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Rush Hour 2
Review by Mike Furches (Mike's bio)
Det. Inspector Lee: Jackie Chan
Det. James Carter: Chris Tucker
Ricky Tan: John Lone
Hu Li: Zhang Ziyi
Steven Reign: Alan King
New Line Cinema presents a film directed by Brett Ratner. Written by Jeff Nathanson, based on the characters created by Ross La Manna. Running time: 120 minutes.
Rated PG-13 (for action violence, language and some sexual material).
Before I start this particular review, understand that I really enjoyed the first Rush Hour movie and really liked the teaming of Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan. I am a big Jackie Chan fan and really enjoyed the chemistry between the two in the first film. I have appreciated many of Jackie Chan's recent films over the last 6 years due in large part to the support of family, good guy vs. bad guy themes, and the positive role model he has played for children. There are a lot of reasons Jackie Chan is one of the world's most popular actors. His characters, good writing, and his stunts are partially responsible for that.
Rush Hour 2 has Inspector Lee, played by Jackie Chan and Det. James Carter, played by Chris Tucker in Hong Kong. This is a reversal from the first film which found Inspector Lee in Los Angeles on Detective Carter's "turf." While there are some fun scenes in trying to see Detective Carter adapt to Hong Kong, the chemistry between the two that existed in the first film always seems to fall just short. Even after traveling back to the United States and ending up in Las Vegas the story line does not improve and both characters still seem out of place.
Rush Hour 2 is about a number of things, but the bottom line, I believe, is the chemistry that exists between two separate individuals, from two separate cultures. Despite the differences that exist between the individuals and the cultures, there is still a possibility of a lasting friendship. The film also shows in numerous ways how following the wrong advice for the wrong reasons can get you into all kinds of trouble. Throughout the film both characters find themselves in situations that could have been avoided if there had been more of an effort to not only get to know each other, but to have ultimately respected each other and the knowledge the other possessed. Throughout the film we see and hope that real friendship is more than what is offered here. While there is a concern for each other, seldom do we see a compassion that offers unconditional love, acceptance or belief.
Rush Hour 2 is a retelling of some of the concepts included in The Fiddler on the Roof. (Bet you never thought you would hear that comparison.) In many ways individuals get so caught up in their culture and traditions that they refuse to see the power of real love and respect for each other. From that perspective, and with that thought Rush Hour 2 is worth seeing. This is a concept that goes back to the days of, The Odd Couple, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, and even beyond that. Rush Hour 2, as do all of these type of films, plays on the humor to some extent while at the same time addressing real social issues of acceptance.
Despite the aspects of the first Rush Hour concept that were so promising, and despite the fact that Tucker and Chan are generally fun to watch together on screen, I was very disappointed in this film. Including many of the old Jackie Chan flicks filmed entirely for the Asian audience, this movie had the fewest action sequences and lost a great deal of the wonderful dialog that has existed in any other Jackie Chan movies I have seen, by the way over 20. Some of the fun from past Jackie Chan films is seeing his characters, who at times resemble Charlie Chaplain's awkward grace, defeat his attackers with awesome and humorous forms of martial arts. Unfortunately we see little of that here. As a result Jackie gives the audience little to root for, relate to, and the numerous and unbelievable stunts that are a Jackie Chan trademark are all but non existent. The understanding here is that the American movie company wanted to save on cost and thus reduced the number of stunts due to their desire to save on insurance costs. Jackie Chan has been outspoken that he was opposed to this. Unfortunately with Rush Hour 2 having the largest box office opening ever for a comedy, the producers and movie company have already made their money back and won't learn any lessons from this mistake. I only hope that for the sequel of Shanghai Noon currently being made, the producers and director won't make the same mistake.
Chris Tucker continues to be funny when not allowed to over act but the scenes with the best humor, the karaoke bar, are some of the shortest and least developed scenes in the film. There are other scenes that are way overdone. His scene at the craps table in the casino takes away from the character and tend to make him obnoxious. I don't know who is responsible for this aspect of the film, Tucker, or the director Brett Ratner, but the bottom line is that it detracts from the film and gets beyond the point of being funny to the point of being obnoxious. The theater I saw the film in was sold-out and it was surprising at the silence that filled the theater during many of the comedy scenes with Tucker. Simply put, he just was not funny, and this is not a good formula for a movie billed as an action-comedy.
Relationships and acceptance of others from various cultures are both deserving themes within this or any movie. While Rush Hour 2 attempts to address some of those themes I left the theater feeling disappointed. I have expected more from Jackie Chan over the years and this time I was let down. That does not mean I will lose respect for him. He has a pretty good track record as far as I am concerned and I have the hope and belief that he will, bounce back. Would I see a third Rush Hour? The answer is probably yes, but I would definitely wait and view the film first before seeing taking my son to see it, or I might just wait until the discount movie houses or video, especially if the same direction was involved.
On a scale of 1 - 10 the film falls just off the air mattress. 4
Copyright 2001, Mike Furches. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
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About Mike Furches: Mike is the senior pastor of United at the Cross Community Church in Wichita, Kansas. The church, located in the inner city of Wichita has a unique ministry to former gang members, drug addicts, prostitutes and others often neglected by the church. Mike also is involved in freelance writing and speaks nationally. Check out his web page for more information: http://www.furches.org/ E-mail Mike |
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