Horror maestro John Carpenter lightens up somewhat with Big Trouble in Little China, a martial arts adventure film with a supernatural twist.

The film stars long time Carpenter cohort Kurt Russell as Jack Burton, a mullet wearing, big talking truck driver who is drawn into a mystical, centuries old war underneath San Francisco’s Chinatown, after he agrees to help his best friend Wang Chi (Dennis Dun) rescue his fiancée from the clutches of a cursed evil sorcerer named Lo Pan (James Hong). Along the way Burton and Wang must battle against supernatural warriors and demons, with help from motor mouth lawyer Gracie Law (Kim Catrrall) and sorcerer Egg Shen (Victor Wong).

This is a bizarre, fun, action packed film, filled with wild characters and an adventurous, imaginative and campy spirit. Carpenter’s ability at creating tension and atmosphere is used to great effect here, and he also establishes himself as a credible and innovative action director, who –along with martial arts choreographer James Lew – has structured some cracking action sequences, with Big Trouble in Little China one of the first western films to use wire fighting techniques.

A thrilling battle sequence set in the streets of Chinatown –which features some rapid fire editing by Steve Mirkovich, Mark Warner and Edward A. Warschilka - is a clear highlight, and culminates in the introduction of the “Three Storms”, three of the more interesting and sinister on screen villains seen in an action film.        

Kurt Russell is a hoot as the John Wayne-esque, trash talking hero who is constantly bested by his enemies and put to shame by his much smaller, yet much deadlier sidekick, played well by Dennis Dun. Great fun is also had with James Hong and Victor Wong’s duelling sorcerers.   

The film features some great visual effects and creature creations which still hold up in our CGI times, and John J. Lloyd’s production design of underground catacombs and ancient Chinese architecture, clashing with the neon look of the 1980’s, works a treat, as does April Ferry’s vibrant costumes.