Rush Hour 3 (2007)

So, Agent Carter is the actual worst (here’s a Triad for you: racist, sexist, and obnoxious!), and Agent Lee’s straight man doesn’t offer enough in the way of countering his shit this time around, so with the trilogy’s now completely uninspired lead duo, it’s harder than ever to stay engaged with the uninteresting and unintelligible detective plot, especially when Chan’s action sequences feel fewer and farther between and the translating nun is the only good comedy bit worth mentioning.

2

Rush Hour 2 (2001)

Casual racism and sexism aren’t funny (oh look, two grown men excitedly spying on a woman undressing.. hilarious), and a few scenes aside (see Carter’s commotion at the craps table) that accounts for all the humour of the film, tainting the otherwise charming odd-couple dynamic of 7-11 Carter and “student doing all the work on the group project” Lee. Elsewhere, the plot is fairly forgettable detective fodder but populated by lots of fun action sequences (highlighted by Chan’s incredible skills).

4

Rush Hour (1998)

Two cops team up to get back a kidnapped daughter. (IMDb)

A typical and bland buddy cop vs. terrorist plot here is redeemed by Tucker and Chan’s entertaining odd couple; with the former’s rapid-fire high-pitched vocal antics, Chan’s awesome martial arts stunt work and even a few charming one-liners, and some fun moments shared between the two of them (the “War” sing along is great), Rush Hour never bores, despite its mediocre story and minimal character development.

6.5/10 (Alright)