"Rush Hour 2" - Feels Kinda Slow by Homer Yen (c) 2001
What has fueled the excitement around "RH2"? Arguably, the team of Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan is the best cop/buddy combo since those guys from "Lethal Weapon." Summer moviegoers are looking for a fun time, which is almost guaranteed when you watch either of these two flamboyant stars. And, the first "RH" was so much fun that you can't help but have high expectations for this one.
With expectations as high as a mountain, it's almost impossible for a movie to overcome this kind of barrier. And this one can't, falling short on laughs and defining moments. In fact, many will think that the most memorable moments were the outtakes at the film's end and the cameo by actor Don Cheadle who speaks Cantonese and displays the Tiger Claw fighting style.
But the film is not all bad thanks to Chris Tucker, who as Detective James Carter, is the life of the party. In the film's first act, he's in Hong Kong visiting his old pal, Inspector Lee (Chan). However, Lee is always on the job and is currently trying to solve a recent bombing, suspected to have been carried out by Ricky Tan (John Lone), a notorious Triad gang leader.
Carter just wants to have a good time, and when he whoops it up at a Karaoke bar, Lee begs him to remain incognito for this is where Triad gang members tend to hang out. However, you just can't shut him up. "I'm from LA; we invented gangs," he says. Turning to the crowd, he screeches, "All the Triads and the ugly women on the left side, all the f-f-i-i-i-n-e women on the right side." Tucker's brassy demeanor, his down-with-it attitude and his cluelessness about the culture and the language make him hilarious to watch.
Unfortunately, after the first 30 minutes, our duo leaves Hong Kong and all the fun behind. The investigation leads them to Los Angeles and Las Vegas where it's Chan's turn to play the fish-out-of-water. But, he looks uncomfortable when speaking English and doesn't possess Tucker's insouciance. Chan seemed statelier and more at ease in the first "RH." His role was more dramatic in nature, and he didn't have to speak too much English. This film lightheartedly acknowledges Chan's broken English when he asks, "don't you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?" Tucker replies disgustedly, "don't nobody understand the words coming out your mouth!" Even the outtakes show many scenes where Chan is trying to force his English lines.
Also missing are the great stuntwork and fight sequences that are hallmarks of Chan's work. The only good sequence occurs early on where Chan goes against a cadre of gangsters atop rickety scaffolding several stories above. But the other sequences seemed tepid or looked cartoonish.
"RH2" is only marginally fun to watch while short on drama. Yet, it received so much press and hype that it succeeded in grossing over $69 million in its opening weekend. This is an incredible accomplishment! And considering the fact that August is the slowest of summer movie months (the previous opening record in August was "Sixth Sense" which took in about $27 mil.), moviegoers couldn't wait to see Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker reunite. But what's the hurry? "RH2" felt kinda slow.
Grade: B-
S: 1 out of 3 L: 1 out of 3 V: 1 out of 3
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