Jack Burton
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Jack Burton is a fictional character in John Carpenter's cult film, Big Trouble in Little China, portrayed by Kurt Russell.
Jack Burton is driving his truck filled with live cargo (aptly named "The Pork Chop Express") to San Francisco Chinatown market on a stormy night, when he is caught up in something he would have never believed possible. It seems a 2000-year-old sorcerer has dark plans to return to the mortal world, and Jack's friend Wang Chi sees it as his destiny to stop him. Thus begins their quest to save the girl, stop the bad guy and most importantly, for Jack, get back his truck.
The irony of the story involves Jack believing he is the true hero, when all along it is Wang Chi. Burton is merely the sidekick. Jack finds himself attracted to the female lead of the movie, lawyer Gracie Law, and their comical relationship is another theme of the film.
Midway, Burton forgets about his truck and wishes to get even with Lo Pan for causing such chaos in the first place. In fact, he even insists that he and Wang barge straight into the enemy's base and kick some serious butt!
Burton eventually saves the day (most of it done by his comrade), killing the sorcerer Lo Pan and getting everybody to safety. He decides it is best if he leaves the scene at the end and lie low. For once, the main hero does not stay with the girl. He bids Wang Chi goodbye and exits. As he drives his truck into the dark night at the end, he has an unlikely stowaway aboard the back... an evil creature from Lo Pan's domain.
Burton's ultimate fate is unknown. A conversation at the beginning of the film suggests that he went missing and cannot be found, as it appears even the police and law enforcement cannot find him. Some believe he went into hiding as opposed to going to jail; others suggest he may have been killed.
Quotes
"Jack Burton always says- What the hell."
"Its all in the reflexes."
"What?! Huh?! What will come out no more?!"
"May the wings of liberty never lose a feather"
"When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, looks you crooked in the eye and asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail."
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