Rush Hour 3

Year: 2007
Director: Brett Ratner
Cast: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Hiroyuki Sanada, Max Von Sydow, Yvan Attal, Noemie Lenoir

They're back again. In particular, Jackie Chan is back to the franchise that started his Hollywood success. His pairing with loudmouth Chris Tucker back in the first Rush Hour was a charm, and its sequel was equally good. So can this 3rd instalment live up to its predecessors?

This time around, Jackie's Inspector Lee is playing bodyguard to his superior, Ambassador Han. Han is addressing the World Criminal Court on the Chinese triads, when he is shot by an assassin. Lee gives chase, only to realise in horror that the assassin is his adopted brother, Kenji. Old buddy Carter, who is now a traffic cop, tries to intervene but fouls it up, allowing Kenji to escape.

Lee and Carter learn that the triads want Han dead because he possesses information on Shy Shen, a person who is very important to them (the triads). The duo trace a lead to Paris, where they must find a woman named Genevieve, and protect her before the triads get to her. However, it isn't as easy as it seems, with the French police captain giving them a hard time after they land, and the triads constantly trying to kill them. Thankfully, Lee and Carter get a little help from a French cabbie named George, who helps them on more than one occasion. Things get tricky when Kenji kidnaps Han's daughter, Soo Yung and forces the duo to exchange Genevieve with her.

It's been years since the first film was released, but the chemistry between Chan and Tucker is still intact. Their verbal banter is sure to bring many amusing moments. Check out the scene where they interrogate a triad member who only speaks French with the help of a French speaking nun. Hilarious. Chan of course, does most of the action scenes, and Tucker brings on the laughs, and they've both still got it. Yvan Attal however, steals the show as George the cabbie, who turns from disgusted driver to excited action hero. Unfortunately, Sanada, who did a great job in Sunshine, is quite one dimensional as the villain, Kenji.

You'll find this movie quite fun, but it suffers from lack of fresh ideas. Look closely and you'll see that this film borrows similar elements from the first two films' storylines. Even the action that Jackie does is limited this time around. I am not sure if this is due to him getting older, but it's just disappointing to see less of his trademark fights here. In fact, I'd say Tucker gets to do more in this instalment than Chan. Not that his antics are a bad thing, but I was hoping for a better balance of action and humour as in the first two films.

I had fun watching it, but I still prefer the first movie. But go see this anyway, you'll have a ball. And as usual, stay for the outtakes at the end. (3.5/5)