Common Sense Media Review
Culture clash and buddy cop fun among violence, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
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Rush Hour
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 15 parent reviews
Parents say the film is a blend of humor and action, featuring notable performances but laden with excessive strong language and instances of casual sexual harassment that may not align with today’s standards. While many find it entertaining and suitable for older teens, the age-inappropriateness of its language and themes has led some parents to reconsider its suitability for younger audiences.
- strong language
- inappropriate themes
- humor and action
- not suitable for younger kids
- suitable for older teens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 41 kid reviews
Kids say that the movie is a funny action-comedy that features a unique pairing of two charismatic leads, with plenty of entertaining moments and action-packed scenes. However, it also contains a significant amount of strong language and violence, which may not be suitable for younger audiences, leading many to recommend it primarily for those aged 12 and up.
- funny action
- strong language
- not for kids
- great duo
- suitable for teens
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In RUSH HOUR, Jackie Chan plays Hong Kong police detective Lee, who comes to Los Angeles to find the kidnapped 11-year-old daughter of his close friend, Chinese diplomat Han (Tzi Ma). The FBI doesn't want Lee getting involved in the case, so they team him up with James Carter (Chris Tucker), a "cop who doesn't work well with others but is so good they have to put up with him." Carter's job is really to keep Lee out of the investigation, but Carter also decides that this is his chance to shine, so he digs into the case himself while trying to distract Lee.
Is It Any Good?
Hong Kong superstar Chan is always a delight to watch. His charm, wit, and impeccable timing are on full display in director Brett Ratner's Rush Hour, the first film in what would become a trilogy. Comedian Tucker brings energy and freshness to the tired role of the "difficult new partner" in any buddy cop movie. Chan and Tucker seem to genuinely enjoy one another, and both share gifts for physical comedy, making their chemistry especially electric. Their performances lift this formulaic film above the usual rounds of explosions and two-dimensional villains, making for memorable moments and quotable lines that stand the test of time. As a bonus, 11-year-old Soo Yung (Julia Hsu) is adorable, with a Mariah Carey imitation that's utterly delicious.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Rush Hour. Do you consider this a violent movie? How does the comedy change the way you experience the action?
Talk about how race is portrayed in the movie. Do you think this movie challenges or reinforces stereotypes?
How do Lee and Carter demonstrate teamwork as they try to save Soo Yung? Why is this an important character strength?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 31, 1999
- On DVD or streaming : June 5, 2001
- Cast : Chris Tucker , Jackie Chan , Tom Wilkinson
- Director : Brett Ratner
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : New Line
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Adventures , Transportation ( Cars & Trucks ) , Friendship , Sports ( Martial arts ) , Activism ( Racial justice ) , Travel
- Character Strengths : Teamwork
- Run time : 97 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and violence
- Last updated : December 18, 2025
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