We Should All Be More Like Jack Burton

- by Ninja Ross, 6 July 2016

This year marks the 30th Anniversary of "Big Trouble in Little China", which was released on the 2nd of July 1986. It featured one of the greatest characters of all time, the magnificent Jack Burton: truck driver, demon slayer and a proud American.

Jack Burton is more than just a cool movie hero, though; he's a role model. Someone everyone should look up to and think about constantly while they live their lives. When you're about to make a big decision, you should think “What would Jack do?” When things are tough, you need to think “What would Jack do?”
 
There are several reasons as to why Jack is the ultimate role model, including his ability to hold a steady job. Our introduction to Jack is while he's working, driving his truck across America. He's not doing anything heroic or even interesting in his first scene. Just working and talking into his radio. If he was an admin assistant, we'd see him filing annual reports and adjusting his tie.
 
When guys in hats begin flying around, zapping things with lightening  and releasing wind, all Jack wants to do is get his truck back. How many people risk their lives and the lives of others to get work equipment back? Nobody would risk their lives to find their welding mask or their apron. That's real dedication to your craft.
 
Only the likes of RoboCop have really shown this kind of work ethic. RoboCop shares Jack's workplace pride. These guys have no need for “hang in there” kitten posters or any of that other crap. They have a job to do.
 
In the face of danger, Jack will do anything for his job. That's some serious bravery. He takes on any fight, despite being outnumbered and outmatched by demons and kung fu gangsters.
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Overcoming!

But Jack also has his priorities in order. While he has intense dedication to his job, he's willing to risk that to rescue his friends. Next time you're worried about helping a friend move home, remember that Jack Burton fought a Chinese ghost wizard and a hair monster to save his friends. Carrying a guy's sofa is nothing.
 
Another thing Jack has going for him is his uncanny reflexes. The guy can panic and catch nearly anything, such as bottles flying around after bets go wrong, or knives thrown by wizards. It's important to embrace your own special skills and use them in your day to day life. If you can whistle through your nose, you should do it more often. It might even save your life one day.

Reflexes!

One of Jack's greatest attributes is how he keeps trying and is always willing to do what needs to be done, despite his shortcomings.
 
In Big Trouble in Little China, Jack is useless at nearly everything. He's always willing to rush into a fight, but he's very rarely of any use. He can't REALLY fire a gun, which makes him pointless in a gun fight, the one time you'd need to use a gun.
 
But despite all of that, he'll always try his best and never give up when things seem hopeless. Despite being knocked out by concrete, tied to wheelchairs and generally screwing up all over the place.
 
There can be no better role model than Jack Burton. Even the greats aren't that good being role models: Dutch from Predator spends his time rolling around in mud, which is incredibly unsanitary. Captain America uses performance enhancing drugs. John McClane swears all the time. But Jack owns his minor negative qualities and really puts his all into any situation.

Quick thinking! (And reflexes again!)

The fact that he's played by Kurt Russell only makes it better, thanks to that hypnotic jaw line that helps Jack's life lessons sink in. It's like you NEED to be a better person and start wearing vests and jeans.
 
When Big Trouble was released, it didn't find success until later on, eventually gaining a cult following. Nobody really understood the good that Jack Burton would bring to the world. John Carpenter and Kurt Russell have given us a real hero to look up to. Now we can all celebrate the movie's 30th year of existence by trying to be more like Jack Burton.


YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:
- Kurt Russell: The Lost Years, 2007-2011
- Why John Carpenter should direct Batman v Superman

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And what do YOU do to be more like Jack Burton? Confess in the comments.

Tagged: movies & TV.

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