RUSH HOUR 3: MINUS 4 STARS
It’s been almost ten years since the original Rush Hour graced theatres. Today the third (and hopefully final installment) hits the circuit a full six years since part two. Has it been worth the wait? Nope, but it’s not like people have been holding their breath eagerly awaiting Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan to once again light up the screen.
It seems strange that this movie should be coming out now. The last two were successful movies, but why the gap? The years have not been kind to the franchise. Chan’s legendary athletic skills have clearly been diminished by time and Tucker’s appearance, it’s his first movie since Rush Hour 2, will undoubtedly make people wonder why we thought he was funny in the first place.
Chan and Tucker reprise their roles as LAPD Detective James Carter and Chinese Chief Inspector Lee. This time out the not-so-dynamic duo must travel to Paris to battle the Triads and save the life of a beautiful woman. Along the way they’ll tell jokes that were past their due date when Hope and Crosby used them, perform watered down stunts that were better and more exciting the first two times we saw them in Rush Hours 1 and 2 and waste the talents of legendary cinema icons Max Von Sydow and Roman Polanski, both of whom are seriously out of place in this mess.
Rush Hour 3 feels like a cynical money grab by people who should know better. They’ve had half a decade to write, produce and direct this sequel and this is the best they can do? It’s embarrassing.
My seatmate leaned over to me and whispered in my ear, “This is the death of cinema” as Roman Polanski made his cameo. I don’t think cinema is dead, but if this movie represents the state of its health, it needs to book a check up immediately.
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