Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW

Rush Hour 2

MPA Rating: PG-13-Rating (MPA) for action violence, language and some sexual material.

Reviewed by: Douglas Downs
STAFF WRITER

Moral Rating: Very Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Teen to Adult
Genre: Action Comedy
Length: 1 hr. 30 min.
Year of Release: 2001
USA Release: August 3, 2001
Relevant Issues
Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan in “Rush Hour 2”
Featuring Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, John Lone, Zhang Zi-Yi, Roselyn Sanchez
Director Brett Ratner
Producer Arthur Sarkissian, Roger Birnbaum, Jonathan Glickman, Jay Stern
Distributor
Distributor: New Line Cinema. Trademark logo.
New Line Cinema
, division of Warner Bros. Pictures
Jackie Chan in “Rush Hour 2”

“Rush Hour 2” is the sequel to Chan and Tucker’s 1998 hit action comedy. The original film was a good resumé builder for Chris Tucker, and the combination of Tucker and much-loved Jackie Chan was a big money maker for New Line Cinema. How could they resist a follow up pic?

While “Rush Hour” was a discouragement due to many negative elements, Chan shone in his typical fish-out-of-water role. But this time around it is Tucker who is out of sorts.

The story opens in Hong Kong where LAPD detective James Carter (Tucker) is on vacation visiting his friend Chief Inspector Lee (Chan). The only problem is that Lee is not on vacation. Several investigations occupy his attention. But in good natured style he isn’t rude and takes Detective Carter with him on assignment. This soon frustrates Carter who wants to find some women and have a good time.

When a bomb goes off in the US Embassy, misfits Carter and Lee find a common goal to work together in. Carter is so moved that two Americans were killed that he goes with Lee to a massage parlor (how touching). Lee learns that Triad gang leader Ricky Tan (John Lone) is behind the bombing. Tan is a former cop and his deceased father’s former partner. The two head off to investigate and solve the crime. The action bounces from Hong Kong to LA to Las Vegas (so much for Carter being out of his element). isn’t long before they uncover that Tan has an American connection. He is the wealthy casino owner Steven Reign (who Carter knows). I know… it’s a small world.

This extremely contrived follow-up includes several wrecks and casualties. There are many rubber neckers who love Jackie. Mr. Chan is often fun to watch on the big screen. This time poor story and a partner who quickly becomes the Weakest Link total his talents. He is strongly opposed to bloody violence in films. Jackie, who was caned and abused as a child, was strongly influenced by the slapstick films of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. He has given the Kung Fu films of the 60’s and 70’s a whole new style. His characters often carry a strong on screen innocence. Chan said that he likes the “Rush Hour” films because he always wanted to be a singer. I don’t think he can sing, but he always gets our attention with the quick kicks and jabs.

There are breakdowns in almost every lane of this story being trafficked by Jeff Nathanson. The first flat tire is Carter’s preoccupation with women. It is so adolescent that it could be laughable if it wasn’t so sad. The next casualty happens with the glorification of voyeurism. The pile-up occurs with giving Carter’s character permission to have a fixation on race. I did not hear the audience laugh at any racial jokes. Sorry, the Emperor does not have new clothes. Finally, the two women in the story are only there as window dressing. Roselyn Sanchez is given the role of an undercover cop, but only seems to be present to stir up the testosterone level in the theater. The level of the silly and ridiculous takes place when Sanchez flashes her tiny badge pinned to her bra strap (how cute). Ziyi Zhang (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”) may be talented as a martial arts fighter, but her character is like paper mache as crime lord hit man (or in this case “hit woman”). You don’t even get the satisfaction of a villain that incites concern for our odd couple heroes.

I know that the action hungry Lemmings helped this film to open at nearly $70 million. Just a word to the wise: there is a traffic jam ahead and you may want to take another exit. Our children and youth would do better to not see what’s up ahead in “Rush Hour 2”.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
I felt that RH2 was on the whole better than the first, Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan make a great team and the laughs hardly stopped. The movie contained hardly any cussing and the action sequences between the duo and the what I felt should be called the “Chinese Mafia” was very well choreographed and as always Tucker gets himself into trouble and its up to Lee (Chan) to save him, in one or two instances Tucker unwittingly saves Jackie and I feel that the movie was a good entertainment investment.
My Ratings: [Average / 3]
James, age 17
Rush Hour 2 had a funny moment or two—most of which are because of racial stereotype jokes. The fight scenes were impressive, as Jackie Chan fight scenes usually are. But I counted about 50 curse words and 5 uses of the Lord’s name in vain. The best, funniest scenes to me were the outtakes at the end. Overall, I would say that I didn’t hate this movie, but as a Christian I’m sure the day will come when I do not spend good money to be “entertained” by cursing, fighting, bikini-clad women, and mindless plots. And if Christ would have caught me in that theater, I would have truly been embarrassed. Oh, wait. He did catch me. The Lord sees all!
My Ratings: [Very Offensive / 3]
Rena, age 35
Neutral—Rush Hour 2 had some good points. Most of which were the outtakes and some of the jokes. But I think they were a little excessive with the women. Personally, I thought that there wasn’t really a plot—basically they chased these guys around then killed them or their enemies killed themselves. I can’t really say it had me on the edge of my seat either. I would not recommend this movie. Rush Hour was much better, and Shang Hi Noon was even better.
My Ratings: [Very Offensive / 2]
Frank, age 13
There’s no rush to “Rush Hour 2.” The story is formulaic and an old one—very stereotypical. The original didn’t enticed me, neither the sequel. “Shangai Noon” is still the best of Jackie Chan’s crossover films.
My Ratings:
My Ratings: [Average / 2]
Mang, age 29
My daughter and I couldn’t wait to see it… boy, were we shocked and VERY disappointed! There was so much crudeness and sexuality. Carter’s obsession with women’s bodies and money was sad. Plus, as being Jackie Chan fans, we were very dismayed while Jackie watched a woman get undressed and whispered that she should undress slower. Yes, there were funny parts… but the sexuality was just too much. Many of the suppose-to-be “funny” scenes revolved around sexuality; such as in the massage parlor when Tucker is choosing the women: One lifts up her breast, another shows her cleavage… and this is supposed to be Funny? Highly offensive, Save your money.
My Ratings:
My Ratings: [Extremely Offensive / 1½]
Terrilynn, Jaclyn, age 40, 16
This was the funniest movie I have seen in a while, but if you are offended by violence then you should know better than to see it in the first place. There are a few scenes of sensuality but nothing strong. There is also a flash of buttocks but this is in the midst a fight scene and not at all sexual. it’s a typical Jackie Chan movie where Jackie Chan is the underdog who fights against all the bad guys against all odds. He, of course, wins in the end, despite being worked against and tied up at many points. It is a very funny movie, better than the first. If you liked the first, you like this one more. If you didn’t like the first, you probably won’t like this one any better.
My Ratings: [Average / 5]
DebraLynn Mims, age 26
I love Rush Hour 2! It was better than the 1st one! There is some cursing in it but not half as much as the first movie. I really liked this plot better. There is some sensuality in it. It shows a woman take off her robe and it shows her in her bra and panties although its not some skimply bra and panties. Its very brief and to the point. All in all this movie was hysterical and I can honestly say if you can take about 12 or so curse words than you will love this movie!
My Ratings: [Average / 3½]
Matt Gray, age 21
I’ve seen this movie 3 times already! This was so far, the best comedy since Happy Gilmore, I liked this better than the first Rush Hour. Theres not as much language in this one. (“Rush Hour 1” 6 GD, 7 or 8 S__’s, 10 H__’s and D__’s, 8 B___’s.) (“Rush Hour 2” 2 GD’s, 3 or 4 S__’s, 5 B___’s, about 5 H__’s and D__’s.) YOU DECIDE! This one had better action too, a whole lot better stunts, funnier lines, laugh-out-loud scenes, if you want to save your money on a real good action comedy this year “Rush Hour 2” is the one to use it on!
My Ratings: [Average / 4]
Davie Powers, age 13
I very much enjoyed the masterfully coordinated plot, stunts, and humor of this movie. There were a couple short instances that were not morally redeeming, but the movie was far from offensive in my opinion. If you like Jackie Chan, go for it.
My Ratings: [Average / 4]
Caleb, age 16
I thought Rush Hour 2 was better then the first. Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan definitely have something going for them. Rush Hour 2 just may be the next Lethal Weapon series. …I recommend this action comedy to anyone who liked the first one or likes to have a good laugh. Also, Rush Hour 2 has only about half as much swearing as the first one. This was a very good movie.
My Ratings: [Average / 3½]
Aaron Arneson, age 16
I thought Rush Hour 2 was better than the first movie. Yes, the movie did have some sensuality in it as well as some racial stereo types but beyond that, the movie was very enjoyable.
My Ratings: [Average / 4½]
John Traylor, age 36
…tons of funny parts lots of action and kewl stunts. a bit of the nude. but not much. not like Jackie Chan hasn’t shown his bum on the big screen before. it has a bit of cussing. nothing too evil…
My Ratings: [4½]
Amanda
Recently, we Rushed to see Rush Hour 2; our whole family being Jackie Chan fans. We had to admit that it was better than the first (rather forgettable) Rush Hour 1. The plot in this sequel is funny, action packed and very creative. We enjoyed the smart script this movie had to offer. Unfortunately, there were some numerous ungodly distractions. (Film makers just HAVE to put those in—don’t ask me why.) The most disturbing scenes included Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker went into a massage parlor full of practically naked women who were doing their best to showcase their sensuality. Not good at all. Another case was when Agent Isabella was seen stripping in her apartment. Chan and Tucker actually ogled at her through binoculars.

Extremely offensive! Please DO NOT TAKE YOUNG CHILDREN TO SEE THIS FILM. Added to those terrible scenes were the constant whining of Tucker, whose mind only seems to be on sex and fast money. Either than those, the film is excellent. The violence is not graphic at all. Very fast kicks and punches, so the audience don’t feel the gore. Not excessive at all. The twist and turns in the movie is very intelligent. Also, I was constantly laughing. Overall, I couldn’t recommend this film based on a Christian perspective, especially for children under 15. But for die hard fans who will see this movie no matter what I say, be warned. You might want to turn your eyes away at some parts during Rush Hour 2.
My Ratings: [Very Offensive / 4]
Nadia K, age 16
Movie Critics
…a moderate dose of immodesty and offensive language should keep families from trying to beat the traffic to see this film…
Focus on the Family
…Profanity consists of several “s” words and various other expletives and colorful phrases…
ScreenIt!
…mindless summer fare that actually delivers the goods…
J. Robert Parks, The Phantom Tollbooth