When discussing the pantheon of great movie sequels, certain titles immediately come to mind: The Empire Strikes Back , The Dark Knight , Terminator 2: Judgment Day . However, nestled comfortably between the gritty reboots and the epic sci-fi sagas is a film that defined the summer of 2001 through sheer charisma, explosive action, and non-stop laughter: .
The plot is classic action-thriller fodder: the masterminds behind the explosion are connected to the death of Lee’s father, and they are printing millions in counterfeit U.S. bills using "super-dollars"—bills so perfect they can fool the Federal Reserve. But let’s be honest: nobody watches for the plot. They watch it for the "Warrior’s Kiss," the massages gone wrong, and the legendary outtakes.
For Jackie Chan, returning to Hong Kong for Rush Hour 2 was a homecoming, and it shows in his physical performance. By 2001, Chan was already a legend, but he was aging. Yet, in this film, he moves with a fluidity and speed that defies his years. The choreography here is some of the best in his American-produced catalogue.