Love this movie. And for the record I am right about Escape from New York, it is a classic. Also your mum thought there was too much profanity in this reaction. And by the way the lawn could do with mowing this week. Dad x
The closest comparison I can think of in terms of the sidekick who thinks he's the hero is Inspector Gadget. Very different character and story, but it still has the "main character" who thinks that he has everything under control, while Penny does all the work.
It is great that this movie follows the side kick as if he were the main hero. Wang is the main hero who gets the love of his life stolen by evil forces, and has to storm the castle to rescue her. Which makes the killing of Lo pan by the "side kick" all the better.
I loved this movie as a kid, but it wasn't until watching it as an adult that I understood the unlying joke of the whole movie, which is now how I describe it to people: Jack Burton is an American action movie character that accidentally ended up in a Chinese action movie, and he keeps thinking he's the main character and doing all the American action movie things, but they aren't working because he's in the wrong genre and has absolutely no idea what is going on for 90% of the movie. This ends up saving the day though because he is essentially a wildcard, he SHOULDN'T be here, and none of the characters who should have no idea what he's going to do or his capabilities (hence how he defeated Lo Pan, they thought he was just some trucker idiot and had no idea he had action movie reflexes)
It's funny how the more enduring cultural icon from this movie hasn't been Jack Burton but Lo Pan. And, the heartening thing is that James Hong, who played Lo Pan, is not only still with us but currently, at age 94, at the height of his career and fame, thanks to EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE. Seventy years in the business and he only recently, finally, got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But, it's also odd to realize that Kurt Russell himself has now been acting for SIXTY years.
Also his star was effectively a gift from his fans since it was paid for by donations. Actor Daniel Dae Kim (Lost, Hawaii Five-O and voice of Johnny Gat from the Saints Row games) headed the effort to get Hong the star.
Super nice guy too, met him at a con,had him sign a photo from Big Trouble, and he asked my friend and i if we wanted to hear lines from the film and before we could say anything he launched into "Bring me the girl with the green eyes",lol
This movie is utterly bonkers, yet endlessly enjoyable. It also took me years to realise Jack Burton is mostly useless, but ultimately saves the day too. I really hope they don't remake it (like I think they were going to do a few years back).
This movie is brilliant. The idea of making the clumsy clueless sidekick the main character is genius. Jack Burton is a fantastic role and the dialogue in this feature is genius. A wonderful mashup of Chinese folklore, Fantasy, Comedy, Action & Horror is chef’s kiss. The music, the look; I love everything about this movie.
I’m 23 now and me and my older brother still watch this movie to this day, growing up watching this was just the best thing ever. The world building is so fast paced and so out there and Jack is such a funny relatable down to earth character, Kurt Russell plays him perfectly. It really is one of the greatest family adventure movies that’s off-the-wall and funny enough for kids to enjoy but also has many mature jokes and dark elements for adults. And that final kill is so fucking iconic. And that final line. God I love this movie
This film was originally meant to be a sequel to "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai". It had the same writer (W.D. Richter, who had adapted Earl M. Rauch's story for "Banzai") and the same bonkers "let's just throw everything at the screen" sensibility. I love both films, and I highly recommend reacting to "Buckaroo Banzai". The other thing that John Carpenter said about "Big Trouble in Little China" is that it is a movie told from the POV of the sidekick -- in this case, Jack Burton -- who doesn't necessarily realize that he IS the sidekick.
Definitely not a sequel to TAoBB" - "Although the original screenplay by first-time screenwriters Gary Goldman and David Z. Weinstein was envisioned as a Western set in the 1880s, screenwriter W. D. Richter was hired to rewrite the script extensively and modernize it. "
The commentary is very good and lots of information. What plows my my mind till this day, is that Jack is not the main hero of this story. It's his buddy Wang. When they said that in the commentary I was like "Whoa!" it make sense. Wang has his girl kidnapped, he goes after her. He knows how to fight. He get the girl and has a happy ending. Like you said, Jack is the audience and is along for the ride.
Yes, Rayden from Mortal Kombat was inspired from this movie :) A fantastic movie for both adults and kids. Great, oriental-infused soundtrack/score. I remember going to the pictures to watch this in 1986 :P 8.4 from me. Annie Hall (1977) was the last outright comedy to win Best Picture Oscar. American Beauty won 1999 but it's borderline if it's a comedy. Maybe 'Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)' for the next JC movie?
And some of the locations in this movie would feel right at home in MK. Like Lo Pan's corridor with all the statues, or the underwater tank with the floating corpses.
I was obsessed with this movie as a kid for the longest time. I used to have a PSP, which was this little handheld gaming console that used tiny compact disks lol- which meant not only could u play games, but they also sold movie disks as well. I would bring my PSP and watch BTILC everywhere lmao. Great vid as always !
Love this movie. “F it” has always been a favorite line, along with “I was born ready” and “It’s all in the reflexes”. No matter what, this will always be a 9 for me.
Another childhood classic!. Me and my bro used to take turns wearing the laundry basket lid and pretend to be lightning or thunder. Today, some would call that culteral appropriation.
The film is a love letter to the Chinese genre "Wuxia"..... which is even more bonkers. Absolute classic that is just as good on the 100th watch as the first. Remember when the movies were fun?
I absolutely love this movie and can rewatch it any time. It's big, loud, wacky, action-packed FUN! It's sort of John Carpenter's love letter to Hong Kong cinema, and (as many others have pointed out) it's about a culture clash, with an American action hero becoming the unwitting (and mostly useless) sidekick in a martial arts fantasy movie. As far as other John Carpenter movies, I have to recommend Prince of Darkness. It's part of Carpenter's unofficial "Apocalypse Trilogy" with the Thing and In the Mouth of Madness. It's definitely creepy, atmospheric, and a bit of a slow burn, but it's downright terrifying at times. Plus you will see a few familiar faces crop up in it too. Great reaction, guys!
I was 19 when this came out and I saw it in an empty theater opening week. Like a lot of John Carpenter films back then it wasn’t a hit, but became a classic over the years.
So it's been a long time, since I delved into the background of this film, but if I remember it correctly, Carpenter originally had the idea to do this kind of a story as a sort of Western satire/comedy. But it later evolved into this martial arts fantasy adventure comedy. The film was a pretty big flop at the box office upon release. Partially due to the studio having no idea what the hell this movie even was and how they were supposed to market it. It would later on VHS gain its cult following. Btw I think it's really awesome how many great Asian American actors Carpenter got to star in this and how the entire movie really makes fun of how western people see the Chinese culture. While also having fun with the bits of mythology and not taking everything all that seriously. Also: the design of the three storms (in particular lightning) inspired the Mortal Kombat creators.
Totally rad reaction! I first saw this in the theater and fell in love with it right away. It's also the movie that made me a huge John Carpenter fan (he's my all time favorites director). The fact that people don't realize that Jack Burton is the sidekick and Wang Chi is the hero has always been hilarious to me, it's one of the reasons that the studio didn't like the movie because Kurt Russell wasn't the hero. Again great reaction. Many blessings to you and yours.
Saw John Carpenter play his themes live in London for his ‘Release the Bats’ tour a few years ago, with clips of the films screened behind him. It was an amazing gig! Seeing him bopping about on stage behind his synths.
Actor James Hong has been known to wear his old 'Lo Pan' costume for Halloween. He recently received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his 70-year career as a pioneer for Asian-American actors in Hollywood.
I was 11 when this came out, my little brother and I loved this movie. Lost count of how many times I've seen it over the years and I'd watch again anytime, I never tire of it.
Ive always loved this movie regardless of how random it was. Things just kind of happen and it's entertaining af. I'm almost certain it had some kind of influence on Mortal Kombat though. Shang Tsung is definitely modeled after Lo-Pan in how he's an ancient sorcerer that steals the souls of others to survive. And the Three Storms are for sure an influence for Raiden. Even the music from the first game kind of reminds you of some of the music here.
Watch it again and you realise that Jack Burton isn’t the main character, he's the sidekick. Wang Chi is the protagonist, he drives the story, it happens because of him. You guys were right when you said that Jack is essentially the eyes of the audience, he has no idea whats going on, he's along for the ride just like us. Great movie, so very quotable. Good work, lads 👏
I'd bump it up to 8.5 because of perfect pacing. Pacing is the easiest thing to get wrong, so getting it exactly right is a massive achievement. Plus it's endlessly rewatchable. It doesn't seem like a world that stops when you stop watching it.
I feel this is one of those films you get to watch for the first time - twice. First off is blind, confused & amused, then second time is when you're in on the joke that Jack is the side character tagging along to the hero that is Wang.
Framed on my wall is a photo of James Hong as Lo Pan that my best friend got for me when he met the actor at a big svi Fi convention I couldn't attend. It's dedicated to me with "Jason, Go find the girl with the green eyes!" and his autograph in both English and Chinese. I loooove this movie.
I was 14 when this film came out. I thought it was the greatest thing since spare ribs were splashed with Kansas City BBQ sauce!!! It took all the elements from Saturday afternoon matinee TV movies with Bruce Lee Kung-fu flicks, 50s and 60s monster movies, and 70-80’s comic tough guys who lived by their own rules while traveling the open road. BTILC is a movie made for middle school boys (age 12 to 14 in the USA) that John Carpenter successfully made to appeal to a much broader audience - it’s like Steven Spielberg’s “Goonies” but on amphetamines and Hot and Sour Soup. Great review, guys!
It happened one night (1934) by Frank Capra is a comedy and also the first movie ever to win the 5 main Oscar Awards: movie, director, male actor, female actor and script. But yes, comedy, Sci-Fi and horror don't usually get much recognition.
The song during the end credits is actually by John Carpenter's band, The Coupe De Villes. He's the deep voice singing. The higher voice is Nick Castle, who I believe played masked Michael Myers in the first Halloween.
Saw this film for the first time as a teenager and loved it. The only other film I can think of where the main character is inept but still manages to fight off the bad guy is "Johnny English." It stars Rowan Atkinson, who plays Mr. Bean, and is absolutely hilarious.
There is a sequel comic book series approved by Carpenter. The best part is that you find it Lo Pan was sent to "the hell of those killed by idiots." 😂
The pacing, imagination, and fun make Big Trouble in Little China one of my all time favorite movies. The plot makes more sense in subsequent viewings.
This movie is like one big acid trip, and I absolutely LOVE IT! Kurt Russell and John Carpenter, man.... Can't go wrong when they are working together!
When I was about 9 years old I found the last 15 minutes of this movie from my parents' VHS, recorded straight from the television. In the school I told my friends what I had seen, and they told it was probably the new Mortal Kombat (1995) movie that was soon coming out in the cinemas. We were stupid kids, but I've loved this movie even before I saw it as a whole. (I was in my early thirties when I bought the DVD and finally saw it from the beginning to the end.)
It's great that you mention Mortal Kombat, because John Tobias (one of the creators of MK) actually did take Lightning in this film and make Raiden, and also Lo Pan inspired Shang Tsung! There's also a comic book series that follows Jack Burton!
This movie is utter genius. A legitimate masterpiece, and I will die on that hill. On your point about seeing Jack Burton in future movies, Jack and Snake Plissken would be a dream duo.
Saw it in the Cinema in 86 and it was rated PG. The Cinema was quite empty as the movie wasnt promoted much up near to its release. However we loved it. Another movie that came out at the time that beat it at the box office, was Eddie Murphys the "Golden Child" again following the Chinese myths. This to was very entertaining, containing some of the same cast.On video the violence was cut down and was now rated 15. Many years later the theatrical version was realesed uncut,and is now what you see today.
Loads of homages to classic kung fu movies with a lot of actual Chinese folklore like the weapons the three storms are using in the alleyway fight scene and some of the beliefs (this was from someone who is actually Chinese so grew up with it all). And you have to mention Al Leong, the greatest man to hench in Hollywood's history!
If someone tells me this is their favorite Carpenter film, I totally get it! I had the pleasure of seeing this on HBO when I was 12 years old and it seemed like the biggest, craziest film I'd ever seen! This film is endlessly rewatchable, incredibly paced, and so totally quotable! I am proud to have a movie poster of it signed by both Carpenter and Dean Cundey (Director of Photography for this, and the dude who practically lensed my childhood with numerous Carpenter flicks, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, and the Back to the Future trilogy, and a little film called Jurassic Park)! This movie, guys - it will grow on you and you'll increase your scores once it settles in your brain and you watch it again!
This film has a sequel comic, and the big hulking monster that tagged along at the end of the movie basically becomes the Chewbacca sidekick to Jack Burton. Fun idea.
Raiden was in fact inspired by the Three Storms in this movie. All the classic Mortal Kombat characters were copies of characters from popular martial arts movies: Liu Kang was based on Bruce Lee's character in "Enter the Dragon," Johnny Cage on van Damme in "Bloodsport" and Sonya Blade on Cynthia Rothrock in basically all her movies.
You were trying to think of a story where the "hero" was useless and the sidekick was the real protagonist. The classic example is Don Quixote and Sancho Panza
This was originally written as a sequel to an equally bugnuts movie, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai (1984), by the writer / director of that film W.D. Richter... Buckaroo's arch villain was never revealed in that film but he was teased as Hanoi Xan.. who I assume was morphed into Lo Pan. Buckaroo Banzai is also a "what the fuck is going on" film that pretends your picking up on like chapter 7 in the series but never explains what happened before. Worth a watch. Amazing cast.
One of the funniest martial arts action comedy fantasy movies ever made! It was originally going to be a Western, with supernatural elements, taking place in San Francisco in 1906, where former gunslinger Jack Burton, played by either Clint Eastwood or Jack Nicholson, meets up with an old friend of his, Wang Chi an expert in martial arts and ancient Chinese mysticism, as both of them must stop an evil sorcerer, Lo Pan, from conjuring an earthquake that will not only destroy the city, but the whole world! There were talks of a reboot of the movie, with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson playing the role of skeptical truck driver Jack Burton, but was later changed into a sequel, involving Rock's character and Jack Burton teaming up to the take down Lo Pan once and for all. This would never happen as it was cancelled due to the Fox/Disney merger.
This movie is fantastic. So wonderfully bonkers. The "star" of the movie is the comic relief side-kick. I got the "Escape From New York" board game for my 11th or 12th birthday.
John Carpenter has made no secret that he was influenced by the films of Howard Hawks. Carpenter’s early film “Assault on Precinct 13” is a riff on Hawk’s “Rio Bravo” and Carpenter’s “The Thing” is a remake of an earlier version produced by Hawks. I think the incomprehensible plot is a nod to “The Big Sleep”. Kurt Russell dressed as the ridiculous businessman is definitely a nod to Bogart’s turn as a fey book collector in “The Big Sleep”. And the moment at around 26:23 is another Hawks reference: to Lauren Bacall’s famous moment from “To Have and Have Not.”
Jack Burton reminds me a little bit of Ash Williams, especially Ash from Army of Darkness, or even Roddy Piper's character from They Live. The big, bumbling, comedic hero type will always have a special place in my heart. Also, I swear Kurt Russel is a true star that makes every movie he's in better. That man has so much charisma! I almost wish that John Carpenter didn't bogart so much of his early career. I love all of their collaborations, but they're almost all cult favorites, and I feel like Russel could have broken into the mainstream if not for that. He really deserved a Terminator 2 moment.
You guys should do the rest of Carpenter's apocalypse trilogy. You've done the first one, The Thing, next is Prince of Darkness. The last one is In The Mouth of Madness.
It's been said many times, at the end of the day Jack Burton isn't the Hero of the movie, his buddy is the Hero of the movie. Jack Burton is his buddy's Sidekick. :T
Here are some other John Carpenter films I think you guys should watch. Assault On Precinct 13, Starman, Prince Of Darkness, Memoirs Of An Invisible Man, In The Mouth Of Madness, The Ward. 👍
Now that you guys have seen this, you should check out the 80’s era Hong Kong hybrid fantasy-action-comedy-horror flicks that clearly inspired BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA especially from writer/director/producer Tsui Hark, notably ZU WARRIORS OF THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN (1983) and my personal favorites which came out after Carpenter’s film - A CHINESE GHOST STORY (1987) and its sequel A CHINESE GHOST STORY II (1990) - part III (1991) is also fun but is pretty much a remake of the first film with a different lead actor (played by Tony Leung, whereas the late Leslie Cheung starred in the first two). All 3 films in the trilogy have the same gorgeous lead actress (Joey Wong). This trilogy has an added bonus of also being inspired by Sam Raimi’s EVIL DEAD films with the wild camera angles/moves and practical fx along with the comedic aspects from BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA.
All of the John Carpenter/Kurt Russell movies have GREAT commentary tracks. You should definitely watch again and listen to them bouncing off each other.
Escape from New York is not boring. It has one of the best characters ever created on film! Also, John Carpenter did NOT do the soundtrack score for his movie, The Thing. Ennio Morricone did the soundtrack score for the film The Thing. Morricone is a legend in movie scores. He did the scores for these films, and many others: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly The Mission Casualties of War Once Upon a Time in the West The Hateful Eight The Untouchables Also many, many Italian films
Thank you for commenting about that, I forgot to mention that in my own comment earlier. John Carpenter could not do the score for The Thing, so he hired Ennio Morricone to compose a John Carpenter score. lol
Love this movie. And for the record I am right about Escape from New York, it is a classic.
Also your mum thought there was too much profanity in this reaction.
And by the way the lawn could do with mowing this week.
Dad x
🤣😂
🤣🤣🤣
This movie makes perfect sense if you view Jack as the unwitting sidekick and not the hero. Which is Carpenter's intention.
He’s the sidekick who thinks he’s the hero. Kurt Russell is playing John Wayne thrown into a Kung fu movie.
@@roboct6 I like how he is brave but clueless, and veers between bumbling and extreme competence when it really counts.
The closest comparison I can think of in terms of the sidekick who thinks he's the hero is Inspector Gadget. Very different character and story, but it still has the "main character" who thinks that he has everything under control, while Penny does all the work.
It is great that this movie follows the side kick as if he were the main hero. Wang is the main hero who gets the love of his life stolen by evil forces, and has to storm the castle to rescue her. Which makes the killing of Lo pan by the "side kick" all the better.
Exactly, and that it encompasses the flare of so much folklore
I loved this movie as a kid, but it wasn't until watching it as an adult that I understood the unlying joke of the whole movie, which is now how I describe it to people: Jack Burton is an American action movie character that accidentally ended up in a Chinese action movie, and he keeps thinking he's the main character and doing all the American action movie things, but they aren't working because he's in the wrong genre and has absolutely no idea what is going on for 90% of the movie. This ends up saving the day though because he is essentially a wildcard, he SHOULDN'T be here, and none of the characters who should have no idea what he's going to do or his capabilities (hence how he defeated Lo Pan, they thought he was just some trucker idiot and had no idea he had action movie reflexes)
"It's all in the reflexes." - Jack Burton
Makes sense.
He does belong. He's just a sidekick
That is SO WELL SAID!!
Best take I have heard on this film.
"Shut up, Mr. Burton! You weren't put on this Earth to GET IT!" Still one of my favorite movie quotes.
You are right..I love that line.
Mind you, I love the line "are you crazy? Is that your problem?"
@@NuclearFridge1
Amazing line.
Said with such sarcasm 😅😅😅😅
The line
"You can go off and rule the world from beyond the Grave . .
Or check into a psycho ward (which ever comes 1st).
Classic line too 😅😅😅😅
"Indeed!"
It's funny how the more enduring cultural icon from this movie hasn't been Jack Burton but Lo Pan. And, the heartening thing is that James Hong, who played Lo Pan, is not only still with us but currently, at age 94, at the height of his career and fame, thanks to EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE. Seventy years in the business and he only recently, finally, got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
But, it's also odd to realize that Kurt Russell himself has now been acting for SIXTY years.
They should give "Will hench for food" a star too.
Also his star was effectively a gift from his fans since it was paid for by donations. Actor Daniel Dae Kim (Lost, Hawaii Five-O and voice of Johnny Gat from the Saints Row games) headed the effort to get Hong the star.
That is both heart warming and sad, at the same time.
Super nice guy too, met him at a con,had him sign a photo from Big Trouble, and he asked my friend and i if we wanted to hear lines from the film and before we could say anything he launched into "Bring me the girl with the green eyes",lol
We see the film through Jack's eyes, and not realize he is the sidekick. It is great and I love this movie.
Me too.
One of the most rewatchable movies ever made 🔥
This movie is utterly bonkers, yet endlessly enjoyable. It also took me years to realise Jack Burton is mostly useless, but ultimately saves the day too. I really hope they don't remake it (like I think they were going to do a few years back).
But I wouldn't mind a follow-up like "Jack Burton" :D
This movie is brilliant. The idea of making the clumsy clueless sidekick the main character is genius. Jack Burton is a fantastic role and the dialogue in this feature is genius.
A wonderful mashup of Chinese folklore, Fantasy, Comedy, Action & Horror is chef’s kiss. The music, the look; I love everything about this movie.
I’m 23 now and me and my older brother still watch this movie to this day, growing up watching this was just the best thing ever. The world building is so fast paced and so out there and Jack is such a funny relatable down to earth character, Kurt Russell plays him perfectly. It really is one of the greatest family adventure movies that’s off-the-wall and funny enough for kids to enjoy but also has many mature jokes and dark elements for adults. And that final kill is so fucking iconic. And that final line. God I love this movie
23? You kids need to get off my lawn!
"I hope this movie isn't slow like all the other John Carpenter movies."
Your wish is granted.
This film was originally meant to be a sequel to "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai". It had the same writer (W.D. Richter, who had adapted Earl M. Rauch's story for "Banzai") and the same bonkers "let's just throw everything at the screen" sensibility. I love both films, and I highly recommend reacting to "Buckaroo Banzai". The other thing that John Carpenter said about "Big Trouble in Little China" is that it is a movie told from the POV of the sidekick -- in this case, Jack Burton -- who doesn't necessarily realize that he IS the sidekick.
Definitely not a sequel to TAoBB" - "Although the original screenplay by first-time screenwriters Gary Goldman and David Z. Weinstein was envisioned as a Western set in the 1880s, screenwriter W. D. Richter was hired to rewrite the script extensively and modernize it. "
I'm a big fan of both movies and always thought that they are spiritual brothers. Perfect to watch back-to-back on one evening 🤘
The commentary is very good and lots of information. What plows my my mind till this day, is that Jack is not the main hero of this story. It's his buddy Wang. When they said that in the commentary I was like "Whoa!" it make sense. Wang has his girl kidnapped, he goes after her. He knows how to fight. He get the girl and has a happy ending. Like you said, Jack is the audience and is along for the ride.
Yes, Rayden from Mortal Kombat was inspired from this movie :) A fantastic movie for both adults and kids. Great, oriental-infused soundtrack/score. I remember going to the pictures to watch this in 1986 :P 8.4 from me. Annie Hall (1977) was the last outright comedy to win Best Picture Oscar. American Beauty won 1999 but it's borderline if it's a comedy. Maybe 'Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)' for the next JC movie?
Shang Tsung as well from Lo Pan
@@FiercedeityBrad Oh yes you're right! :)
And some of the locations in this movie would feel right at home in MK. Like Lo Pan's corridor with all the statues, or the underwater tank with the floating corpses.
@@FiercedeityBradwhat is the battle between Lo Pan and Egg that is like a Jedi fight? That is the only scene I didn’t understand about the movie.
@@FiercedeityBrad I was just checking to see if anyone had said about those two yet. :)
Jack Burton's quotes should be worshipped.
Yes, sir. The check is in the mail.
Or check into a psycho ward, whichever comes first!
Sonuvabitch must pay
Movie trivia: the building they go to while getting ready for the big fight is the ghostbusters firehouse
Aw yeah...more Carpenter! One of the greatest filmmakers ever, and this is one of his best works...I hope you guys love it!💯👍
Jack is the most hopeless hero ever, one of the first written this way. Really wish they made more films of his adventures ❤ loved this growing up.
I was obsessed with this movie as a kid for the longest time. I used to have a PSP, which was this little handheld gaming console that used tiny compact disks lol- which meant not only could u play games, but they also sold movie disks as well. I would bring my PSP and watch BTILC everywhere lmao. Great vid as always !
Love this movie. “F it” has always been a favorite line, along with “I was born ready” and “It’s all in the reflexes”. No matter what, this will always be a 9 for me.
I've always thought of this film as a really crazy D&D oneshot, Jack burton only rolls Nat 1 or Nat 20 🤣
That's so true!
Another childhood classic!.
Me and my bro used to take turns wearing the laundry basket lid and pretend to be lightning or thunder.
Today, some would call that culteral appropriation.
The film is a love letter to the Chinese genre "Wuxia"..... which is even more bonkers. Absolute classic that is just as good on the 100th watch as the first. Remember when the movies were fun?
If you think Escape from New York is John Carpenter's weakest film, you haven't seen Ghosts of Mars yet 😂
I absolutely love this movie and can rewatch it any time. It's big, loud, wacky, action-packed FUN! It's sort of John Carpenter's love letter to Hong Kong cinema, and (as many others have pointed out) it's about a culture clash, with an American action hero becoming the unwitting (and mostly useless) sidekick in a martial arts fantasy movie.
As far as other John Carpenter movies, I have to recommend Prince of Darkness. It's part of Carpenter's unofficial "Apocalypse Trilogy" with the Thing and In the Mouth of Madness. It's definitely creepy, atmospheric, and a bit of a slow burn, but it's downright terrifying at times. Plus you will see a few familiar faces crop up in it too. Great reaction, guys!
You are correct. This movie is really cool if you’re a kid, and hilarious if you’re an adult 😁
I was 19 when this came out and I saw it in an empty theater opening week. Like a lot of John Carpenter films back then it wasn’t a hit, but became a classic over the years.
John carpenter was not in step with the American audience back then, which is probably a compliment.
"I'm just along for the ride..." That's exactly the attitude you need for this movie
So it's been a long time, since I delved into the background of this film, but if I remember it correctly, Carpenter originally had the idea to do this kind of a story as a sort of Western satire/comedy. But it later evolved into this martial arts fantasy adventure comedy.
The film was a pretty big flop at the box office upon release. Partially due to the studio having no idea what the hell this movie even was and how they were supposed to market it. It would later on VHS gain its cult following.
Btw I think it's really awesome how many great Asian American actors Carpenter got to star in this and how the entire movie really makes fun of how western people see the Chinese culture. While also having fun with the bits of mythology and not taking everything all that seriously.
Also: the design of the three storms (in particular lightning) inspired the Mortal Kombat creators.
Totally rad reaction!
I first saw this in the theater and fell in
love with it right away.
It's also the movie that made me a huge John Carpenter fan (he's my all time favorites director).
The fact that people don't realize that Jack Burton is the sidekick and Wang Chi is the hero has always been hilarious to me, it's one of the reasons that the studio didn't like the movie because Kurt Russell wasn't the hero.
Again great reaction.
Many blessings to you and yours.
Saw John Carpenter play his themes live in London for his ‘Release the Bats’ tour a few years ago, with clips of the films screened behind him. It was an amazing gig! Seeing him bopping about on stage behind his synths.
Have you ever done Prince of Darkness?...One of my personal faves
I give this movie a 9.5
I find it highly rewatchable.
Actor James Hong has been known to wear his old 'Lo Pan' costume for Halloween. He recently received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his 70-year career as a pioneer for Asian-American actors in Hollywood.
It's truly a movie to watch with your best friends, some pizza and beer and just have a good time.
I was 11 when this came out, my little brother and I loved this movie. Lost count of how many times I've seen it over the years and I'd watch again anytime, I never tire of it.
JACK BURTON ALWAYS SAYS...
THE CHECK IS IN THE MAIL.
I was unreasonably excited about this one.
Carpenter fucking around = prime entertainment.
Ive always loved this movie regardless of how random it was. Things just kind of happen and it's entertaining af.
I'm almost certain it had some kind of influence on Mortal Kombat though. Shang Tsung is definitely modeled after Lo-Pan in how he's an ancient sorcerer that steals the souls of others to survive. And the Three Storms are for sure an influence for Raiden. Even the music from the first game kind of reminds you of some of the music here.
John Tobias is on the record as taking inspiration from here, so you don't have to wonder.
Watch it again and you realise that Jack Burton isn’t the main character, he's the sidekick. Wang Chi is the protagonist, he drives the story, it happens because of him. You guys were right when you said that Jack is essentially the eyes of the audience, he has no idea whats going on, he's along for the ride just like us. Great movie, so very quotable. Good work, lads 👏
6:05 Carpenter didn't actually score The Thing. That was Ennio Morricone who did the Dollars trilogy
A great rollercoaster of an 80s action comedy. Just so much happening, fast paced and very entertaining good choice to have picked this cult classic.
I'd bump it up to 8.5 because of perfect pacing. Pacing is the easiest thing to get wrong, so getting it exactly right is a massive achievement. Plus it's endlessly rewatchable. It doesn't seem like a world that stops when you stop watching it.
The commentary on this Blu-ray with Carpenter and Russell is hilarious
The lipstick gag plus Monty Python basically cemented my sense of humor as a kid.
When Thunder comes down and busts out that wicked Kata and exhales. That scene is dope.😂
Chris Pratt as Starlord is very much the "Jack Burton" character that Kurt Russell played here so well.
This film was inspired by a Hong Kong fantasy film called Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain. Definitely worth checking out.
I feel this is one of those films you get to watch for the first time - twice. First off is blind, confused & amused, then second time is when you're in on the joke that Jack is the side character tagging along to the hero that is Wang.
Framed on my wall is a photo of James Hong as Lo Pan that my best friend got for me when he met the actor at a big svi Fi convention I couldn't attend.
It's dedicated to me with "Jason, Go find the girl with the green eyes!" and his autograph in both English and Chinese.
I loooove this movie.
I was 14 when this film came out. I thought it was the greatest thing since spare ribs were splashed with Kansas City BBQ sauce!!! It took all the elements from Saturday afternoon matinee TV movies with Bruce Lee Kung-fu flicks, 50s and 60s monster movies, and 70-80’s comic tough guys who lived by their own rules while traveling the open road. BTILC is a movie made for middle school boys (age 12 to 14 in the USA) that John Carpenter successfully made to appeal to a much broader audience - it’s like Steven Spielberg’s “Goonies” but on amphetamines and Hot and Sour Soup. Great review, guys!
Best watched at age 12 to 14 just like Monty Python and the Hold Grail!
It happened one night (1934) by Frank Capra is a comedy and also the first movie ever to win the 5 main Oscar Awards: movie, director, male actor, female actor and script. But yes, comedy, Sci-Fi and horror don't usually get much recognition.
This movie is why Kurt Russell was bound to play StarLord's dad.
The song during the end credits is actually by John Carpenter's band, The Coupe De Villes. He's the deep voice singing. The higher voice is Nick Castle, who I believe played masked Michael Myers in the first Halloween.
Saw this film for the first time as a teenager and loved it. The only other film I can think of where the main character is inept but still manages to fight off the bad guy is "Johnny English." It stars Rowan Atkinson, who plays Mr. Bean, and is absolutely hilarious.
You might want to check out the OSS 117 movies.
There is a sequel comic book series approved by Carpenter. The best part is that you find it Lo Pan was sent to "the hell of those killed by idiots." 😂
The real relationship of the movie isn’t Jack/Gracie, it’s Jack/Wing. Bros for life.
The pacing, imagination, and fun make Big Trouble in Little China one of my all time favorite movies. The plot makes more sense in subsequent viewings.
This movie is like one big acid trip, and I absolutely LOVE IT! Kurt Russell and John Carpenter, man.... Can't go wrong when they are working together!
When I was about 9 years old I found the last 15 minutes of this movie from my parents' VHS, recorded straight from the television. In the school I told my friends what I had seen, and they told it was probably the new Mortal Kombat (1995) movie that was soon coming out in the cinemas. We were stupid kids, but I've loved this movie even before I saw it as a whole. (I was in my early thirties when I bought the DVD and finally saw it from the beginning to the end.)
It's great that you mention Mortal Kombat, because John Tobias (one of the creators of MK) actually did take Lightning in this film and make Raiden, and also Lo Pan inspired Shang Tsung!
There's also a comic book series that follows Jack Burton!
When watching this movie and trying to figure out what's going on, just remember, it's all in the reflexes.
All else is folly.
“It Happened One Night “ a romance comedy of the 1930’s won best picture , it may be the only comedy that has.
Egg is like a wizard or a sorcerer that masquerades as a tour bus driver.
Some people say that Ash from Army of Darkness is very similar to Jack in BTILC. Jack is the first bumbling hero that somehow gets the job done.
This movie is utter genius. A legitimate masterpiece, and I will die on that hill. On your point about seeing Jack Burton in future movies, Jack and Snake Plissken would be a dream duo.
Saw it in the Cinema in 86 and it was rated PG. The Cinema was quite empty as the movie wasnt promoted much up near to its release. However we loved it. Another movie that came out at the time that beat it at the box office, was Eddie Murphys the "Golden Child" again following the Chinese myths. This to was very entertaining, containing some of the same cast.On video the violence was cut down and was now rated 15. Many years later the theatrical version was realesed uncut,and is now what you see today.
Loads of homages to classic kung fu movies with a lot of actual Chinese folklore like the weapons the three storms are using in the alleyway fight scene and some of the beliefs (this was from someone who is actually Chinese so grew up with it all).
And you have to mention Al Leong, the greatest man to hench in Hollywood's history!
You mentioned Bone Tomahawk, please react to it. Kurt Russell is fantastic as always & it's a disturbing, unique, great movie.
If someone tells me this is their favorite Carpenter film, I totally get it! I had the pleasure of seeing this on HBO when I was 12 years old and it seemed like the biggest, craziest film I'd ever seen! This film is endlessly rewatchable, incredibly paced, and so totally quotable! I am proud to have a movie poster of it signed by both Carpenter and Dean Cundey (Director of Photography for this, and the dude who practically lensed my childhood with numerous Carpenter flicks, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, and the Back to the Future trilogy, and a little film called Jurassic Park)! This movie, guys - it will grow on you and you'll increase your scores once it settles in your brain and you watch it again!
This movie is just so much fun, I'll always love it
Someone probably mentioned it, but Carpenter didn't do the music etc. for the Thing, it was actually Ennio Morricone.
This film has a sequel comic, and the big hulking monster that tagged along at the end of the movie basically becomes the Chewbacca sidekick to Jack Burton. Fun idea.
Raiden was in fact inspired by the Three Storms in this movie. All the classic Mortal Kombat characters were copies of characters from popular martial arts movies: Liu Kang was based on Bruce Lee's character in "Enter the Dragon," Johnny Cage on van Damme in "Bloodsport" and Sonya Blade on Cynthia Rothrock in basically all her movies.
You were trying to think of a story where the "hero" was useless and the sidekick was the real protagonist.
The classic example is Don Quixote and Sancho Panza
One of the best villain deaths is Lo Pan’s. It was so unexpected and badass
This was originally written as a sequel to an equally bugnuts movie, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai (1984), by the writer / director of that film W.D. Richter... Buckaroo's arch villain was never revealed in that film but he was teased as Hanoi Xan.. who I assume was morphed into Lo Pan. Buckaroo Banzai is also a "what the fuck is going on" film that pretends your picking up on like chapter 7 in the series but never explains what happened before. Worth a watch. Amazing cast.
Glad you guys enjoyed it. I'd love to see an addendum of your thoughts/reaction after the second watch.
It's all in the reflexes!
The three men in hats are Thunder, Rain, and Lightning. They are the three Storms.
One of the funniest martial arts action comedy fantasy movies ever made!
It was originally going to be a Western, with supernatural elements, taking place in San Francisco in 1906, where former gunslinger Jack Burton, played by either Clint Eastwood or Jack Nicholson, meets up with an old friend of his, Wang Chi an expert in martial arts and ancient Chinese mysticism, as both of them must stop an evil sorcerer, Lo Pan, from conjuring an earthquake that will not only destroy the city, but the whole world!
There were talks of a reboot of the movie, with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson playing the role of skeptical truck driver Jack Burton, but was later changed into a sequel, involving Rock's character and Jack Burton teaming up to the take down Lo Pan once and for all.
This would never happen as it was cancelled due to the Fox/Disney merger.
This movie is fantastic. So wonderfully bonkers.
The "star" of the movie is the comic relief side-kick.
I got the "Escape From New York" board game for my 11th or 12th birthday.
This has been in my top ten movies since it came out and I can’t see it ever leaving
John Carpenter has made no secret that he was influenced by the films of Howard Hawks. Carpenter’s early film “Assault on Precinct 13” is a riff on Hawk’s “Rio Bravo” and Carpenter’s “The Thing” is a remake of an earlier version produced by Hawks. I think the incomprehensible plot is a nod to “The Big Sleep”. Kurt Russell dressed as the ridiculous businessman is definitely a nod to Bogart’s turn as a fey book collector in “The Big Sleep”. And the moment at around 26:23 is another Hawks reference: to Lauren Bacall’s famous moment from “To Have and Have Not.”
“Escape From New York doesn’t hold up.” So, you’ve chosen violence.
Obligatory comment about how this is a great movie with a side-kick who thinks he's the lead hero. ;)
This and Bloodsport were the two biggest influences for Mortal Kombat
This move is like an acid trip lol
Jack Burton reminds me a little bit of Ash Williams, especially Ash from Army of Darkness, or even Roddy Piper's character from They Live. The big, bumbling, comedic hero type will always have a special place in my heart.
Also, I swear Kurt Russel is a true star that makes every movie he's in better. That man has so much charisma! I almost wish that John Carpenter didn't bogart so much of his early career. I love all of their collaborations, but they're almost all cult favorites, and I feel like Russel could have broken into the mainstream if not for that. He really deserved a Terminator 2 moment.
You guys should do the rest of Carpenter's apocalypse trilogy. You've done the first one, The Thing, next is Prince of Darkness. The last one is In The Mouth of Madness.
The commentary on this movie is amazing, just Carpenter and Kurt shooting the shit.
Wang is the actual hero of the movie. Jack Burton is the sidekick. The movie is through the sidekick's perspective.
It's been said many times, at the end of the day Jack Burton isn't the Hero of the movie, his buddy is the Hero of the movie. Jack Burton is his buddy's Sidekick. :T
Other MUST SEE John Carpenter's films are "Assault on Precint 13", "Prince of Darkness" and "In The Mouth of Madness".
Watched this growing up & absolutely loved it. This movie is SUPER under appreciated.
Here are some other John Carpenter films I think you guys should watch. Assault On Precinct 13, Starman, Prince Of Darkness, Memoirs Of An Invisible Man, In The Mouth Of Madness, The Ward. 👍
Now that you guys have seen this, you should check out the 80’s era Hong Kong hybrid fantasy-action-comedy-horror flicks that clearly inspired BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA especially from writer/director/producer Tsui Hark, notably ZU WARRIORS OF THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN (1983) and my personal favorites which came out after Carpenter’s film - A CHINESE GHOST STORY (1987) and its sequel A CHINESE GHOST STORY II (1990) - part III (1991) is also fun but is pretty much a remake of the first film with a different lead actor (played by Tony Leung, whereas the late Leslie Cheung starred in the first two). All 3 films in the trilogy have the same gorgeous lead actress (Joey Wong). This trilogy has an added bonus of also being inspired by Sam Raimi’s EVIL DEAD films with the wild camera angles/moves and practical fx along with the comedic aspects from BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA.
All of the John Carpenter/Kurt Russell movies have GREAT commentary tracks. You should definitely watch again and listen to them bouncing off each other.
Escape from New York is not boring. It has one of the best characters ever created on film!
Also, John Carpenter did NOT do the soundtrack score for his movie, The Thing. Ennio Morricone did the soundtrack score for the film The Thing. Morricone is a legend in movie scores. He did the scores for these films, and many others:
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
The Mission
Casualties of War
Once Upon a Time in the West
The Hateful Eight
The Untouchables
Also many, many Italian films
Thank you for commenting about that, I forgot to mention that in my own comment earlier. John Carpenter could not do the score for The Thing, so he hired Ennio Morricone to compose a John Carpenter score. lol
@@Johnny_Socko I think it was heavily influenced by Carpenter though.