The Big Hit (1998)

Director:

Kirk Wong

Writer (WGA):

Ben Ramsey (written by)

Release Date:

24 April 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

Hit Happens

Plot:

Melvin Smiley, a successful young hitman, is living a normal all-day life for his jewish fiancé Pam...

Plot Keywords:

Hitman | Kosher | Kidnapping | Severed Finger | Bomb

Cast

Mark Wahlberg	...	Melvin Smiley
Lou Diamond Phillips	...	Cisco
Christina Applegate	...	Pam Shulman
Avery Brooks	...	Paris
Bokeem Woodbine	...	Crunch
Antonio Sabato Jr.	...	Vince
China Chow	...	Keiko Nishi
Lainie Kazan	...	Jeanne Shulman
Elliott Gould	...	Morton Shulman
Sab Shimono	...	Jiro Nishi
Robin Dunne	...	Gump
Lela Rochon	...	Chantel
Danny Smith	...	Video Store Kid
Joshua Peace	...	Lance
David Usher	...	Sergio

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, pervasive language and some sexuality.

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby SR

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:R (Manitoba) | Philippines:R-18 | Germany:16 (cut) | New Zealand:R16 | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-16 (video premiere) | France:U | Germany:18 | Mexico:C | Netherlands:16 | Norway:18 | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | USA:R (certificate #35552) | Iceland:14 (original rating) | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Hong Kong:III

Filming Locations:

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Company:

TriStar Pictures

Trivia:

In the script, Melvin had more of a back story to explain why he was afraid of people disliking him, and why both his parents were dead. However, due to time and budgetary restrictions, this element was cut before shooting began.

Goofs:

Continuity: Keiko's hair clip disappears while she and Melvin are cooking, and reappears in the next scene.

Quotes:

Cisco: Melvin, pal, the hundred or so people you've murdered over the past five years probably have relatives that don't think too highly of you.

Movie Connections:

References The Toxic Avenger (1984)

Soundtrack:

Voto Latino

Let us not forget the trace buster buster buster

Indeed Mark Wahlberg is a bit cack in most of his films, but The Big Hit is a masterpiece of comedy. The action is fun, but is not meant to be taken seriously. I think that some people might have watched this film expecting a standard action film, in which case I can understand their disappointment. It's just good fun and Lou Diamond Phillips is brilliant. His over-the-top performance is perfect and is something I'll never forget.

The Big Hit is one of those films where you either get it or you don't. If you don't then I can understand how it might seem a bit two-dimensional. However, anyone who hasn't seen it should take a chance.