I am an ardent Jackie Chan fan, and tend to watch almost all of his movies - good or bad.
So although the movie wasn’t too much of a novelty, I still managed to enjoy it (enjoying is different from liking :)) About 110 mins long, Rush Hour 3 packs in all the essentials of a typical Bollywood movie... no it’s not a typo - I mean "Bollywood" only!
As with the earlier two parts, RH3 returns with the successful duo of Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker.
They are returning back together after almost half a decade - and the age now shows up on their faces. Frankly speaking, Jackie looks old. I still do not doubt his stunts or his performance, but that does not hide his age! A slightly-plump-looking Chris Tucker, provides an overtly hyper comic performance (as usual!).
Together, they form a good pair, but then, the movie keeps you searching for something new and different, which is actually not there at all.
*The Plot
*Well, it’s been kept to a bare minimum - thanks to the director and the script writer - they have focused more on the kick-ass comic action... :)
The two cops, Jackie and Tucker, are out to fight the Chinese goons. There is something called as the ’World Court’ in this movie, that makes those BIG decisions about handling those infamously dangerous world criminals.
The action starts when the Chinese ambassador is shot at during one of the ’World Court’ meets. Jackie, is assigned the duty to protect the ambassador and his family (daughter). The Chinese mafia, who have their own ’secret society’, are known as as the ’Triads’. They want to kill the Chinese ambassador for some damn reason, and are now behind his teen daughter ’Su Yong’ or ’So Young!’ or whatever.
Here, I cannot resist but to mention that the secret society seemed to be modeled on lines similar to those of the ’Priory of Sion’ from Da Vinci Code - protecting some secret - but this is a CHINESE one (i won’t reveal it)! And so, we arrive to THE city - ’no-marks-for-guessing’ PARIS - because that’s the place where you have all the secret societies! :)
Somehow, Tucker manages to come along with Jackie to Paris to assist him (I didn’t find the script convincing enough to put Tucker with Jackie - but who cares, it’s Tucker - and you hardly understand any of his ear-splitting, non-stop blabbering.)
On their arrival, they are greeted by the Chinese Triads. And what follows is a non-stop sequence of fights (kung fu), stunts, escapades, more fights, more stunts, and yes, more of ’Tucker blabber’.
Don’t be surprised to see Chinese all over Paris. There are no cops or the French Policia - only the Chinese Triads freely occupying the streets, clubs and even the **Eiffel Tower!
See, that is what I meant by the **’Bollywood’-ness of this movie! You must watch it to believe it. :)
The Characters
Talkng about the characters in the movie, apart from Chris and Jackie, they do not have much scope for showing their acting prowess, although the guy who playes the French cab driver was quite likable and funny. In fact, he turns out to be funnier than Tucker. The Chinese guy playing the villain looks very rusty and straight faced - there is only one emotion - no emotion! The lady who plays Tucker’s love interest was decently gorgeous.
The editing is good with some fast cuts. The background score is also good. Jackie speaks with a ’little improved’ English accent. ;)
I guess, I am done with my view on the movie - you can go watch the movie to know more. I am not recommending it though; but still it’s a good ’TP’.