Special Features:
DTS Soundtrack  �  Commentary by Director John Carpenter and Actor Kurt Russell  �  Deleted Scenes  �  Featurette  �  Richard Edlund Interview  �  Magazine Articles  �  Theatrical Trailer and TV Spots

Big Trouble In Little China can best be described as a fantasy, martial arts, comedy, thriller, action movie. Most of the time when a movie tries to wear this many hats it is a confused mess. Thankfully Big Trouble In Little China is able hit all the right notes in stride.

Big Trouble In Little China is also one of those rare movies (This Is Spinal Tap is another) in which the main character is all the more interesting and likable because he is an idiot. Unlike Dumb and Dumber or many of the films that have come since (too many of them starring Jim Carrey) the stupidity of the main character is played down and more matter of fact, instead of over the top. Every word Jack Burton (Kurt Russell) speaks and every action he takes leads the viewer to conclusion that Jack is not prepared to handle the situation he has found himself in. He thinks he can handle it, but we know otherwise which leads to one comical situation after another. As Carpenter and Russell say on the commentary, Jack Burton is the leading man, but he is really playing the part of the clueless sidekick.

The transfer for this DVD is actually quite good. This isn't going to be one of your references disc, but films from the mid-80's are not going to look a whole lot better than this. The film has lots of dark scenes and because of the Asian elements there are lots of bright reds and golds which are reproduced nearly flawlessly. The sound has been remixed in both Dolby Digital add DTS. To me it sounds more like a basic transfer to 5.1 than a true remix. The surrounds are used effectively, but obviously this movie would sound a lot different if it was made today (good or bad).

This DVD is a two disc set and comes with a decent amount of extras. The commentary with director John Carpenter and actor Kurt Russell is very entertaining. You can tell these guys are good friends and often times this gets them sidetracked and they forget to talk about the movie. That being said, they do give some good insights into the making of the film and the basic concept they were going for. I have to admit I would rather hear two guys having a lot of fun and only sometimes talk about the film than a lifeless commentary of details.

Deleted scenes are interesting but don't add a whole lot. Most are the typical trim downs of scenes for pacing reasons. There are a few great Jack-isms that were lost. There is also a slightly extended ending that was again trimmed for pacing purposes. It does add a funny conclusion to the Lords of Death street gang, but not much else.

The featurette included is an original promo from when the movie was released. It is interesting to see the people talking about the film back then but it does not add a whole lot. A new featurette with new interviews would have been nice.

There is an interview with Richard Edlund (One of the effects supervisors) which gives some good insights, but is a little bland.

There are reproductions of some magazine articles from some of the cinematographer magazines that a very detailed. They are very interesting if you are into that sort of thing.

The music video is of John Carpenter's band and is absolutely hilarious. I don't know if it was meant to be a joke, but it sure plays that way.