It's all in the reflexes. Join ol' Jack Burton and myself as we review the classic John Carpenter martial arts action film, Big Trouble In Little China, starring Kurt Russell and Kim Cattrall.
It's a masterpiece. Seriously, I've watched countless times since it came out, and my son loves it too. I think it says it all. This movies is timeless.
That lightning is still some of the best I've seen in a movie. Lightning guy was fucking awesome. I wonder if Mortal Kombat used him as inspiration for Raiden?
_"Created some of the greatest practical lightning effects in cinema history"._ My goal is to live my life so that I could get something half as cool etched on my gravestone.
I always love to see Jack in a D&D mindset where he has high strength and low intelligence, and he unga bunga's his way through in the film in the most glorious way
"So you can go on to rule the universe from beyond the grave!" "Indeed!" "Or check into a psycho ward, whichever comes first huh?" "Jack!" "Jack what? I'm supposed to buy this shit? 2000 years and you can't find one broad to fit the bill? Come on Dave, you must be doing something wrong!"
He acts like he's been there and done that, and it's no big deal, until something happens that shocks the shit out of him.. ..then a moment later he goes back to acting like he's been there and done that. 🤣
@@butcherjsy8 Yeah, he’s really like any one of the main characters from “Convoy: The Ballad of the Rubber Ducky”, (where Chris Christopherson made his acting debut). Jack would be EXACTLY where he belongs in that film but wouldn’t stand out for it. The Truckers are all great but all exactly the same.
@@pajmendes One of a kind movies can be great, though what would be even better is if Hollywood took notes on what made such films so good and applied those notes to future projects. No, wait, this *is* Hollywood we're talking about here. We'd have better luck appealing to people who want to make movies, especially those who aspire to make *good* movies.
@@Olebull93 not even close. The Golden Child is a typical "reluctant hero" script, while the Shadow is a anti-hero. Big trouble in Little China is a quite unique movie, both in terms of story and how it is told.
I’ve been a commercial truck driver for 21 years. My favorite line from this (one of my all time favorite films) is “I never drive any faster than I can see.”
The best scene for me was them pretending to be telephone repair men and just walking through security. As a telephone guy for 25 years, yes, we used to be able to do that all the time. Lol.
You know, that scene had me laughing when I was seven years old. Not only was Hollywood always surprising me about how they did this and that, so was the Bell company. So, that company was one of my studies. So, when I saw that scene, I thought how are they going to get in there without their Bell uniforms that I had seen many times with the IL Bell company uniforms? But they did it and I was laughing.
@@454brianbat, seriously, we would just walk into places just to see what was going on. Another movie that involved a person disguised as a telephone worker was Bruce Lee.
Or my wife - who thought it was cheesy. Like WTF woman? What is wrong with you?! Edit: Omg i just read the 3 comments before me, hahahaha women just cant seem to grasp the delicate balance of adventure, comedy, horror, and fantasy.
Just remember what ol’ Critical Drinker does when the SJWs quakes, and the poison Twitter arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of reality shake. Yeah, Drinker just looks that big ol’ storm right square in the eye and he says, 'Nah, it'll be fine'.
@@jamesmckenzie9551 Remember when Band Of Brother were great show in 2001 and there is no woke Bullshit in its.Well those good old time ladies and gentlemen.Unlike show nowday called Ginny and Georgia when the writing is god awful and make alot of audience have stroke when watching this show
Imagine being John Carpenter, both "Big Trouble in Little China" and "The Thing" flops? I wonder if he thought "maybe I'm not good at it". He's a great example for someone being ahead of his time. I know many artists lived through this. You think something u created is great, but people hate it. At that point u should keep on doing what u think is good. U'll either be a nobody, or a legend.
Big Trouble flopped because the studio thought that Carpenter was making a big budget action movie and then had no idea how to market what he actually gave them. It also didn't help that Aliens opened just a couple of weeks after Big Trouble so even word of mouth wasn't going to help once everyone started flocking to see Ripley kick butt. The Thing wasn't really a flop, it made almost 4 times what Big Trouble did. At the same time, it wasn't a hit... the studio got their money back, they just didn't get a whole lot more than that. Kurt Russell had big hits with Disney when he was young, also did okay with Escape From New York so I think by this point in his career he was pretty confident and also understood that not every movie was box office gold.
@@TapCat The Thing was a flop, just because some other movie was a bigger flop doesn't mean it wasn't, but so was Blade Runner that same year and look at both of their legacies. They're both examples of why people should never listen to critics, because the only thing critics do is wait and see what the biggest critic says and then echo chamber him, and even worse when one bashes a movie then they all try to out bash each other when it comes to critiquing that movie. All three movies The Thing, Blade Runner and Big Trouble all found their audience on cable TV.
The Thing is a masterpiece of a remake and John Carpenter has made a lot of cult classics but it's not that hard to realize why his movies aren't box office gold. He's kind of the opposite of James Cameron the king of box office and sequels who uses all the tricks in the book especially in avatar and titanic to manipulate the audience emotionally with music, scenes characters etc. John Carpenter just makes a lot of wierd shit like Big trouble in Little China I cannot even tell you what the movie is about
"You of all people, Mr Burton, should know the difficulties between men and women, how seldom things work out. And yet we keep trying, like fools!" -David Lo Pan, getting fucking real about shit
I was even unaware that was from John Carpenter. This man might be one of my favourite filmmaker then because i can add Christine on top of that. ^^ They live. It's awesome! edit : Daaamn , and "The thing" too.
God I love this movie. It's everything I'd want in a classic action film, it's smarter than it looks, it kicks arse and is hilarious at the same time. What a masterpiece.
LEAVE JACK BURTON ALONE!! Big Trouble in Little China, stupid plot juvenile script over acting cheesy sets raciest sounds and music overall, Perfect. one of my favorite movies of all time. i make my kids watch it with their friends (got to expose kids to culture) Are you ready? i was born ready!
"what the hell was that NO! don't tell me" he did about the best job I have ever seen of playing the main character AND playing as someone who is totally in over his head and doesn't want to be there but won't bail on a friend
casting-- perfect dialogue--perfect tongue n cheek direction and story-- perfect you love every person in every role, there literally isnt anyone cast, who "misses the mark" for the character they are portraying saw this at the theater when it came out, seen it.. 20x or more ? since.. i watch this same as i watch " the fog", "the thing", "escape from NY"..over... and over... and over... they just dont age..
Wait, no mention of James Hong as Lo Pan? The guy is an absolute legend, has appeared in over 600 movies, tv-shows and has done voice-acting for countless animated shows/movies & videogames. And the man is still active at 92 years old, he just did voice-acting for that latest Batman animated movie and shot a movie with Michelle Yeoh!
He is awesome. Always good, always stable, always with a heart. Dont know the guy personally, but every time I see him in a movie - except this one - I wish he was my uncle or something.
He has this John Wayne like attitude but he doesn't really know what he's doing and that's one of the great things about this movie and why this movie was ahead of it's time, it wasn't afraid to portray the main character as a screw up and a guy who is completely in over his head, John Carpenter is brilliant.
I love this review! Big Trouble in Little China is hands down one of my favorite movies of all time. Jack Burton saying, "What the hell?" entered my vernacular when this movie came about, and it has never left. (I understand there's a support group for people who have to "endure" me saying it so often, but what the hell ever...) I mean, a truck driver thrown into the middle of Chinese mysticism in the midst of a grand cosmic battle for the very soul of all that is good, set in San Francisco's Chinatown? What else could you want?!?
It's funny that even the bad guy in this movie is pretty charming too, in both forms. As a crotchety old man and as an immortal ghost. BTiLC has so many strange things that should work against it, that you almost never see in a movie, but not only do they work, they're great.
@@Hey_Loser facts! Have you heard about that time Kurt Russel prankt Carpenter on the set of the thing claiming that he had burned his whole face and couldn't shoot anymore?
I've probably watched this movie over 100 times. I loved this when I was a kid. I still watch it whenever it comes on no matter who in the house complains. Its almost like christmas movies. You just have to watch them.
@@zeropoint546 well unfortunately there alot of worse film comedy nowday for example Moxie in Netflix.Its about teenager girl to "revolution in her school" like disrecpect male teacher who he just doing his job as teacher.Somehow 100 times worse than entire film comedy in 1980s
*Points to Chinese writing on door* "What does that say?" "(Speaks Chinese) Hell of Boiling Oil." "You're kidding..." "Yeah, I am. It says, 'Keep Out.'"
Great pick, Drinker - one of my closet favorites. In the '80s, you just couldn't blurt out this movie as a favorite. Kirt Russell is one of the most under-recognized actors; he's done tons of memorable films, delivers in almost all of them, and remember, he started off working for Disney in movies like "The Computer Who Wore Tennis Shoes" and "The World's Greatest Athlete".
I have to disagree there. In many ways, Jack is an understated hero: When his friend Wang asks for help from Jack, Jack doesn't even let him finish giving Jack an easy out before saying, "WHERE IS IT?" When Wang is asked to explain what is going on, he says regretfully, "...I don't want to insult you." Jack immediately shoots back with all the bravery of a man willing to face the unknown, "No-no-no, go ahead...INSULT ME." During the initial escape, Jack and Wang (with a group of escapees) encounters a squad of Lo Pan's minions when Jack opens a sliding door. He immediately closes it and tells everyone else, "HIDE! They only saw ME!" Those are the main three moments in the movie that gave me reason to admire Jack. Devotion to his friends, a willingness to accept what may sound crazy, and the guts to jump into the fray when other rational people might turn and run. (Okay, he's a goof...but his heart's in the right place.)
@@karazor-el6085 sure, I didn't mean to imply that he wasnt admirable or a courageous character. Simply that his opinion of himself was over stated and it played hilariously throughout the film with him usually being a step behind Every thing that's going on. Jack: from here on it gets pretty normal. Offices, etc. Jack (2 seconds later after being completely wrong): we may be trapped.
@@karazor-el6085 If you listen to the commentary on the DVD from both Russell and Carpenter, that was EXACTLY what they were going for. A movie that focused on the sidekick, not the main hero.
Jack is the sidekick, this is Wang’s story. The story is told from Jack’s perspective though, and it’s telling that Jack is a tourist in this exotic world, the same as us.
RIP Stuart Quan! This legendary piece of film was mostly shot in my hometown of Fresno and my moms friend Stuart Quan was an extra and stunt man in this. (he's the guy with the turban in the elevator making some hilarious faces after drinking the potion) My man also was the Red Ranger (in costume) for the first power rangers movie and played a role for 3? episodes in Brisco County Jr. along with many others, a true legend! This might be my favorite movie of all time and I remember watching this movie over and over on my VHS player as a kid. Be kind, Please rewind! :)
@@Nano606606 I enjoyed Tango and Cash. It was hated but everyone but I always found it a fun movie to watch, I mean its definitely better than Escape from LA.
This really is the best movie ever. For over 30 years this has been my go to movie when I'm feeling down and always an instant smile. As a teen, I worked at a theatre and had this movie title on my name tag when I had the privilege to rip Kurt Russels ticket for a showing of miracle.
One of my all time favorites as well! Solidified Russell as my favorite actor and never fails to entertain. Egg was an absolutely amazing character and stood out even in such a stellar cast. This was Hollywood film magic at its best.
What's a legend? Well - the Cambridge Dictionary defines it as: "a very old story or set of stories from ancient times, or the stories, not always true, that people tell about a famous event or person" So there you go ...
"Have you paid your dues, Jack? Yes, sir, the check is in the mail." Easily one of my all time favorite movies, and a great background sound when busy with other things.
@@Lordoftheswollen Nothing stretchy about it, John Tobias is literally on record saying it: twitter.com/nbajambook/status/1075100272186281984/photo/1 twitter.com/therealsaibot/status/109456377444974592 Incidentally, Shang has also been cursed by the gods as Lo Pan was, except instead of immortality, it's accelerated aging, hence the need to devour souls.
We're the same. We show our kids all the classics 80's movies. There's been a few times where they were no wanting to watch one cause it looks dumb but we just have to tell them trust us, it's good and they always enjoy them. Watched Aliens and The Running Man with my 13 year old son and he absolutely loved those. Waiting in the queue is Big Trouble in Little China, Starship Troopers, Predator, Commando, Conan & Tremors.
In the heady days of the late 80's we would rent a video for a bunch of us to watch after the pub - and if my friend Graham and i were left to our own devices we would almost always bring this beauty back. Seen it more times than almost any other film. Exquisite.
This film rules. Kurt Russel is one of those great cinema icons; he can do funny, tough, charming, disgusting, and usually all in the same character. We're all Jack Burton really; wanting to be cool and funny but only just getting by
And this is why The Drinker is the best channel on the tube. Movie gets better with time and has more character than any cut and paste Marvel movie of today’s time.
My all time favourite movie, ever since it came out. Will never get sick of watching this, B grade greatness that's better than 99% of the offerings from Hollywood in the last 10 years.
I can't believe he didn't mention James Hong as Lo Pan! James Hong is an entertainment LEGEND! "Now this really pisses me off to no end!" is the best line in the film!
Lo Pan (extra funny that the villian's name is a play on the Cantonese word for "boss") always came off as that Chinese relative that tried to be hip and not quite make it....they are still funny as hell though.
Everything he’s been in has either been gold or at least a diamond in the rough, from 50’s musicals, to nerd comedy sitcoms, to period piece dramas! Wow! What a career!
Jack Burton is legendary. He took on an immortal sorcerer, wielding basically unlimited money and an army of thugs/monsters for like, $3000 and a friend
@@ivorbiggun3873 Gracie Law: Don't you have a spare key? Jack Burton: Well of course I do but it's.....UNDER THE SEAT. jack inserts key and kicks over the the truck, truck rumbles. Gracie: What was that? Jack: 6.9 on the Richter Scale!
Yep, no matter how big the odds are stacked against him and how far out of his depth he is he still charges head first into anything. "It's all in the reflexes" Jack Burton, 100% American bad ass.
My dad showed me and brother this movie and then we showed it to our cousin. This is her favorite movie of all time. I love nothing more than paying it forward with a great movie
What are you talking about? Jack's arc was getting his truck back. That is literally the only thing he cared about the entire movie. The Pork-Chop Express!
this is why im throwing in with you, drinker. you are me, were i a loquacious, dapper scotsman. this is one of my all-time favorites as well and not many even from our generation were/are aware of it. i love recommending it, especially young people who are so deprived of cinematic excellence these days.
That line has always stuck with me! It shows how perfect the writing in this film is. Over the top, almost campy humor combined with subtle quips like that. Perfect!
Jack Burton's fucking awesome! I loved it when it first was released, and I'm amazed how greatly it has aged. The humor, the action, how Jack is at the same an idiot and a fucking incredible human being. I give it 10/10, and it pains me it's not considered widely as one of the best 80's movies!
In the commentary, John Carpenter talked about how in every cowboy story has a girl who tries to tie down the lone drifter, and Gracie even offers to go with him, but Jack actually realizes that he’s not relationship material and would rather leave her there instead of hurt her later. That’s kind of a bittersweet sense that he cares for her.
My first year as a truck driver, I was on the highway and my music feed had somehow dipped into movie soundtracks.... I cannot describe how badass I felt when "Porkchop Express" started playing.
@JZ's Best Friend See it again. I didn't say anything about the acting lol. If that turned you off, you missed the WHOLE point I think, as that seems to be part of the allure. The underlying message though.. Yes Videodrome was decent too thanks.
@JZ's Best Friend Dude, you aren't getting it. Notice I didn't just put 'piper'. Notice, my CONTEXT compared to the CONTEXT of the OP. Did Carpenter make Videodrome? SO THEN WHY ARE YOU BARKING UP THIS TREE? We are talking about Carpenter movies, not movies that are like 'They Live''. They Live is a cult classic and if you don't get it/like it, then MOVE ON and stop trying to tell others that what they like, they don't.
I love the scene where they're in the elevator heading down to the wedding ceremony and the camera stays on just long enough for the characters (and the audience) to get uncomfortable. "I'm feelin' pretty good. Not...scared at all. Feeling kind of...feelin' kind of invincible!" "Is is getting hot in here or is it just me?"
"Here's to the Army and Navy and the battles they have won; here's to America's colors, the colors that never run... May the wings of liberty never lose a feather." Love this movie.
I love how toned-down, sullen and melancholic Jack gets in his reply to Wang's sporadic moment of patriotism. Kurt Russell sells that delivery like nobody else on the planet.
That scene gives me goosebumps and when I was 14 and saw it in the movie theater I was so moved by that toast that I teared up! Would have joined the military right then if I could have. Oh well. Joined 5 years later.
I never saw the Rock's version. Too many people have told me to skip it. I just cannot imagine The Rock being serious enough to play the part. That man understands comedy more than acting.
