Jackie Chan’s Rush Hour (1998) remains a classic 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 mᴀssive hit and a potential Rush Hour 4 is often discussed today.

The first movie earned nearly $250 million against a $30 million budget. Its sequel was well-received, as Rush 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:

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The warning, which was placed on the original Rush 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 on Rush Hour, given that the 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.

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 Hour features 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 to Rush Hour, others are pointing to other movies from the time. Some social media users are asking about ᴀssigning a potential disclaimer to Blazing Saddles (1974), despite the fact that this movie already has a warning attached. As time pᴀsses, 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 that Chan famously dislikes the Rush Hour movies. He claims that he is somewhat confused by “American culture” and “American dialogue,” as he 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 is nothing 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 Hour will 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.

Source: @VHSDVDBLURAY4K/X