Why 'Big Trouble in Little China' Is the Cult Classic You Didn't Know You Needed
Written By: Ken Hulsey
In my many attempts to review classic films, I often pass over really great movies, sometimes even passing over some of my personal favorites, to tie themes and past topics together. One such film that I have regrettably passed over, for far too long, is the 1986 action/comedy "Big Trouble in Little China".
For those of you out there who know me pretty well, you understand that "Big Trouble" is one of my all-time favorite movies, so the fact that I have chosen it to begin getting back to talking about older films should come as no surprise.
Originally envisioned by filmmaker John Carpenter as a 'classic' western movie, then a 'modern' western movie, "Big Trouble in Little China" eventually evolved into an action/comedy that pays homage to Kung-Fu cinema. After several studios balked at the idea of a martial arts-themed, 'cowboy' movie, screenwriter W. D. Richter was hired by Carpenter to 'modernize' the script. It would seem that Richter would have his own agenda in mind when developing a new story for "Big Trouble", the early drafts all tied in the film as a sequel to his 1984 film, "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension!"
"Big Trouble in Little China" was rushed into production by 20th Century Fox to have a film to go head-to-head with Paramount's summer release, the Eddie Murphy comedy "The Golden Child". Though both films centered around Asian mystic themes, "The Golden Child" would become a huge success, while "Big Trouble" would end up a financial failure, grossing only $11 million, far below the film's $25 million budget.
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During the production, Carpenter had been in talks with executives about the possibility of continuing on the adventures of Jack Burton, the film's clumsy and reluctant hero, on television if the movie was a success. Alas, the film did poorly, so "More Trouble in Little China", the tentative name for the proposed television series, never got past the conceptual phase.
After all the hassles Carpenter encountered amid the fallout from the film's less-than-stellar performance, the filmmaker decided to turn his back on big-budget Hollywood movies and return to independent productions.
"Big Trouble in Little China" stars Kurt Russell as the truck driver with a big ego, and big heart, Jack Burton. Russell had resurrected his career in the early 80s after success in family oriented Disney films in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
In 1981 Russell stared as Snake Plissken in the sci fi/action film "Escape From New York", and it was hoped that the actor would bring some action star moxy to the Burton role, though the part would be played mostly for laughs.
Cast alongside Russell as one of a pair of damsels in distress, is Kim Cattrall, who had come to the director's attention after appearing in the successful comedies, "Porky's" and "Police Academy." As most of you know, Cattrall would follow up "Big Trouble" with the starring role in the hugely successful romantic comedy "Mannequin", then would move on to play the sexy, but oh so logical, Vulcan, Valeris, in "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country".
Cattrall would make a perfect counterpart to the bumbling Jack Burton as the overly confident San Francisco lawyer, Gracie Law.
Cast as the films villain, Lopan (aka David Lopan) is veteran Asian/American actor James Hong. Lo Pan, of course, is a three-thousand year old cursed Chinese sorcerer who needs to sacrifice a girl with 'dragon-green' eyes to break his curse and gain immortality.
Rounding out the cast are Dennis Dun as Burton's sidekick, who is a martial arts master and Chinese restaurant owner, Wang Chi. Victor Wong, who also starred in the rival film "The Golden Child", as Egg Shen, the ancient Chinese sorcerer who's duty it is to rid the world of the evil Lo Pan. Kate Burton as the in over her head reporter, Margo. And last but not least, Donald Li as Wang Chi's matradee, who knows how to use a gun, Eddie Lee.
Most notable of the remaining cast is Suzee Pai, a former Penthouse Pet, who plays Wang Chi's fiance, Miao Yin, who has "dragon-green" eyes, so she becomes part of Lo Pan's sacrificial plans, alongside the jade-eyed, Gracie Law. Pai plays a pivotal role in the film, yet director John Carpenter opted to cut all of her speaking parts, spare one, out of the finished film.
Where "Big Trouble in Little China" really works is as a comedy. Kurt Russell really steals the show as the cocky, yet bumbling, hero Jack Burton. What makes the whole film stand out, though, is the on-screen chemistry between Russell, Kim Cattrall, Dennis Dun, Victor Wong, and even James Hong, cast as the film's antagonist.
The film also excels as a great 'quote' movie. After watching "Big Trouble," you will probably be spouting Burton's one-liners for weeks.
Jack Burton: Ol' Jack always says... what the hell?
Jack Burton: When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail."
Jack Burton: This is gonna take crackerjack timing, Wang.
Jack Burton: 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.
Jack Burton: We really shook the pillars of heaven, didn't we, Wang?
Honestly, I could fill up the whole page with these!
Though "Big Trouble in Little China" was a box office flop, the film gained a second life in the home video market. Now the film is considered by most to be a 'cult-classic."
To this day, director John Carpenter is bombarded by fans at conventions, wanting to know if he will ever make a "Big Trouble" sequel. Unfortunately, he always gives a polite 'no' and then changes the subject.
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