Big Trouble in Little China - The most entertaining movie..... ever?

[Indy in IN]

I had the Flu with a touch of bronchitis the past week and a half. I watched Girl Next Door (very funny), Euro Trip (great comedy), Back to the Future 1-3 (classic) and Big Trouble in Little China.

I watch Big Trouble in Little China 6 times in the past week. I hadn't watched it in probably 2 years, so I broke out the SE DVD from the collection and went nuts. I watched all the extra features again and even watched it with the commentary on again. I know it's a popular movie on the boards, but I thought I would throw this out and get some opinions.

One of the most quoteable movies ever?

"Son of a bitch must pay!"

"What does that mean? Huh? "China is here." I don't even know what the hell that means."

[B1rd_Po0p]

Hmm, haven't seen it in years; but I love Kurt Russell. Might be time to see it again.

[Joshmo]

I caught tis again last week...didnt hold up for me at all. 5/10

[Buck Turgidson]

It's in the conversation, to be sure.

I've subjected it to many, many viewings over the last 20 years, and like all great comedies, the bits that are golden still crack me up, even knowing they're coming.

Russell is endlessly quotable, but I must also point out the mighty James Hong as David LoPan is sublime. His speech to Jack and Wang when they're trussed up in the wheelchairs about his history and destiny with Miao Yin, that segues unexpectedly into romantic melancholy ("You are a man of the world, you know how it is between men and women...how seldom it works out...") is just a masterpiece.

He also has the best of the numerous answers to Burton's blustery bullshit: "You were not brought upon this world to 'get it', Mr. Burton..."

And he ends with that great lapse into modern vernacular "What is this? Are these people with you? This really PISSES me off to no end!" :D

[King of Depew]

I think it's John Carpenter's best films, one of those great, weird sci-fi and action blend movies of the 80s. Weird plot, weird characters, great dialogue. When I was a kid it was one of my favorite movies. Growing up in the 80s ruled. I wish they would have made the action figures more accessible, I only ever saw Egg Shen or the monster.

I wanted to punch myself, I went to this huge Hollywood Collectible auction last week that was loaded with all kinds of young and old B and C list movie stars, and walking around the corner I was shocked to see the guy who played David Lo Pan. (And the eyeball guy from Blade Runner, the guy from Golden Child, etc.) He had a huge Lo Pan poster behind him, I didn't even know he was there I would have brought my BTILC DVD case to get signed.

The guy doesn't even look that old, hes gotta be in his early 60s too.

"Ohhhh, God what is that, don't tell me..." - Jack Burton (upon seeing the eyeball monster)

[Cronos]

it took four tries before i liked this, the first i watched it all the way through and hated it. i then watched the first 15 minutes 2 more times and turned it off. i then eventually forced myself to watch it and loved every minute. a lot of fun, very funny at times and one of Carpenters best (although all his films are excellent)

10/10

[outsyder]

Blind bought it. Hated it the first time (5/10). Haven't watched it again, but a lot of people seem to like it (86% freshness rating on RT) so I'll probably keep it around.


Although I do admit it's a nice parody of the American action "hero."

[ilovemovies]

Ugh. I guess I'm the only one who HATES this movie. No, check that. I LOATHE it! I honestly think it's one of the worst movies ever! I don't get the appeal of this movie whatsoever. The action couldn't have been more inert and the movie is so silly and stupid. Not even the normally reliable Kurt Russell could save this movie.

[Carpicon]

I'm with you, I LOVE this movie. I think a lot of it goes back to nostalgia, as it was on HBO all the time when I was younger. IMO movies don't have to be thought-provoking, beautifully shot, or wonderfully acted to be entertaining. This is a prime example.

One thing I've noticed about this movie is that a bunch of the characters translate to the first Mortal Kombat game. The lightning-throwing guy is a dead ringer for Raiden when he first shows up and Lo Pan always reminded me of Shang Tsung.

[JenJen]

It's been ages since I've seen it, but I remember really enjoying it.

[mattjk_17]

I loved this movie as a kid, so I bought the 2 disc SE last year on DVD. I love it even more these days, one of my favourite movies of the 80s.

8/10

[King of Depew]

Oh yeah: I definitely think this is one of those movies you had to see when you were a kid, like the guys on this thread who like it. If you grew up watching it, it's the shit. If you're like 23 and seeing it for the first time, it's not going to be very good. There's a lot of 80s movies like that, "Buckaroo Banzai" for example. A few weeks ago I finally got around to seeing Terry Gilliam's "Brazil" for the first time and I hated it. (Not that it was "bad", just dated and not my cup of tea) But I'm watching it thinking: "If I was like 11, this movie would have been awesome." There's lots of movies like that. I even watch Animal House, I saw it for the first time last year and I'm 25 years old. I love John Belushi, but I'm like "Ummm...this isn't really funny." I know if I grew up watching it I probably would love it. I don't know, maybe because I've heard all the jokes before and knew too much about it. What're you gonna do?

[kungfuchris]

This is the greatest movie ever made.

[Raw Chili]

Yeah this movie rules, Kurt Russel rules and James Hong plays an awesome bad guy. Such a good mix of action, sci-fi, and fantasy and total cult weirdness. One of the most qoutable flicks and one of my favorite Carpenter flicks.

[spacemonkey]

Im a huge Big Trouble in Little China fan! The movie is awesome!

Jack Burton has to be one of the most quatable characters ever!

I love the part where he goes:

"Theres my truck....MY TRUCK!' Cause he kind of realizes its his truck and says it in a really low voice...but then he says it really loud to overact so that everyone realizes that his happy to see his truck. Funny stuff. And what about when he dresses up like a nerd to go into the brothel. "I know what you mean my wife gave it to me for christmas..." he he heh.

Not to mention: "Hollow? Hollow. Fuck it!"

But then again I just love the magic kung fu aspect of it! Kind of like a chinese ghost story with lots of mysticism...LO Pan is a cool as hell villain.

And hey is it me or does this movie have truly excellent visual effects? I mean that guy with the lightning coming out of his hands....thats some of the best lightning effects ever!

[rilocay]

Those trippy kung-fu god guys are some whacked shite! i remember thinkin how cool they wer back wen i was really young and watching it again not long ago theys till hold up the same! their great!

[silentasylum]

I saw this in the theatre as a kid and yup, i loved it. Even now I can still turn my brain off and watch it....cheesy but lots of fun.

[pyscho dude]

Well I wouldn't say the most entertaining but definately one of the most entertaining. I agree Carpicon, a movie doesn't have to be well thought to be good and I as well was reminded of Mortal Kombat.

[morricone]

It is a fun movie. Cheesy as hell, but it's entertaining, but not the most entertaining movie ever.

[Shockwave]

I love it.

Pure grade A, wacky cheese. 8/10

While not the most entertaining movie ever, it is one of those movies with near limitless rewatchability to me.

[Andrew Tom]

One of my all-time favorites. It doesn't get much better than this.

[Rick-James]

Best. Movie. Ever.

this thread rules.

[JCR]

Originally posted by Indy in IN
I had the Flu with a touch of bronchitis the past week and a half. I watched Girl Next Door (very funny), Euro Trip (great comedy), Back to the Future 1-3 (classic) and Big Trouble in Little China.

I watch Big Trouble in Little China 6 times in the past week. I hadn't watched it in probably 2 years, so I broke out the SE DVD from the collection and went nuts. I watched all the extra features again and even watched it with the commentary on again. I know it's a popular movie on the boards, but I thought I would throw this out and get some opinions.

One of the most quoteable movies ever?

"Son of a bitch must pay!"

"What does that mean? Huh? "China is here." I don't even know what the hell that means."

Thanks for the recommendation, I bought it today as a result, (well OK it was in my local walmart for £6 ($8)) and I liked it a lot.

[KcMsterpce]

It's funny how this thread hasn't died down yet.

I love this movie, too.

I watch it at least once a year, and well, tonight is the night for THIS year at least!

I gave it to a classmate because he'd never seen it, and he thought it was alright. The funny part was when he asked me, "Is it supposed to be in black and white, though? I thought it was wierd that they were talking about a girl with green eyes all the time and you couldn't tell she had them."
Obviously something was amiss with his TV, but it makes me laugh that he saw it in B&W. :)

I disagree about this movie not being beautifully filmed. It looks great!

[Buck Turgidson]

All Carpenter movies look great. He's a superb craftsman.

[Danny L]

Bought about 1 year ago on DVD, hadn't seen it for some 10 years. Still loved it, its stylish, fun, Russell is the man and Carpenter draws it nicely together. Great mystic action comedy.

[Danny L]

I just watched it! Gotta love the soundtrack --- so 80's. Carpenter is the man!