Rush Hour 3
Rush Hour 3 is a 2007 American buddy cop action comedy film directed by Brett Ratner, serving as the third and final installment in the Rush Hour franchise.[1] The movie stars Jackie Chan as Inspector Lee and Chris Tucker as LAPD Detective James Carter, who reunite after an assassination attempt on Ambassador Han, leading them to Paris to protect a witness with crucial information about the Triads' leadership.[2][1] Filming took place primarily in Los Angeles and Paris, with production handled by New Line Cinema and a reported budget of $140 million.[3] The supporting cast includes Hiroyuki Sanada as Lee's childhood friend Kenji, Max von Sydow as the enigmatic Reynard, and Roman Polanski as a French police inspector.[1] The screenplay was written by Jeff Nathanson, continuing the series' blend of martial arts action, comedy, and cultural clashes between East and West.[1] Released theatrically on August 10, 2007, Rush Hour 3 earned $50.2 million in its opening weekend across 3,778 theaters in North America.[3] It ultimately grossed $140.1 million domestically and $258.1 million worldwide, making it a financial success despite mixed critical reception.[3] Critics praised the chemistry between Chan and Tucker but criticized the formulaic plot and overreliance on action set pieces, resulting in a 17% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 156 reviews.[2] The film runs for 91 minutes and is rated PG-13 for sequences of martial arts violence, crude and sexual material, and some drug references.[2]Synopsis
Plot summary
In Los Angeles, three years after the events of the previous film, LAPD Detective James Carter has been demoted to traffic duty, while Hong Kong Inspector Lee serves as security for Ambassador Han at the World Criminal Court. During Han's testimony on the Triads' elusive leader known as Shy Shen, a sniper attempts to assassinate him, wounding Han, who whispers the name "Shy Shen" before losing consciousness.[4][5] Lee pursues the assassin, a towering figure named Stitch, but Carter intervenes in the chase, leading to their reluctant reunion as they vow to protect Han and uncover the plot.[2][6] Visiting Han's daughter Soo Yung, now a teenager attending a karate academy, Lee and Carter learn that she was attacked by Stitch, who stole an envelope containing crucial information about Shy Shen. A fierce confrontation ensues at the academy, where the duo defeats Stitch but fails to recover the envelope, prompting them to follow leads to Paris. There, they consult Reynard, a high-ranking official and Han's ally, who reveals that Shy Shen is not a person but a secret list of the three Triad "dragon heads," tattooed on the back of Geneviève, a French cabaret performer serving as Han's informant.[4][7] Infiltrating the nightclub, Carter flirts with Geneviève amid cultural mishaps and romantic pursuits, while Lee grapples with betrayal upon discovering that his foster brother Kenji leads a Triad faction hunting the list.[5][6] As ambushes intensify, Lee and Carter protect Geneviève from Kenji's men, leading to high-stakes chases through Paris, including a battle atop the Eiffel Tower where Lee faces his conflicted loyalty to Kenji, ultimately resulting in Kenji's fatal fall. The pursuit extends to a remote monastery hiding the third dragon head, but revelations expose Reynard as the true architect of the Triad empire.[4][2] In the climax, Carter thwarts Reynard's final scheme, ensuring Han's survival and Soo Yung's safety, while Lee mourns his brother's death. The film concludes with the partners reaffirming their bond, driving off together in classic banter.[7][6]Cast
The principal cast of Rush Hour 3 features returning leads Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker from the prior installments in the franchise, alongside a new international ensemble that brings fresh dynamics to the action-comedy pairing.[8]| Actor | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Jackie Chan | Chief Inspector Lee | A skilled Hong Kong detective and martial artist assigned to protect a high-profile diplomat.[9] |
| Chris Tucker | Detective James Carter | An outspoken LAPD officer whose humor and street smarts complement Lee's disciplined approach.[9] |
| Max von Sydow | Reynard | A high-ranking French official entangled in international intrigue.[9] |
| Hiroyuki Sanada | Kenji | A formidable Triad leader with a personal connection to Lee, selected for his extensive martial arts background that contrasts Chan's agile style.[9][10] |
| Noémie Lenoir | Geneviève | A charismatic cabaret performer in Paris who holds crucial insights into the unfolding events.[9] |
| Yvan Attal | George | A resourceful French taxi driver who aids the protagonists in navigating the city.[9] |