Click above to purchase "Big Trouble In Little China Special
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Big Trouble In Little China
Special Edition
review by Zach B.
Rated PG-13
Studio: Fox
Running Time: 99 minutes
Starring Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, Dennis Dun,
Victor Wong
Written by Gary Goldman & David Z. Weinstein
Adaption by W.D. Richter
Directed by John Carpenter
Retail Price: $26.98
Features:
Disc 1 - Audio Commentary with Director John Carpenter and
Kurt Russell
Disc 2 - Deleted Scenes, Extended Ending, Featurette,
Music Video, Magazine Articles, Richard Edlund Interview,
Still Gallery, Production Notes, Cast and Crew
Filmographies, Theatrical Trailers, TV Spots
Specs: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, English 4.1 Dolby
Digital, English DTS 5.1, 2.0 English Dolby Surround, French
2.0 Dolby Surround, English Closed Captions,English
Subtitles, French Subtitles, Spanish Subtitles, Chapter
Search (44 Chapters)
Jack Burton (Kurt Russell) is a truck driver who is out
to rescue his best friend's girlfriend in "Big Trouble In
Little China", a funny action romp from thriller director
John Carpenter. Burton and company have to face Lo Pan, a
2000 year old crazy magician who resides over an army of
whacked out demons beneath San Fransisco's Chinatown.
"Big Trouble In Little China" is one of those great
guilty pleasures for people, and I happen to be a big fan of
the film. Of course it's not going to win any awards and
it's not perfect, but it succeeds in what a film should be:
fun and entertaining. Like so many other films I like, it's
a movie I can just watch and get into instantly no matter
when I tune into it.
I heard something along the lines that this was supposed
to be "Buckaroo Banzai 2", but the commentary clears up that
this was supposed to be a western movie (there are
smilarties if you think about it). What I love so much about
the movie is how it takes all these supernatural and Chinese
mythology and combines them together.
The script is excellent complete with some nice twists
and turns that really do entertain you. Characters are well
developed and are fun, while this movie packs plenty of
great dialogue, action and comedy. I really grew to love
this film.
Carpenter delivers another fine directing job. He has
some great special effects throughout the film, and makes
this movie so fun while giving it a great pace. Carpenter
also composes some great music for this film with Alan
Howarth. I think this one of his best directing outings as
he captures a nice old-time serial feel with a lot of
kookiness and craziness.
The acting here is excellent, Kurt Russell is perfect as
Jack Burton. Kim Cattrall, Victor Won and a supporting cast
do a fantastic job to bring this film to full life. It's
really a great cast and I couldn't imagine better actors to
fill these roles.
As you can see, despite its silliness, "Big Trouble In
Little China" is quite an enjoyable ride. You're not
supposed to take a film like this seriously, it's just a
great, fun romp that entertains. I could go on and on about
the film, and I think I've barely scratched the surface
since there's so much to it. Wonderful sets, great costumes
and a whole lot more. If you haven't done so already, be
sure to check out "Big Trouble In Little China". There's a
lot to this movie... and a lot of fun too!
This new special edition of "Big Trouble In Little China"
is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. This quite a
good transfer considering the film's age of fifteen years. I
noticed some edge enhancement, and the first chapter is
filled with dirt and a variety of blemishes, but after that,
it clears up. Blemishes, scratches and grain barely appear
throughout the film after that first chapter. The movie also
looks a bit soft, dull and faded at times... but it sort of
feels okay as far as the look of the film (though I bet it
would have been outstanding with a load of sharpness).
Carpenter is a very visual director, and there's some really
good shots in the movie that look great on the DVD. Colors
are well saturated to represent the film's variety of tones,
and there is some very good black level. Something I did
have a gripe without that sometimes things look a little
"bulgy", but I don't think many will notice that or even
care. This is a very good transfer all around, and the best
shape I've seen the film in. Much kudos to Fox here!
Things get pretty interesting here, as "Big Trouble In
Little China" is presented in some new remixes. An English
Dolby Digital 4.1 track is included as well as a DTS English
5.1. They sound virtually identical and both make for an
enjoyable listening experience. This movie was not
originally created for these formats, so what's done here is
very good. This is a fun action comedy filled with great
moments that kick in the .1 LFE nicely as well as light up
the back speakers. There are some great surrounds throughout
the film. Scenes with the rain, gunplay and a whole lot of
fighting... not to mention the zaps and other fun action
parts that are featured throughout the movie. Yes, this is a
strong action movie. It packs plenty of moments for
surrounds and gives the speakers a chance to shine. While it
may not be up to date when compared to recent action movies,
each track will certainly bring the movie to life nicely.
English Dolby Surround and French Dolby Surround tracks are
included, plus English closed captions and English, French
and Spanish subtitles.
Fox has delivered a fantastic two-disc set for "Big
Trouble In Little China", and no one is going to be
disappointed with these supplements. There's some great
stuff on making of the film as well as some cool marketing
stuff.
The first disc only has one feature, and it's the cream
of the crop as far as I'm concerned. The Audio Commentary
with John Carpenter and Kurt Russell is one track you
don't want to miss. Once again, the duo team up and you have
one of the best commentaries I've heard in a long time... or
heard on DVD for that matter (yes, it's that good!). They
talk about a lot of things and seem to be good buddies just
having a good time reminiscing about the film. They laugh,
talk about those who worked on the film, their thoughts,
what's happened since, some cool production stories and a
whole lot more. You can really hear their joy as they seem
to be having a great time watching the film. It's kind of
like going through a high school year book after quite a few
years. A very nice track indeed.
Onto disc two where everything else is, we find Eight
Deleted Scenes in anamorphic widescreen and two channel
sound. Most of these are workprints, and there's a little
explanation before the scene selection and before the scenes
about their cuts which I found to be very nice. There's also
an Extended Ending in anamorphic widescreen and a
brief explantion before it.
A load of Production Notes are included and right
from the 1986 press kit (I found these to be pretty
interesting to read despite the fluff factor), plus some
nice Cast and Crew Filmographies.
A fun Music Video in full frame is included, plus
a Featurette with clips from the film,
behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Carpenter,
Dennis Dun, Russell and others. This seems to be right from
the original EPK. It's promotional but I liked it still.
The Magazine Articles section has two indepth
articles, each with the complete text and pictures which you
can even enlarge for more information. You can read an
article from American Cinematographer and an article
from Cinefex. If you're interested in the film's
unique visual style, these are must reads.
A Richard Edlund Interview is included with a
multi-angle features. Angle 1 has the interview with the
stills in a window while Angle 2 has the stills filling up
the screen. This is a nice, informative interview and in
anamorphic widescreen no less, so do check it out.
A cool Still Gallery is included with a lot of
nice photos, while the first page of the second disc has two
Trailers in English and a Spanish Trailer, as
well as six TV Spots, though one is more like a
teaser trailer and another is a pay-per-view spot. On
another note, the discs feature some cool animated CGI menus
that fit well with the film.
Finally, "Big Trouble In Little China" is released on our
favorite format and it's quite a great release! With a great
transfer and some great sound mixes, not to mention some
fantastic extras, if you're a fan pick up "Big Trouble In
Little China". If you've never seen... you have to check it
out. Quite an enjoyable movie for all.
 (4.5/5 - NOT included in
final score)
 (4/5)
(4/5)
(4/5)
(4/5,
NOT an average)
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