On this day July 2, 1986, Big Trouble in Little China premiered in theaters and brought a wild blend of martial arts, fantasy, and comedy to the big screen. Directed by John Carpenter, the film starred Kurt Russell as truck driver Jack Burton, who stumbles into an ancient mystical battle beneath San Francisco’s Chinatown.
What began as a routine delivery turns into a fast paced quest to rescue a kidnapped woman from an evil sorcerer named Lo Pan, played by James Hong. Jack is joined by his friend Wang Chi, played by Dennis Dun, and attorney Gracie Law, played by Kim Cattrall. What set this film apart was its mix of American action with Chinese mythology, elaborate fight scenes, and over the top visuals.
Though not a box office hit at the time, Big Trouble in Little China developed a strong cult following in the years that followed. Its blend of humor, practical effects, and fearless genre mixing made it a beloved favorite among 80s movie fans.
80s insight: In a decade filled with action heroes, Big Trouble in Little China flipped the script by giving us a lead who talked tough but was often in over his head. It captured the spirit of 80s filmmaking that was willing to take risks and break conventions.
What began as a routine delivery turns into a fast paced quest to rescue a kidnapped woman from an evil sorcerer named Lo Pan, played by James Hong. Jack is joined by his friend Wang Chi, played by Dennis Dun, and attorney Gracie Law, played by Kim Cattrall. What set this film apart was its mix of American action with Chinese mythology, elaborate fight scenes, and over the top visuals.
Though not a box office hit at the time, Big Trouble in Little China developed a strong cult following in the years that followed. Its blend of humor, practical effects, and fearless genre mixing made it a beloved favorite among 80s movie fans.
80s insight: In a decade filled with action heroes, Big Trouble in Little China flipped the script by giving us a lead who talked tough but was often in over his head. It captured the spirit of 80s filmmaking that was willing to take risks and break conventions.
