Rush Hour 3 is a 2007 American buddy cop action comedy film directed by Brett Ratner and written by Jeff Nathanson.
It serves as the third installment in the Rush Hour franchise and follows the beloved characters of Inspector Lee, played by Jackie Chan, and Officer Carter, portrayed by Chris Tucker. In this sequel, Lee and Carter travel to Paris to track down an assassin linked to the Chinese triads, leading them into a web of intrigue and danger. The film also features a supporting cast that includes Tzi Ma, Philip Baker Hall, Hiroyuki Sanada, Youki Kudoh, and Max von Sydow.
Released on August 10, 2007, Rush Hour 3 opened to mixed reviews from critics, who felt that the film lacked the freshness and comedic spark of its predecessors. Despite the negative reception, it was a commercial success, grossing approximately $258.1 million worldwide against a production budget of around $140 million. The film's opening weekend saw it earn $49.1 million, showcasing the continued popularity of the franchise and the chemistry between Chan and Tucker.
On Rotten Tomatoes, Rush Hour 3 holds an approval rating of 17% based on 157 reviews, with an average rating of 4.2/10. The critical consensus notes that the film is a tired rehash of the first two installments, suffering from a bad case of déjà vu. Many critics pointed out that while the film retained the signature action-comedy elements of the series, it failed to introduce anything new or particularly engaging.
In summary, while Rush Hour 3 performed well at the box office, its reception highlighted the challenges of creating a successful sequel after a six-year gap. The film was largely seen as a repetitive addition to the buddy cop series, relying on the established goodwill of its earlier entries rather than delivering a compelling narrative or innovative comedy. Despite its shortcomings, the film remains a part of the franchise that fans of the series may appreciate for its familiar characters and action sequences.