The film follows Melvin Smiley (played by Mark Wahlberg), a mild-mannered and financially struggling professional hitman who works for a crime syndicate led by Paris (played by Avery Brooks). Melvin is engaged to Pam (played by Christina Applegate), but he hides his true profession from her, pretending to be a humble and law-abiding citizen.
Melvin’s life takes a chaotic turn when he and his fellow hitmen Cisco (played by Lou Diamond Phillips), Crunch (played by Bokeem Woodbine), and Gump (played by Robin Dunne) kidnap Keiko (played by China Chow), the goddaughter of a wealthy Japanese businessman, Jiro Nishi (played by Sab Shimono), for ransom. However, things go awry when Keiko turns out to be the daughter of Paris’ boss, the ruthless crime lord Mr. Kincade (played by Lainie Kazan).
As Melvin and his friends struggle to keep Keiko under control and negotiate with Kincade for her release, they find themselves pursued by a trio of bumbling assassins hired by Nishi to rescue his daughter. Amidst the chaos, Melvin must also contend with his own internal conflicts, as he grapples with his feelings for Pam and his desire to break free from his life of crime.
In a series of comedic and action-packed sequences, Melvin and his friends engage in gunfights, car chases, and slapstick mishaps as they try to outsmart their pursuers and secure Keiko’s release. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles and challenges, including double-crosses, misunderstandings, and romantic entanglements.
In a climactic showdown, Melvin confronts Kincade and Nishi in a final battle to determine Keiko’s fate and his own future. With the help of his friends and a newfound sense of courage and determination, Melvin manages to outwit his enemies and emerge victorious.
In the end, Melvin reconciles with Pam and decides to leave his life of crime behind, realizing that true happiness lies in love and personal fulfillment, rather than wealth and violence. He and his friends embark on a new journey together, ready to face whatever challenges come their way.
“The Big Hit” is praised for its fast-paced action, irreverent humor, and charismatic performances, particularly from Mark Wahlberg and Lou Diamond Phillips. It’s a high-energy comedy that delivers plenty of thrills and laughs, while also offering a satirical take on the action genre and the conventions of Hollywood filmmaking.