Critics’ reviews

Rush Hour 3 (2007)

12 reviews from 12 publications. Critics’ score 35: 0 positive, 2 mixed, 10 negative.

Back to our review of Rush Hour 3

35
Positive
0
Mixed
2
Negative
10

Most critics find Rush Hour 3 a tired sequel, with recycled jokes and a weak script doing little to justify another outing for the mismatched partners. The limited praise centres on Jackie Chan: his comic restraint, playful fighting and inventive stunt work still offer pleasures, even where the action feels mechanical. Several reviews find moments to enjoy in the set-pieces, but these rarely offset complaints about sluggish pacing and diminished energy.

The spread is largely between disappointment and outright dismissal, rather than any substantial defence of the film. The leads’ partnership divides opinion: the Los Angeles Times still values Chan and Tucker’s chemistry, while The Hollywood Reporter finds that chemistry missing from their familiar routine. Tucker’s humour earns some approval elsewhere, but also draws complaints about tired material, shrillness and stereotypes. The AV Club finds more comic energy in the end-credits outtakes than in the film itself.

RogerEbert.com
64*

The page URL identifies this as RogerEbert.com’s review of the film. Its verdict and the specific point singled out for praise or criticism are unavailable because the page is blocked.

Read the full review →
The AV Club
10 August 2007 · C · Nathan Rabin
57

Rabin dismisses the film as a creatively unnecessary, forgettable sequel. He singles out the end-credits outtakes as funnier and more energetic than the movie itself.

Read the full review →
Radio Times
★★ · Jamie Russell
40

Russell finds the sequel under-par and less witty than its predecessors. He singles out Chris Tucker’s quips as fun, while criticizing the script and crass stereotypes.

Read the full review →
Variety
2 August 2007 · Robert Koehler
40*

Koehler finds the film a familiar but diminished entry that ends flatly. He praises Chan’s comic turn and the Eiffel Tower stunts, while faulting the reduced action and Tucker’s increasingly tired shtick.

Read the full review →
Slant Magazine
7 August 2007 · ★½/4 · Nick Schager
38

Schager gives the sequel a sharply negative verdict, calling it a sluggish, superfluous repeat of its predecessors. He singles out Ratner’s glossy direction for adding little energy or style to the vacuous plot and tame action.

Read the full review →
Los Angeles Times
10 August 2007 · Kevin Crust
35*

Crust finds the franchise formula worn out, though fans may still enjoy its action and familiar humor. He praises the chemistry between Chan and Tucker but faults the recycled gags and drawn-out stretches between set-pieces.

Read the full review →
Screen Daily
3 August 2007 · Tim Grierson
30*

The critic finds that the third installment cannot recapture the original’s charm. The complaint is that the mismatched partners’ familiar antics no longer have the same appeal.

Read the full review →
Empire
1 January 2000 · Nick de Semlyen
25*

The critic finds the film lazy, obnoxious and less thrilling than its predecessors. Jackie Chan’s inventive stunt work is the main pleasure, though the weak script makes even the action feel mechanical.

Read the full review →
The Hollywood Reporter
2 August 2007 · Michael Rechtshaffen
25*

The critic finds the third installment stale and uninspired, with the leads’ familiar routine lacking chemistry. The Eiffel Tower finale offers a couple of thrills, while the cinematography and production design look terrific.

Read the full review →
Time Out
14 August 2007 · ★ · Ben Walters
20

The review gives the film a strongly negative verdict. It criticizes the shrillness of Detective Carter and the film’s comedy-action formula.

Read the full review →
The Guardian
10 August 2007 · Peter Bradshaw
15*

Bradshaw dismisses the film as a tired, deeply underwhelming entry in the franchise. He singles out Jackie Chan’s quiet dignity as a bright spot.

Read the full review →
Eye for Film
15 August 2007 · Ben Sillis
35*

Sillis finds the sequel astonishingly formulaic and ultimately disappointing, despite its lively action. He praises Chan’s playful energy in prop-filled fights but objects to the CGI climax.

Read the full review →

Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate