IFWT #52 - Big Trouble In Little China (1986)

John Carpenter’s filmography speaks for itself, and while he hasn’t always enjoyed box office success, his films have consistently pushed the envelope in terms of suspense, ground-breaking practical effects and sheer craftsmanship. In our first foray into the world of this cinematic giant, we’re checking out a movie that was, like many of his projects, tepidly received upon release, made no money, and led to Carpenter abandoning Hollywood for independent cinema, and not for the last time. It’s the 1986 supernatural martial arts comedy caper, Big Trouble In Little China, a film that’s seen its reputation grow in the years since it premiered, and we’re gonna spend this episode trying to work out why that is. Put on your finest tank top and leave your ego at the door as we tuck into this delicious slice of 80s cinema to find out whether it deserved all the hate it got, or whether it was simply too smart and subversive for its audience to handle.