Film Review: Rush Hour

The films begins in two places simultaneously, Hong Kong and Los Angeles, both designed to showcase the ‘would be’ partners independently in their natural element. The Hong Kong segment is particularly interesting because it sets up the dynamics involved around the reversion of Hong Kong from British rule to the Chinese state. Jackie Chan is a top detective, Inspector Lee who is the trusted friend and confidant of diplomat, Consul Han (Tzi Ma) and his daughter Soo Yung (Julia Iisu) who are moving to America where Han is to begin a new diplomatic career. Chris Tucker is a renegade detective, James Carter, who has a penchant for doing things his way and a dream of one day becoming an FBI agent.

The two are thrown together after Soo Yung is kidnapped in America. Consul Han insist on having Inspector Lee bought over from Hong Kong to assist in the investigation. Unable to deny his request because of his diplomatic ties, the FBI reluctantly allows Lee on US soil, but partners him with Detective Carter(Chris Tucker) to distract him from getting in their way. The two meet and instantly hate each other making for an interesting mix of personalities I think you’ll love. Even through their dislike and obvious cultural differences, Tucker and Chan eventually learn to respect and actually care for each other. The rest of the film is Chris and Jackie outwitting the kidnappers, avoiding the LAPD and the FBI as the two of them are hot on the trail to finding the Han’s missing daughter.

The movie is a well crafted series of scenes that lead you through the fight to avoid each other and the fight to find the little girl with Chris Tucker’s motivation being to show them all, and Jackie Chan’s mission being one to save his friends daughter. The martial arts is fantastic as only Jackie Chan can do it. One of the funniest and best scenes of the film involve Inspector Lee(Chan) fighting his way around the FBI while handcuffed to a steering wheel. You’ll love it.

Chris Tucker is fully half of this film. He is not the underdog, supporting actor, or any of that. Tucker isan essential part of the main show and one that you will appreciate. His high pitched whine coupled with his sharp wit will have you laughing in the isles. Oddly though, something phenomenal comes shining through the quips, outburst, and haggles, … truth. I found myself listening not just to how Tucker expressed himself, but what he said. I found tidbits of truth, especially interracial truth, tastefully tossed out there in ways that is rare for film today. No, there were no sermonettes, just interesting facets about society you have always suspected, but were unsure if anyone else noticed them.

The chase scenes were fist rate and the antics of Chris Tucker in his old black Vette were particularly satisfying. The family filmgoer with find the language only slightly less objectionable than Money Talks, Tucker’s 1997 comedy/adventure. He and Chan demonstrate a chemistry that has only occurred a few times in film history. It’s no question, we WILL see these two together again. The score was expected and adequate with no surprises. The music kept the pacing right on target. In fact, the music did what most movie music doesn’t do. The music does not get in the way or distract from the fresh imagery on the screen. The script was eloquently written by Ross LaManna(story) and Jim Kouf. The dialogue was essential and only peppered with what was needed to connect the dots between what was happening on the screen and the fast paced action between the characters. It was fresh and made this movie a lot of fun and a treat to watch. One more oddity about the writing; when I see a film like this, and I see Chris Tucker perform par excell’ance , I wonder if all of his lines are written or adlibbed from general notes. By the way, stay for the end credits. There are some really funny outtakes that demonstrate how difficult this film was to produce and how really well Chris and Chan got along. You’ll find yourself smiling in blushing laughs as you watch two great actors interact.

Lastly there’s Elizabeth Peria playing the part of Tania Jackson, a rookie bomb squad technician who works with Detective Carter. Carter needles her, cajoles her, and eventually needs her. She puts in a solid performance and causes us to appreciate how fundamentally tough police work is. Typically we always see the ‘tough’ guy persona associated with being a cop. Liz Peria demonstrates through careful acting how cops are folks just like you and I. Liz is a rising star. Keep your eye on her name. I mentioned earlier that this signaled the emergence of two new super stars. You should know that Jackie Chan has been a super star in the Asian markets for almost two decades. Rush Hour is his third American film behind, Mr. Nice Guy, First Strike, and Rumble in the Bronx. It’s nice to see his work here in the ‘States’ without subtitles.

So now we are down to the question: to see or not to see. The answer is really quite simple. If you like comedy, drama, suspense, mystery, martial arts, combined with a great story that’s beautiful photographed, then Yes! If on the other hand you do not want to be entertained, amused, laughed at, laughed with, and generally enjoy yourself, then do not see this film because it will make even the most depressed drooling frown turn into a bright upturned smile. Rush Hour, a really good fun movie.

See you at the movies