The Big Hit (1998)
Antonio Sabato Jr., Avery Brooks, Bokeem Woodbine, China Chow, Christina Applegate ... (see more) , Lela Rochon , Lou Diamond Phillips , Mark Wahlberg
Film fans might someday recognize 1997 and '98 as the years Hong Kong came to Hollywood. Stars Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Chow Yun-Fat, Jet Li, and Michelle Yeoh all appeared in major Hollywood projects and directors John Woo, Ronny Yu, and Tsui Hark directed Face/Off, Bride of Chucky, and Knock Off, ... (read more) Film fans might someday recognize 1997 and '98 as the years Hong Kong came to Hollywood. Stars Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Chow Yun-Fat, Jet Li, and Michelle Yeoh all appeared in major Hollywood projects and directors John Woo, Ronny Yu, and Tsui Hark directed Face/Off, Bride of Chucky, and Knock Off, respectively. Another entry into this new era of entertainment is The Big Hit, directed by Che-Kirk Wong (who also directed Jackie Chan in Crime Story), executive produced by John Woo, and produced by Wesley Snipes. Mark Wahlberg leads this all-American cast in a played-for-laughs macho blowout. Rounding out the testosterone brigade are Lou Diamond Phillips (sprouting a gold-capped tooth and a dirty mouth), Bokeem Woodbine (who, according to this DVD's director audio track, wore extra socks where it counts), Antonio Sabàto Jr., and Avery Brooks. Wahlberg plays Melvin Smiley, a nice-guy hit man with an ulcer and a severe insecurity problem. He's short on cash due to the spending habits of his unsuspecting fiancée Pam (Christina Applegate) and his girlfriend-on-the-sly Chantel (Lela Rochon). He and his crew decide to do a little freelancing and cook up their own heist to make a little mo' money--specifically by kidnapping Keiko (China Chow), the daughter of a Japanese businessman whom they target for ransom. Little do they know her dad is broke and she's the goddaughter of their boss. The Big Hit has action scenes aplenty (one of the stunt coordinators worked on Woo's The Killer and Bullet in the Head) and the same cornball sense of humor as other films in the Hong Kong action genre. Slick pacing and over-the-top humor made this movie a miss with the critics but a fun ride for fans of Hong Kong-styled action. --Shannon Gee
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R, 91 min.
Directed by:
Kirk Wong
Release Date: Apr 24, 1998
DVD Release Date: Mar 06, 2001
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One of my guilty pleasure movies from college. An enjoyable action flick with some random laughs here and there, most of which come from Lou Diamond Phillips' obnoxiously devious character. The action's ramped up a lot, but the weird background mus... (read more) One of my guilty pleasure movies from college. An enjoyable action flick with some random laughs here and there, most of which come from Lou Diamond Phillips' obnoxiously devious character. The action's ramped up a lot, but the weird background music makes it corny in a good way. Thanks to the move being executively produced by John Woo, Markie Mark's got the assassin moves down pat. He thankfully doesn't take his character's obsequious mannerisms too far, just far enough to get the romantic attention of the sexy China Chow at the end of the film. Yowza!
I just watched this again, the first time I saw it was in the theater, with my wife and her friends, they came out of the movie thinking it sucked, I liked it, but I kinda forgot about it because of my wifes hatred of it, cut to now, I watched it the... (read more) I just watched this again, the first time I saw it was in the theater, with my wife and her friends, they came out of the movie thinking it sucked, I liked it, but I kinda forgot about it because of my wifes hatred of it, cut to now, I watched it the other day by myself, and what do you know, I liked it again. It is totally over the top, funny and unbeleivable, and that is the way it should be. Mark Wahlberg was awesome and this is one of the last good things that Lou Diamond Phillips did. A must see for cheessy movie fans.
Think one of Markôs real debutes, hard action with sum humor is my favourite kind, loved this, great actor, great movie!(seen twice)
underrated and hilarious action/comedy. Lou Diamond Philips does his most memorable character. and the unforgettable trace busta busta busta routine is awesome. and of course the Crunch character. "I said LAN-O-LIN, not that aloe-vera bullshit! Get i... (read more) underrated and hilarious action/comedy. Lou Diamond Philips does his most memorable character. and the unforgettable trace busta busta busta routine is awesome. and of course the Crunch character. "I said LAN-O-LIN, not that aloe-vera bullshit! Get it right, mutha fucka!"
Some action and alot of silly jokes that remind me of Arnold saying things like "I'll be baaac". lol
Bonne comedie d'action qui s'assume tres bien tant que tel, ou chaque comedien cabotine au possible et ou chaque situation melange vaudeville et gunfight HK. Un film de sale gosse bonnard.
action comedy from start to finish. bunch of guys who has some serious problem made them perfect on the film. LDP is the man on this film, an evil crazy maniac assasin who bully melvin smiley (mark wahlberg). china chow is a beauty. i never get bored... (read more) action comedy from start to finish. bunch of guys who has some serious problem made them perfect on the film. LDP is the man on this film, an evil crazy maniac assasin who bully melvin smiley (mark wahlberg). china chow is a beauty. i never get bored watching big hit for several times, a thumbs high popcorn flick movie.
Critic Reviews
The characters in these movies exist in a Twilight Zone where thousands of rounds of ammunition are fired, but no one ever gets shot unless the plot requires him to. The bullets have read the screenplay.full review
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