film reel image

film reel image

Friday, September 27, 2013

Big Trouble in Little China 1986 * * * 1/2 Stars

The picture above is the movie title for Big Trouble in Little ChinaDirector: John Carpenter
Year: 1986
Rating: PG-13
Rating: * * * 1/2 Stars
Cast: Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, Dennis Dun

Kurt Russell, doing his best John Wayne impersonation, plays befuddled action hero Jack Burton in the 1986 cult favorite Big Trouble in Little China. With director John Carpenter channeling his inner Raiders of the Lost Ark, this is a slam bang, shoot-em-up, martial arts flick that deals with black magic in an over-the-top, yet effective way. Taking place in San Francisco's Chinatown (which comes off as dark, gloomy, and dangerous) and a plot that kicks in right from the get-go, "Trouble" involves the rescuing of a woman (Miao Yen played by Suzee Pai) with green eyes who has been captured by a sorcerer (the creepy Lo Pan played by James Hong). The evil sorcerer in question, needs this woman to make him look young again by breaking a sacred, ancient curse (the dude looks 100 years old and then some).

Initially a box office failure, Big Trouble in Little China became beloved and cherished by moviegoers with each passing year. If you’re an action junkie, this film is satisfactory on all levels. Some people might argue that "Trouble" doesn't give the actors time to breathe and whizzes them from one dark set piece to the next. I say this mid 80's classic gets away with it. Toward its climatic fight scenes between good and evil, Russell's character says, "may the wings of liberty never lose a feather." Translation: in years to come, may this flick never lose the power to entertain. 

Written by Jesse Burleson

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