Rush Hour 2 (2001)

52% of critics liked it
(127 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(828,550 ratings)

A surprise box-office smash spawns this inevitably action-packed buddy comedy follow-up that reunites director Brett Ratner with stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. Chan is Chief Inspector Lee of the Royal Hong Kong Police, who travels back to China with his American colleague, Los Angeles detective… More A surprise box-office smash spawns this inevitably action-packed buddy comedy follow-up that reunites director Brett Ratner with stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. Chan is Chief Inspector Lee of the Royal Hong Kong Police, who travels back to China with his American colleague, Los Angeles detective James Carter (Tucker). The men intend to take some vacation time but are quickly pulled into the case of two murdered U.S. customs agents, who were investigating an illegal counterfeiting scam involving Ricky Tan (John Lone), one of the most powerful Triad gangsters in Asia and an old enemy of Lee's. Lee and Carter are soon embroiled in a dangerous mystery that also involves a sexy secret-service agent (Roselyn Sanchez), a billionaire hotel owner (Alan King), a dangerous femme fatale (Zhang Ziyi) and a finale set in a lavish Las Vegas casino. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Brett Ratner
Written By: Jeff Nathanson
Genres: Action & Adventure, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 3, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Jun 1, 2004
Studio: New Line Cinema

Critic Reviews

Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
The whole film plays like an outtake, and that I do mean as a compliment.
Charles Taylor, Salon.com
While the rest of it isn't really any good, it's certainly no chore to watch.
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
The film seems content to rely on the formula that could (small sigh) extend for a few more sequels.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
For fans of the still-youthful franchise, this movie's going to hit the spot.
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
About half as much fun as the original, and for August, that's probably good enough.
Wesley Morris, San Francisco Chronicle
As long as it's entangled in multi-culti absurdity, Rush Hour 2 is actually a better time than the first one.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Less compelling than the first, but fun for fans.
Margaret A. McGurk, Cincinnati Enquirer
A gaudy, whirling dervish of escapist fun.
Jeffrey Chen, Window to the Movies
A well-honed stunts-and-shtick flick.

Read all 9 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Sanjay R

Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker have great chemistry, using their differences to their advantage. A good movie if your looking for just comedy.
Albert K

Ahh, the classic sequel-syndrome. "Rush Hour 2" was not as good as the first. It doesn't improve in the action, story, or comedy but it tries too hard to be more grand. The production values is upped a bit but the direction, editing, and camera shots are still too… More
Ahh, the classic sequel-syndrome. "Rush Hour 2" was not as good as the first. It doesn't improve in the action, story, or comedy but it tries too hard to be more grand. The production values is upped a bit but the direction, editing, and camera shots are still too elementary. Still a fun time though.
Eric A

The best out of the three hands down. This film has a really well thought out story line, and great comedy from Tucker and Chan. It packs a punch.
danny d

almost as good as the first. the comedy still works, the action is reasonable enough, and the chemistry between the leads works as well or better. a solid sequel.
Film C

Love rush hour i think Chan an Tucker have a great duo chemistry that makes these films more enjoyable to watch. These are funny and entertaining movies to watch.
Jeff "

Rush Hour 2 is more of the same irritating blend of comedy action that Chris Tucker can only deliver oh so well. What is it with this series. these films are terrible and aren't good. The jokes are stale, the plot sucks and Brett Ratner is a shitty director. Theres not really… More
Rush Hour 2 is more of the same irritating blend of comedy action that Chris Tucker can only deliver oh so well. What is it with this series. these films are terrible and aren't good. The jokes are stale, the plot sucks and Brett Ratner is a shitty director. Theres not really any talent here, Jackie Chan is hit and miss and with this series, he misses big time. The plot is pretty almost the same as the first, and this sequel copies many elements from the first film. As a whole it fails to deliver on every level, and this is a terrible sequel to an already bad film. The third is bad as well.
Richard C

really funny. B+
Jani H

"You are a civilian. In Hong Kong, I am Michael Jackson and YOU are Toto. - You mean Tito! Toto is what we ate for dinner last night!" The second installment to the series has grossed most but it isn't necessarily the best of 'em. The same makers, director and… More
"You are a civilian. In Hong Kong, I am Michael Jackson and YOU are Toto. - You mean Tito! Toto is what we ate for dinner last night!" The second installment to the series has grossed most but it isn't necessarily the best of 'em. The same makers, director and most importantly the two stars, Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. This time Tucker's character, called Carter, is on vacation in Hong Kong. During his visit, a bomb explodes in the US Embassy. Lee (Chan) takes charge in the investigations that takes the cop duo head to head against the Triads, Chinese mafia. Lee also has some personal issues in the investigations... The films basic idea hasn't changed at all. We still have Tucker with his improvised motor mouth skills and Chan's superbly choreographed action scenes. In my opinion, the meaning was only to renew the success of the predecessor but the surroundings gotta be different to bring something new. In the first one, Lee was the guy in a new culture, this time it's Carter's turn. 'Rush Hour 2' is still just as funny as the first one but the jokes are pretty much the same. Every scene basically builds up around Tucker's character. So on this aspect, there's nothing surprisingly new. But to the fans of the first installment of the series, 'Rush Hour 2' is a must see film. "I'm tall, dark and handsome, and you're third world ugly."
Dead A

Chris Tucker is so annoying lol
Lenny M

Going to China, fo real this time.
Anthony L

This is a little more amusing than the first but the story is rubbish and it's basically a carbon copy of the first film. I can't believe Ziyi Zhang lowered herself to these depths. I have no interest in the 3rd.
Jason O

James Carter (Chris Tucker), and L.A. cop, teams up once again with Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) in this sequel to the blockbuster, "Rush Hour". While having vacation in mind, Lee and Carter come in contact with a triad bigwig and a huge ring of counterfeit. Now it's… More
James Carter (Chris Tucker), and L.A. cop, teams up once again with Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) in this sequel to the blockbuster, "Rush Hour". While having vacation in mind, Lee and Carter come in contact with a triad bigwig and a huge ring of counterfeit. Now it's time for the action to begin all over the city of Hong Kong. Just like the original, "Rush Hour 2" is successful in being both hilarious and action packed at the same time. As always, Jackie Chan is here to do his own jaw-dropping fights and stunts (no stuntman needed!), and Chris Tucker is back once again as the pride-driven man with hilarious line after hilarious line. There's no doubt about it, if you enjoyed the duo of action and comedy that "Rush Hour" had to offer, then you can't miss out on "Rush Hour 2"! I never once thought about doing anything else while I was watching this GREAT sequel. It's ALMOST a 5-star movie and it's hot on the heels of the original, but it's not QUITE as good. My only big complaint is that there were too many jokes and lines about racial issues. Other than that, this movie is awesome. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2002.
Phil H

They should have left it with one. This is slightly funny but not much, its just the same as before but less original, its nice being set in Hong Kong but thats about the only thing original and decent about it.
Ken S

Fuck Ratner
Coxxie M

oh yea i remember these movies!!..... theyre dumb. "AW HALE NAW LEE, HALE NAW!"
Lady D

A funny, well choreographed, police investigation, Martial Arts sequel. A great comedy pairing between Tucker and Chan. A very entertaining watch.
Lewis C

Rush Hour 2 is full of the action and fun that Rush Hour 3 was utterly devoid of. Plus, 2 gorgeous leading ladies certainly don't hurt the score, either.
Cassie H

Too Funny!
Al S

Better than the original. Smart, fast-paced and terifficly entertaining. Hilarious and full of great action. Again Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker are dazzeling together. Tremendous fun that never lets up. Wild and endless enjoyment.
Matthew C

Not as funny as the first one, but still halfway decent.