan had been placed in that exact role..?!? What a film that would be!
Kung-fu legend Carter Wong makes a memorable appearance as Thunder, one of the 3 Storms in what was probably his most widely seen role ever. He is joined by the wonderful Peter Kwong (as Rain) who would go on to star in The Golden Child, Ghost Rock with Michael Worth, and Albert Pyun's fantastically fun Brain Smasher: A Love Story. The last of the weather gods is played by the handsome James Pax who plays Lightning - the inspiration for the character Raiden in the mega-hit game, Mortal Kombat. James went on to star in US martial arts flick Shootfighter, as well as Hong Kong hits The Heroic Trio, Love Among The Triad, and Enemy Shadow with Jade Leung, as well as a brief appearance in Sammo Hung's successful Martial Law series. I must also note that Conan Lee pops up as an extra, filling in his time before heading back to Hong Kong to star in the brilliant Tiger On The Beat with Chow Yun Fat.
Of course, we can't forget the real stars of the show - Victor Wong and James Hong. I thought Victor as Egg Shen was just wonderful. Wong is a great actor who has impressed with roles in The Last Emperor, Tremors, The Golden Child, and even in Eric Tsang's Fatal Vacation. Just as you couldn't imagine anyone else but Robert Downey Jnr play Tony Stark, the same can be said for the great James Hong as super villain David Lo Pan, a menacing, creepy and hilarious evil Chinese sorcerer who just nails it. Hong has over 400 credits to his name working in the industry from the 1950's on many film and TV shows including Kung Fu, Ninja III: The Domination, the Kung Fu Panda series, and even directed a handful of films including the wonderful horror comedy, The Vineyard...
While watching the interviews on the bonus features of the release, it was nice to see John Carpenter himself mention the same things I thought didn't work for the film. Obviously with studio pressure, he had to bow down to a few things that he didn't agree on with the biggest one being that god-awful monster that appears for no reason. I thought Beast Man had walked off the set of Masters Of The Universe and ended up in Lo Pan's lair. It just didn't make any sense really, nor did its re-appearance in the final shot of the film leading you to believe it was an important enough addition to warrant a sequel.
But minor gripes aside, Big Trouble In Little China has aged quite well. The soundtrack by Carpenter is just as memorable as the witty one-liners and fun action sequences. I'd be surprised if any fans of Hong Kong action cinema - or action cinema in general - haven't already seen it. If not, do yourself a favour and grab the Arrow Video BD as soon as to see the film in its best presentation yet!
Overall: One of my all-time favourite childhood movies, that still proves as highly entertaining today!
I was already hooked on Hong Kong cinema by this stage, and at 9 years old, wanted to see anything that had a hint of kung-fu action or ninjas in it. I can't remember if it was the video store clerk or my dad that put Carpenters latest flick in my hands, but either way, I was hooked after my first viewing. At that age, I can remember feeling very excited, scared, and highly entertained at this action adventure film. I hadn't seen anything from Hong Kong or Taiwan (in terms of a fantasy film) with a budget like this, so it felt so much bigger and glossier with its special effects, incredible sets, and Hollywood look.
Over 30 years later, and Big Trouble In Little China still highly entertains - although now, for many other reasons. Being a film maker and adult, I can now see the flaws and things that really didn't work for the film, albeit a handful at most. Watching the Arrow Video blu-ray release was a stunning experience and shed a whole new light on the film which I have to say, looked amazing. Its so atmospheric, popping with colour when it comes about, laced with incredible sets and dripping with just enough Hollywood cheese so as not to put you off. Having been sucking up the best of HK cinema my whole life, I can honestly say the kung-fu fights weren't anything spectacular here to me now, but as a kid, they were so much fun. And while other US action films, such as the Canon ninja collection were gaining so much attention for their martial arts action, it was this and The Last Dragon that showcased the better and more exciting battles for me. This was all down to the great James Lew who worked as fight choreographer and actor for the film. Lew has since went on to work on countless projects from Power Rangers to Marvel's Netflix shows, and of course, played the hilarious bad guy in American Ninja 5...
Clearly inspired by the best of Hong Kong cinema, Carpenter and his team managed to pull off something a little unique that, ultimately, was a box office flop upon release. Of course, that didn't stop it quickly gaining a cult following that has made the film what it is today. The thought of an Asian guy playing the lead over Kurt Russell's hilarious action-hero-wannabe truck driver, Jack Burton, scared studio bosses - but it happened. And while Dennis Dun did a fantastic job and fits the bill, I can't help but wonder what if Jackie Chan had been placed in that exact role..?!? What a film that would be!
Kung-fu legend Carter Wong makes a memorable appearance as Thunder, one of the 3 Storms in what was probably his most widely seen role ever. He is joined by the wonderful Peter Kwong (as Rain) who would go on to star in The Golden Child, Ghost Rock with Michael Worth, and Albert Pyun's fantastically fun Brain Smasher: A Love Story. The last of the weather gods is played by the handsome James Pax who plays Lightning - the inspiration for the character Raiden in the mega-hit game, Mortal Kombat. James went on to star in US martial arts flick Shootfighter, as well as Hong Kong hits The Heroic Trio, Love Among The Triad, and Enemy Shadow with Jade Leung, as well as a brief appearance in Sammo Hung's successful Martial Law series. I must also note that Conan Lee pops up as an extra, filling in his time before heading back to Hong Kong to star in the brilliant Tiger On The Beat with Chow Yun Fat.
Of course, we can't forget the real stars of the show - Victor Wong and James Hong. I thought Victor as Egg Shen was just wonderful. Wong is a great actor who has impressed with roles in The Last Emperor, Tremors, The Golden Child, and even in Eric Tsang's Fatal Vacation. Just as you couldn't imagine anyone else but Robert Downey Jnr play Tony Stark, the same can be said for the great James Hong as super villain David Lo Pan, a menacing, creepy and hilarious evil Chinese sorcerer who just nails it. Hong has over 400 credits to his name working in the industry from the 1950's on many film and TV shows including Kung Fu, Ninja III: The Domination, the Kung Fu Panda series, and even directed a handful of films including the wonderful horror comedy, The Vineyard...
While watching the interviews on the bonus features of the release, it was nice to see John Carpenter himself mention the same things I thought didn't work for the film. Obviously with studio pressure, he had to bow down to a few things that he didn't agree on with the biggest one being that god-awful monster that appears for no reason. I thought Beast Man had walked off the set of Masters Of The Universe and ended up in Lo Pan's lair. It just didn't make any sense really, nor did its re-appearance in the final shot of the film leading you to believe it was an important enough addition to warrant a sequel.
But minor gripes aside, Big Trouble In Little China has aged quite well. The soundtrack by Carpenter is just as memorable as the witty one-liners and fun action sequences. I'd be surprised if any fans of Hong Kong action cinema - or action cinema in general - haven't already seen it. If not, do yourself a favour and grab the Arrow Video BD as soon as to see the film in its best presentation yet!
Overall: One of my all-time favourite childhood movies, that still proves as highly entertaining today!