Rush Hour 3 (2007)

Almost three years after their last adventure in Rush Hour 2 (2001), Carter is now working as a Los Angeles traffic officer, while his friend and ace Hong Kong Police inspector, Lee, escorts the Chinese Ambassador, Han, to the World Criminal Court, to disclose crucial information about the Triads. However, after a botched assassination attempt, the mismatched duo find themselves in Paris, struggling to retrieve a list of Triad leaders' names, as the murderous crime syndicate's henchmen try their best to stop them. We reunite with Lee and Carter for their third outing in this trilogy. This last entry is usually considered the weakest link in the series and whilst I can agree in some areas, overall, I still had an awesome time. It may be ranked lowest in my listing of the movies, but it is by no means bad. On the contrary, this film features plenty of phenomenal moments that may even be considered some of the finest in the whole series. One of the main issues I felt was the time gap between this and the last totalling 6 years. It is a bit noticeable during the opening segment however as the adventure continued, it did start to feel like the other films and part of the same product. The movie opens with Carter, now demoted to a traffic officer, doing his usual routines of singing and cutting slick dance moves whilst he directs the cars. He is of course distracted, causing all kinds of accidents meanwhile, Lee is protecting Ambassador Han, whose daughter was kidnapped in Rush Hour (1998), but everything goes awry after getting shot leading to a high-speed chase. Crossing paths once again, the duo work together to put a stop to any further attempts on the Ambassador's life at the request of his daughter, Soo Yung, now all grown up. The duo are a little shakey at first, not being on the best of terms after Carter nonfatally shot Isabela from the last film who Lee was interested in. However as the story plays out, the two of them start to become closer again. Some truly hilarious and incredible scenes take place from here on out like the martial arts studio where the pair get relentlessly beaten by a giant, followed swiftly by the most iconic part of the film with Carter's "Who are you?" back and forth with Yu. Then there is the shootout at the hospital, which features so many unbelievable stunts and fantastic banter, like bickering over the empty gun Lee threw Carter whilst in the line of fire. Also, the interrogation scene of the french French-speaking Chinese man with a nun as the translator was outstandingly funny with her having to repeat some of the bad language of the guy only for Carter to tell her equally bad responses. Upon travelling to France, they get in a taxi where Carter gets irritated with the driver, George, who is bashing Americans and proceeds to hold him at gunpoint making him sing the national anthem, which is very amusing. It doesn't stop there as they both make an impression on the driver after getting him in chases and gunfights making him feel like an American spy. The chase was insanely good with motorbikes flying everywhere and George getting invested in the action. He is unironically the greatest aspect of the film with so many scenes and he even plays an integral role in the finale in a shocking moment that had me in hysterics. Carter continues to attempt wooing women this time with Geneviève is targeted by the Triads and both Lee and Carter rescue her during a performance by doing their own singing routine. The main villain in this flick is Kenji who has a personal connection to Lee, which led to some tense moments during the remarkable sword fight on the Eiffel Tower that continued to display Jackie Chan's exceptional stunts as Lee climbs and fights on the beams of the tower. The pair have individual troublesome tasks to overcome in this climax, but they each come through in the end. They make their leave by dancing to 'War' one last time, which is practically their theme song. Overall, I still had a joyful time with this lesser-regarded entry. Yes, it may have problems, but overlooking them, this is just as much fun, if not more at times, as the first two. With talks of a fourth entry yet to come to fruition, this is still a great place to end the series.

Runtime: 1h 31m

Director: Brett Ratner

Genre: Action / Comedy / Crime / Thriller

Related Sites and Media:

Movie Trailers:

My DVD Boxset:

Rush Hour 2 (2001)

Lee and Carter are back! This time they're in Hong Kong. Carter wants a relaxing vacation, but Lee wants to carry on doing police work. At a nightclub, Lee spots the dangerous crime kingpin, Ricky Tan, who runs an evil gang of murderous Triads, and his partner is a woman who delivers explosive packages to unsuspecting parties. The duo find themselves neck-deep in trouble after one of the explosions is delivered to the American Embassy. Now, with the frequent threat of the Triads and their explosives, Lee and Carter must track down Ricky Tan, as the string of clues lead them back to Las Vegas. Following on from the highly successful, Rush Hour (1998) we join back with the loveable mismatched team in yet another crazy caper, however this time in Lee's territory. I was pleasantly surprised how this film followed on from the initial movie, picking up the story four days after the last scene where they board a plane to Hong Kong for a vacation. It feels like we never left (despite being made 3 years later) and I love how they continue many of the plot points and developments of the first flick, truly kidding you into thinking we never stopped watching them. The best example of this was seeing the pair singing to the Beach Boys in the car calling back to Lee's favouritism of the band, which was fantastic. Carter is in full vacation mode simply wanting to relax, chill and meet some women, unfortunately, Lee is having a hard time taking it easy as he keeps uncovering criminal behaviour and clues. It perfectly demonstrates their relationship and traits set up in the original. Lee takes on more cases ending up chasing gangs, battling them whilst climbing bamboo structures in yet another impressive display but almost gets the pair killed when one of the female members leaves them suspended at the top. Carter gets pretty mad with Lee over this fixation with working so Lee takes him to relax at a massage parlour much to Carter's satisfaction, however, it is owned by Ricky Tan, who Lee is currently investigating. It leads into one of the greatest fight sequences where Jackie Chan continues to display his impressive stunts as Lee who utilises his surroundings to beat his opponent. Tucker's Carter also displays some awesome fighting skills whilst only wearing a towel, delivering his usual banter and quick-fire lines that never fail to leave me in hysterics. It is such a fast-paced brawl that even Carter mistakingly punches Lee, which was hands down the funniest moment with Lee's expression of disbelief. The film features a great deal more twists and constantly leaves you guessing as to the motive of the Triads. Not only that, but a considerable amount of confusion lies with Isabella, who claims to be part of the Secret Service. Her loyalty always feels in flux making us weigh up whose side she is on, especially with Lee taking a fancy to her (as well as Carter) creating a difficulty in judgment for the Detectives. Whilst she does show evidence of counterfeit money existing she has an air of someone viable to double cross. There is equally more revealed about Lee's father and the link between him and Ricky that makes this mission all the more personal for Lee. As previously mentioned, the iconic duo still retain much of their friendship built in the first outing and they do honestly care for one another a great deal having each other's back in all their trials, even if they continue to bicker. There is no end to fights in this sequel with a hectic scrimmage at a casino in Vegas where Lee has a bomb tapped up in his mouth with the detonator being kicked about the floor creating a tense-filled piece. We also see Carter have a sword fight and the pair leap from an exploding building. Rush Hour 2 has no end to phenomenal, over-the-top action. Overall, like the first flick, I had an absolute ball with the second. I think it ties very closely with it in terms of enjoyment and everyone was in full force, catching just that same amount of magic in a bottle whilst delivering something new and fresh, not feeling like a complete rip. The duo have never been more engaging and the story was equally captivating. I'd highly recommend this as a worthy viewing, also check out the third title, Rush Hour 3 (2007).

Runtime: 1h 30m

Director: Brett Ratner

Genre: Action / Comedy / Crime / Thriller

Related Sites and Media:

Movie Trailer:

Movie Clip:

My DVD Boxset:

Rush Hour (1998)

When the eleven-year-old daughter of the Chinese Consul in Los Angeles is kidnapped, the desperate father insists on summoning his old friend and Hong Kong Police ace detective, Inspector Lee, to assist the FBI in the investigation. However, the bureau is far from keen on allowing the newcomer to get in their way, so they pair him up with the loudmouthed L.A.P.D. detective, James Carter, to watch over him. Of course, no one is particularly happy about this awkward partnership; nevertheless, the mismatched duo of reluctant partners must team up to solve this mystery before the FBI. Rush Hour has to be up there at the top of best buddy cop movies. Whilst following many themes from other movies with the buddy cop dynamic, where two vastly different cops have to join forces to get the job done, I feel that this pair is unique or at least doesn't feel unoriginal. There have been countless movies of this subgenre over the decades with them certainly peaking in the 80s like Lethal Weapon (1987), Stakeout (1987) Tango & Cash (1989) and the list goes on. However, despite retaining some elements and attributes of those film's duo relationships, I feel that this pair bring something new to that well-established genre. Detective Inspector Lee (played by Jackie Chan) is trained in martial arts and is capable of doing some insane stunts and acrobatics. The most impressive aspect of his character is that all these skills are done by Jackie himself as he is renowned for doing his own stunts. He keeps his eye on the task at all times doing everything in his power to complete the task at hand, especially seeing this mission is asked by his friend but also since he has a strong relationship with the kidnapped girl. Detective James Carter (played by Chris Tucker) on the other hand doesn't always make the best decisions, best seen during his introduction during an undercover mission that saw him get two cops shot and a car exploding with the evidence inside in a populated area, where he proceeds to dance like Michael Jackson. It is hilarious, which also sums up his character as he delivers some of the funniest lines both in quick succession and in a humourous fashion. Carter has the wit, charm and loves to sing and dance, even helping Lee in a phenomenal sequence of them singing 'War' by Edwin Starr whilst staking out a restaurant. Their initial introductions are perfect at showing how contrasting the pair is from Lee taking down an armed boat stealthily, kicking ass, Carter on the other hand messes everything up. Upon meeting they don't immediately get along, much like in other buddy cop movies, yet they do stick together using both of their skills to uncover any information. As they spend more time with one another, they grow closer as partners sharing details about their fathers being cops and learning stuff from the other. Lee shows Carter his country's food, and how to fight, like disarming gunmen whilst Carter teaches Lee how to dance, sing and have a good time. Lee isn't as fluent with his English and ends up listening too much to Carter resulting in some problems, like repeating the N-word resulting in a bar fight that he wins yet is confused as to what he did wrong. I love their dyrnamic so much making them one of my favourite cop duos. Even though they aren't involved in the other operations of the investigation, they still manage to do the most legwork, uncovering hideouts and closing in on the operation. There are plenty of henchmen to fight with and a rival of Lee's, Sang who escaped his clutches but there is another mastermind to this plot hidden in plain sight. The final confrontation to save Soo Yung, the kidnapped girl, is awesome, full of fights, shootouts, acrobatics, tension and comedic moments. The pair are in full force as they take down the menace once and for all. Overall, Rush Hour is an exceptional flick that is likely to remain a staple in pop culture history. I like how this isn't limited to a comedy and can combine the story with drama, action and deliver an interesting story. Lee and Carter have a fantastic friendship that blossoms throughout the adventure that grows in each instalment. Check the sequel Rush Hour 2 (2001) for more crazy antics from this epic duo.

Runtime: 1h 38m

Director: Brett Ratner

Genre: Action / Comedy / Crime / Thriller

Related Sites and Media:

Movie Trailer:

My DVD Boxset:

Hannibal Brooks (1969)

In WW2, British soldier Stephen Brooks is captured, becoming a prisoner of war. Alongside fellow POW, he is sent to work at a zoo where he comes to care deeply for the elephant, Lucy. Lucy is scheduled to be transported after a bombing evacuation and is escorted by Brooks, Vronia a cook, Willi a friendly Austrian soldier, and Kurt a brutal German soldier to Innsbruck, Austria. However, Brooks has other ideas and makes plans for a journey to the Swiss border and freedom. Hannibal Brooks was a pleasant surprise for me as I went into it knowing practically nothing. My dad had decided to put it on for the whole family and it was certainly quite the adventure. From the opening sequence, the music played instantly gives off a comedic vibe to the story despite being a war flick. Whilst it is a very funny escapade, it doesn't shy away from the harshness of war or its tragedies. There are frequent gun fights, plenty of death (some even quite brutal) and disastrous bombings. However, balancing out the reality of war and the more upsetting moments is a light-hearted adventure centred around the expedition of an elephant across a series of villages and terrain to its destination, which ends up taking a huge detour. The story features plenty of other comical aspects that come in the form of the varying characters, notably, Packy an American escapee. He's always looking for a way out and frequently trying to convince Brooks to join him and his partisans, but he is devoted to caring for Lucy. I think Packy is my favourite character in the film as he constantly shows up throughout the journey, always managing to cross paths with Brooks. He is absolutely hilarious as he is so calm and relaxed during even the most dire situations, really enjoying himself when taking out Nazis. I loved the scene where he tries to use explosives on a train track that doesn't work leaving him and his men bemused. Only for Brooks and Lucy to knock over some logs that accidentally end up derailing the train and exploding, which Packy takes the credit for saying it was a timed explosive. I would look forward to his eventual next appearance as he practically stole the show, in my opinion. Whenever he showed I knew I was in for some all-guns blazing battles that were extremely eruptive fights. Naturally, our main protagonist is Brooks who is equally loveable with his determination to help Lucy and his many witty remarks to the Nazi officers who he eventually outsmarts at every turn. He is very resourceful and although he doesn't want to fight, he does defend himself and those he cares for. He is particularly tested by the horrible soldier, Kurt, who spends his time getting drunk subsequently shouting commands that if not met would result in his killing of Lucy. Tensions rise every time he makes this threat. It comes to a boiling point when Brooks fights with him after he almost makes good on it where he fortuitously kills Kurt. The remaining expedition set on their way to freedom in Switzerland but along the way separate and reunite, enduring their own hardships or problems. Besides Brooks, I also liked Willi who despite being an opposing soldier, aids the two in their mission during the most difficult situations becoming a true hero. Another hero in this story is our other star, Lucy the elephant. She helps to take out Nazis from dropping logs on them to pulling down overhanging beams of a Nazi watchtower close to the Swiss border. Without her help, our protagonists wouldn't have made it to freedom. Throughout the movie, there are plenty of themes that whilst may be extremely varying and contrasting in tone, didn't subtract from my enjoyment. I loved each side of the film from the comedy to the life-on-the-line conflict, not once feeling jarred by the changes in tone. Overall, I was instantly hooked on Hannibal Brooks and I found it immensely powerful. I found each character to be engaging, wanting to see this journey through to the end to see if they will make it past the ever-nearing conflict. I would highly recommend checking out this cult classic especially if you are a war movie fan. Plus, the whole film can be found on YouTube for free making for some easily-accessible viewing.  

Runtime: 1h 41m

Director: Michael Winner

Genre: Action / Adventure / Comedy / War

Related Sites and Media:

Movie Trailer:

Uncharted (2022)

Street-smart Nathan Drake is recruited by seasoned treasure hunter Victor "Sully" Sullivan to recover a fortune amassed by Ferdinand Magellan and lost 500 years ago by the House of Moncada. What starts as a heist job for the duo becomes a globe-trotting race to reach the prize before the ruthless Santiago Moncada, who believes his family are the rightful heirs. If Nate and Sully can decipher the clues and solve one of the world's oldest mysteries, they stand to find $5 billion in treasure and perhaps even Nate's lost brother but only if they learn to work together. This movie follows the series of video games under the same name, Uncharted, bringing a separate depiction to the big screen. I have been a massive fan of the games and have thoroughly enjoyed them across the board from the gameplay, the story, the action, the mystery and most of all, the characters. Those who have played all the titles over the years have grown very attached to these characters, which is why I think many people had a slightly hard time getting into this film. Many will instantly notice how some of the main figures for this production bear little resemblance to their counterparts. Now this isn't necessarily the problem as it also comes down to the performance, which again was set apart from the games. I have always found it strange that when given such substantial content and source material, these movies manage to alter the simplest of things, which fundamentally undo what made those products so beloved or fan favourites. Now this is not to say I hated the film, I did enjoy it, but I didn't love it. It was an extremely entertaining adventure flick full of action, stunts and treasure hunting, which you would come to expect, however, it lacked the feeling of the Uncharted brand. Whilst yes, it is full of nods, references and characters taken straight from the series, had I not known about the video games this would have felt like any generic adventure flick. Although being labelled and advertised as an Uncharted movie, I had hoped to see much of the title's aspects be resurrected in this feature and be unmistakably recognisable as a product of this franchise. What the film does do, is create its own story and combine a variety of significant segments across each game into one. Viewers will notice scenes like, for instance, the plane that Drake falls out of is straight out of Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (Video Game 2011), which was a phenomenal part of that game and was equally one of the best parts of this film. Especially with the cameo of the voice actor for Drake delivering a hilarious scene saying he too fell out of a plane once. Drake is played by Tom Holland who is acceptable despite looking much younger. He brought over the energy needed and had that witty charm of the up-and-coming explorer. This is, after all, treated as a backstory, showing the early years of this soon-to-be team. Sully is played by Mark Wahlberg, who is pretty comical and wiser in this line of work being Drake's "mentor" although looking astronomically different to the original white hair, tash, cigar-smoking Sully. We also get to see a younger Chloe Frazer, who spends her time bickering with the other two and double-crossing them for her own self-interests. Some characters never make an appearance in this like Elena, but we do get mention of Sam. There are some fantastic moments in this flick. Don't get me wrong, I liked the two ship wreaks flying side by side in the final battle that was pretty intense and a huge spectacle but I do feel like they used up so many parts from each game that going forward, there isn't a lot left to utilize. With the end credit scene showing Drake and Sully in their classic attire, with their iconic attitudes, and Sully's tash, it finally felt like an Uncharted product. I was quite sad we didn't spend more time with these versions, but with a cliffhanger ending, there is hope for a second entry to deliver the true experience. Overall, Uncharted is a fun caper that is full of puzzle-solving, explosions, stunts, beautiful locations, over-the-top fights and some comedic one-liners. It has all the makings of a laid-back adventure flick, but in the realms of the Uncharted series, it isn't quite there.

Runtime: 1h 56m

Director: Ruben Fleischer

Genre: Action / Adventure

Related Sites and Media:

Movie Trailer:

My DVD Copy:

Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (Video Game 2017)

Chloe Frazer returns in the Uncharted franchise, this time taking the spotlight, enlisting the help from one of Nate's rivals, Nadine Ross. Together, Chloe and Nadine try their damnedest to stop a warlord from igniting an uprising in India and the salvation of India's future whilst on the hunt for the fabled Tusk of Ganesh, a long sought-after treasure, which Chloe's father died trying to obtain. Following the grand final outing of Nathan Drake's adventuring in Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (Video Game 2016), we meet up with Chloe Frazer, who didn't appear during the events of that game, only featuring in a letter at Drake's home. She last played an integral role in the games Uncharted 2 and Uncharted 3 but only as a side character, whereas, in this title, she is the main protagonist for her own tie-in game of a smaller scale. She continues to be her delightfully humourous and headstrong self, being very overconfident, cracking jokes and outwitting her opponents. I think it was a fantastic idea to give her a chance in the spotlight even if for a tie-in game as she was an instant fan favourite beforehand and it allowed us to get to know her more personally as our protagonist. Despite not being as big of a game as 4, The Lost Legacy easily holds up among the franchise and is a welcomed inclusion, which includes likeable characters, beautiful graphics, explosive gameplay, collectable goodies, an explorative semi-open world full of traversal, a power-hungry villain and a well-written story. Sounds like a lot for a smaller title and it feels like that, whilst maybe less on the hours, the game makes up for that in a plethora of ways with a map with free roam capabilities full of puzzles, enemies, collectables and sites to come across that offer more to do or replayability. I found myself being drawn into one of the additional collectable hunts during my playthrough and once I came across some simply by accident, I took my time to search for each one to uncover the mystery prize that was well worth my effort. I equally found myself getting lost in the gorgeous visuals with some luscious green settings with waterfalls and overgrown ancient ruins, tingling those archaeologist/explorer vibes that only amplify knowing it is free for you to investigate and traverse at your leisure or choice. Chloe is joined by Nadine Ross who players will remember from Uncharted 4, having battled with the Drake brothers and led a hired army called Shoreline. She frequently drops hints and dialogue to the events of that title with some interesting insight as to how she departed from Shoreline which is now under new management, continuing to be fodder enemies of this game. Chloe and Nadine's relationship has a shakey start that only grows through the course of this adventure with some minor setbacks here and there that all come to ahead by the finale. They have contrasting lives and ideals yet manage to overcome them all becoming an excellent team. They work phenomenally off of one another having some brilliant banter that comes in the form of both the cutscenes and random dialogue whilst driving around the map. The main antagonist, Asav, seeks out civil war with his country that he hopes to win with the restoration of the ways of the old kings through Ganesh's Tusk. Chloe and Nadine both aim to beat him to it but constantly tread toes with him getting into multiple fights that he almost wins every time due to his immense strength with some truly cinematic battles taking place, like the moving train that holds all sorts of war machines and soldiers (reminiscent of Uncharted 2). There are plenty of twists and turns throughout to keep you on your toes as well as more backstory, character cameos, references and a neat additional end-credit scene. Plenty to be had for an afterthought product. Overall, although not featuring the main figurehead, Nate Drake, this game is an outstanding inclusion that allows a different type of story to unfold with one of the equally popular characters of the series calling the shots. I had a lot more fun than I bargained for and was pleasantly surprised with Lost Legacy that I would heartily suggest any Uncharted fan pick it up. It is especially worth getting in the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection for its updated graphics.

Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5

Developer: Naughty Dog

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

Genre: Action / Adventure / Thriller

Related Sites and Media:

Video Game Trailers:

The Italian Job (1969)

Charlie has a "job" to do. Having just left prison, he finds one of his friends has attempted a high-risk job in Italy right under the nose of the Mafia. The job is to steal four million dollars worth of gold arriving in Italy from China. Charlie's friend doesn't get very far, so Charlie takes over the job. However, this operation needs financing, so he goes to Mr. Bridger (a Mafia-type boss) who is in prison, which Charlie has to break back into. Using three Mini Coopers, a couple of Jaguars, and a bus, he hopes to bring Turin to a standstill, steal the gold, and escape. The Italian Job remains one of my favourite heist movies of all time. It is full of some awesome grand spectacle moments with high-speed pursuits with the memorable minis, battles with guards protecting the convoy and sweeping shots of iconic locations in one of the biggest traffic jams of all time. We follow ex-prisoner Charlie, played by Michael Caine who shines in this film as the leader of the operation. Charlie is full of wit and charm with a rebellious nature and determination to get the job done. He has his head in the game, never taking his eye off the ball and is dead set on the task with the large sum of four million up for grabs. Despite his friend Roger perishing in a car crash, which was organised by the Italian Mafia whose attention he aroused, Charlie begins setting Roger's plot in motion himself. Upon receiving the aid of fellow jailbird Mr. Bridger, he sets too with gathering a crew who will play their part in making the operation run smoothly. I loved Mr. Bridger's character as despite being locked up and a prisoner, he acts like he owns the place, with the guards bending to his demands and treating him like royalty, like a Mafia boss. He has his own toilet, where he is escorted with a newspaper and fresh toilet roll. It's hilarious watching him enter the Governor's office and permitting him to sit, much to his bemusement. Charlie gathers a crew consisting of computer expert Professor Peach, electronics handler Birkinshaw and several getaway drivers. There were some brilliant sequences of gathering some members with my favourite being the humorous convincing of the mad Professor Peach, which is followed by equally entertaining tests of the equipment and training of the drivers. Watching the minis fly off ramps and crash into brick walls or one another much to Charlie's disappointment was very amusing followed swiftly by an annoyed Bridger, who is baffled by the rising costs required with cars being destroyed repeatedly. None of the scenes, however, come close to the iconic and infinitely memorable reaction to a test of the explosives on a truck where they actually blow up the whole vehicle. Charlie's pause and turn to Arthur before retorting whilst shouting, "You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!" was phenomenal and has rightfully become a well-known phrase with its superb delivery that only Caine could provide. Arriving in Turin, Charlie and crew are threatened by the Mafia who make an example by destroying their three Jaguars only just escaping with their lives thanks to the quick thinking of Charlie. Their actions have no impact on Charlie who starts installing Peach's software and Birkinshaw's monitor jamming devices puts every road into a convoluted mess. Waiting ready, the group rush the stuck convoy, overpowering the guards and storing the gold in the three minis. This leads to my favourite part of the whole movie with the three cars racing through shopping malls, jumping across rooftops, down church steps and through sewer pipes with police following to no avail. The mini pieces were a highlight for me as it is full of adrenaline, comedy and stunts that make it overwhelmingly exciting, especially with the later playing of "Getta Bloomin' Move On! (The Self Preservation Society)", which is so catchy. I won't spoil the end here as it is best seen for yourself with its cliffhanger ending that leaves you wanting more, which is unfortunate there is no sequel. Overall, The Italian Job is a fantastic outing that covers all the best elements of entertainment with amazing actors, hysterical comedy and some energetic action. One of the greatest flicks to check out when in need of a grandiose escapade.

Runtime: 1h 39m

Director: Peter Collinson

Genre: Action / Comedy / Crime / Thriller

Related Sites and Media:

Movie Trailer:

My DVD Copy: