Rush Hour 3

It has been six years since the last Rush Hour film graced our cinema screens, but, perhaps thanks to Hollywood's aversion to ageing, Rush Hour 3 features a little bit of exposition where Chris Tucker's character assures us that it has only been three.

Still, not much has changed. Tucker's frame has expanded a little, and Chan's crow's feet are a little more prominent, but the former's screechy banter still collides with the latter's embarrassed word-fumbling as it always did. Unfortunately, Rush Hour 3 is so over-ripe a fruit that any charm that was once in this partnership has rotted away. Even for a film that is aimed at kids, the humour is utterly facile, enough to bring a cringe to faces all ages.

Tucker only ever really succeeds on-screen when he's played a character designed to be maligned, his great performance in The Fifth Element, which bordered on sketch comedy, being a perfect example. Here he only irritates. That said, Chan is as watchable as ever, his lovability only put into question during a misjudged musical number. Now a few years beyond 50, his enduring physical skills remain impressive. However, apart from a couple of stand-out action scenes, it is oddly enough Tucker who provides some of the film's best moments, albeit moments where we gain a sadistic pleasure in the knowledge that he could be moments away from death.

Released 10th August 2007 by New Line Cinema.

Written by Andrew Williams.