Macaulay Culkin's Pick: Big Trouble in Little China - Rental Reviews

Discussion of Big Trouble in Little China

The crew welcomes Macaulay Culkin to discuss Big Trouble in Little China, a movie they love even though its wild, rapid-fire plot can leave viewers feeling thoroughly dazed. One reviewer sums up the story as Jack Burton’s “search for his truck”—which quickly turns into a supernatural adventure involving Wang, a wizard who needs a green-eyed bride, magical warriors, monsters, and Chinatown’s hidden world.

Jack Burton and the Film’s Charm

A big part of the film’s charm, they agree, is that Jack isn’t really the conventional action hero. He’s often confused, out of his depth, and more concerned with his truck than the supernatural chaos around him. Wang, meanwhile, does much of the actual fighting.

The group jokes about Jack’s repeated falls and fumbling heroics, and loves how Kurt Russell plays every bizarre turn as if it’s simply an inconvenience. His baffled reaction to a monster emerging in the sewer—“What will come out no more?”—gets a special mention.

Visuals and Favorite Moments

They praise the movie’s distinctive production design, memorable monsters, and dense widescreen visuals, arguing that it’s best watched in its original framing. The fight scenes, strange effects, and colorful costumes help make it feel like a live-action video game.

One especially memorable gag is Jack’s smeared lipstick during the climax. The group can’t help noticing it and jokes that they wanted to wipe it off the screen.

The conversation also wanders through other favorite moments, including:

• The patriotic “colors are never wrong” speech
• Jack’s exasperated call to his insurance company
• The wonderfully over-the-top martial-arts showdowns

Other Films and a Possible New Adaptation

The crew compares Big Trouble in Little China with other John Carpenter and Kurt Russell films. They ultimately agree that The Thing may be the stronger film, but Big Trouble in Little China is the one they especially enjoy revisiting.

They’re cautiously curious about a possible new film connected to the property, with some hoping it keeps the original’s oddball charm rather than becoming too polished.

The episode ends with thanks to Culkin and a final endorsement of the movie as entertaining, visually rich, and emphatically not boring.

Personalities Appearing

Macaulay Culkin, James Rolfe, Justin Silverman, Kieran, and Tony from Hack the Movies.