(this is a re-write of the first review of Rush Hour)
Rush Hour was Jackie Chans' first American-made movie in nearly 13 years. He gave up on the American market after the bomb of The Protector, the horrible movie that Jackie never should have had to waste his talent in making. However, Bret Ratner directed this movie, and had a respect for Jackie, and gave him freedom to have a say in the action sequence. Jackie Chan is paired up with Chris Tucker, the hilarious, fast- talking actor that was in Money Talks, also directed by Brett Ratner, and appeared in The Fifth Element. In these movies he seemed annoying, but in Rush Hour, you kind of get used to it. The plot of Rush Hour is that the young daughter of the Chinese Consul is kidnapped, and the Consul wants Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) to help with the case. The FBI doesn't want Lee budding in, and they get the LAPD cop Detective Carter, to keep Lee out of the way. Carter is furious for being put on the pathetic case, and vows to solve the case himself. Lee and Carter don't get along at all, with Lee running off whenever Carter turns around, just like a toddler. Carter and Lee eventually get hot on the trail of the kidnapper, and well, guess how it ends...
Rush Hour had a good mix of action and comedy. Many people complain about the lack of fighting and action in this film, but for me I didn't mind so much. Chris and Jackie are so great together on screen. If you see it in the theater, you should rent it when it comes to the video store, because the audience is laughing so hard after a joke or gag that you won't be able to hear anything for a minute or two. If you have the chance to rent or see this film in the theater, do yourself a favor and go see it again and again. I give Rush Hour an 8 and a half out of ten.