The Big Hit poster & wallpaper

Antonio Sabato Jr., Avery Brooks, Bokeem Woodbine

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...( read more  read more... ) 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 Sabāto 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

Flixster Users

62% liked it

25,761 ratings

Critics

38% liked it

39 critics

R, 91 min.

Directed by: Kirk Wong

Release Date: April 24, 1998

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: March 6, 2001

Get It:

Stats: 965 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites
report incorrect info

Photos

The Big Hit Mark Wahlberg The Big Hit The Big Hit The Big Hit
Upload a Photo |

View All The Big Hit Photos (5)

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (965)

  • clooneyfan
    August 9, 2009
    clooneyfan
    I only watched an hour of this. Lots of shooting and other unrealistic stunts that a teenaged boy would like. Nothing for me.
  • DrZeek
    September 21, 2008
    DrZeek
    Melvin: The truth is, I can't handle the idea of her not liking me. I can't handle the idea of ANYBODY not liking me.
    Cisco: Hey Melvin, the hundred or so people you've killed in the last five years, more than likely have families that don't think too highly of you.

    I Always hav...( read more)e fun watching this movie, a hit-man comedy that is self-aware, never taking itself seriously, and full of some cool action.

    Mark Wahlberg is a "nice" hitman, who just wants everyone to be copacetic. He has money problems due to his fiance and his bloodsucking girlfriend. Other subplots involving the discovery of masturbation, acceptance of different religions, and kidnapping, what a joy.

    The action scenes go back and forth between very cool and ridiculously over the top. More random humor to follow as well (all signs point to the tracebuster-buster).

    Cisco: Well ain't that a bitch... All I wanted to do was to sail my boat, man, you know? Navigate by the stars, see dolphins race alongside, you know, maybe even kill a few of them.

    The cast also includes Lou Diamond Phillips, Christina Applegate, Avery Brooks, and Elliot Gould, further fueliing the absurdity.

    Paris: What would you do to someone, who was fucking with you in your own house?
    Cisco: I'd bust some caps!

    My absolute favorite Guilty Pleasure movie, even more so than Starship Troopers.

    Melvin Smiley: Technically, you can call me a hitman.
    Keiko Nishi: Really? A hitman? Does that pay well?
    Melvin Smiley: Oh of course. I make a killing.
  • DeppLover
    May 1, 2008
    DeppLover
    This was a fully awesome movie. Finally a movie worth watching that is entertaining from start to finish.

    The movie is all about a successful young hit man who kills for a living - it's the only thing he's good at. He and his three teammates decide to kidnap the daughter of a ...( read more)rich businessman to earn some extra cash. What they don't know is that he is bankrupt, and that the girl is their boss's goddaughter. So their boss as you can imagine is furious, and one of the kidnappers is called to help him track down responsible, so they have to look innocent and track down their teammates and kill them with no choice if they want to stay alive themselves. Meanwhile the kidnappers have no idea what is happening, and the hit man falls in love with the kidnapping victim, changing the job for everyone.

    I thought this storyline was original and hilarious. It could have worked if it took a more serious side and made things less of a joke, it still would have been just as good. It is a pretty action packed movie though, if you like big explosions and car chases then this won't disappoint you. It's not really intense because of the comedy and funny lines; it can make the most serious things in the movie quite funny.

    Mark Wahlberg was the reason I picked this up in the first place, and as I expected he was fantastic as he always is. He is a great action movie star, not too bad looking and extremely talented. Two thumbs up for him. The other casting choices were perfect for the roles they played. Apart from a few exceptions there was nothing wrong with the cast. I especially enjoyed seeing Lou Diamond Phillips in this movie; he made the whole thing more entertaining.

    I can't really figure out what would have made this movie better. It deserves the 3.5 stars and maybe even more.. perhaps if they made some of the scenes a bit more serious and believable? This is still a great comedy/action flick that I imagine you could watch over and over again. If you haven't seen this already - you should really see this!
  • DragonEyeMorrison
    February 26, 2008
    DragonEyeMorrison
    Hollywood failing once more in trying to replicate Hong Kong action/crime flicks.
  • KhrisP
    January 25, 2008
    KhrisP
    Hey Hey!

    Now that Ive FINALLY got the DVD, I can do a proper review!

    Man, they dont make them like they used to. All the overblown, adrenalin charged action scenes, the grace and beauty not just in the choreography but in the number of bullets and explosions one can throw ...( read more)in. Those were the good ole days, and along with movies like Face Off, Broken Arrow and Replacement Killers, this sorta ventures into the Action/Comedy zone, and does pretty well, I loved it.

    I guess this is the movie which bought Mark Wahlberg into the action genre, playing the too nice hit man, in contrast to the devilish Lou Diamond Phillips, who was hilarious as the out of control killer.

    Aside from the director Kirk Wong (Crime Story), the movie was produced by John Woo and Wesley Snipes, so the action shines, and not too much fancy pants stuff, just some slick moves and fight scenes and interesting comedy moments, some which were stolen from other movies, but of course, who gives a F? im having too much fun watching it.

    And for all action/Hong Kong style fans, so would you.
  • patrickgaisie1
    October 14, 2009
    patrickgaisie1
    lot of killing and stuffs like is actually not good for under 16 parents should guide children as such. Is really nice movie and I like it.
  • workishd
    October 14, 2009
    workishd
    This is a movie i always wanna see, it is awesome. A movie worth watching.
    But can be even better.
  • lesleyanorton
    October 5, 2009
    lesleyanorton
    Wimpy yet macho hit man Mark Wahlberg is put upon by all and sundry because he just wants to be liked, until kidnapped Japanese girl helps him cook dinner. Something like that. Lots of likeable, implausible action scenes offset by lots of unlikeable, duplicitous characters. Marky...( read more) Mark sure was fit in them days though.
  • cleopatra811
    September 29, 2009
    cleopatra811
    Another good movie from Mark, actually.
  • NuditysShiver
    September 1, 2009
    NuditysShiver
    What was going on with Mark Wahlbergs indigestion problems here? Oh, he was whipped on his two girlfriends. He was a lethal weapon, but his girlfriends kept pushing him around, one even punking him for his money, literally. It's not until he meets a new love interest in the one h...( read more)e takes hostage who wakes him up to his problem.

View All The Big Hit Reviews

Critic Reviews

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

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

View more The Big Hit reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

This board looks lonely. Be the first to talk about "The Big Hit" !

Post A Comment | View All Comments

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

All Rotten Tomatoes content is used under license from Rotten Tomatoes. Rotten Tomatoes, Certified Fresh, and the Tomatometer are the trademarks of Incfusion Corporation, d/b/a Rotten Tomatoes, a subsidiary of IGN Entertainment, Inc.

Official Trailer

View Larger The Big Hit Trailer

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Young Guns
    Young Guns (83%)
  • La Bamba
    La Bamba (43%)
  • Renegades
    Renegades (67%)
  • Glitter
    Glitter (57%)

More Movies like The Big Hit

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

The Big Hit : Watch Free on TV

The Big Hit Trivia

  • In what movie did the 1969 song of the year, "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head",by singer B J Thomas, make a big hit on the big screen?   Answer »
  • Who was not included in the first hit in The Big Hit  Answer »
  • who is the main character in The Big Hit?  Answer »
  • Before Gerard Butler hit the big time as Leonidas in "300" he starred in a movie where he played this famous warrior:  Answer »
More The Big Hit Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add The Big Hit to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?