Let us look back at a movie about two polar opposites, one from China, and the other from America, who join forces to investigate on the kidnapping of a diplomat’s daughter. The Premise I’m referring to is “Rush Hour.”
Rush Hour was released in the 1998 starring Jackie Chan & Chris Tucker. The movie earned positive reception and it became a box office success. Rush Hour spawned two sequels and a short lived television series of the same name without its two main leads from the films. No wonder it cancelled without its main ingredients.
Due to the upcoming release of The Lego Ninjago Movie, I’ve decided to review Rush Hour as this was the film that introduced American audiences to Jackie Chan, even though he’s already famous in China, this was the film that propelled him to partake in American movies.
This article doesn’t contain massive SPOILERS, which means you are allowed to read this, just in case if you haven’t seen it yet.
Good: The Opening sets up The Story.
Jackie Chan & Chris Tucker, both did a hilarious job on their performances as Lee & Carter.
The Chemistry between the duo felt organic in most buddy cop films due to Lee’s fish out of water experience in America and Carter having a hard time fleshing out his partnership with Lee.
The Tone for the film is a mix between seriousness and comedy, handled very carefully as a hybrid genre. For example, both Lee & Carter have unique introductions involving their careers as detectives.
Action Sequences and Stuntwork are naturally fast-paced, especially Chan doing his own stuns without a body double. He took a lot of effort coordinating all the action. He’s like a real life Spider-Man without the radioactive/genetically engineered spider bite.
Practical Effects were heavily used throughout the entire duration for the film. No C.G.I. was added after Post-Production, plain and simple.
Lee’s case is connected to his past, its a personal quest for him.
The song “War” is played in this film, the song was also featured in Small Soldiers. Both films came out the same year.
Funny Moments containing memorable dialogue, got me laughing out loud uncontrollably.
The Best Line in this movie has something to do with $50 million dollars.
An unexpected part got me laughing really hard with a kid cussing in the middle of a very important scene. Ain’t gonna tell you who it is.
One character mentions John Wayne. In Shanghai Noon, (another Jackie Chan related film) one of the main characters is named after him.
I’m not gonna lie, a Dr. Phil look-alike is in this movie in a Supporting Role along with a generic brand featuring a Ed Harris look-alike with hair.
Outtakes/Bloopers are shown during the end credits with the cast having a fun time making this movie without any on set problems like Christian Bale yelling at a crew member on the set of Terminator: Salvation or Russell Crowe acting like a male diva.
Bad: Product Placement of the following brands including, Miller Lite, United Airlines, & Pepsi. Thank goodness there wasn’t that much brands used heavily in one scene after another. If Michael Bay directed the picture, I would’ve given this con a point down.
Certain Buddy Cop Cliches are often used for pivotal plot points. I didn’t mind some, they were used effectively. I’ll also give this con a pass.
The Final Verdict: A FOR APEX!
This is perhaps one of the best Buddy Cop movies of all time. I hope one day, Rush Hour 4 will finally start development when the time is right for the duo. If you have never ever ever seen this film, I strongly recommend it. You won’t waste your valuable time. Trust me.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 