CCC Reviews

Rush Hour 2

Three years after the phenomenal success of the original film, Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker are back reprising the roles that made this dynamic duo so great. Picking up where they left off in the original with Detective Carter (Tucker) going to Hong Kong on vacation with Inspector Lee (Chan), we are re-introduced to the team in a similar style paying homage to the first Rush Hour. The pair are driving down the streets of Hong Kong singing to The Beach Boys' California Girls.

This time around, it isn't just the pair that we have to worry about. Often times stealing the screen, at times because of their acting skills but more for their beauty. One is the Latino Agent Isabella Molina (Roselyn Sanchez) who seeks Lee and Carter's assistance on a counterfeiting ring. The other is the exotic but dangerous Hu Li (Ziyi Zhang) who is the right hand of former Inspector Ricky Tan.

Tan, who happens to be the former partner and murderer of Lee's father has gotten hold of the one US money press that has left the country. He also managed to get official printing plates and has begun to make millions of counterfeit money. He is fast becoming the most powerful among the Triad.

This film delivers solid energy and comedy through it's entirety. The workings of Carter and Lee's relationship becomes more evident. Although they both get on the other's nerves, they are such a phenomenal team together. We also have a window opened to the past of Inspector Lee.

The martial arts and stunt sequences are well thought out and well executed. While not nearly as challenging as SuperCop or as impressive as The Legend of Drunken Master. The end result is good, especially with Tucker joining in on the action.

The comedy is where this film shines. Chan has become quite a comedian when he has Tucker to feed off of. Tucker is as annoying as ever (Maybe not as much as in The Fifth Element) but his comedy is witty and high pitched. There's also the hilarious Jeremy Piven making a small appearance as a gay tailor in Las Vegas.

This movie is a total treat to see. Fans of the original will love it, due to the homage it pays to it. Newcomers will love it because of the non-stop energy that pushes through. It looks as if Rush Hour 3 is a possibility as well, perhaps this will be the successor to Lethal Weapon or Die Hard.

Scores for Rush Hour 2
RyoKazama534: - "Why is Ziyi Zhang always a psycho?"
Jaxx321:

Cast
Detective Inspector Lee - Jackie Chan
Detective James Carter - Chris Tucker
Ricky Tan - John Lone
Hu Li - Ziyi Zhang
Agent Isabella Molina - Roselyn Sanchez
Steven Reign - Alan King
Agent Sterling - Harris Yulin
Las Vegas Tailor - Jeremy Piven

Crew
Director - Brett Ratner
Characters - Ross LaManna
Writer - Jeff Nathanson
Producer - Roger Birnbaum
Producer - Jonathan Glickman
Producer - Arthur Sarkissian
Producer - Jay Stern
Executive Producer - Andrew Davis
Original Music - Lalo Schifrin
Cinematography - Matthew Leonetti
Film Editing - Mark Helfrich
Casting - Matthew Barry
Casting - Nancy Green-Keyes