Rush Hour
Common Sense says
- PG-13
- 1999
- 97 minutes
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
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.
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User Reviews
Gets your attention
It's more than a movie
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?
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.
Talk to your kids about ...
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?
Movie details
- In theaters: January 31, 1999
- On DVD or streaming: June 5, 2001
- Cast: Chris Tucker, Jackie Chan, Tom Wilkinson
- Director: Brett Ratner
- Studio: New Line
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Run time: 97 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: language and violence
For kids who love action
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.