Chan’s Appeal

I wonder what kind of research both New Line production head Michael De Luca and writer Richard Natale did for the article on the success of “Rush Hour” (“Cross-Cultural Buddies Cash In,” Sept. 22).

All along, it seems there was a building consensus from people I talk to that they were getting tired of dubbed Jackie Chan films. If he could make a real Hollywood-style film without the hokey Hong Kong film plots, then that film would easily become a hit. When the previews for “Rush Hour” started running, people realized that they would get what they wanted.

Although Chris Tucker has undeniable appeal and is a rising star, the fact is that, without Chan, this would have been just another buddy-cop comedy. The appeal of the film is primarily Chan’s Chaplinesque acrobatics--the action scenes that otherwise would bog down are extremely watchable because of Chan. This is what is making “Rush Hour” a hit--not that ivory tower nonsense in your article.

ANDY HSIUNG

Santa Monica