Action-Filled ‘Money Talks’ Spends Its Humor Wisely

“Money Talks”--but nobody talks faster than comedian Chris Tucker. In “The Fifth Element,” he was the most hyper, outrageous drag queen imaginable, and now he’s the most frenetic con artist you’ll ever see.

His Franklin Hatchett is working as a ticket scalper when Charlie Sheen’s James Russell, a TV newsman desperate for a story, zeros in on him at a carwash. Franklin’s subsequent arrest catches both him and James in a comedy-action adventure that actually is funny and diverting (so many that are meant to be these days aren’t).

As his own executive producer, Tucker, whose talent and persona ranges hilariously between Eddie Murphy and Little Richard, clearly knows how to showcase himself and make others, Sheen in particular, look good, too.

This handsome New Line Cinema release is a straightforward genre film, but writers Joel Cohen and Alec Sokolow and director Brett Ratner have fun with a formula plot and bring lots of imagination and humor to the twists and turns of its unfolding.

They further have the good fortune to be working with a production designer, Robb Wilson King, and a pair of cinematographers, Russell Carpenter and Robert Primes, who really know how to make the most of striking Los Angeles locales. Franklin and his no-nonsense girlfriend (Elise Neal) live at the once-grand old Rosslyn--now Frontier--Hotel at 5th and Main streets, and an auction of ultra-high-end cars is held amid the Art Deco splendor of the Pantages Theater. The film’s lighting gives a noirish shading to this color picture that stylishly sets off all the slam-bam action and knockabout humor. Adding to the film’s flair is Lalo Schifrin’s energetic score.

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The action kicks in at yet another cherished locale, the beautiful Beaux Arts 1st Street Bridge that spans the Los Angeles River. Right in the middle of it, a bus carrying prisoners is suddenly commandeered by armed gunmen, and Franklin reluctantly escapes, handcuffed to the nasty Villard (Gerard Ismael), who turns out to be a diamond smuggler (with a current cache worth $15 million).

A couple of swift plot developments land Franklin in the care of James, who wants to hold on to him through the weekend so that his exclusive story will hit a sweeps week. (James’ smart, ruthless boss is played sharply by David Warner, a nice casting touch, since the Brits seem to lead the world these days in sensational journalism.)

As it happens, James is about to be married. He is facing pre-wedding festivities at the wonderfully vulgar Second Empire estate--supposedly in Beverly Hills but most likely Pacific Palisades--of his future in-laws, the jovial Guy Cipriani (Paul Sorvino) and his sour-puss wife (Veronica Cartwright), parents of his beautiful fiancee Grace (Heather Locklear), whose trust and loyalty are about to be severely tested.

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Tagging along is Franklin, who introduces himself as none other than Vic Damone Jr., son of the famous singer and his former wife Diahann Carroll. (Never mind that Franklin is too old to have been their son, for Guy embraces “Vic Jr.” as a paisano).

Amid all of Franklin’s constant conning, there emerges, through bracing humor, a sense of how an enterprising yet poor and uneducated young black man has to be fearlessly on his toes to try to get ahead in this world.

Unfortunately, the realities of the marketplace dictate that an action picture aimed at urban male audiences include plenty of violence and mayhem. To be sure, “Money Talks,” which culminates in a showdown in the Coliseum that looks like the start of World War III, is no exception. Yet its makers bring a saving humor even to its fiery climax.

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* MPAA rating: R, for graphic violence and pervasive strong language. Times guidelines: It includes much cussing and considerable violence, although presented in a comedy context.

‘Money Talks’

Chris Tucker: Franklin Hatchett

Charlie Sheen: James Russell

Paul Sorvino: Guy Cipriani

Heather Locklear: Grace Cipriani

A New Line Cinema presentation. Director Brett Ratner. Producers Walter Coblenz, Tracy Kramer. Executive producer Chris Tucker. Screenplay by Joel Cohen & Alec Sokolow. Cinematographers Russell Carpenter, Robert Primes. Editor Mark Helfrich. Costumes Sharen Davis. Music Lalo Schifrin. Production designer Robb Wilson King. Art director John Marshall. Set designers Alicia MacCarone, Jeff Ozimek. Set decorator Lance Lombardo. Running time: 1 hour, 35 minutes.

* In general release throughout Southern California.