Rush Hour 3 (2007), directed by Brett Ratner, is the third installment in the buddy-cop action-comedy series starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. The film brings back the dynamic duo of Inspector Lee and Detective Carter for another globe-trotting adventure filled with martial arts, car chases, and nonstop banter.
Detailed Summary
Opening: Trouble at the World Court
The story kicks off in Los Angeles, where Carter (Chris Tucker) is back on the streets directing traffic while Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) serves as bodyguard for Chinese Ambassador Han. During an important meeting at the World Criminal Court in Los Angeles, the Ambassador is shot by an assassin, later revealed to be connected to the Chinese Triads. Before collapsing, Han tries to warn Lee about a powerful crime syndicate known as Shy Shen.
A Familiar Rivalry
Lee and Carter reunite to investigate the shooting. Things heat up when Lee comes face to face with the assassin: his foster brother, Kenji (Hiroyuki Sanada). This revelation brings a personal conflict into the mix, forcing Lee to choose between loyalty to his brother and his duty as a cop.
The Paris Connection
The investigation leads Lee and Carter to Paris, where they encounter colorful characters, including Geneviève (Noémie Lenoir), a nightclub dancer with ties to Shy Shen, and George (Roman Polanski), a French inspector who adds comic relief by roughing up Carter during questioning. Carter’s over-the-top antics clash hilariously with Parisian culture, while Lee remains focused on unraveling the mystery.
Unveiling Shy Shen
It’s revealed that Shy Shen is not a person but a secret list containing the names of the Triad leadership, hidden as a tattoo on Geneviève’s head. This makes her the target of both the Triads and the police. Lee and Carter must protect her while navigating betrayal, ambushes, and high-speed chases across Paris.
Final Confrontation at the Eiffel Tower
The climax takes place at the Eiffel Tower, where Lee and Carter confront Kenji and the Triad bosses. The action sequence is pure Jackie Chan—acrobatic fights on precarious ledges, creative use of props, and death-defying stunts. Lee and Kenji fight on the tower, culminating in Kenji’s dramatic fall to his death. Meanwhile, Carter saves Geneviève from Triad assassins, combining his street smarts and comedic flair with genuine heroics.
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Movie Ending
After the thrilling Eiffel Tower battle, Lee mourns the loss of Kenji but remains steadfast in his duty. Geneviève, now safe, is no longer hunted as the Triad leadership is dismantled thanks to the exposure of Shy Shen’s secrets. Ambassador Han recovers from his injuries and is reunited with his daughter Soo-Yung (Zhang Jingchu), who had been kidnapped earlier in the film.
The movie closes with Carter and Lee walking away together after their Parisian adventure. In classic Rush Hour fashion, they end the film bickering playfully—this time breaking into a duet of “War (What Is It Good For?)” as they stroll off, solidifying their friendship and hinting that their partnership will endure beyond the chaos.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Rush Hour 3 does not feature any post-credits scenes. However, as with the previous films, the credits roll alongside the signature outtakes and bloopers—showing behind-the-scenes flubs, line mess-ups, and funny improvisations from Chan and Tucker. These bloopers are a hallmark of the Rush Hour franchise and almost feel like a reward in themselves.
Type of Movie
This is a buddy-cop action-comedy, blending martial arts, slapstick humor, and Hollywood spectacle. It maintains the formula of mismatched partners taking on international crime while mixing in cultural fish-out-of-water jokes.
Cast
- Jackie Chan as Chief Inspector Lee
- Chris Tucker as Detective James Carter
- Hiroyuki Sanada as Kenji
- Max von Sydow as Reynard
- Noémie Lenoir as Geneviève
- Zhang Jingchu as Soo-Yung Han
- Tzi Ma as Ambassador Han
- Roman Polanski as Commissaire Revi
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Lalo Schifrin, who also worked on the previous Rush Hour films. Schifrin’s jazzy, fast-paced musical style blends seamlessly with the film’s mix of comedy and action. The soundtrack also features a mix of pop, funk, and hip-hop tracks, perfectly suiting Chris Tucker’s energetic personality.
Filming Locations
The movie was filmed across Los Angeles and Paris. The Paris sequences are particularly important, as they provide iconic backdrops like the Eiffel Tower and the Seine for the film’s most memorable action scenes. The city’s landmarks become playgrounds for Jackie Chan’s inventive stunts, adding authenticity and grandeur.
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Awards and Nominations
The film did not win major awards but was nominated for a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actor (Chris Tucker). Despite lukewarm critical reception, the film performed strongly at the box office, proving the enduring popularity of the Chan-Tucker duo.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Jackie Chan performed many of his own stunts, though he admitted filming on the Eiffel Tower was one of the most dangerous experiences of his career.
- Chris Tucker reportedly earned $25 million for this film, making him the highest-paid actor in the franchise.
- Brett Ratner had long wanted to set a Rush Hour film in Paris, partly to give Chan new architectural playgrounds for action sequences.
- Roman Polanski’s cameo was controversial but added to the oddball humor of the film.
Inspirations and References
The Rush Hour series is loosely inspired by the mismatched-partner dynamic of earlier buddy-cop films like 48 Hrs. and Lethal Weapon. The Eiffel Tower fight sequence was inspired by classic Jackie Chan films where vertical, high-risk stunts are central to the finale.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Several deleted scenes include extended comedic bits between Lee and Carter in Paris, along with more blooper takes. No alternate ending was created—the Eiffel Tower climax was always intended as the final showdown.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Rush Hour 3 is not based on a book; it’s an original screenplay. However, a novelization was later released, expanding some character backgrounds and giving more internal perspective on Lee’s conflict with Kenji.
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Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The opening traffic jam scene where Carter hilariously dances and sings while ignoring his actual job.
- Lee and Carter’s fight with goons inside a Parisian cabaret club.
- The Eiffel Tower climax with Lee battling Kenji high above Paris.
- Carter singing and dancing in the cab with a French driver who mocks his “American culture.”
Iconic Quotes
- Carter: “Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?”
- Kenji (to Lee): “You chose your side. I chose mine.”
- Carter: “Lee, you never told me you had a brother! From another mother!”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Jackie Chan subtly references moves from his older Hong Kong films during the Eiffel Tower fight.
- Chris Tucker’s line about Michael Jackson pays homage to his real-life friendship with the pop icon.
- A blink-and-you-miss-it cameo of producer Brett Ratner appears in the Paris cabaret scene.
Trivia
- This was the most expensive film in the Rush Hour trilogy, with a budget of around $140 million.
- Chris Tucker returned to acting for this film after a six-year hiatus.
- Jackie Chan expressed disappointment with the script, though he enjoyed working with Tucker again.
- The bloopers reel includes a stunt where Chan nearly slips off a scaffolding, showing just how dangerous the Eiffel Tower sequence was.
Why Watch?
If you enjoy buddy-cop comedies, martial arts action, and nonstop banter, Rush Hour 3 delivers exactly what it promises. The chemistry between Chan and Tucker remains the franchise’s biggest strength, and the Paris setting provides fresh comedic and action opportunities.
Director’s Other Movies
Recommended Films for Fans
- Shanghai Noon (2000)
- Lethal Weapon (1987)
- Bad Boys II (2003)
- Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
- The Tuxedo (2002)