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  Peter Sorel Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan once again find themselves in awkward situations in the movie "Rush Hour 2."

By Terry Tang

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

Despite the return of stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, the director of “Rush Hour 2” wants audiences to know that they won’t be watching a paint-by-numbers rehash of the first film.

“Chris is now the fish out of water in Hong Kong,” said Brett Ratner “The fact that we did it in Hong Kong was like a new ‘Rush Hour.’ It’s these same two guys, but it’s in a new environment. It really feels like a fresh new movie.”

No matter what the locale, moviegoers looking for a little action will most likely line up to see officers Lee (Chan) and James Carter (Tucker) fling fists as well as punchlines. The follow-up to the 1998 East-meets-West blockbuster, which grossed more than $140 million, lands in theaters this Friday.

Aside from Chan’s death-defying stunts and Tucker’s sardonic humor, the movie also boasts “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” ingenue Zhang Ziyi. All three stars and their director gathered at a press junket at the Four Seasons Hotel to talk about the physical demands of “Rush Hour 2.”

Of course, just as crucial as the action sequences is the rapport between Chan and Tucker. This time, Tucker’s bloopers with the Chinese language spark the verbal comedy.

Off-screen, there was no culture clash. The two friends delighted in cajoling each other throughout filming. During intense stunt work, Chan enjoyed teasing his partner in other ways.

“You are very concentrated with all the people, with the wires, things going on. One screw up, we die,” Chan said. “And Chris always trusts me ... I say, ‘Something’s wrong with your wire.’ And he says, ‘What! What’s going on?’”

The idea to set the sequel in Hong Kong came to Ratner’s mind at the original film’s Hong Kong premiere. Watching Tucker interact with the locals on the street, the director saw the potential for more laughs.

“He’d be talking to people on the street, and no one could understand a word he was saying. They’d look at him like he was crazy,” Ratner recalled. “Then we’d go to karaoke bars and he’d sing Michael Jackson, and people would like get insulted and walk out because they take it very seriously.”

Shooting in Hong Kong, however, proved an entirely different experience.

Since Ratner had heard hard-luck stories from local directors about shooting in Hong Kong, he expected a hectic, uncooperative climate. But with Chan’s name attached, the Hong Kong government stepped in to facilitate filming. The country’s powers-that-be closed down streets and parking spaces for the entire crew.

Tucker, meanwhile, didn’t mind riding on the coattails of his co-star’s fame. Though he felt as big as Michael Jackson, the comedian also sensed that the Chinese natives weren’t as Hollywood-obsessed as Americans.

“It’s just a whole other culture,” Tucker said. “They’re not really caught up in the entertainment thing but they’re really curious about it like, ‘what are these American people so excited about it?’”

Much of Tucker’s cultural experiences became set material for the movie as well. With Chan as his tour guide, Tucker ventured into Hong Kong restaurants, night markets with live produce and karaoke bars.

Aside from the change of scenery, Ratner was also inspired to completely rewrite the role of a dastardly henchman into a hench-woman for Zhang.

The director fell under the actress’ spell when he saw an early cut of “Crouching Tiger.” Intent on bringing her aboard “Rush Hour,” he went to China to woo Zhang in person. Though there was no supporting female role at the time, Ratner pitched the idea to her.

“I flew to China to have dinner with her,” Ratner said. “And as I was sitting there I said, ‘I want you in this movie.’ And she said, ‘What’s the part?’ And I just started making it up as I was going.”

Unlike the gravity-kicking, ballet-like feats of “Crouching Tiger,” Zhang found the martial arts of “Rush Hour” oriented much more toward hand-to-hand combat. Through an interpreter, Zhang credited the pleasure of the experience to Chan. Already an admirer, she learned from the martial arts master how to push herself while also ensuring her physical well-being.

Despite her meteoric rise to success, Zhang still doesn’t see herself as a superstar. In fact, on her first day of shooting, the actress was puzzled by the sudden presence of many people. The crew explained that everyone knew her scene contained combat routines and that people wanted to watch and support her.

Although Zhang was in a familiar country for this film, Chan advised her to immerse herself in the English language if she wanted to continue crossing over into the American market. Despite making as well as dubbing several films in English, the action star still counts language as his greatest obstacle.

“People ask me what kind of stunts are difficult. And I say ‘No, English is difficult for me.’”

Luckily, when it comes to bold physical feats, Chan speaks a universal language. And Ratner assures that Chan’s expert stunts make a fresh and fulfilling feast for the eyes.

“The action is ten times bigger,” Ratner said. “Now Jackie and Chris are both part of the (ending) stunt. And it’s huge – it delivers in a big way. And there’s more comedy. The movie is just funny non-stop from the beginning to the end.”

FILM: “Rush Hour 2” opens in theaters nationwide this Friday.

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