Money Talks

Plot summary: Franklin Hatchett (Tucker) is a small time con man who instantly becomes famous (or infamous depending on how you look at it) after he escapes from prison. Mistakenly wanted for murder by the police and wanted for robbery by a gang of crooks, Hatchett's only hope to clear his name and get out of this mess is a television reporter named James Russell (Sheen).

This movie was just a good time. After seeing Rush Hour with Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan, I wanted to go back and see earlier comedies with Chris Tucker in a starring role. (I already saw Dead Presidents, The 5th Element and Friday, but they either weren't comedies or he wasn't a starring character.)

Again, this movie was a good time. It doesn't deserve to win any awards, but it's just fun to watch. The entire cast offers great performances, while it's always good to see Paul Sorvino perform. While Tucker's character isn't exactly the nicest guy, the audience feels bad for him. The audience is made to feel that he does what he does because he has to. In his situation, I don't think many people would do otherwise. While he does take things to extremes, the movie wouldn't be as fun if he didn't.

I would recommend this movie to any comedy fan, "buddy movie" fan or fan of the actors.

Ever since I saw Chris Tucker on Def Comedy Jam in the early 90's I was committed to see him in whatever he appeared in. "Money Talks" was his first significant role in which he wasn't a heavy drug user. From what I remember, that's the reason he chose this role and turned down the role for "Next Friday;" he didn't want to be type-cast. True to form, he was hilarious in "Money Talks" just as I expected.

A low-level smooth talking hustler by the name of Franlin Hatchet (Chris Tucker) is on the run from the police, after a jailbreak. Which he is falsely accused of planning a violent jailbreak. Now the whole city is on his trail and the only one, who could clear his name is an ambitious television reporter James Russell (Charlie Sheen). Which is the only reason why Franklin was sent to prison, because of James. Now together, they find each other mixed-up with cops, crooks and euro-trash bad guys. Which Franklin knows that the man (Gerard Ismael) was chained-up with in the bus. He was trying to retrieve a fortune in diamonds.

Directed by Brett Rather (Rush Hour Trilogy, X-Men 3:The Last Stand, Red Dragon) made an highly entertaining comedy with enough thrills and humour. Although the premise is familiar but Tucker's energetic comical performance makes this worth watching.

DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer (also in Pan & Scan) and an strong-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD includes the original theatrical trailer, cast information and star highlights by Tucker and Sheen. After the box office success of this film, Tucker went on the one of the leads of the "Rush Hour" movies. Paul Sorvino is amusingly cast as Russell's future father-in-law. Written by Joel Cohen and Alec Sokolow. Which they wrote films together like "Garfield", "Garfield:A Tale of Two Kitties" and "Toy Story". Tucker also executive produced the film. Super 35. (****/*****).

This is a movie that makes people feel entertained. Back when this movie was made, it was when Chris Tucker was at his absolute best, before he became the serious artist he's tried to become today. This I want to be taken seriously disease seems to plague lots of comedians when they start to achieve some sort of box office success. Eddie Murphy. Is one that immediately comes to mind. So sit back and enjoy the days when a comedian at his prime does what he does best; entertain you and make you laugh.

A Classic Action Comedy. This in my opinion is Chris Tucker at his best. From the opening scene to the end, Chris Tucker is hilarious. From the funny looking hair cut to the cussing and singing, he reminds you of Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop. Charlie Sheen also does an impressive job. The action scenes are not spectacular, but it does a good job.

Money talks is a good blend of Guns/Explosions and laughter. If your a fan of 48 Hours, Nothing To Lose or any other Action Comedy, Money talks is a must see.

7.4/10