BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA [1986 / 2013] [Limited Edition SteelBook] [Blu-ray] [UK Release] Jack Burton's In For Some Serious Trouble! Some People Pick The Damnedest Places To Start A Fight!
Following the ‘Escape from New York’ and ‘The Thing,’ John Carpenter and Kurt Russell re-unite for this mystical, action, adventure, comedy, kung-fu, monster and a spooky ghost story!
Kurt Russell plays Jack Burton, a reasonable guy who is about to experience some unreasonable things in San Francisco’s Chinatown. As his friend s fiancée is kidnapped Jack Burton becomes embroiled in a centuries-old battle between good and evil. At the root of it all is Lo Pan, a 2000-year-old magician who rules an empire of evil spirits. Jack goes to the rescue dodging demons, goblins and the unstoppable Three Storms as he battles through Lo Pan's dark domain.
One of John Carpenters most enjoyable and best loved films, and ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ brilliantly juggles delirious set-pieces, comedy and kung-fu action with a razor sharp script of corking one-liners, as Jack Burton would say "It's all in the reflexes." The super-deluxe package, which is available both as a standard Blu-ray and as a Limited Edition SteelBook Blu-ray, is full of special features and bonus materials.
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 1987 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA: Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Music for John Carpenter. 2016 Urban Action Showcase And Expo: Win: Urban Action Showcase Martial Arts Cult Classic Cinemas Award for Martial Arts Cult Classic Cinemas Award for Lia Chang and Peter Kwong.
FILM FACT No.2: 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 modernise it. The studio hired John Carpenter to direct the film and rushed ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ into production so that it would be released before a similarly themed Eddie Murphy film, ‘The Golden Child,’ which was slated to come out around the same time. The project fulfilled John Carpenter's long-standing desire to make a martial arts film.
Cast: Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, Dennis Dun, James Hong, Victor Wong, Kate Burton, Donald Li, Carter Wong, Peter Kwong, James Pax, Suzee Pai, Chao-Li Chi, Jeff Imada, Rummel Mor, Craig Ng, June Kyoto Lu, Noel Toy, Jade Go, Jerry Hardin, Jimmy Jue, Noble Craig, Danny Kwan, Min Luong, Paul J.Q. Lee, Al Leong, Gerald Okamura, William S. Wong, Eric Lee, Yukio G. Collins, Bill M. Ryusaki, Brian Imada, Nathan Jung, Dan Inosanto, Vernon Rieta, Daniel Wong, Daniel Lee, Lia Chang, Diana Tanaka, Donna L. Noguschi, Shinko Isobe, John Carpenter (uncredited), Dawna Lee Heising (uncredited), Leo Lee (uncredited), Bill Saito (uncredited) and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (uncredited)
Director: John Carpenter
Producers: James Lew, Jim Lau, Keith Barish, Larry J. Franco and Paul Monash
Screenplay: David Z. Weinstein, Gary Goldman and W.D. Richter (adaptation)
Composers: Alan Howarth and John Carpenter
Cinematography: Dean Cundey, A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Color by DeLuxw)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audio: English: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio Isolated Film Score Soundtrack
English: 2.0 LPCM Stereo Audio [uncompressed]
Subtitles: English SDH
Running Time: 99 minutes
Region: Region B/2
Number of discs: 1
Studio: 20th Century Fox / Arrow Video
Andrew's Blu-ray Review: ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ [1986] is one of those films that pretty much everyone has heard of, but many may not have seen before. Well, thanks to the UK indie label Arrow Video, you can take a fresh look at this brilliant and amazing 1980s cult classic, from equally brilliant director John Carpenter.
The film hits the ground running, as we are introduced to Jack Burton [Kurt Russell], a truck driver helping out his friend Wang Chi pick up his fiancé from San Francisco airport. When the fiancé is kidnapped, the pair gives chase, ending up in Chinatown, and stuck in the middle a backstreet gang brawl. It turns out that the fiancé, with her striking green eyes, is needed by the immortal sorcerer Lo Pan, in an attempt to return to physical form. Jack Burton and Wang Chi naturally set off to save the day.
What follows is a real mish-mash of genres, as the film flits between comedy, action, horror and martial arts. John Carpenter certainly deserves credit for being ahead of the pack in bringing the wilder kung-fu action of the Asian cinema to western audiences, even if the box office results suggested they weren't quite ready for it at the time. Certainly, some of the action may look a little stagey and wooden to viewers more familiar with the graceful action from the likes of ‘The Matrix,’ ‘Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon’ or ‘Hero,’ but for its time it was definitely something really fresh.
The mix doesn't always quite work, but the film is held together by John Carpenter's solid direction and a magnetic central performance by Kurt Russell as the cock-sure, heroic, but bumbling Jack Burton. Kurt Russell shows his talent for physical comedy here following his more serious and subdued roles in John Carpenter's ‘Escape From New York’ and ‘The Thing.’
The supporting cast is filled out with quite a few recognisable faces, such as Dennis Dun as Wang Chi, a pre ‘Sex and the City’ Kim Cattrall, and character actors James Hong and Victor Wong. John Carpenter and Kurt Russell have one of those rare director/actor relationships where the films they make together are always worth watching, and this film is no exception. Wouldn't it be great if they could team up again, but sadly I do not think this will ever happen sadly, especially with a follow up to ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA.’
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA MUSIC TRACK LIST
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA (Written by John Carpenter) [Performed by The Coupe de Villes]
Blu-ray Image Quality – This Blu-ray release is billed as coming with a new restoration supervised by the film's American cinematographer Dean Cundey, a veteran of John Carpenter films, including ‘Halloween,’ ‘The Fog,’ ‘Escape From New York’ and ‘The Thing.’ Dean Cundey has also worked on bigger hits including the ‘Back to The Future’ trilogy, ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ and uber-blockbuster ‘Jurassic Park.’ The opening scene had me a little worried, as there seemed to be some very slight colour and brightness fluctuation, but after a minute or so that all disappeared and we end up with a truly fantastic transfer. Dean Cundey and his restoration have done a great job here, ensuring colours pop off the screen while never being overblown. The image is wonderfully detailed, with strong black levels and not a hint of DNR [Digital Noise Reduction] or artificial edge enhancement. John Carpenter is famous for using the whole of his cinemascope frame from edge to edge, and this transfer captures every inch perfectly. Does it have the high gloss sheen of a modern movie? No, but it's a faithful representation of the original film, grain and all, and it's totally awesome and brilliant. Please Note: Playback Region B/2: This will not play on most Blu-ray players sold in North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – For the audio, we get a choice of 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 LPCM Stereo Audio tracks. Given the age of the film, it would be wrong to expect an all-action, multi-channel feast for the ears, but we do get a very nice soundtrack that has been cleaned-up. The audio tracks are free of any hiss and crackles, and especially has very clear dialogue. There's not a massive amount going on in the way of directional sound effects, but the rear channels do help fill out the soundscape with atmosphere at the appropriate moments in the film. As an aural bonus, we also get an isolated film score in 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, which is also a very welcome touch.
Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
High Definition presentation of the film from a digital transfer prepared by Twentieth Century Fox
Special Feature: Interviews: Here we get to view the following six brand new interviews and they are as follows:
Special Feature: RETURN TO LITTLE CHINA [2013] [1080p] [2.35:1 / 1.78:1] [12:16] With this brand new video interview it is with Director John Carpenter of the film ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ and talks about his professional relationship with Kurt Russell and the different films they did together. John Carpenter explains the original outline of ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ in that it was originally going to be a Western and someone brought cattle into China Town and they were upset, so John Carpenter abandoned that idea. When John Carpenter read the draft script for ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ he thought it was totally crazy and felt he had to make it, especially after watching Kung Fu films he loves, especially ‘5 Fingers of Death.’ John Carpenter also discusses the difficult production history of ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ and the unfortunate treatment the film was given by 20th Century Fox, as they wanted to make an Indian Jones style of film which John Carpenter was furious about, but of course he rejected this idea and of course went off and did his own unique style of directing without telling the Executives. Kurt Russell was game to play Jack Burton 100% and thoroughly enjoyed acting his character. Sadly the film was a financial disaster, but with the release of the film on the VHS Tape format became an instant cult classic and wanted to know why people did not support the film at the time of its release. But at the time of first preview, the executives wanted all the funny scenes deleted, but with the audience they gave the film the thumbs down and the executives wanted all the funny scenes put back in and of course John Carpenter got very angry and from then on wanted to become and Independent Filmmaker. John Carpenter gives great praise towards Kurt Russell, Dennis Dun and Kim Cattrall who thinks is a great actress and has impeccable comic timing. Despite at the time of filming he got a lot of negative response from the Chinese Community in San Francisco and he really loved working with the Chinese actors and of course loved making the film.
Special Feature: BEING JACK BURTON [2013] [1080p] [2.35:1 / 1.78:1] [21:00] In this outstanding new video interview, Kurt Russell discusses his long acting career especially making the film about Elvis Presley entitled ‘Elvis: The Movie’ which he hated the part 100%. Kurt Russell also talks about appearing in the film ‘Escape From New York’ which of course was directed by John Carpenter and then the next project was ‘The Thing’ film, which again Kurt Russell was the main character. But of course the next big film project he was honoured to appear in was ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ and again was honour to appear as the main character in the film and loved the very tongue in cheek humour. Kurt Russell also talks about the professional relationship with Director John Carpenter, and recalls how he was initially approached to play Jack Burton in the film ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ and the various improvisations he did during the shooting of the film and had a blast doing the film, but sadly of course politics got in the way and that is how it goes sometimes. Kurt Russell also talks about going to the preview, especially with the executives, they thought Kurt Russell was not very good and a war broke out with John Carpenter and the executives, and they originally wanted to bury the film, and Kurt Russell had no sour grapes, he still felt after the preview that it was a very good film. Kurt Russell even ventured to cinemas to sit among the audience to gauge the reaction to the film and found the executives were wrong, as the audiences loved the film. When Kurt Russell went to press junkets and they always asked him what it was like to be in the next big blockbuster film, and he just shrugged his shoulders and commented that he had no idea, you ought to ask the executives. Kurt Russell also talks about the disappointing advertising campaign for the film in the United States and wanted to know when the film was going to be released and wanted to know if they had changed the date for its release. And of course it was the executives that were causing all the problems, as again they wanted to bury the film for good, because where ever he searched for a cinema, but none of them were showing the film, so of course it was an insanely serious situation. Whenever Kurt Russell is out and about, he meets all the cult film fans who have a certain look in their eyes, and of course it all came about when the film was released onto the VHS video tape. Kurt Russell was very proud of making the film, especially being allowed to play the character how he wanted to play Jack Burton, and felt a special affinity towards the film, and gets a great feeling when people get a kick out of the film, especially when the film got zero showings at the cinema, especially in America.
Special Feature: CARPENTER & I [2013] [1080p] [2.35:1 / 1.78:1] [15:40] Here we get to view another in-depth interview, but this time with director of photography Dean Cundey. With the start of his career he worked on very low budget films B-movies, that included ‘Satan’s Cheerleaders,’ ‘H I-Riders,’ ‘Creature From Black Lake’ and ‘Bare Knuckles,’ and they were good films to learn his trade of being a fully-fledged cinematographer. But eventually and gradually started working on big blockbuster films, and Dean Cundey recalls his work on a number of John Carpenter's films, such as ‘Halloween,’ and both John Carpenter and Dean Cundey were given carte blanche to make the film how they wanted to make it, and it became the biggest grossing horror film at the time of its release, and more surprisingly, it was made on a very tight budget. From then on both of them did several more ‘Halloween’ films, but sadly the third one was a big disappointment for the fans of the franchise. Next film Dean Cundey worked on was ‘Escape From New York,’ then went onto to making the film ‘The Thing,’ and of course was given a really massive budget to make the film and was a very enjoyable experience. One day Dean Cundey got a phone call informing him that John Carpenter was making another major film for 20th Century Fox and was asked if he would like to work on the film, and of course he said yes, still not knowing what the film was, and of course eventually he found out it was ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ and again it was a very enjoyable experience and was like working in the old style of Hollywood. Dean Cundey also discusses the very unique production design of ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ and the different looks of San Francisco's Chinatown and the world beneath it. Dean Cundey says working with Kurt Russell was a totally enjoyable experience, who is a true professional actor, as well as a really fun guy to be a round with. Dean Cundey is always asked what is his favourite John Carpenter film he has worked on, and says he cannot really remember which one is his fondest memories, but felt all of them were a total satisfaction, because with each John Carpenter film they wanted to make each film totally different and totally unique, and also John Carpenter makes films that audiences really get involved when viewing a particular John Carpenter film.
Special Feature: PRODUCING BIG TROUBLE [2013] [1080p] [2.35:1 / 1.78:1] [15:22] In this video interview, producer/first assistant director Larry J. Franco started his career as a Feature AD and with different avenues in the film industry climbed up the ladder to what he does now. But one day got a phone call from Kurt Russell to ask him to work on the film ‘Elvis: The Movie’ and coincidently Larry was married to Kurt Russell’s sister for 15 years and is the Mother to Larry’s children. Larry J. Franco discusses his professional relationship with John Carpenter and there are some great comments about his contribution to the film ‘The Fog,’ which of course was an independent film, which was the first independent film Larry J. Franco had worked on, whereas in the past he mainly worked for big studios, and working on independent films he really liked in freedom and not being controlled by the unions, and from then on John Carpenter want to have Larry J. Franco to work on all his future films. With the film ‘Escape From New York’ was the most fun ever making that film, and an even great experience in working with Kurt Russell. The next films Larry J. Franco worked with John Carpenter were ‘Christine’ and ‘Starman.’ But after the horrendous negative attitude from one particular executive towards the film ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA,’ both John Carpenter and Larry J. Franco vowed they would never work with the big studio system again. After working with John Carpenter on his films ‘Prince of Darkness’ and ‘They Live,’ John Carpenter and Larry J. Franco went their separate ways and went onto do their own thing in the film industry.
Special Feature: STAGING BIG TROUBLE [2013] [1080p] [2.35:1 / 1.78:1] [12:32] In this in-depth video interview, talks about his early career and doing all kinds of martial arts, but eventually went into being an instructor and appeared on the front cover of “Inside Kung-Fu” magazine in 1984. Then eventually started working in several films where he basically did stunt work. Eventually was asked to appear in the film ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ and after an audition got a part in the film and actor and stuntman Jeff Imada recalls his contribution to ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA,’ where Jeff Imada played a number of different characters with different make-up and wigs during the action sequences in the film. With the stunt scenes in the film, they used small trampolines and wire stunt work, and also felt BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ was really ahead of its time when released in the cinema. Jeff Imada gives great praise for actor Kurt Russell, who thought he was a really great and friendly guy. He also gives great praise to fellow actor and friend Dennis Dun, who was really great to work with and lastly he also gives great praise to the actor James Hong [David Lo Pan]. Jeff Imada also gives great praise towards director John Carpenter and really loved working with him.
Special Feature: Interview with Visual Effects Producer Richard Edlund [2013] [1080i] [1.78:1] [13:27] In this final video interview, where we have another in-depth interview with Visual Effects Producer Richard Edlund and the video looks like a home movie, as the quality is not as good as the previous five interviews. Richard Edlund recalls how some of the most unique masks and special effects that were used in the film were done really well and some of the hands would light up. Richard Edlund talks about the special prosthetics, like the big floating head with big bulging eyes, and he reckons it cost $100,000 dollars. Richard Edlund talks about the amazing set of Chinatown that looked so realistic, but of course there were no real shops to buy goods from and John Carpenter invited the Chinese elders for a dinner to alleviate any fears or worries in making the Chinese community look in a negative way in the film. Richard Edlund is very critical of modern day Visual Effects people, should watch films like the original ‘King Kong’ to earn their craft, which he feels is missing to some degree with today’s modern films.
Special Feature: Deleted Scenes: Here you get to view eight individual deleted scenes and they are as follows: Airport [Workprint/Videotape] [5:57]. The Dragon of the Black Pool [Workprint/Videotape] [2:46]. The White Tiger [Workprint/Videotape] [2:21]. Gracie's Office [3:44]. Thunder's Tour [1:39]. Beneath Chinatown [2:26]. Lava Sequence [1:30]. Six Demon Bag [11:55]. Please Note: With these deleted/extended scenes, film elements have been used whenever possible. Certain key moments were only available as transfers from Betamax work tapes, and have been inserted where necessary. Certain deleted scenes are offered with a choice of another version. We also get an in-depth explanation why certain scenes were deleted from the film.
Special Feature: Extended Ending [1986] [1080p] [2.35:1] [3:17] The sequence you get to view, was cut early on in post-production and was never finished, but they have been able to reassembled it from the work print and is presented to us to view and I wish they had put this in the film, than what the ending is like in the actual film.
Special Feature: ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ Vintage Featurette [1986] [1080i] [1.37:1] [7:28] With this 20th Century Fox ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ vintage documentary, we go behind-the-scene on the making of the film and we also get comments from the cast and crew on their involvement with the film and how they enjoyed the whole experience. Contributors include: Kurt Russell (Jack Burton), John Carpenter (Director), Dennis Dun (Wang Chi), Kim Catrall (Gracie Law), James Hong (David Lo Pan), Richard Edlund (Visual Effects Producer) and April Ferry (Costume Designer).
Special Feature: Music Video [1986] [480i] [1.37:1] [3:28] This is the original ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ John Carpenter's Coup DeVilles Music Video. This now looks so dated.
Theatrical Trailers: Here we get to view three Original Theatrical Trailers for the film ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ and they are as follows: Trailer One [1986] [1080i] [2.00:1] [2:47]; Trailer Two [1986] [480i] [1.37:1] [1:32] and Trailer Three [Spanish] [1986] [480i] [1.78:1] [2:42].
Special Feature: TV Spots: Here we get to view six American TV Adverts and they are as follows: Remember [1986] [480i] [1.37:1] [00:32]; Who Is...? [1986] [480i] [1.37:1] [00:31]; Adventure [1986] [480i] [1.37:1] [00:32]; Beneath [1986] [480i] [1.37:1] [00:32]; Pay-Per-View [1986] [480i] [1.37:1] [1:02] and Teaser [1986] [480i] [1.37:1] [00:55].
Special Feature: Gallery: Here we get to view 262 stunning colour and black-and-white publicity images from the film and some very rare behind-the-scene images. To advance to the next image, you have to press the right hand next button on your remote control.
Audio Commentary with director John Carpenter and star Kurt Russell: With this audio commentary we get introduced with John Carpenter and Kurt Russell, while not new, because it has been carried over from the old NTSC DVD release and it's a great listen and John Carpenter and Kurt Russell have a great chemistry, and their friendship really comes across here. Also both of them seem to be very excited to be doing this audio commentary and especially remembering all the other actors that worked with them in the film, and the first scene in the film was instigated by the executives, which John Carpenter was reluctant to add the intro to the film, but I feel it adds to the film. They both mention that originally the film was going to be a Western and Kurt Russell was going to ride into China Town on a horse, which gets stolen, but of course that idea ended up in the dustbin. When we first see truck on the highway, we learn that Kurt Russell had to learn to drive the truck. When we are at the airport and we see the actress Kim Cattrall, here John Carpenter gives this actress a great praise and thought Kim was also a very good actress and is also very funny. John Carpenter talks about how the Chinese community were not very happy, when hearing negative rumours that they were going to be portrayed looking very silly and negative in the film, but of course John Carpenter reassured them that the opposite would happen in the film. John Carpenter praises Kurt Russell for his dedication to his craft of acting, which Kurt Russell explains came about because he was a child actor on the Disney Channel, which was a very good training experience for him. John Carpenter informs us that the reason he was asked to direct the film ‘Elvis: The Movie’ is because John Carpenter composed the music for the film ‘Halloween,’ so they figured John knew something about music. John Carpenter tells us that ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ was made for $20,000,000 Dollars and at the beginning the executives wanted scenes cut form the film, but later on just as the film was to be released, the executives wanted the scenes cut reinstated back into the film, which of course made John Carpenter so angry and frustrated. When you see all the people jump into the tank of water and swim away underwater, but because the paint on the walls was peeling off, it affected their eyes really badly and nearly blinded them. Kurt Russell talks about one of his early films that he worked on and it was a very bad experience, but it enabled him to work on another film, with less money and helped to get to work on another film he was keen to appear in, but he also informs us that the five John Carpenter films he has appeared in were a great deal of fun to do. They talk about the scene near the end of the film where Kurt Russell kisses Kim Cattrall and Kurt has the bright red lipstick left on his lips and they both felt and thought it was a great funny scene to do and they were both glad it was kept in the film. But they say sorry they have most of the time not talked much about the movie and Kurt Russell comments that is always the way when both of them get to do audio commentaries, but they also both say it was a great blast doing the film and especially for Kurt Russell to work with his great friend John Carpenter. As the credits roll up the screen, they both talk about the song we hear in the background over the credits, that John Carpenter wrote the lyrics and composed the music and Kurt comments about John’s singing voice is so different from his speaking voice, which John Carpenter deliberately did so, so he was not recognised. Kurt Russell comments that he had not seen the movie for a very long time and feels the last time was when the film was released in the cinema and it was a very enjoyable experience seeing the film again. As we come to the end of the comments with John Carpenter and Kurt Russell, I found it was a very refreshingly candid audio commentary track that is full of laughs and fascinating anecdotes, and is highly recommended listening.
Special Feature: Isolated Score [1986] [1080p] [2.35:1] [99:49] Here you can view the film ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ with just the brilliant composed film score by Alan Howarth and John Carpenter. But now and again you get lots of gaps of complete silence and especially no sound effects.
BONUS: ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ Special Booklet: This Booklet contains 40 stunning pages and features a new writing on the film by John Kenneth Muir entitled IT’S ALL IN THE REFLEXES – East Meets West in Big Trouble in Little China. John Carpenter’s Canny Re-invention of WUXIA John Kenneth Muir who is the award winning author of “The Films of John Carpenter,” “Horror Films of the 1970s,” “Horror Films of the 1980s,” “Horror Films of the 1990s” and “Horror Films FAQ.” We also get featured a writing by Les Paul Robley entitled PRODUCTION DESIGN FOR BIG TROUBLE which is a re-printed article on the effects of the film from American Cinematographer dated June 1986. We also get details on ABOUT THE TRANSFER. PRODUCTION CREDITS. SPECIAL THANKS. But we also get a plethora of brilliant archive illustrated production stills and posters.
PLUS: Packaging Quality: This new release is available in a Limited Edition SteelBook packaging, featuring the original artwork by the legendary Drew Struzan. You may not recognise the name, but Drew Struzan has provided the artwork for some of the most iconic posters in movie history, including the `Indiana Jones,' `Back to The Future' and `Star Wars' trilogies, `Blade Runner' and `Harry Potter' the list goes on. For the non-SteelBook Blu-ray release, Arrow Video presents the film with a reversible cover, featuring Drew Struzan's artwork on one side and a newly commissioned piece by Jay Shaw.
POST SCRIPT: One quick word of praise for Arrow Video, is that they seem to be one of the few companies who don't insist on making the viewer sit through endless menu options, forced trailers and other unnecessary guff, instead we get the main menu in seconds. Compare that to studios like Universal Pictures whose Blu-ray discs seem to take forever to get to the point where you can actually watch the film. Thank you Arrow Video for getting us to the film so much quicker!
Finally, this is another quality release from Arrow Video. This is an iconic 1980s action comedy film, the perfect pairing of director and actor, that was ahead-of-its-time kung-fu action style film, and it is great to be able to re-visit the film ‘BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’ after all these years, and find it in such great shape. The new transfer on this Blu-ray disc is a real corker, and I dare say the film hasn't looked or sounded as good as this since the day it was released in the cinema. There is also a great selection of new and old special features. The star of the show is of course the classic audio commentary, but the newer interviews are great as well. Whether you want to re-kindle your memories of the film, or you are a new viewer wanting to see what all the fuss is about, well this is a totally fantastic professional release and so proud to have this in my ever increasing Blu-ray Collection, especially lucky in having this brilliant Limited Edition SteelBook. Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
