Rush Hour 3 reunites the iconic duo of Chief Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) and LAPD Detective James Carter (Chris Tucker) for a final, frantic adventure.
The film opens in Los Angeles with Lee acting as a bodyguard for Ambassador Han. When Han is shot and seriously injured, Lee learns that the attack is tied to a powerful Chinese Triad syndicate. The search for answers leads the two mismatched cops to Paris, where they must track down a list of Triad leaders and uncover the identity of the organization’s shadowy mastermind.
In Paris, they navigate a chaotic city, running afoul of a cranky taxi driver, Geneviève (Noémie Lenoir), and a determined assassin named Jasmine (Youki Kudoh).
Their investigation brings them into contact with a mysterious official, Reynard (Max von Sydow), and forces Lee to confront a dark secret from his past: the Triad leader, Kenji (Hiroyuki Sanada), is his long-lost brother.
The duo’s signature blend of high-octane martial arts, physical comedy, and rapid-fire banter is on full display as they work to save the day and, in typical Carter fashion, flirt with danger at every turn.
Sarah Shahi has a brief cameo as Zoe.
Philip Baker Hall also returns for a cameo as Captain Diel.
Brett Ratner returned to direct the third film in the blockbuster Rush Hour series.
Chris Tucker in Rush Hour 3 (Photo/New Line Cinema)
Reception for Rush Hour 3
Rush Hour 3 grossed $50.2 million on its opening weekend, finishing No. 1 at the box office, topping The Bourne Ultimatum, which pulled in $32.9 million on its second weekend.
The film would gross $258.1 million worldwide.
While Rush Hour 3 was a considerable hit, its gross was much less that the $347.3 million worldwide pulled in by Rush Hour 2 in 2001.
Legacy
Rush Hour 3‘s legacy is defined by its role as the conclusion of a beloved trilogy. While it may not have reached the same critical heights as the original, it was a commercial success and is widely enjoyed by fans of the franchise.
The chemistry between Chan and Tucker is the undeniable heart of the film, and their final cinematic pairing cemented their status as one of Hollywood’s most successful comedic duos.
The move to a new international setting, with its over-the-top action sequences and comedic misunderstandings, provided a fittingly explosive end to their on-screen partnership, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and unforgettable action.
