Shaking The Money Tree One Last Time (Rush Hour 3 (2 DVDs))

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Product:	Rush Hour 3 (2 DVDs)
Date:	08.01.08 (65 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Chan's always enjoyable

Disadvantages: Bland plot, Chris Tucker

The Rush Hour films are not exactly high art, they're standard buddy cop movies that follow the usual format of two characters coming together and despite their differences, beating the bad guys and saving the day.

The first film served its purpose and its main achievement for me was bringing the talents of Jackie Chan to a wider audience. It certainly made me check out his eastern films such as The Police Story series, films that show his madcap fight choreography and death defying stunts.

The second film was pretty much like the first, entertaining but easily forgettable; needless to say it was a bigger hit than the first.

Now this third instalment is a classic example of when a studio needs to put out another instalment of a cash cow just to bring in some of those big summer bucks.

The plot follows the usual path. Motormouth Carter (Chris Tucker) is found directing traffic after another one of his assignments goes awry. Meanwhile Lee (Chan) is accompanying a Chinese dignitary to address the world council over the triad crime organization. When an assassination attempt is made at the council meeting, it brings together Carter and Lee to try and solve the mystery. This takes them to Paris for some stereotypical capers involving shifty good guys who might be bad guys, comedy police inspectors and of course the obligatory showdown high up on the Eiffel Tower.

The problem with Rush Hour 3 is that is really struggles to offer something new on what is already a repetitive format. We've already seen Carter do his Michael Jackson impressions in previous instalments; do we really need to see it several times again? We've seen Carter try his moves on some hot women, no problem here it is again! The only thing that this film has going for it is again Chan's fight scenes but even these feel a little undercooked and lacking in playful humour.

Chan is enjoyable but for me Chris Tucker has just become incredibly annoying, his constant loud blabbering just grates and you just feel like slapping him. I don't think it's any coincidence that for the past ten years Tucker's only film ouput has been the Rush Hour series. Aside from that you have some bog standard asian casting for the bad guys, plus you can see the bad guy coming a mile off and it ain't Roman Polanski who crops in a cameo appearance.

Amazingly this film cost around $140 million to produce, I can only assume that a large amount of that went to its two stars and bling director Brett Ratner. Because there's nothing on screen that justifies that kind of spend. Ratner does his usual solid but uninspiring direction yet he seems to be under the illusion that his name carries some weight with an audience, well Mr Ratner you are not a Scorcese or a Spielberg, once you've made something of note then may be you can have your name in big letters on the poster and have voice over man announce your name on the trailer. But until then lacklustre efforts such as this and your take on X-Men simply don't cut the mustard.

This franchise should now be closed because when you even struggle to fill 80-minutes of screentime then you know the game is up.

- The DVD -

Rush Hour 3 is shown in widescreen and gives you a nice crisp picture throughout. The film also has some good moments that utilize the surround sound of a home cinema, it's not one to show off the home cinema but you get ample blast for your buck.

- Extras -

I saw this on a rental, the retail version comes with a good selection of extras but after the film I would not be interested in seeing them. All this disc offers is an average trailer complete with the Brett Ratner announcement at the end.

- Finally -

The Rush Hour series was always entertaining three star at best stuff but this third effort just feels like an exercise in safe money making.

Summary: This franchises answer to Beverley Hills Cop 3