Jackie Chan’sRush Hour(1998) remains aclassic buddy cop movie, but it now has a warning about its “offensive” humor. The movie stars Chan (Lee) and Chris Tucker (James Carter) as they work to rescue Soo-Yung Han (Julia Hsu) from a criminal enterprise. It was a massive hit and apotentialRush Hour 4is often discussed today.
The first movieearned nearly $250 million against a $30 million budget. Its sequel was well-received, asRush Hour 2(2001) earned $347 million against a $90 million budget.Rush Hour 3(2007) struggled, earning $258 million worldwide on an estimated $150 million budget. Unfortunately,Rush Hour’s legacy has been hindered by a startling new warning, captured by@VHSDVDBLURAY4K:
The warning, which was placed on the originalRush Hour, plays before the film actually begins. While discussing Prime Video’s love for ’90s comedies, it emphasizes that they were “created in a different time.” It warns that the movie features"offensive" language, humor, and depictions. While well-intended, it has led to widespread outcry on social media.
What This Means For Rush Hour
Other Movies May Receive Similar Warnings
It is not necessarily surprising that a warning was placed onRush Hour, given thatthe movie features many jokes about race, slurs, and stereotyping. Still, given that it is a classic, it is inevitably drawing outcry. Some social media users are blaming several different generations for the warning’s existence, and many argue that it is a sign of an overly-sensitive culture.
The warning does not outright condemn this movie, but it instead asks viewers to view it through a ’90s lens.
Other users are arguing that the warning is not actually a worrying sign. Just as movies feature warnings for violence, explicit situations, and foul language,Rush Hourfeatures a sign that audiences need to accept that the ’90s were a different time. Even if viewers are more sensitive to these depictions today,the warning does not hurt the movie.
While both sides continue to argue about the new prelude toRush Hour, others are pointing to other movies from the time. Some social media users are asking about assigning a potential disclaimer toBlazing Saddles(1974), despite the fact that this movie already has a warning attached. As time passes,other classic films will undoubtedly receive new content warnings.
Our Take On Rush Hour’s Content Warning
There Is Nothing Wrong With A Warning
Even Jackie Chan would not necessarily mind the warning, given thatChan famously dislikes theRush Hourmovies. He claims that he is somewhat confused by “American culture” and “American dialogue,” ashe finds the humor uncompelling. While he has not commented on the warning, it hardly seems that it would offend the actor.
The warning does not outright condemn this movie, but it instead asks viewers to view it through a ’90s lens. There isnothing wrong with providing context before playing a film, especially when it comes to genuinely risky jokes. In fact, it should only increase the audience’s enjoyment, as viewers do not necessarily need to be surprised by that humor.
As culture continues to change,Rush Hourwill not be the only movie to receive a warning like this, and it does not impact Chan’s legacy at all. He remains an action and comedy star, and the warning does not change that. He will always be renowned, warning or not.
