Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker reunite to give fans adrenaline rush
By Daily Bruin Staff
July 29, 2001 9:00 p.m.
 Peter Sorel Chris Tucker and
Jackie Chan once again find themselves in awkward
situations in the movie "Rush Hour 2."
By Terry Tang
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Despite the return of stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, the
director of “Rush Hour 2″ wants audiences to know that
they won’t be watching a paint-by-numbers rehash of the first
film.
“Chris is now the fish out of water in Hong Kong,”
said Brett Ratner “The fact that we did it in Hong Kong was
like a new “˜Rush Hour.’ It’s these same two guys,
but it’s in a new environment. It really feels like a fresh
new movie.”
No matter what the locale, moviegoers looking for a little
action will most likely line up to see officers Lee (Chan) and
James Carter (Tucker) fling fists as well as punchlines. The
follow-up to the 1998 East-meets-West blockbuster, which grossed
more than $140 million, lands in theaters this Friday.
Aside from Chan’s death-defying stunts and Tucker’s
sardonic humor, the movie also boasts “Crouching Tiger,
Hidden Dragon” ingenue Zhang Ziyi. All three stars and their
director gathered at a press junket at the Four Seasons Hotel to
talk about the physical demands of “Rush Hour 2.”
Of course, just as crucial as the action sequences is the
rapport between Chan and Tucker. This time, Tucker’s bloopers
with the Chinese language spark the verbal comedy.
Off-screen, there was no culture clash. The two friends
delighted in cajoling each other throughout filming. During intense
stunt work, Chan enjoyed teasing his partner in other ways.
“You are very concentrated with all the people, with the
wires, things going on. One screw up, we die,” Chan said.
“And Chris always trusts me … I say,
“˜Something’s wrong with your wire.’ And he says,
“˜What! What’s going on?'”
The idea to set the sequel in Hong Kong came to Ratner’s
mind at the original film’s Hong Kong premiere. Watching
Tucker interact with the locals on the street, the director saw the
potential for more laughs.
“He’d be talking to people on the street, and no one
could understand a word he was saying. They’d look at him
like he was crazy,” Ratner recalled. “Then we’d
go to karaoke bars and he’d sing Michael Jackson, and people
would like get insulted and walk out because they take it very
seriously.”
Shooting in Hong Kong, however, proved an entirely different
experience.
Since Ratner had heard hard-luck stories from local directors
about shooting in Hong Kong, he expected a hectic, uncooperative
climate. But with Chan’s name attached, the Hong Kong
government stepped in to facilitate filming. The country’s
powers-that-be closed down streets and parking spaces for the
entire crew.
Tucker, meanwhile, didn’t mind riding on the coattails of
his co-star’s fame. Though he felt as big as Michael Jackson,
the comedian also sensed that the Chinese natives weren’t as
Hollywood-obsessed as Americans.
“It’s just a whole other culture,” Tucker
said. “They’re not really caught up in the
entertainment thing but they’re really curious about it like,
“˜what are these American people so excited about
it?'”
Much of Tucker’s cultural experiences became set material
for the movie as well. With Chan as his tour guide, Tucker ventured
into Hong Kong restaurants, night markets with live produce and
karaoke bars.
Aside from the change of scenery, Ratner was also inspired to
completely rewrite the role of a dastardly henchman into a
hench-woman for Zhang.
The director fell under the actress’ spell when he saw an
early cut of “Crouching Tiger.” Intent on bringing her
aboard “Rush Hour,” he went to China to woo Zhang in
person. Though there was no supporting female role at the time,
Ratner pitched the idea to her.
“I flew to China to have dinner with her,” Ratner
said. “And as I was sitting there I said, “˜I want you
in this movie.’ And she said, “˜What’s the
part?’ And I just started making it up as I was
going.”
Unlike the gravity-kicking, ballet-like feats of
“Crouching Tiger,” Zhang found the martial arts of
“Rush Hour” oriented much more toward hand-to-hand
combat. Through an interpreter, Zhang credited the pleasure of the
experience to Chan. Already an admirer, she learned from the
martial arts master how to push herself while also ensuring her
physical well-being.
Despite her meteoric rise to success, Zhang still doesn’t
see herself as a superstar. In fact, on her first day of shooting,
the actress was puzzled by the sudden presence of many people. The
crew explained that everyone knew her scene contained combat
routines and that people wanted to watch and support her.
Although Zhang was in a familiar country for this film, Chan
advised her to immerse herself in the English language if she
wanted to continue crossing over into the American market. Despite
making as well as dubbing several films in English, the action star
still counts language as his greatest obstacle.
“People ask me what kind of stunts are difficult. And I
say “˜No, English is difficult for me.'”
Luckily, when it comes to bold physical feats, Chan speaks a
universal language. And Ratner assures that Chan’s expert
stunts make a fresh and fulfilling feast for the eyes.
“The action is ten times bigger,” Ratner said.
“Now Jackie and Chris are both part of the (ending) stunt.
And it’s huge ““ it delivers in a big way. And
there’s more comedy. The movie is just funny non-stop from
the beginning to the end.”
FILM: “Rush Hour 2″ opens in
theaters nationwide this Friday.
