Summer Cinema: ‘Rush Hour 2’
Every once in a while I experience sensory overload, and want nothing more to be entertained without worrying about plot and originality. Thankfully, “Rush Hour 2” was nice enough to fill that void and bring me back up to speed.
The sequel is nothing new from the original: same characters, same plot ideas, same impossible Jackie Chan stunts, same Chris Tucker jokes. But even though the film lacks creativity and ingenuity, it is still fun in a mindless sort of way.
Chris Tucker’s character (Carter) has come to Hong Kong on vacation but ends up getting caught up in one of Chief Inspector Lee’s (Jackie Chan) cases.
It seems a group called the Triad have bombed the U.S. Embassy killing two translators. And their ringleader conveniently happens to be the man who killed Lee’s father.
Newcomer Zhang Ziyi (“Crouching Tiger”) also joins the film as a member of the Triad. Unfortunately she and Chan never face off which I hoped would be the high point of the movie.
Tucker added in his usual Asian slurs which are tired and old. Chan’s stunts are amazing as always (what can’t that man do?) Basically if you liked the first film you’ll love this one – it’s basically a rehash of the first film in a new location.
The film seems to be one large cliché including a cameo by Jeremy Piven as a gay fashion designer in Las Vegas who decks the duo out in alligator skin suits.
Perhaps the most enjoyable part of the film (as is always the case with Jackie Chan films) was the out-takes during the credits. In fact, no one even got up to leave the theater until they were over. Talk about dedicated Jackie Chan fans.
So if like me you need a night of mindless entertainment, the “rush Hour 2” will be a great film to see. If you’re looking for cultural enlightenment or a well-made film, you’d be better off renting “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.”
Grade: B-