Rush Hour

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.

Slate David Edelstein

The first real Jackie Chan picture crafted for the American market, is a terrific piece of junk filmmaking.

Washington Post Stephen Hunter

A sturdily entertaining vehicle, easily the little guy's best American-made film.

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.

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.

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

Lightweight and made out of familiar elements, but they're handled with humor and invention.

San Francisco Chronicle Bob Graham

This good-natured comedy is set off by the high spirits of its stars.

Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

It's the kind of copycat movie that becomes original through its cast and treatment.

Variety Joe Leydon

A frankly formulaic but raucously entertaining action comedy.

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.

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.

USA Today Mike Clark

There's a familiar feeling to the movie even beyond its twinkle-eyed martial arts melees.

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.

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.

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.

Film Threat Ron Wells

The stunts are great but they make sense and don't blow the sense of reality of the whole movie.

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.

Washington Post Michael O'Sullivan

A misbegotten marriage of sweet and sour.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The New Yorker Bruce Diones

It's not much fun to watch.