RATING: 7 / 10 --> Good movie
Review Date:
September 26, 1998
Director:
Brett Ratner
Writers:
Jim Kouf, Ross LaManna and Jeff Nathanson (uncredited)
Producers: Arthur
M. Sarkissian, Roger Birnbaum and Jonathan Glickman
Actors:
Chris Tucker as Detective James
Carter
Jackie Chan as Detective Inspector Lee
Genre:
Comedy/Action
Year of Release: 1998
Another
action/comedy-buddy flick pits Hong Hong sensation Jackie Chan
aside Hollywood's latest Eddie Murphy wannabee Chris Tucker.
Director Brett Ratner, who directed Tucker in his
"break-out" comedy, MONEY TALKS (6/10), helms this
melange of the original 48 HOURS (7.5/10) and the original
BEVERLY HILLS COP (8/10).
PLOT:
A Hong Kong businessman's daughter is kidnapped for ransom. The
FBI attempts to solve the case, while the Hong Kong man brings in
his own private agent to help (Chan). The FBI wants to keep the
new guy out of their hair, and delegate this task to one of their
lowliest LAPD cops (enter Tucker). Stuck with each other, the
unorthodox duo attempt to solve the case for themselves. Fun and
action ensues.
CRITIQUE:
Funny movie chopped full of action, lacks an original concept and
plot line, but comes through with hilarious banter from Tucker
and fun fight scenes with Chan. I found this film's main point of
interest to be Chris Tucker's verbal potpourri of mild profanity
and humour, but appreciate the fact that folks who don't enjoy
the man's abilities may be turned off from this film. He reminded
me a whole bunch of the young Eddie Murphy before the fame went
to his head...vibrant, original and voracious for laughs!
Chan is also a great combo for Tucker's motormouth, with his lack
of English pronunciation, swift moves and graceful stuntwork.
Chan is considered the straight man in this film, and works on
that level. Some of his fans may be put off by the fact that he
doesn't joke around as much as his other flicks, but all in all,
the duo clicked for me, and that's what led this film to the
recommendation arena. Some low points include the ho-hum story
line, the obvious use of "hip" songs to pad some
retarded scenes, and the lowly, and I do mean lowly, appearance
by Chris Penn as a fat-ass con-man (es tu Penn?). How this man's
career went from RESERVOIR DOGS (9/10) to playing fourth banana
in Chan movie, I'll never know!
Overall, I will suggest this film to all those who appreciate the
work of Chris Tucker (I liked him in most of his films, except
FIFTH ELEMENT (6.5/10), in which I thought his wild animation was
terribly out of place) and Jackie Chan. At the same time, I must
say that if you are not a big fan of either star, and/or if you
are looking for an interesting story line, skip this sucker and
go back and rent either one of the Murphy movies that I mentioned
earlier. One more thing, as per usual at the end of every Chan
movie, this film includes goofs during the credits, which are
just as (if not funnier) than most of the humour in this film.
Stay tuned!
Little Known Facts about this film and its stars:
As of September 1998, this film held the greatest box-office
opening weekend of any other September release ever ($31
million.)
Jackie
Chan's real name is
Kong Sung Chan, which means "born in Hong Kong". In the
act of performing his own stunts, he has broken his nose three
times, his ankle once, most of the fingers in his hand, both
cheekbones, and his skull. He stands 5"7.
Chris
Tucker was born in
Atlanta, Georgia, with three older brothers and two older
sisters. He was voted as the "Most Humorous member" of
his high school graduating class.
Director Brett Ratner is engaged to actress Rebecca Gayheart.
(c) 1998 Berge Garabedian
Movie Reviews by Berge Garabedian