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Hola amigos, buenas vibras para todos.
**Hello friends, good vibes to all.
A few days ago and by mere decision I wanted to look for this film to watch it again because for those who do not know it, we are facing a real cult film that came to light in the eighties. Directed by John Carpenter, the father of many horror films throughout history, for example the entire saga of “Halloween”, was the mind behind this story with touches of horror, fiction, fantasy, comedy and visual effects that for the time were quite good and accomplished. I hope that if you don't know this film after reading this, you will want to see it because it is really a gem.
This story begins with Jack Burton (Kurt Russell), a truck driver passing through San Francisco. Making time he goes to Chinatown in the city and spends the night gambling and drinking. There he meets Wang Chi (Dennis Dun) who asks him to go to the airport to pick up his girlfriend arriving from China. What they do not know is that the girl is also waiting for other people, nothing more and nothing less than the Chinese mafia so that in the end, Miao Yin (Suzee Pai), ends up kidnapped. In the end, Miao Yin (Suzee Pai) ends up being kidnapped.
I say the journalist because in the end Gracie Law (Kim Cattrall) will be an important part of the story. It turns out then that they discover that the mafia is led by David Lo Pan (James Hong), a very strange person who is said to have lived for thousands of years thanks to his handling of Chinese black magic. Despite all these alarms, these men decide to set out into the depths of Chinatown and search for the kidnapped girl. From here begins a journey full of magic and madness where they must face forces and men who are not of this earthly plane and witness spells and ceremonies of centuries old.
When I say that the film is a cult film, that's because it is. The plot is simple: search, fight, rescue and escape; that's all there is to it. The thing is everything Jack and company encounter along the way. When I saw it for the first time I was half a kid and I was fascinated even though it was partly scary, this because the plot is full of mystery, every step they take in that place is a complete chance because it is not only because of the men who are going to want to kill you but because behind them there is a dark magic that makes everything more loaded with “terror”. Chinese culture is very present, but quite a lot, which makes the mysticism even greater.
One of the most remarkable things are the visual effects. For a 1986 film, they are very top notch. The vast majority are in the framework of magic effects but seeing heads explode, bodies travel through lightning, lasers come out of eyes and mouths and the typical fancy spells of an 80 year old who knows everything about his culture are some of the things you will see. There is no blood or gore, the movie is not about that, but there are some pretty entertaining fights both in mass and individual. All under the context and reality of almost 40 years ago, so keep that in mind.
The characters are very cool. Jack is a stubborn guy who will always want to do things his way, Wanga on the other hand is more demure and incredibly skilled with Kung Fu. Other things I remember is that I fell in love with the two women, Miao Yin as well as Gracie and they are part of a ritual to end a curse that Lo Pan has so they are dressed for the occasion being really very pretty. The four of them together with Lo Pan are the central axis. Nothing remarkable worthy of an Oscar but they are really memorable, for me these characters are part of the pop culture of cinema.
Overall it is a film that has it all, very enjoyable and different. Good visuals, understanding the era, cool effects, entertaining fight sequences and a simple but working plot. It's on Star+ but you can also search for it in the nooks and crannies of the internet, I assure you it is. It lasts a little over an hour and a half. I leave the trailer here so you can check it out in case you don't know it.
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Bueno amigos por hoy es todo, espero que les haya gustado. ¡Un abrazo a todos, nos vemos en la próxima!
***Well friends that's all for today, I hope you liked it. ¡A hug to all of you, see you next time!
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