The 313 Second Movie Review: "Rush Hour 3"

Thought I forgot to do something, didn't you? Guess again. Welcome back to the 313 Second Movie Review. As you may know, I am your host, Tom. So as the summer movie season wraps up really soon, I got help but feel a little sad that I'll be taking a little time off. In the meantime, I thought I should fill you guys in with points about the latest movies. So, here it is, my review of "Rush Hour 3." The film stars Jackie Chan as Chief Inspector Lee, and Chris Tucker as Detective James Carter. I'm pretty sure you've all seen the previous "Rush Hour" movies, so I see no need to hit rewind. As the movie kicks off, Carter was demoted to directing traffic in Los Angeles. It may sound like the bottom of the food chain, but Carter makes it work to his advantage as a means to hit on women. But as he's about to scoop up a couple of ladies, he was forced to respond to an emergency call. And of all the gin joints in the world, he meets at the fictional World Court, reuniting him with his old buddy Lee. Lee was loyally accompanying his client and friend, Ambassador Han (remember his role in the first flick), who's at the court headed by Varden Reynard, a high-ranking diplomat. Han's job was to testify before the court to solve a long-running mystery, discover the identity of the leader of the real-life mob known as the Triads, who have terrorized China since the 1500's and have spread their power around the world. Of course, the Triads are interested in making sure that never happens and gun down and wound Han before he can spill the beans. Lee takes to the congested Los Angeles freeway system to hunt the triggerman, Kenji. He had Kenji cornered, but was unable to pull the trigger. Part of which is that Carter arrives and accidentally allows the fugitive an escape route. Though angry with each other, Han's daughter, who went from innocent 11-year-old kidnap victim in the original to a "Damn, I feel guilty" hottie, convinces Carter and Lee to track down the men responsible. First stop is a martial arts studio, where Lee and Carter duo with a man large enough to squash the cops with his feet (he's played by the third-tallest man in China and the eighth-tallest man in the world). The evidence they collect there guides them to Paris. The local cops are rude to them (please, Jackie and Chris, just KO that scumbag Polanski). Their cabbie is highly critical of American culture. Kenji gives them the slip over and over again. Even worst, we find that there is a long history between Lee and Kenji. Needless to say, Paris for Lee and Carter isn't as fun for them as it was for me. One thing they do discover is that an erotic dancer, Genevieve, has the secret that could seriously cripple the Triads' worldwide operations. It's up to Lee and Carter to protect the femme fetale Genevieve from the Triads. Some may argue that the bloopers and outtakes are the best part of the movie, but that is not true. At 53, Chan still kicks butt like the best of them. Concerns about how well he would perform, which have been circling all around about older action stars like Schwarzenegger (pre-governor), Willis, Stallone, and Ford, are answered with great positveness. Jackie Chan still executes martial arts with the skill that made him an international star. Tucker has learned some new skills. He still does his Michael Jackson dancing down to a T. But now he has martial arts down well and has even mastered the Chinese film standard of sliding along the floor firing automatic pistols. Even though the chases, fights, and shoot-outs are great, the chemistry between the two actors is still as strong as ever. Even though it's been six years since "Rush Hour 2," it appears that companionship of Tucker and Chan has failed to wear. As for the plot, I must say it was well-designed, providing for the standard laughs between the fights and once again throws a twist that nobody sees coming. Rush on over and see it, guys. It's worth money.

My time's up, you've been great. For the road: Ne-Yo "Do You"