Big Trouble in Little China

Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
Director: John Carpenter
Cast: Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, Dennis Dun, James Hong
Memorable Line: "This is Jack Burton in the Pork Chop Express, and I'm talkin' to whoever's out there."

Big Trouble in Little China is one of the movies that really got misunderstood by critics and some audience members. Part kung-fu, part comedy, and mostly funny, director John Carpenter has just a little trouble with mixing the two genres, but still delivers a decent comedy.

By just doing a little favor for a friend, blue collar trucker, Jack Burton (Russell), somehow slips from our world into a supernatural world in San Francisco's Chinatown in which he battles ancient oriental sorcerers, mystic creatures and whatever comes at him. The main nemesis is an immortal sorcerer, Lo Pan (Hong), who must marry a girl with green eyes to regain his mortal form. Unfortunately, this green eyed girl just happens to be Jack's friend's girlfriend and there's no way Jack can let that happen. No way at all.

Critics took this movie to seriously when it was released. Carpenter and his crew of screenwriters including W.D. Richter throw in every Kung-Fu cliche and make a pretty funny movie that certainly doesn't take itself seriously. Russell plays a laconic, street-wise, macho guy who's in over his head but with bluster and bravado somehow prevails against the immense forces of darkness that surround him.

If you're looking for a night of decent yucks, then Big Trouble in Little China is the right ticket for you. As long as you don't take it too seriously. I mean come on. Sheesh!