Dennis Dun gives fantastical films a useful degree of common sense. We like the plainness of his acting: in Big Trouble in Little China, his seriousness lets the comedy work without making his character ridiculous.
Fi1m perspective
Dennis Dun takes Wang Chi seriously in Big Trouble in Little China (1986), even when the film is being ridiculous. He plays the martial-arts fantasy with a straightforwardness that gives Kurt Russell’s unqualified Jack Burton room to blunder. We laughed at Burton’s misplaced confidence because Dun kept treating the trouble as something that required attention. Carpenter’s instruction was to play Wang as the hero, and to play him for real.
That makes John Carpenter the clearest place to start with him, though our enthusiasm for Big Trouble in Little China has limits. The fights sometimes labour and the effects become tiresome, however much good sense Dun brings to the confusion. His natural delivery works better for us than the accumulating spectacle, because it leaves a recognisable person to watch between the fights. There is a danger of overlooking that contribution when Russell has the more conspicuous comic business. Carpenter also cast him as Walter in Prince of Darkness (1987).
Year of the Dragon (1985), his film debut as Herbert Kwong, led directly to Wang and a co-leading part. The supporting role of Big Li in The Last Emperor (1987) followed, but later work was largely in supporting and guest parts. That makes the regular role of Billy Po in Midnight Caller (1988–1991) and the lead as Jim in Thousand Pieces of Gold (1991) worth noting. The latter, an independent Asian American Western, also takes him beyond the action and horror associated with Carpenter.
Dun has frequently been cast as ordinary, recognisable second-generation Asian American characters. That suits the naturalism which makes Wang such useful company, but the size of the part matters: we want enough time with him to appreciate what he contributes. With Wang, he has that time and a director who understands how to use it. Start there, provided a few overextended fights are an acceptable price for a comedy that knows exactly how foolish its supposed hero is.
Biography
Dennis Dun is an American stage and screen actor. Born Dennis Gong Dun on 19 April 1952 in Stockton, California, he trained in martial arts and Chinese opera before studying marketing and later turning to acting.
Dun made his film debut in Year of the Dragon (1985). He played the co-lead role of Wang Chi in Big Trouble in Little China (1986) and appeared as Big Li in The Last Emperor (1987). He had further prominent film roles in Prince of Darkness (1987), Thousand Pieces of Gold (1990) and Warriors of Virtue (1997), and was a regular cast member on the television series Midnight Caller (1988–1991). He has also appeared in independent Asian American films and guest roles on series including Charmed, JAG and The Bernie Mac Show.
