By Jon of Doubledumbassonyou
As a small child I watched three movies on a constant loop: Transformers: The Movie, Flash Gordon, & Big Trouble in Little China. They were my trifecta of ’80s cinematic awesomeness. While my friends wanted to be Indiana Jones, all I wanted in my young life was to be a truck driver that fought ancient Chinese sorcerers on his weekends off. I was just about the only kid in first grade rattling off Jack Burton-isms, much to the chagrin of my teachers. To this day it remains among my favorite films, and I throw it in the DVD player at least once a week.
Flash-forward to the fall of 2002, when I walked into my local Suncoast Video and imagine my surprise when I see Jack Burton staring back at me from the action figure section. Purchasing without hesitation, I rushed home to spool up my 56k modem to find out more about this line of action figures from the greatest John Carpenter film ever.
What I discovered was that the line was produced by the now-defunct N2 Toys (which eventually became Mirage Toys), the BTiLC 7” line consisted of Jack Burton, Lo Pan, Wang Chi, Egg Shen, Lightning, and the Chinese Wildman. Prototypes of a 12” Jack Burton was on display at SDCC that year, but before it could be produced the company disappeared with only one assortment hitting the shelves. I eventually got a Wang Chi as so that he could partner up with Jack to take on the Wing Kong and the Lords of Death.
What I love most about this figure is the sculpt. It is the exact pose from Drew Struzan’s one-sheet for the movie … which is just phenomenal. With five points of articulation, Jack is locked into his hero pose with the appropriate submachine gun and CB Radio mic. The likeness to Kurt Russell is pretty good, and while it is not 100% dead-on, you certainly have to appreciate the detail considering this figure was made seven years ago. As far as Kurt Russell figures go, I would only rank the Movie Maniacs Snake Plissken ahead of this one.
Given the short run on this line, there are very few still there on the secondary market. I once saw a loose Jack Burton go for upwards of $200 on eBay. I’ve been offered sums more than that, but I would never give this figure up. It’s just too awesome.
doubledumbassonyou
@Paul
Wingkong.net is a fan site that sells pretty accurate versions of Jack Burton's tank (there's also a t-shirt version)
prfkttear
Hey, I bet there are hundreds of properties we'd all love to have a good figure(s) of… but if its a sub-par McStatue or nothing, depending on what the franchise is, I'll take what I can get. This actually gives me an idea for my next S&T! 😉
Poe
S'all good, man.
Dead Man Walking
Sorry. High standards and all that. On the plus side, I was pooping on what is essentially a "McStatue." Bet you didn't see that one coming.
Poe
And DMW poops on the party, as usual 😉
Dead Man Walking
I would love to have a good Jack Burton figure. And I'm sorry to say that is NOT a good Jack Burton figure.
finkrod
Not one of my favorite movies, but that is a pretty neat action figure. I will personally be waiting for a Rudy Russo figure from 'Used Cars'.
Fengschwing
Is it hot in here..?
PresidentJuggernaut
I second that sentiment… I was just about to head over to ebay too…
PrfktTear
Wow! Great Show & Tell! I had no idea they made figures for this film. I actually just recently rediscovered Big Trouble on DVD… thank you $5 DVD bin! 😉
Reading this I'm like, "wow, I'd love that" until I read, Jack Burton go for upwards of $200. Yikes!
I still kinda want a Stuntman Mike figure… much cheaper! 😉
Frowny McBeard
Waitwaitwaitwaitwait-
Big Trouble in Little China is the most fun movie Carpenter ever did, but there is no way it's a better film than either They Live or The Thing. And Halloween was a more influential film than any of those. I know we're not here to debate film but I can't get behind that statement.
Poe
Y'know, for N2 Toys, that facial sculpt isn't actually all that bad.
Paul
That is so awesome. I didn't know this existed.
I saw that a company was selling his shirt once and I meant to buy it, but I realize that I wouldn't look good in a tank top at this point in my life.
DankOne
One of my favorite flicks of all time!
I didn't even know toys were even made.