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Rush Hour
New Line Cinema

Rush Hour reviews
Critic Score
Metascore: 60 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
9.4 out of 10
based on 23 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 10 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie

MPAA RATING: PG-13 for sequences of action/violence and shootings, and for language

Starring Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Tom Wilkinson, Elizabeth Peña, Chris Penn, and Ken Leung

The fastest hands in the East meet the biggest mouth in the West when legendary martial arts daredevil Jackie Chan teams with comedic powerhouse Chris Tucker. (New Line Cinema)


GENRE(S): Comedy  
WRITTEN BY: Ross LaManna (also story)
Jim Kouf
 
DIRECTED BY: Brett Ratner  
RELEASE DATE: DVD: June 5, 2001 
Video: June 15, 1999 
Theatrical: September 18, 1998 
RUNNING TIME: 97 minutes, Color 
ORIGIN: USA 

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

80
Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas
Rush Hour effectively teams Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in a formulaic but funny action comedy that should please fans of both stars.
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80
Slate David Edelstein
The first real Jackie Chan picture crafted for the American market, is a terrific piece of junk filmmaking.
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80
Washington Post Stephen Hunter
A sturdily entertaining vehicle, easily the little guy's best American-made film.
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75
San Francisco Examiner G. Allen Johnson
The emphasis is on comedic interaction, not plot - too bad, "48 HRS" had both - but the pair adds spice to the predictable opposites-detract gags.
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75
Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt
The fast-talking Tucker and quick-kicking Chan are a surprisingly good team that manages to deliver a fun combination of highly choreographed action and comedy.
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75
Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
Lightweight and made out of familiar elements, but they're handled with humor and invention.
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75
San Francisco Chronicle Bob Graham
This good-natured comedy is set off by the high spirits of its stars.
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75
Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington
It's the kind of copycat movie that becomes original through its cast and treatment.
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70
Variety Joe Leydon
A frankly formulaic but raucously entertaining action comedy.
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70
New York Magazine David Denby
The movie is no more than a well-produced confection designed for quick payoff in the big cities, but it's pretty consistently funny.
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70
New Times (L.A.) Andy Klein
While there's nothing original in Rush Hour, it runs through its well-worn paces with both wit and excitement.
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63
USA Today Mike Clark
There's a familiar feeling to the movie even beyond its twinkle-eyed martial arts melees.
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60
Chicago Reader Lisa Alspector
The contrast between Tucker's motormouth and Chan's man of few words should be funnier, but the plot -- which is cliched without quite becoming self-reflexive -- and the uneven pace dampen most of their moments.
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60
Salon.com Charles Taylor
The movie seems to proceed from somebody's notion that it would be hilarious to see a black guy and a Chinese guy working together.
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60
The New York Times Elvis Mitchell
At regular intervals the film stops short for similiarly nifty Chan choreography, letting the star flip, swivel, scamper up walls and hurl large objects with his feet.
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60
Film Threat Ron Wells
The stunts are great but they make sense and don't blow the sense of reality of the whole movie.
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60
LA Weekly Hazel-Dawn Dumpert
The problem with Rush Hour is that the film isn’t a partnership, it’s a Chris Tucker movie with Chan as straight man.
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50
Washington Post Michael O'Sullivan
A misbegotten marriage of sweet and sour.
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50
TV Guide Maitland McDonagh
The crime story here is lazily constructed, mostly an excuse for the give-and-take between Tucker and Chan, which is shrill and raucous without being especially clever.
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50
ReelViews James Berardinelli
A somewhat lackluster cop buddy movie that goes wrong in two big ways: (1) it fails to utilize Chan's full range of skills, relegating him to the role of a kickboxing action hero and virtually ignoring his comedic aptitude, and (2) it saddles him with a partner, played by the irritating Chris Tucker.
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42
Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman
The two characters barely even have a relationship; they're a union of demographics--the "urban" market meets the slapstick-action market.
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40
Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov
There may be nothing new under the sun, but you can bet your life there's absolutely nothing new about Rush Hour at all.
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40
The New Yorker Bruce Diones
It's not much fun to watch.
Read Full Review

What Our Users Said

Vote Now!The average user rating for this movie is 9.4 (out of 10) based on 10 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Anson G. gave it a10:
Great comedy and action movie. Jackie Chan showed his martial art stunts, although Chris Tucker was quite funny man.

[Anonymous] gave it a 10:
Jackie chan has some great moves. chris tucker is funny as hell. one of the best movies of the year.

Andrew M gave it a 7:
It was the most recurring thought I had while watching this film and it seems from the reviews above that I wasn't alone: there is nothing original about Rush Hour. The only thing that ever comes close to being original is some of Chan's incredible stunt and action work. He really is amazing! But the storyline, the characters, the acting, the look, the feel, all resonate firm feelings of deja-vu. What saves Rush Hour from the discard pile is the strength of these familiar elements and the skill with which they were employed. I have not seen Tucker in a film before, but really I feel like I have. He style reminds me of someone.....hmm, it ain't too hard to figure out who! What saves him (and for that matter, the film) from being a joke is that he does it so damn well. At times he is annoying, at other times he is superfluous, but most of the time he is humourous and very entertaining. As for Chan, his skills will dazzle and enthrall you, and he appears to be the ultimate professional. Although his verbal acting won't win any awards, he fills the shoes of this role with great aplomb, with a little flair thrown in for good measure. The story itself is old ground and the screenplay includes no literary revelations, but it is a solid, witty script and it supports the plot adequately. Finally, the action sequences and choreography routines in Rush Hour are beautifully prepared and created. There is some really skillful work to be enjoyed here. If you liked 48 Hours, Bad Boys or any other similar buddy/cop/action film, you'll certainly enjoy this one. Have fun!

Benger H. gave it a 10:
A great film with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. they made the movie so there would be comedy from the beginning to the end.

Rush Hour gave it a 10:
This Movie is one of the best movies that exists.

Tommy L. gave it a 10:
Simple...but perfect. Simply perfect. Tucker and Chan are perfect together. One of the most entertaining movies I have ever seen.

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