Rush Hour
New Line Cinema | Release Date: September 18, 1998 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
61
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 23 Critic Reviews
Positive:
12
Mixed:
11
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
Rush Hour effectively teams Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in a formulaic but funny action comedy that should please fans of both stars. Read full review
80
SlateDavid Edelstein
The first real Jackie Chan picture crafted for the American market, is a terrific piece of junk filmmaking. Read full review
80
Washington PostStephen Hunter
A sturdily entertaining vehicle, easily the little guy's best American-made film. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleBob Graham
This good-natured comedy is set off by the high spirits of its stars. Read full review
75
Chicago TribuneMichael Wilmington
It's the kind of copycat movie that becomes original through its cast and treatment. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Lightweight and made out of familiar elements, but they're handled with humor and invention. Read full review
75
San Francisco ExaminerG. Allen Johnson
The emphasis is on comedic interaction, not plot - too bad, "48 HRS" had both - but the pair adds spice to the predictable opposites-detract gags. Read full review
75
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
The fast-talking Tucker and quick-kicking Chan are a surprisingly good team that manages to deliver a fun combination of highly choreographed action and comedy. Read full review
70
VarietyJoe Leydon
A frankly formulaic but raucously entertaining action comedy. Read full review
70
New York Magazine (Vulture)David Denby
The movie is no more than a well-produced confection designed for quick payoff in the big cities, but it's pretty consistently funny. Read full review
70
New Times (L.A.)Andy Klein
While there's nothing original in Rush Hour, it runs through its well-worn paces with both wit and excitement. Read full review
63
USA TodayMike Clark
There's a familiar feeling to the movie even beyond its twinkle-eyed martial arts melees. Read full review
60
The New York TimesJanet Maslin
At regular intervals the film stops short for similiarly nifty Chan choreography, letting the star flip, swivel, scamper up walls and hurl large objects with his feet. Read full review
60
Film ThreatRon Wells
The stunts are great but they make sense and don't blow the sense of reality of the whole movie. Read full review
60
L.A. WeeklyHazel-Dawn Dumpert
The problem with Rush Hour is that the film isn’t a partnership, it’s a Chris Tucker movie with Chan as straight man. Read full review
60
SalonCharles Taylor
The movie seems to proceed from somebody's notion that it would be hilarious to see a black guy and a Chinese guy working together. Read full review
60
Chicago ReaderLisa Alspector
The contrast between Tucker's motormouth and Chan's man of few words should be funnier, but the plot -- which is cliched without quite becoming self-reflexive -- and the uneven pace dampen most of their moments. Read full review
50
Washington PostMichael O'Sullivan
A misbegotten marriage of sweet and sour. Read full review
50
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
The crime story here is lazily constructed, mostly an excuse for the give-and-take between Tucker and Chan, which is shrill and raucous without being especially clever. Read full review
50
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
A somewhat lackluster cop buddy movie that goes wrong in two big ways: (1) it fails to utilize Chan's full range of skills, relegating him to the role of a kickboxing action hero and virtually ignoring his comedic aptitude, and (2) it saddles him with a partner, played by the irritating Chris Tucker. Read full review
42
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
The two characters barely even have a relationship; they're a union of demographics--the "urban" market meets the slapstick-action market. Read full review
40
Austin ChronicleMarc Savlov
There may be nothing new under the sun, but you can bet your life there's absolutely nothing new about Rush Hour at all. Read full review
40
The New YorkerBruce Diones
It's not much fun to watch. Read full review
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