Well you knew it had to come at some point in the summer… that sheer joy film of the summer.

At every step across the film, this was better than the original. Brett Ratner’s direction was superior. The Chemistry between Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan was so good. So so so soooo good. Having Jackie more involved in the comedy as well as having better action choreography… well, it’s just so much better.

This is that rare sequel where it eclipses the original. Instead of having to introduce the characters, we can just see them living a story.

Now, here’s the issue. The level of enjoyment of this film probably hinges on your opinion of Chris Tucker. You see, everyone everywhere adores Jackie Chan, but Chris Tucker is an acquired taste.

Take for example, Roger Ebert… He obviously can not take Chris Tucker’s delivery or humor. He finds the man grating and annoying. Fine that’s a valid opinion and as soon as you see that opinion you realize that when he’s watching the ‘craps table’ scene, he finds it annoying and distracting. However, for me… a Chris Tucker fan, I look at that exact same scene with joy. Tucker was causing a distraction to draw security. By claiming racism and being so loud and so outrageous, security flocked to the table in order to possibly remove the troublemaker. Which, of course, allows Jackie Chan to infiltrate.

Roger Ebert described Chris Tucker as the ‘Ugly American’ in RUSH HOUR 2, and he’s right. Chris Tucker’s character is the exact sort of person that gives American Tourists a bad name. He travels to Hong Kong to hit the massage parlors and whore houses wanting to ‘Mack out’ with as many fine little Asian gals as he possibly can. At a personal belief level, this is about as disgusting as it ever gets. The loud mouth that demeans entire societies within moments of arrival.

However, at the same time, there’s something else going on with Chris Tucker. If you look at his eyes during the film, they betray an intelligence that is driving the mouth. His weapon is his outrageousness. His forte is verbal disarming, making you think he’s stupid, when in actuality there is something else going on there.

I find Chris Tucker to be an utter delight. His voice does not grate me. His humor does not offend me. I remember going into FIFTH ELEMENT, I thought I was going to hate Chris Tucker, instead I laughed. When I went to see RUSH HOUR, I thought I’d hate him, again, I liked him. Now, I no longer expect to hate him, but instead look forward to his shenanigans!

I found RUSH HOUR 2, funnier, more entertaining and a complete delight. I love John Lone whenever I get a chance to see him. Zhang Ziyi didn’t do much other than be pretty and deadly and she is both. And the cameo by a certain god was really really cool.

The film doesn’t give you too much to talk about, it’s definitely lite on the ideas side, but it is just fun. The little Jackie Chan action flourishes delight. Sure classic Jackie Chan is better, more AMAZING, but this was fun.

This is a good barometer for what you’ll think. If you get through the karioke scene and you want to leave… LEAVE, but if you love that scene, like me, then you’re going to have a really really good time.

Just pure summer fun. Very much like the latter LETHAL WEAPONS…