When the first "Rush Hour" came out it was a pleasant surprise. Nobody really expected it to make as much money as it did. At that time, Jackie Chan's movies in Hong Kong were better than his Hollywood vehicles and Christ Tucker was a little known comic. The movie was funny as hell and had great action. Then came "Rush Hour 2," which upped the action and the comedy. At that time, it would appear as though the buddycop film was making a comeback. Not since the first three "Lethal Weapon" movies had that genre been this much fun. Prior to "The Simpson's Movie," "Rush Hour 2" was the highest grossing comedy. So to say that my hopes were high for "Rush Hour 3" is an understatement.
"Rush Hour 3" opens with James Carter (Chris Tucker) on traffic duty, which is exactly where we could see this guy going after the crazy police work he has done in the past. Lee (Jackie Chan) on the other hand is also in Los Angeles escorting his old friend, Ambassador Han. Han has some important information regarding the Triads, and he shares this info with the World Criminal Court. While making a speech, he is shot. So Lee and Carter once again reunite to fulfill the request of Han's daughter, Soo Yung, to find the man responsible. Turns out the one responsible works for the Triads and is none other than Lee's brother. Yes, that's right, the brother that was never mentioned in any of the other films. So Lee and Carter head to Paris, where they are driven by George (Yvan Attal), a cab driver who hates Americans. So then we get some action, some loud mouth comedy, and some dancing, which are all capped off in the end by showing some hilarious outtakes.
The problem with "Rush Hour 3" is that it was the "Lethal Weapon 4" of the franchise. They had all the time in the world (six years to be exact) to get it right, and they failed. It did not feel like the same series. Do not get me wrong though. Chris Tucker was funny as hell, but that might have been the only redeeming quality. Jackie Chan was not given anything to do. At 53, Chan still looks good, but I figured due to his age he kept it quiet this time around. Wrong. Watch any of Chan's movies in the last few years ("Gorgeous," "The Myth" and "New Police Story") and you will see him still kicking ass like he was in his 20s. "Rush Hour 3" had no big action sequences. Nothing that really stood out.I was also a little put off by Jackie Chan this time around. I read an interview with him talking about how even though he and Chris Tucker are BFFs, Chan dislikes making "Rush Hour" movies period. He does them because his fans love them, and it keeps his exposure in the United States. Chan was okay in the movie, but I just felt bad for him because in a film like this his talents are wasted. Chris Tucker still has a lot of energy, and he brings it out here. He is still one of the funnier comedians working today, and I wish he did more than "Rush Hour" movies.
"Rush Hour 3" is a letdown for me. I wanted to love this movie as I love the first two, but it was too far off the mark for me. The chemistry between Tucker and Chan is there, and for that, I would see a "Rush Hour 4" (supposedly set in Africa), but I am hoping that if they do one more entry, they spend a little more time and effort. Trust me, do what I did after seeing this movie. Go out and buy some real Jackie Chan movies like "The Legend of Drunken Master," "Operation Condor," and "Mr. Nice Guy." 
4 comments:
Well HWAV, I must I slightly disagree with you. Having watched the first 2 movies over again, I think the Magic you refer too is the newness (if that's a word) of the films. Waiting 6 years for a movie not too dissimilar than the previous entries will likely let down some, while the majority will eat this up.
I think that’s what part of the problem is, this cookie cutter sequel is made for the masses. The ones who want to go to see this movie because they know they’ll laugh, they won’t have to think, & the funniest part of the movie will be the outtakes at the end. Think back to the first 2 movies. The plot isn’t deeper than the kiddy pool & I think this movie just suffers from being the 3rd in the series.
I disagree that Jackie wasn’t given anything to do. The man is 53 & is finally using stunt doubles for himself. I give him props for making it that far, but time catches us all. The movie revolved around his past & was centered on him. Tucker was there for the laughs but Chan was the one the paper thin plot revolved around.
I’ll say this. See the movie, but just as you enter the theater, shut off your brain. This, like the other Rush Hour Films, has villains you can see a mile away & a plot that you’ll have guess about 5 minutes into it. In the end, that’s not so bad, so sit back, laugh & enjoy…
~Tario
Terrible sequel is what it comes down to. Chan's age doesn't have shit to do with anything, and had you have been a big boy and read the article, you would have seen me point out that Chan has done recent films without a stunt double, and with a lot more action. In this movie, he was not given any big action sequences. Nothing that even remotely resembled the action of the first two films.
Shutting your brain off works for Transformers because its the first in the series. Not Rush Hour, a film that MUST measure up to the first two in some way, shape, or form. This one did none of that.
I can't give Brett Ratner my money.
The Bourne Ultimatum > This and Transformers
GO SEE THAT!
Okay, I have to call BS a bit because he IS using stunt doubles for his films even in Hong Kong. I read an interview with the man himself stating so.
The Rush Hour Movies have never been about big action sequences. I think, like many, that your expectations were too high for a film that was never "smart" to begin with. Perhaps that's why Transformers was welcomed by so many. Low expections going in, & then finding that it exceeded your expectations puts it up higher for you.
For me, the movie was exactly what I expected it would be. It was fun, & ultimately, forgettable. There's nothing wrong with that because I don't ever expect the 3rd film in a series to somehow revolutionize the genre it's in. Very few Film Series do.
~Tario
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