Rush Hour (PG-13, 1999)

common sense media says

Buddy cop fun amidst explosions, bad guys, and language.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that there is a lot of action and fighting in this film. While in scene after scene, the violence is meant to be funny, exaggerated and admired for Jackie Chan’s martial artistry, the destruction is still considerable. A child is kidnapped and held captive. There are gunfights; buildings are blown up; two men are shot point-blank while trying to protect the little girl; there are car chases and crashes; and participants are threatened with multiple weapons, including rifles, guns, and axes. Swearing and harsh language ("s--t," "ass," other vulgar expressions, and some racial slurs) are heard throughout the film, and, like the action, it's meant to be mostly comedic and to define the characters. Marijuana use is featured in a bar scene, referred to upon occasion, again with humor as a goal.

Positive messages: Appearances can be deceiving: a police officer who seems to be inept and out-of-control turns out to be heroic and responsible under extreme conditions. People of disparate cultures can learn to respect one another and work together to reach a positive outcome.
Positive role models: Both police and FBI agents are portrayed as ineffective, bumbling, and quick to jump to erroneous conclusions. The two heroes are loyal and compassionate, though they make a lot of mistakes and often are successful because they’re lucky rather than good.
Violence: Extensive martial arts fighting throughout. Though it’s definitely cartoon-like action in most instances, there are bodies strewn on the floor after a fight; there's a point-blank shooting of two bodyguards; and some minor bloody injuries are shown. A little girl is kidnapped and held captive; she’s seen struggling with her assailants. There are lots of gun fights, car chases, accidents, and explosions.
Sex: A girl briefly dances provocatively in a T-shirt; there’s one reference to "sleeping together."
Language: Frequent swearing with repeated use of "s--t," "ass," "Goddamn," "hell." Sprinkled throughout is other coarse language: "kiss my fat ass," "punk bitch," "balls," etc. A few racial slurs are used: "Chun King Cop," "Mr. Rice-A-Roni," and the "n" word is uttered for humor by an African-American police officer, then copied by his Asian counterpart.
Consumerism: Brief visual or spoken references to Epson, Pacific Bell, Nikon, Fed Ex, Miller Lite, Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles. United Airlines is featured in several scenes.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: There’s some discussion of marijuana which is intended as comedy. Several characters are seen smoking it or are stoned, with one ironic comment "That’s bad for you." There’s a champagne toast, beer consumed at a card game, and one villain smokes.

More on Rush Hour

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the violence in the movie. Do you think seeing so much action has an effect on how you act later? How does the comedy change the way you experience the violence?
  • Talk about how race is portrayed in the movie. Do you think this movie challenges or reinforces stereotypes?

What's the story?

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, a Chinese diplomat. 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 this is his chance to shine and digs into the case himself while trying to distract Lee.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Hong Kong superstar Jackie Chan is always a delight to watch. His charm, wit, and impeccable timing make his kung fu moves closer to Charlie Chaplin or Jacques Tati than to Stephen Segal. He has had a hard time finding an American script to showcase his talent, but comes a little bit closer with this action comedy. Comedian Tucker brings energy and some freshness to the tired role of the difficult new partner. Chan and Tucker seem to genuinely enjoy one another, and both share gifts for physical comedy that provide some very funny moments amidst the usual round of explosions and bad guys. And the little girl (Julia Hsu) is adorable, with a Mariah Carey imitation that is utterly delicious.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: New Line
Director: Brett Ratner
Cast: Chris Tucker, Jackie Chan, Tom Wilkinson
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 97 minutes
Theatrical release: January 31, 1999
DVD release: June 5, 2001
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: language and violence

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12

Most useful reviews by all members

Plague
parent
 
Rush Hour
Super funny action flick.

Ashnak
adult
 
Gets your attention
Jackie Chan makes another great movie and Chris Tucker makes this more for adults. I would say 15+ because some of the comments by CT. But overall great action movie

semen13
adult
 
It's more than a movie
Rush hour is about cultures that clash and tempers that flare as these two cops from different worlds and countries find out they have one thing in common: they can't stand each other. With time running out they quickly join forces to catch the criminals and if they don't they're in trouble.I think this movie is a good movie to make you laugh and to get you excited. If you wan't to laugh, I suggest you should watch this movie.

MRW2
kid, 8 years old
 
Awesome, but scary and explicit
GREAT! SUPER! SEE IT NOW!

xray75
kid, 11 years old
 
Its sort of a action comedy it's a great movie much better than the accidental spy!

 

ski123
adult
 
Fun for teenagers
Rush Hour has both action and comedy that are mixed together to create a fun movie. While chasing the bad guys Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker create humor that seems aimed at teenagers. There is some language, but nothing a kid hasn't heard in middle or high school. As for the violence, pretty much no blood is shown. Just the usual punches and gun shooting. I recommend this movie for ages 12+.

 
such a good and funny movie
there is a lot of cussing but it is still a great movie

quest13
adult
 
Hilarious
12 and older but you'll love the ation/comedy but watch out for the language by Chris Tucker.

simpo
kid, 8 years old
 
rated 12+
really good movie for those of 12 and up

pie or pie
kid, 12 years old
 
very good movie
there are some consernces well theres alot of language thats preety much it to be exact just alot of language on ages 11 up

book_lover411
teen, 15 years old
 
a ok movie
i got kind of bored watchin it but its a family friendly kind of movie

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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