Is The Big Hit Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, The Big Hit is likely a skip if you enjoy Action movies.
It features a runtime of 91 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
The Big Hit Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1998, The Big Hit emerges as a significant entry in the Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Thriller domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Affable hit man Melvin Smiley is constantly being scammed by his cutthroat colleagues in the life-ending business. Unlike standard genre fare, The Big Hit attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Big Hit features a noteworthy lineup led by Mark Wahlberg . Supported by the likes of Lou Diamond Phillips and Christina Applegate , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Big Hit (1998) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.9/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
The Big Hit Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: The Big Hit is a Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Thriller film that delivers high-octane sequences and adrenaline-pumping confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
The Big Hit Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: The Big Hit attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to action resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the action themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Big Hit reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Big Hit Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Big Hit incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a action, adventure, comedy, crime, thriller film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The Big Hit adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Big Hit?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Action films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
The Big Hit Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $13.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $27.0M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Big Hit Budget
The estimated production budget for The Big Hit is $13.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of The Big Hit
- Mark Wahlberg – Melvin Smiley
- Lou Diamond Phillips – Cisco
- Christina Applegate – Pam Shulman
- China Chow – Keiko Nishi
- Avery Brooks – Paris
Top Highlights
Mark WahlbergMelvin Smiley
Lou Diamond PhillipsCisco
Christina ApplegatePam Shulman
China ChowKeiko Nishi
Avery BrooksParis
Antonio Sabàto, Jr.Vince
Bokeem WoodbineCrunch
Elliott GouldMorton Shulman
Lainie KazanJeanne Shulman
Robin DunneGump
Where to Watch The Big Hit Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TVParents Guide & Age Rating
The Big Hit is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains violence, action sequences, mature themes. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.9/10, and global collection metrics, The Big Hit stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1998 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Big Hit movie hit or flop?
The Big Hit has received mixed reviews with a 5.9/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is The Big Hit worth watching?
The Big Hit is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Action, Adventure, Comedy movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch The Big Hit online?
The Big Hit may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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Critic Reviews for The Big Hit
Dudes' Night again last night... thought about skipping posting this it was just so god-awful... Instead I guess I'll write 400 some words about it... :P Hit man Marky Mark "just wants people to like him!" and get's over his head in debt trying to maintain both his mistress' and fiance's lifestyles, all while both treat him like garbage. To get out of debt he joins his "Funky Bunch" of buddies to ransom the, unknown to them, connected daughter of a, also unknown to them, bankrupt movie mogul. So not only is hit man Marky Mark a door mat, everyone involved in the caper is a dumb-ass. Couple this with the movie going overboard trying to portray these dumb-asses as "cool" and "edgy" in the most horribly cringy (and at times super offensive) ways: this was terrible. But it's executive produced by John Woo so the action scenes are great, right? No. The gun fights usually involved Wahlberg doing breakdance moves (remember, he's "COOOOOL!") while excessive wire work gets applied to anybody shot. This sounds like it could be cool, and there were some hilariously exaggerated shots (pun intended), but the editing of the action scenes was just really poorly done. They'd cut from shots of Mark spinning on the floor, shooting everywhere, to one of him flying through the air, possibly in a completely different room. A guy would get shot and fly TOWARDS the shooter or sideways. I swear there were guys that would fly through the air or through glass for no reason... just guys flying through the air I guess. And then there's the car chase... So many shots where a car rammed something, was obviously seriously damaged, only to have the car look completely unscathed a second later. Also, Wahlberg's hair color changes inexplicably and seemingly at random throughout the movie. From a reddish brown to an almost greyish/blondish brown to a dark brown. At first I thought it was the stunt double, but it happens in non-action scenes as well. Maybe it was the product he used for different scenes, maybe it was the lighting, but regardless it was weird. It doesn't lose that final star because we did have fun laughing/cringing at how absurd it all was. Looking up stats, this unbelievably doubled it's budget in revenue (seriously, W.T.F.!). It was also fun remembering how awful late 90s styles were, and oh god are some great styles on display here. There's really no need to see this movie though, it really is terrible. If you want to laugh AT a movie, there are so many better ones to choose from.
I'm beginning to think that nobody on this site has a sense of humor or a brain. This movie is a parody of the rash of all too serious hitman and gangster movies of the nineties, specifically John Woo. You aren't supposed to take anything about this movie seriously. Everything about this movie is mocking the genre including editing, action scenes and continuity. Think Pootie Tang meets the Naked Gun. I guess you have to be GenX or before to get it. Now get off my lawn.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
