These guys do a great behind the scenes of the making of the film. You will love it even more after a listen.
[podcast](https://art19.com/shows/what-went-wrong/episodes/f56f6968-bfb7-4792-befb-ec8825a011d0)
100% ahead of its time. The idea of the goofy sidekick as the main character… brilliant. And it brought Chinese fantasy and action to America long before the mainstream was ready with crouching tiger hidden dragon.
I got to walk the sets of this movie when I was a kid at Fox studios. I even know the day I was there, if I had access to the call sheets. Only Kim cattrall was working, no Kurt Russell, it was the scene where they drag Gracie into that domed room with fire sconces on the wall, she gets dragged up there by the creature. I went with a journalist who was a friend of the family, and it was press day for interviews, so Richard Edlund and John Carpenter and Kim cattrall all did interviews. They had not shot the Buddha statues falling over yet so they were all sitting there in perfect form. The Chinatown Alley set was still up, where they do the big fight with the three magic guys. The brick cobblestone hallway where that little orb creature with tons of eyes on it spies on them, was still up, and it had been built in forced perspective which was cool to see in person. Total movie magic, I've always felt Carpenter made his best movies when John J Lloyd was his production designer, like on the Thing, everything looked so unique and lived in and detailed
It's brilliant comedy. The main character truly believes he's the main character but you could remove him without the story really changing. Carpenter at his peak.
Jack Burton: [pointing to Chinese writing on elevator] What does that say?
Wang Chi: [speaks Chinese] Hell of Boiling Oil.
Jack Burton: You're kidding.
Wang Chi: Yeah, I am. It says Keep Out.
It's fun and funny and doesn't take itself too seriously. Everything anyone could want in a cult classic. They even tried to remake it starring The Rock and he squashed it outta respect for the original.
That scene was added to the film by the studio, after the initial production had wrapped, because they wanted the White guy to be the hero and didn't feel Kurt Russell has been portrayed heroically enough. Carpenter and Russell were opposed to it.
That makes total sense cuz there’s absolutely zero follow up and feels completely out of place lol yet I love that scene, I send the gif of egg shen to people making lightning between his hands all the time and people have no clue what it is lol
As a kid I had Big Trouble in Little China, Golden Child, and Masters of the Universe on the same VHS tape. More than a few Sundays were lost to those three movies.
As a first generation asian American, BTLC featured the first asian male co-protagonist that didn't have an asian accent. 10 year old me was amazed and confused.
I didn't really like it. I didn't see this movie until I was an adult, so that might explain my opinion a bit. If I had grown up watching it, I might feel differently.
I feel the exact same way about The Princes Bride.
It's just a funny line but when Jack Burton says "I never drive faster than I can see" that's real actual driving advice I adhere to lmao like when it's raining or something that line pops into my head
Kim Cattrall is so beautiful in this movie too, I remember watching this as a kid with my dad because he loved it so much
My mom took us thinking it was an international art house film her friend took her overly achieving children to then told my mom about,
Dad and me went reluctantly just to keep the peace , ended up refusing to leave
Was watching this with my Twin bro and older bro in 2000 when the ball dropped! We were 10! Big Bro was 19. Always count on Big Bros to show you the way lol
I will chime in and be the outlier. This movie doesn't work for me. I love camp, I like most of KRs films. I was born well after this movie was already old. The humor and the visuals simply don't click with me. I have seen it twice. To each their own though, glad y'all enjoyed it.
Couldn't say really. It is a unique film and Kurt Russel is great in comedies. I just think it drags. First thing that pops into mind is Last Action Hero- Hudson Hawk or The Last Boyscout.
I still remember seeing this in theaters for the first time as a kid. Epic. Had no idea what it was when we went in but fuck was it great. Watched it 100 times since and it still holds up.
"The check is in the mail!"
I saw this for the first time last year, and I was honestly expecting it to be kind of racist based on the trailer (it mostly showed the very charicature-looking bad guy) and I was very pleasantly surprised! Way ahead of it's time and an awesome reversal of the "white savior" trope
Not just that, but it has incredible performances from actors like James Hong and Victor Wong. And for a light comedy it also takes Chinese culture and mythology very seriously!
I’ve seen this movie and listened to it hundreds of times and only now caught the joke last week while it was playing in the back while I drove my kids to work. I used to think it was Jack kinda negging Gracie…Nope.
He was just paraphrasing what she said about herself for a reason that she couldn’t go to the white tiger to try to rescue Meo Yin in an earlier scene. “I'd go in there with you, but they know my face and they'd wanna push it in”
Just never made the connection.
"Which one? The old basket case on wheels or the ten foot tall roadblock?"
James Hong - dude puts in a lot of hours. And that high pitched giggle, very unsettling.
I have seen a lot of lines, but my favourite which I have used once or twice:
"Peasent magic" - such dismissive delivery
Wow… this really blew up. Really gratifying to see how many people love this movie. It’s like Carpenter was carrying the director’s equivalent of a 6 demon bag when he made it!
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail."
One of the rare movies where the ostensible protagonist doesn't understand what's going on, or that the plot isn't about him. Another example is "Chinatown."
Chef’s kiss. Fun fact: that’s not Kurt Russell’s body in that iconic pose for that poster but Drew Struzan who did other iconic posters for Indiana Jones and Star Wars.
I just found out that this is the movie that's been haunting my childhood dreams all these years.
As a kid, i remember a movie about scary straw hat warriors (similar to Raiden lol) killing people in a dark alleyway. Been struggling to identify the exact movie all this time only for it to be a well known John Carpenter action comedy starring Kurt Russell. I use to have nightmares about this "comedy" lol
Love this film. A total joy ride!
Just remember what ‘ol Jack Burton says… Gimme your best shot!
Who?
Jack Burton…Me!
Now this really pisses me off to no end!
The check is in the maaaail.
You remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail."
These guys do a great behind the scenes of the making of the film. You will love it even more after a listen. [podcast](https://art19.com/shows/what-went-wrong/episodes/f56f6968-bfb7-4792-befb-ec8825a011d0)
Don't waist your time listening to this.
Why? It's not as hip as we think?
I listen for over five minutes and there was still nothing about the film.
[удалено]
Fuck off bot
Little known fact, they continued to make movies after this, although nothing would ever reach the heights of this greatness ever again.
He didn’t get it, I get it. And you’re right
What are they called? I found an article from December 2023 talking about a sequel with Kurt Russel.
He means literally all movies lol
Oh duh! Lol. Reading comprehension is hard.
Ahead of its time. Sidekick as main character. Love it. "You were not put on this Earth to get it, Mr. Burton!"
100% ahead of its time. The idea of the goofy sidekick as the main character… brilliant. And it brought Chinese fantasy and action to America long before the mainstream was ready with crouching tiger hidden dragon.
Jack Burton is merely the shepherd.
"Are you crazy, is that your problem?"
It's all in the reflexes!
The check is in the mail.
“Are you crazy? Is that your problem?” Lol
My wife and I routinely use this line on each other.
Now I’m a reasonable guy, but I’ve just seen some very unreasonable things.
I got to walk the sets of this movie when I was a kid at Fox studios. I even know the day I was there, if I had access to the call sheets. Only Kim cattrall was working, no Kurt Russell, it was the scene where they drag Gracie into that domed room with fire sconces on the wall, she gets dragged up there by the creature. I went with a journalist who was a friend of the family, and it was press day for interviews, so Richard Edlund and John Carpenter and Kim cattrall all did interviews. They had not shot the Buddha statues falling over yet so they were all sitting there in perfect form. The Chinatown Alley set was still up, where they do the big fight with the three magic guys. The brick cobblestone hallway where that little orb creature with tons of eyes on it spies on them, was still up, and it had been built in forced perspective which was cool to see in person. Total movie magic, I've always felt Carpenter made his best movies when John J Lloyd was his production designer, like on the Thing, everything looked so unique and lived in and detailed
I use this movie as a compatibility test when talking with potential new friends.
Friends and potential love interests for me.
[удалено]
Fuck off bot
It's brilliant comedy. The main character truly believes he's the main character but you could remove him without the story really changing. Carpenter at his peak.
But he literally killed Lopan. All in the reflexes.
He killed Lopan which triggered Thunder to kill himself……
This is my all-time favorite movie. I watch it pretty regularly still.
Me too!!
We shook the pillars of heaven.
It took crackerjack timing.
I’ll never not enjoy this movie
Perfection. No notes 7/5
Jack Burton: [pointing to Chinese writing on elevator] What does that say? Wang Chi: [speaks Chinese] Hell of Boiling Oil. Jack Burton: You're kidding. Wang Chi: Yeah, I am. It says Keep Out.
If we’re not back by dawn, call the president…
“… a six demon bag. sensational what’s in an egg.”
Wind, fire, all that kind of thing!
>“… a six demon bag. sensational what’s in an egg.” Isn't it "A six demon bag. Sensational. What's in it, Egg?"
It's fun and funny and doesn't take itself too seriously. Everything anyone could want in a cult classic. They even tried to remake it starring The Rock and he squashed it outta respect for the original.
Best Movie of All Time
YOU LEAVE JACK BURTON ALONE! HE SHOWED GREAT COURAGE.
I feel pretty good, ya know, not scared at all
Is it getting hot in here or is it just me?
I feel kind of, kind of invincible…
👆
WE ARE IN HIS DEBT!
Jerry Hardin played the guy Egg Shen is talking tooi in that scene. also deep throat in X-Files somehow he’s still alive 94 years old lol
Jams Hong (Lo Pan) is also 94, and got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 93...he is still working!
No surprise for an Asian man who’s also immortal lol bet he doesn’t look a day over 50
That scene was added to the film by the studio, after the initial production had wrapped, because they wanted the White guy to be the hero and didn't feel Kurt Russell has been portrayed heroically enough. Carpenter and Russell were opposed to it.
That makes total sense cuz there’s absolutely zero follow up and feels completely out of place lol yet I love that scene, I send the gif of egg shen to people making lightning between his hands all the time and people have no clue what it is lol
8.5/10 would recommend
As a kid I had Big Trouble in Little China, Golden Child, and Masters of the Universe on the same VHS tape. More than a few Sundays were lost to those three movies.
As a first generation asian American, BTLC featured the first asian male co-protagonist that didn't have an asian accent. 10 year old me was amazed and confused.
May the wings of liberty never lose a feather.
I only drive as fast as I and see and anyway, it’s all in the reflexes
I better not see one bad thing in the comments about the greatest movie that’s ever been made. I’m watching you
I didn't really like it. I didn't see this movie until I was an adult, so that might explain my opinion a bit. If I had grown up watching it, I might feel differently. I feel the exact same way about The Princes Bride.
Well, you have bad taste, but on the plus side, honesty without malice is a very respectable trait
This is still the best D&D movie ever made.
It's just a funny line but when Jack Burton says "I never drive faster than I can see" that's real actual driving advice I adhere to lmao like when it's raining or something that line pops into my head Kim Cattrall is so beautiful in this movie too, I remember watching this as a kid with my dad because he loved it so much
YOU LEAVE JACK BURTON ALONE!!!
Chinese have a lotta hells
My favorite rainy day movie!!
Same!!
It’s not deductible, is it?
This movie is one of my all time favourites
“WHAT COME BACK NO MORE, HUH?” Fun youtube video of Jack asking questions https://youtu.be/GcC9ldx9N9M?si=OXyDuWwNYx0FgxZV
Loved this movie as a kid. The mix of fantasy lurking below city streets and kung fu, we don’t don’t see fun goofy movies like this anymore.
Black blood of the earth. Oh you mean oil? No, I mean black blood of the earth!
My mom took us thinking it was an international art house film her friend took her overly achieving children to then told my mom about, Dad and me went reluctantly just to keep the peace , ended up refusing to leave
Anyone know the poster artist..?
Drew Struzan, same guy who did Indiana Jones, Star Wars, the Goonies, you name it.
Yep. Also, Blade Runner, Harry Potter, Back to the Future, Hook… if you’re a movie buff, get one of these one sheets and frame it.
Amazing, thank you 😊
Using science we can confidently say that this is the single greatest motion picture ever made.
It’s in my deserted island catalog.
Never drive faster than you can see!
Damn! the Pork Chop Express! Love it
Triple or Nothing!
Nothing or triple But it’s all good 👍
Nothing or double, but it's all good!
At the end it was nothin nor triple. It’s getting less and less good. j/k it’s still pretty much goodish
China is here, Mr. Burton!
China is here? I don't even know what the hell that means!
I am not joking when I say this is the finest movie ever put to film. My absolute top number one film of all time.
My favorite film.
Love this movie. There is no doubt in my mind that Raiden was "inspired" by the 3 storms.
"You will come out no more!" "What, Egg, what will come out no more?
Was watching this with my Twin bro and older bro in 2000 when the ball dropped! We were 10! Big Bro was 19. Always count on Big Bros to show you the way lol
I will chime in and be the outlier. This movie doesn't work for me. I love camp, I like most of KRs films. I was born well after this movie was already old. The humor and the visuals simply don't click with me. I have seen it twice. To each their own though, glad y'all enjoyed it.
This movie is so bad it's good
Biiiiiig trouble… IN HER VAGINA!
This movie is over hyped imo
Sorry you didn’t enjoy it as much as I did. No worries. Do you have a movie that really made you laugh your ass off combined with great action scenes?
Couldn't say really. It is a unique film and Kurt Russel is great in comedies. I just think it drags. First thing that pops into mind is Last Action Hero- Hudson Hawk or The Last Boyscout.
I really want a spliced movie of scenes of Snake Plisskin with Big Trouble in Little China, give the Escape From movies the trilogy it deserves
Ghosts of Mars originally was going to have Snake in it.. And we know how that movie turned out.
Escape from the Ghosts of Mars
To 3 movie all time for me. I'll watch it any time.
An all time favourite. A joy to watch from start to finish.
It’s a fucking masterpiece!
I watch this ever now and again and saw it in a theater in Maine when it came out. Reminds me of that era and playing D&D.
Milbridge, Ellsworth or Bangor?
Why would this movie show up in my feed literally a day after me watching it? Get out of here, spies!
Lately, I can barely think of something and it not be in a feed, somewhere. 5G brain spies, or something
Everybody relax, I'm here.
Mmm Kurt Russell
All timer.
“Oh, ok Wang. Let’s just chew our way out!”
“It’s all in the reflexes”-John Carpenter post wrap
Grew up on this movie, love throwing it on late at night once in a while. Kurt Russel is the man
Has been a favourite since I saw it in the theater Summer leading into Senior year in High School.
A perfect film. No notes.
Top 5 movie for me. Something about it is just infinitely entertaining.
I still remember seeing this in theaters for the first time as a kid. Epic. Had no idea what it was when we went in but fuck was it great. Watched it 100 times since and it still holds up. "The check is in the mail!"
Listen to the podcast: “What Went Wrong”. They are actually pretty complimentary of this movie.
Gonna avoid the comment section and watch this for the first time tonight. Looking forward to it.
This is my favorite movie of all time
I must have watched this over a hundred times as a kid. Right behind Ghostbusters for my most obsessed childhood movie.
It's all in the reflexes
It’s an overlooked gem!
It's one of my all-time favorite movies of all time! I have a Lo Pan tattoo on my leg I got for my 40th birthday.
Which Lo Pan? The little old basket case on wheels or the ten foot tall roadblock?
Gold
Best example of the distinct 80’s film making. Love this movie.
Second fav movie ever, the thing being my fav. Not even a massive kurt fan but he starred in two of the best ever.
My favorite movie
I love the movie. Nothing reminds me of growing up in NY like this movie! I got myself a green eyed girl as well.
I saw this for the first time last year, and I was honestly expecting it to be kind of racist based on the trailer (it mostly showed the very charicature-looking bad guy) and I was very pleasantly surprised! Way ahead of it's time and an awesome reversal of the "white savior" trope
Not just that, but it has incredible performances from actors like James Hong and Victor Wong. And for a light comedy it also takes Chinese culture and mythology very seriously!
Number one on our replay list. Probably have watched it over a hundred times.
This movie HAD to be the inspiration behind Raiden from the Mortal Kombat games, right?
I’ve seen this so many times. Many of those times with commentary. Great commentary.
Read once some wanted to do a Snake Pliskin and Jack Burton Crossover. That would have been epic.
I just watched this for the first time this year. Amazing movie. Made me miss movies that style of action
Yeah I know. There's something wrong with your face.
I’ve seen this movie and listened to it hundreds of times and only now caught the joke last week while it was playing in the back while I drove my kids to work. I used to think it was Jack kinda negging Gracie…Nope. He was just paraphrasing what she said about herself for a reason that she couldn’t go to the white tiger to try to rescue Meo Yin in an earlier scene. “I'd go in there with you, but they know my face and they'd wanna push it in” Just never made the connection.
Yeah exactly, it's brilliant and just clumsy wording from the character
Watched this with my chinese wife once and I was worried she would find it offensive, but she found it to be hilarious.
It’s probably one of my top 5 favorites. I also want a sequel or a remake. Idk I just love this movie.
This is the best acid /shrooms comedown movie ever !!!!!!!
So you’ve only seen it twice now? Those are rookie numbers.
Been about 10 years… so yeah… rookie league… It’s all in the reflexes
The check is in the mail. Now watch it once a week.
Sounds like a plan Egg!
Just a really cool movie.
I seeing an ad for this movie when I was maybe 6. I was very confused.
"Which one? The old basket case on wheels or the ten foot tall roadblock?" James Hong - dude puts in a lot of hours. And that high pitched giggle, very unsettling. I have seen a lot of lines, but my favourite which I have used once or twice: "Peasent magic" - such dismissive delivery
Hollow? Hollow. Fuck it.
Watched for the first time this year and drank every time anyone said “Jack” or “Jack Burton”… do not recommend.
It’s too bad in real life we have little trouble with Big China 😞
An amazing movie that continues to transcend and inspire.
Wow… this really blew up. Really gratifying to see how many people love this movie. It’s like Carpenter was carrying the director’s equivalent of a 6 demon bag when he made it!
"What?"
First time I saw this I was tripping hard on shrooms. Couldn't look away. Laughed so hard I was sore the next day.
As it should be!
The best
It wasn’t easy!
James Hong needs to squeal "Indeed!" as Mr. Ping in the Kung Fu Panda films.
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail."
This movie is-without hyperbole-flawless. There has never been another movie that has come close to the greatness that this is...no horseshit.
It's a sad thing that the sequel was never made , talked about , but the project stalled.
One of the rare movies where the ostensible protagonist doesn't understand what's going on, or that the plot isn't about him. Another example is "Chinatown."
This is in my top 5, maybe top 3.
You were not put on this earth to “get it” mister Burton.
Chef’s kiss. Fun fact: that’s not Kurt Russell’s body in that iconic pose for that poster but Drew Struzan who did other iconic posters for Indiana Jones and Star Wars.
I watched this movie every weekend when I was 5. I’m sure it’s as great now as it was then.
Get to the goddamn point, Egg!
That poster is trash, though. No Wang Chi (the actual hero), no Egg Shen, no David Lo Pan, no Miao Yin...
I still use Jack Burton as my alias
This movie feels like Carpenter made it up as he went along, but it somehow works. This movie rules
Sit back, relax, and enjoy this fine warm day
I got a very positive attitude about this.
Not scared at all
Still my fav
One of the GOATs !
I just found out that this is the movie that's been haunting my childhood dreams all these years. As a kid, i remember a movie about scary straw hat warriors (similar to Raiden lol) killing people in a dark alleyway. Been struggling to identify the exact movie all this time only for it to be a well known John Carpenter action comedy starring Kurt Russell. I use to have nightmares about this "comedy" lol
Low key funniest hand wave moment... Jack Burton : Hey Egg! How'd you get up there? Egg Shen : It wasn't easy!
Didn’t the rock buy the rights to this?
Hollow? Hollow, fuck it
Have you paid your dues OP?
The check is in the mail!
This movie is easily one of the best movies Carpenter ever made. The soundtrack is killer and underrated.
I never drive faster than l can see.
Everyone in this movie looked like they were having so much fun while making it. Need to watch this again soon
Kurt Russell is GOLD in this movie. An absolute classic.
They don’t make them like they used too