Rush Hour (1998)


RUSH HOUR put me to sleep.  Admittedly, it was 9:30 on a school 
night, so I guess some of the blame is mine...  Here's what I ob-
served, through increasingly droopy eyelids:  an impossibly good 
chemistry between the leads; the first hour plays like Jackie Chan 
lite, allowing the diminutive action hero to strut his far less-
appreciated acting ability; Chris Tucker's a tough sell as a de-
tective, but his mile-a-minute mouth goes an awfully long way; the 
lovely Elizabeth Pena appears in a don't 'doo and wearing a perpet-
ual frown as Tucker's much-abused partner; THE FULL MONTY's Tom 
Wilkinson also appears, fully clothed; Lalo Schifrin's jazzy score 
scores; and the customary outtakes of Chan's do-it-yourself stunts 
are played over the closing credits.  As indicated by the jaw-drop-
ping first and second week numbers, this is probably the most pal-
atable of Chan's films to date.  (That is, to Yanks.)  I found it 
draggy and predictable, but, hey, I was half-asleep.  The house was 
packed and they roared when they should.  I guess that means it's a 
hit.  (Rated "R"/108 min.)

Grade: C

Copyright 1998 by Michael J. Legeros
Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros


Originally posted to triangle.movies as MOVIE HELL: September 28, 1998



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