Rush Hour
4/4
Starring: Chris Tucker, Jackie Chan, Tom Wilkinson, Elizabeth Pena, Mark Rolston, Tzi Ma, Rex Linn, Ken Leung
Rated PG-13 for Sequences of Action/Violence and Shootings, and for Language
I have long defended films that use formulaic storylines as long as they are done well. "Rush Hour" is a perfect example. In fact, it uses so many conventions and formulas that the only originality came because a studio executive wasn't looking. Let's count them down, shall we? Buddy cop movie, culture clash, opposites attract, crime thriller 101, ludicrous stunts and special effects. This movie crosses every t and dots everyone i. Despite that, it packs enough laughs and thrills to satisfy even the most cynical of viewers. It's big time fun.
The daughter of a Chinese consul (Ma) has just been kidnapped. The FBI, led by Russ (Ralston) and Whitney (Linn), are on the case, but much to their shock and displeasure, the consul has already sent for the highly respected Detective Inspector Lee (Chan). The potential for disaster is not lost on Russ, who would like to avoid an international incident (surely the kidnapping of a Chinese diplomat on American soil would already be such, but never mind). So he has a motormouthed, obnoxious LAPD detective named Carter (Tucker) take babysitting duties. Carter's oversize ambition (and ego) won't take this lying down, so he decides to solve the case himself. But keeping an eye on Lee, who has his own ideas, is a full time job.
Plot-wise, there isn't an original idea in this movie. But that's fine. That leaves more time for the stunts and the laughs. And there are plenty of each. Jackie Chan is always reliable for his fast moves, and Chris Tucker is a riot whenever he appears on screen.
What's interesting is how their combined talents are used. Chan has a number of awesome fights and stunts (including one where he falls from a skyscraper), but what's interesting here is that his penchant for over-the-top action and goofiness is subdued. That leaves him an opportunity for more subtle forms of comedy (watch his smile as he gets off the plane in his first scene with Tucker...it's perfect) like reaction shots and wordplay. This is as much a battle of wits as a traditional blockbuster. Chan proves that he doesn't have to play a goof to get laughs.
As for his co-star, well, let's just say that Tucker goes full tilt. Director Brett Ratner lets him loose and he never stops. Carter is so cheerfully offensive and outrageous that you're surprised what he can get away with. Racial gags are one thing, but what makes him so funny is just how full of himself he is. Carter likes to work alone (naturally), so being saddled with a partner is not something that pleases him. "This is the United States of James Carter," he says at one point. "I'm the president, I'm the emperor, I'm the king." He, of course, grows to like Lee and having a partner. The amount of energy and verve Tucker brings is astonishing; he's a live wire.
Like all the best buddy movies, the chemistry between the stars is electric. Tucker and Chan play off each other perfectly, each bringing what the other needs. Of course, having a very funny screenplay helps (although Tucker does a lot of improvisation). But the film's biggest laughs (and there are many) are because they play off each other so well. The supporting actors, especially the late Elizabeth Pena, have some great moments ("Are you on drugs?"), but the film's best moments are when the two stars engage each other. Also worth mentioning is Julia Hsu, who plays the not-so-typical damsel in distress. She's one tough cookie when the situation calls for it.
"Rush Hour" does contain some of what made Jackie Chan famous around the world: elaborate action scenes. They're fun, although not as insane as his previous fare. That's okay, though. Having them be more grounded and "realistic" (as far as an action scene with Jackie can be realistic) grounds the film and allows the other elements of the film to work as well as they do. Still, they have a lot of energy and thrills, particularly the climax (Lee's quest to save a vase is pure Jackie, complete with the perfectly ironic ending).
This is not a "classic" movie in any sense of the word. It wasn't nominated for any Oscars (nor should it have been), and it will be a cold day in hell before it is rereleased as a part of the Criterion Collection. That's as it should be. "Rush Hour" has no aspirations to do anything other than entertain, and that is something that it does exceptionally well.
Starring: Chris Tucker, Jackie Chan, Tom Wilkinson, Elizabeth Pena, Mark Rolston, Tzi Ma, Rex Linn, Ken Leung
Rated PG-13 for Sequences of Action/Violence and Shootings, and for Language
I have long defended films that use formulaic storylines as long as they are done well. "Rush Hour" is a perfect example. In fact, it uses so many conventions and formulas that the only originality came because a studio executive wasn't looking. Let's count them down, shall we? Buddy cop movie, culture clash, opposites attract, crime thriller 101, ludicrous stunts and special effects. This movie crosses every t and dots everyone i. Despite that, it packs enough laughs and thrills to satisfy even the most cynical of viewers. It's big time fun.
The daughter of a Chinese consul (Ma) has just been kidnapped. The FBI, led by Russ (Ralston) and Whitney (Linn), are on the case, but much to their shock and displeasure, the consul has already sent for the highly respected Detective Inspector Lee (Chan). The potential for disaster is not lost on Russ, who would like to avoid an international incident (surely the kidnapping of a Chinese diplomat on American soil would already be such, but never mind). So he has a motormouthed, obnoxious LAPD detective named Carter (Tucker) take babysitting duties. Carter's oversize ambition (and ego) won't take this lying down, so he decides to solve the case himself. But keeping an eye on Lee, who has his own ideas, is a full time job.
Plot-wise, there isn't an original idea in this movie. But that's fine. That leaves more time for the stunts and the laughs. And there are plenty of each. Jackie Chan is always reliable for his fast moves, and Chris Tucker is a riot whenever he appears on screen.
What's interesting is how their combined talents are used. Chan has a number of awesome fights and stunts (including one where he falls from a skyscraper), but what's interesting here is that his penchant for over-the-top action and goofiness is subdued. That leaves him an opportunity for more subtle forms of comedy (watch his smile as he gets off the plane in his first scene with Tucker...it's perfect) like reaction shots and wordplay. This is as much a battle of wits as a traditional blockbuster. Chan proves that he doesn't have to play a goof to get laughs.
As for his co-star, well, let's just say that Tucker goes full tilt. Director Brett Ratner lets him loose and he never stops. Carter is so cheerfully offensive and outrageous that you're surprised what he can get away with. Racial gags are one thing, but what makes him so funny is just how full of himself he is. Carter likes to work alone (naturally), so being saddled with a partner is not something that pleases him. "This is the United States of James Carter," he says at one point. "I'm the president, I'm the emperor, I'm the king." He, of course, grows to like Lee and having a partner. The amount of energy and verve Tucker brings is astonishing; he's a live wire.
Like all the best buddy movies, the chemistry between the stars is electric. Tucker and Chan play off each other perfectly, each bringing what the other needs. Of course, having a very funny screenplay helps (although Tucker does a lot of improvisation). But the film's biggest laughs (and there are many) are because they play off each other so well. The supporting actors, especially the late Elizabeth Pena, have some great moments ("Are you on drugs?"), but the film's best moments are when the two stars engage each other. Also worth mentioning is Julia Hsu, who plays the not-so-typical damsel in distress. She's one tough cookie when the situation calls for it.
"Rush Hour" does contain some of what made Jackie Chan famous around the world: elaborate action scenes. They're fun, although not as insane as his previous fare. That's okay, though. Having them be more grounded and "realistic" (as far as an action scene with Jackie can be realistic) grounds the film and allows the other elements of the film to work as well as they do. Still, they have a lot of energy and thrills, particularly the climax (Lee's quest to save a vase is pure Jackie, complete with the perfectly ironic ending).
This is not a "classic" movie in any sense of the word. It wasn't nominated for any Oscars (nor should it have been), and it will be a cold day in hell before it is rereleased as a part of the Criterion Collection. That's as it should be. "Rush Hour" has no aspirations to do anything other than entertain, and that is something that it does exceptionally well.
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