Quick Movie Review: Rush Hour 3 (2007)

Rush Hour 3 gets a bad rap. People say that we didn't need a third Rush Hour film, but fans of the first two will disagree. Do we ever NEED sequels to comedies? Not usually. But a lot of times they can be worth it. Rush Hour 1 didn't break any new ground, so I guess we technically didn't NEED that movie either. But while we're at it, we might as well keep them coming and continue being entertained.

The concept of Rush Hour 3 is far more intriguing than in the previous film, with an actual coherent plot. This third installment begins as Ambassador Han (Tzi Ma) nearly gets assassinated when he is about to reveal the identity of the Shy Shen--a legendary individual that holds the names of the leaders of the Triads. Detective Lee (Jackie Chan) and Detective Carter (Chris Tucker) venture to Paris to find and protect this individual. The plot isn't as predictable. Plus, we get some great twists and turns.

Tucker and Chan are still pretty funny. I'd say funnier than in Rush Hour 2. Even though Tucker's leash is just as short, the jokes are better written and more unexpected than in the last film, where a lot of the humor comes from inside jokes from the first movie.

We're actually given some good action sequences, with Tucker finally "learning" martial arts and joining in on the action. There's a really impressive final fight scene that highlights the already well-complimented movie.

I wouldn't be against more Rush Hour movies. When it's all said and done, they're harmless entertainment founded on two actors' dynamic chemistry. Who wouldn't want more of that?

Twizard Rating: 83

Quick Movie Review: Ocean's Thirteen

It's definitely better than Ocean's 12, but slightly less phenomenal as Ocean's 11. While it's slightly harder to follow than the latter, I'm so glad to see them back in Las Vegas because that means the return of the glamour that the first one had and the second one lacked. The con is also catalyzed by revenge and nothing else--also like the first film. 

The jokes are still laughable and there is more character presence, but it's not as personable as the character who they're getting revenge for is hardly a presence in the film. So when it's over and done with we don't have as much to cheer about. But I will say that the con in this one is brilliant and I love how they're on a much more unselfish level this time around. That's pretty much the whole theme to the movie.

If you liked the Ocean's 11 and 12, then you're guaranteed to enjoy the 3rd installment in the franchise.

Twizard Rating: 88