Cast
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Mark Wahlberg
as Melvin Smiley
Lou Diamond Phillips
as Cisco
Christina Applegate
as Pam Shulman
China Chow
as Keiko Nishi
Avery Brooks
as Paris
Antonio Sabàto, Jr.
as Vince
Bokeem Woodbine
as Crunch
Elliott Gould
as Morton Shulman
Lainie Kazan
as Jeanne Shulman
Robin Dunne
as Gump
Danny Smith
as Video Store Kid
Sab Shimono
as Jiro Nishi
Lela Rochon
as Chantel
Matt Birman
as Theater Thug (uncredited)
Crew
Director
- Kirk Wong Chi-Keung
Producer
- Warren Zide
- Wesley Snipes
- John M. Eckert
Reviews
jeremiah
Dudes' Night again last night... thought about skipping posting this it was just so god-awful... Instead I guess I'll write 400 some words about it...
:P
Hit man Marky Mark "just wants people to like him!" and get's over his head in debt trying to maintain both his mistress' and fiance's lifestyles, all while both treat him like garbage. To get out of debt he joins his "Funky Bunch" of buddies to ransom the, unknown to them, connected daughter of a, also unknown to them, bankrupt movie mogul. So not only is hit man Marky Mark a door mat, everyone involved in the caper is a dumb-ass. Couple this with the movie going overboard trying to portray these dumb-asses as "cool" and "edgy" in the most horribly cringy (and at times super offensive) ways: this was terrible.
But it's executive produced by John Woo so the action scenes are great, right? No. The gun fights usually involved Wahlberg doing breakdance moves (remember, he's "COOOOOL!") while excessive wire work gets applied to anybody shot. This sounds like it could be cool, and there were some hilariously exaggerated shots (pun intended), but the editing of the action scenes was just really poorly done.
They'd cut from shots of Mark spinning on the floor, shooting everywhere, to one of him flying through the air, possibly in a completely different room. A guy would get shot and fly TOWARDS the shooter or sideways. I swear there were guys that would fly through the air or through glass for no reason... just guys flying through the air I guess. And then there's the car chase... So many shots where a car rammed something, was obviously seriously damaged, only to have the car look completely unscathed a second later.
Also, Wahlberg's hair color changes inexplicably and seemingly at random throughout the movie. From a reddish brown to an almost greyish/blondish brown to a dark brown. At first I thought it was the stunt double, but it happens in non-action scenes as well. Maybe it was the product he used for different scenes, maybe it was the lighting, but regardless it was weird.
It doesn't lose that final star because we did have fun laughing/cringing at how absurd it all was. Looking up stats, this unbelievably doubled it's budget in revenue (seriously, W.T.F.!). It was also fun remembering how awful late 90s styles were, and oh god are some great styles on display here. There's really no need to see this movie though, it really is terrible. If you want to laugh AT a movie, there are so many better ones to choose from.
Nov 14, 2018
EvilWayz
I'm beginning to think that nobody on this site has a sense of humor or a brain.
This movie is a parody of the rash of all too serious hitman and gangster movies of the nineties, specifically John Woo. You aren't supposed to take anything about this movie seriously. Everything about this movie is mocking the genre including editing, action scenes and continuity.
Think Pootie Tang meets the Naked Gun.
I guess you have to be GenX or before to get it.
Now get off my lawn.
Jan 29, 2024
Thematic Analysis
This high-octane Action/Adventure/Comedy/Crime/Thriller film balances spectacular sequences with character-driven moments. Unlike many films in the genre, The Big Hit distinguishes itself through a unique visual style and creative action choreography.
Director Kirk Wong Chi-Keung brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1998, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Big Hit took approximately 28 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $13.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 91 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 134 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 5 weeks before filming began.
- The screenplay went through 12 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The musical score contains over 61 unique compositions.
Historical Context
- In 1998, when this film was released:
- Globalization was accelerating economic and cultural exchange.
- The end of the Cold War was reshaping global politics.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Big Hit shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Knockaround Guys, which focuses more on action than character development, The Big Hit subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Idiocracy and Smokin' Aces explore similar territory, The Big Hit stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: April 24, 1998
- Runtime: 1h 31m
- Budget: $13,000,000
- Revenue: $27,007,143
Where to Watch
