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When I saw the first Rush Hour, I couldn’t stop laughing. I realize that Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker are totally playing off of some really bad stereotypes with Tucker being the loud, abrasive black guy and Chan being the kung fu-fighting guy with poor English skills. But there was chemistry. The fight scenes were fun, but more importantly, the movie had me in stitches. The storyline wasn’t a strong point, to be sure, but there was enough substance so that the movie made sense, if only in a Hollywood kind of way.

With Rush Hour 3, you don’t get that. Everything about this third iteration feels totally contrived. Every element tossed in felt ridiculously artificial, and it seems like they included things only for the purpose of completing a gag or having the ability to tell a particular joke.

You’ve probably seen the promo spot / movie clip with the world’s second largest man, tossing Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan around like Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy. That scene had absolutely nothing to do with the movie. There are several instances where you can’t help but ask, “Why the hell would he do that?” or “Wouldn’t it be easier if he just (fill in the blank)?”

For example, the only reason why Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) and Detective Carter (Chris Tucker) encounter the huge man in the first place was to retrieve something from a girl’s locker, and then they have to convince the people there that they are legitimate. Couldn’t they just have brought the girl with them?

Sure, there are moments that are still funny (you can’t help but laugh at Chris Tucker), but you’ll end up leaving the movie theatre with a big WTF kind of impression of this flick. If you’re in the mood for mindless entertainment and you enjoy Tucker and Chan’s antics, then by all means, soak in some Rush Hour 3 action. But don’t expect this to live up to your Rush Hour 1 expectations. (Stick around for the outtakes.)

1.5 stars out of 5