MovieChat Forums > Rush Hour (1998) Discussion > Fun film but wasted opportunity

Fun film but wasted opportunity

posted 9 years ago by BrickNash
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It's hard not to like the Rush Hour films, good entertainment all round but what a wasted opportunity as I still can't believe they used a Hollywood stunt team and co-ordinator (Terry Leonard) on the film when they had probably the best stuntman ever actually starring in the film.

The action is ok but compared to Jackie's own films from 15 years earlier it's laughably tame and clunky and they should have let him not only set up but direct all the action scenes with his own Hong Kong stunt team.

Imagine being a Hollywood stunt co-ordinator who was hired for the film and having to tell Jackie Chan how to do a stunt!

If the film had the same quality of action as the Hong Kong films combined with the Hollywood polish and humour it would have been amazing but probably insurance or union issues got in the way and what's left is an entertaining film with some slightly above average action.

[–] The_Blu_Ray_Penguin 9 years ago

From what I have seen Jackie say that is only partially true, he did his own stunts and did much of the choreography. The hollywood people were primarily for other actors. Also Jackie is already in his 40s in this film. So he isnt going to look like he did in his 20s. I know I cant do but a fraction of the crazy MA stuff I could do in my 20s without a herniated disc or other payment due lol.