"Rush Hour 2" is the ideal summer movie. It doesn't make the mistake of taking itself too seriously, which has been the downfall of most of this summer's offerings. It has no misconceptions about the kind of movie it is and delivers precisely what you would expect.
Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan, the stars of the original, return for the sequel, which is the rare case of a movie that actually improves upon the original. It does all of the things its predecessor did well and then takes them to the next level. As a light blend of comedy and action, it's nearly perfect.
This time around LAPD Det. James Carter (Tucker) is on Det. Inspector Lee's (Chan) turf. He is visiting Hong Kong to relax and enjoy himself, and Lee is his host.
But Carter's vacation is short lived. A bomb kills two American translators in the U.S. Embassy building. It is suspected that big time gangster Ricky Tan (John Lone) is behind the bombing.
Since Tan and Lee have a past, Lee is in charge of investigating whether or not Tan is involved. In one of many elaborate action set pieces, Carter and Lee go to popular nightclub looking for Tan. They end up chasing after Tan's henchwoman ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" star Ziyi Zhang) and her goons.
The following day, the dynamic duo visit a massage parlor that Tan frequents. They find him, but many large men protect him. This leads to another fight scene, and once again they fail in their quest to talk to Tan.
Eventually, Carter and Lee end up on a massive yacht called the Red Dragon. The yacht's owner, rich American businessman Steven Reign (Alan King), is throwing a party. After yet another run in with Tan's people, Tan is (apparently) killed and the guy's cross paths with Isabella Molina (Roselyn Sanchez), who is full of surprises.
While uncovering the truth about the bombing and Tan's death, Carter and Lee travel to Los Angeles and then Las Vegas, where the climax occurs.
If you're a fan of "Rush Hour" or either of the stars, you're sure to enjoy ‘Rush Hour 2." This is solid Hollywood entertainment. Tucker and Chan complement each other perfectly. And this time, Chan gets as many laughs as Tucker and has loosened up considerably. He's enjoying himself, and so is the viewer.
The plot is irrelevant and probably makes no sense if carefully analyzed, but no matter. It's merely an excuse to stage one action scene after another. A brisk 90-minute running time makes it impossible to get bored or overly critical of the story.
The action scenes are all expertly done and exciting. Fists and feet fly at almost unbelievable speeds and Chan's agility is amazing. Hopefully the stuntmen were adequately compensated for what must have been hard work.
Directed by "Rush Hour" helmer Brett Ratner, "Rush Hour 2" is consistently funny, action packed and an all-around good time. Make sure you stick around for the credits, too. The outtakes are practically funnier than the movie itself. They also make you appreciate how well Tucker and Chan work together.
Grade: B+
"Rush Hour 2" opened nationwide Fri., Aug. 3. Click here for showtimes.
