Just when it seemed that buddy movies peaked with the Lethal Weapon franchise, Rush Hour high-kicked its way to box-office success. Due to its surprisingly new take on the action-comedy genre, the film pairs up the polar opposite Jackie Chan with motor-mouth Chris Tucker of Friday. The talkaholic Tucker proves to be the perfect complement to Chan's choreographed kicks and backflips. While the movie is constructed from typical elements, the two stars make for an entertaining and exciting team. Martial arts expert Chan has become famous for being his own stunt man and literally breaking every bone in his body. Rush Hour not only shows his ability to throw punches and scale walls, but there are several physical routines that rival the work of Charlie Chaplin. In one scene, Chan must ward off goons as he protects wobbling vases -- and does so with the grace of Buster Keaton and the moves of Chuck Norris. Directed by Brett Ratner, who proved that he can direct both Tucker and high-octane action segments in Money Talks, the film comes to life due to the onscreen chemistry between Chan and Tucker. While some may be offended by the Asian stereotypes and racial jokes, one can't deny that Rush Hour proves that a little humor and creativity can fuse new life into an ailing genre.