Cast: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Tom Wilkinson, Elizabeth Pena, Chris Penn
Director: Brett Ratner
Billed as "the fastest hands in the East versus the biggest mouth in the West," Rush Hour lives up to its promise.
This is lightweight, wisecracking, kick-butt action at its best - and it's funny.
The plot is merely
a vehicle for showcasing Chan's blistering action sequences, which have made him a legend in Hong Kong and Hollywood cinema, and Tucker's Eddie Murphy-style comic ravings.
The pair bounce off one another physically and verbally, giving Rush Hour its pace and non-stop humour.
When the young daughter of a Chinese diplomat stationed in the United States is kidnapped, the diplomat calls in his top Hong Kong detective, Lee (Chan), much to the chagrin of the FBI.
Determined that the Asian import has no part in the case, the FBI calls in Los Angeles Police Department detective Carter (Tucker) to keep him at bay.
The arrogant Carter, mistakenly believing this mission is his entry into the FBI, sums up their working relationship to Lee: "I'm Michael Jackson - you're Tito."
But after a series of encounters with bad guys which include bar stools, pool cues, lots of kicks, jumps, rolls and sidesteps, the pair realise it's better to work together than against each other.
The combination of Chan and Tucker and the obvious enjoyment the pair had in making the film, not to mention the oh-so-slick action sequences (kids: do not try these at home) take Rush Hour beyond the standard buddy-cop film.* * * *
--Naomi Larkin, Weekend TimeOut
