Another one of the Carpenter classics (perception wise that is) and another one added to the list. I had not seen this until the other day and have to admit it was quite the fun ride. The two main characters really elevate the movie experience and really do the best to make this as fun as possible.

That doesn't mean this is without flaws. Quite the opposite is the case, the pacing may be too much for some, the coherent level may vary and you may get confused more than a few times. But the movie has enough charme to get you over any of that. It has enough crazy ideas and enough of buddy comedy and enough of mythology to get your juices going.

For some so much, that they might be angered I only gave this 8 - but for others this may feel as too high a rating. If you haven't seen it yet, give it a try. The effects especially (because pre CGI) have aged very well, this can be as camp as you want it to be. Entertainment all around

"Big Trouble in Little China" is a perfect film is you want an action picture where you don't need to think too much. This is NOT meant as an insult...sometimes you really want a movie like this. The plot to the film is a bit like "Pee Wee's Big Adventure"...combined with a martial arts movie...an odd combination to say the least!

When the story begins, Jack Burton (Kurt Russell) is driving with a Chinese-American friend in Chinatown. Suddenly, they find themselves in the middle of a Tong war...with hatchets, guns and mayhem. The 'good guys' appear to be winning when suddenly, several demigod-like characters arrive....with mystical powers and like the worst of the baddies in Shaw Brothers martial arts films. Jack and his friend manage to escape...but Jack loses his truck and the bulk of the film consists of the good guys infiltrating the baddies' hideout to extricate kidnapped women...and Jack's truck.

If you are looking for realism, do not watch this picture. It's all very tongue-in-cheek and silly...and Russell plays a tough guy who really is in way over his head. Very enjoyable...not especially deep.

This outing from famed horror director John Carpenter starts out promisingly enough, with a kidnapping at an airport and a nice tough-guy turn from Kurt Russell (who else, when Carpenter's involved?),complete with swagger. However, twenty minutes into the film, it becomes very silly indeed, and obviously aimed at children. The film that came to mind while I watched this was STREET FIGHTER, if that gives you any idea of the style of action taking place here.

The special effects (of which there are hundreds) are admittedly very good for the time in which this was made. The baddies here are the least threatening in Carpenter's filmography, Chinese blokes who gurn occasionally in their bid to terrify. The action is kept light, although due to a couple of nasty bits this film was unfortunately rated 15 in this country - a shame, as the film would appeal most to young teenagers.

Aside from Kurt Russell and Dennis Dun, who have a nice sparring chemistry in their buddy-buddy relationship, the cast is bog standard. Along with the bad acting of the Chinese heavies, we have Kim Cattrall as a forgettable reporter, Victor Wong doing his patented 'wise old man' schtick and all manner of other nobodies and expendables who kind of hover around in the background. There are plenty of one-liners for Russell to spit out, but anyone expecting even a semi-serious film will be disappointed. Take this one as an out-and-out comedy and you might just enjoy it.