Rush Hour
Movie, 1998, 1996–1999, Set in Los Angeles
Rush Hour is #23 of 26 in release order and #21 of 26 in chronological order in the '90s Action.
The story
When Hong Kong Inspector Lee is summoned to Los Angeles to investigate a kidnapping, the FBI doesn't want any outside help and assigns cocky LAPD Detective James Carter to distract Lee from the case. Not content to watch the action from the sidelines, Lee and Carter form an unlikely partnership and investigate the case themselves.
Rush Hour recap
In Hong Kong, Detective Inspector Lee seizes stolen Chinese artefacts from the crime lord Juntao. Later, the Chinese consul Han's daughter, Soo Yung, whom Lee trained in martial arts, is kidnapped in Los Angeles by Juntao's gang. Han calls Lee in, but the FBI wants him kept out of the way and dumps him on LAPD detective James Carter, a loud, reckless cop who has been told to babysit him. The two clash, then team up to investigate on their own. Juntao demands a $50 million ransom. Following the gang's explosives through Carter's street contacts, the two work out that Juntao is Thomas Griffin, the British commander who was Han's friend.
Rush Hour ending explained
At the opening of a Chinese art exhibition, Lee and Carter rescue Soo Yung from a bomb vest, and Griffin falls to his death from the rafters; Lee falls too, and Carter catches him in a banner. Han offers Carter a holiday in Hong Kong, and he flies there with Lee. Rush Hour 2 follows.
Post-credits scenes
The end credits run over outtakes of Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker fluffing lines and stunts. There is no story scene.
Where to watch Rush Hour
Rush Hour is streaming on fuboTV and Paramount+ in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.1/10, Rotten Tomatoes 62%
Where it fits
Cast
- Jackie Chan as Lee
- Chris Tucker as Carter
- Tom Wilkinson as Griffin
- Philip Baker Hall as Captain Diel
- Elizabeth Peña as Johnson
- Chris Penn as Clive
- Mark Rolston as Agent Russ
- Tzi Ma as Consul Han
- Rex Linn as Agent Whitney
- Ken Leung as Sang
- Robert Littman as First Caucasien
- Michael Chow as Diner Guest
Directed by Brett Ratner.