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‘Rush Hour 3’ runs out of gas

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Times Staff Writer

“Rush Hour 3” (New Line, $35), arriving this week on DVD, is running on fumes at this point. There’s still chemistry between Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, but the comedy is wafer-thin and predictable. The only saving graces are a few of the action sequences with Chan -- especially at the beginning when he chases a bad guy around downtown Los Angeles. But it’s time for the boys to just say no to any more installments in the franchise. And one big question: How did the great Max von Sydow end up in this sophomoric exercise?

The two-disc DVD doesn’t stint on extras with bloopers, deleted scenes, a lengthy behind-the-scenes featurette and director Brett Ratner’s enjoyable production diary. Ratner and writer Jeff Nathanson supply the commentary -- though they say they were looking to bring more heart to “Rush Hour 3,” the film lacks a pulse.

Chan also stars in the 2006 Hong Kong production “Rob B. Hood” (Weinstein, $25), in which he plays a thief who always gambles away his ill-gotten gains. But his troubles really begin when he and his friends kidnap a baby. The film has a few laughs and some good action, but it’s not enough to sustain its two-hour-plus running time. And do we really need to hear Chan sing the title tune? There’s commentary in Chinese with subtitles with director Benny Chan, production featurettes and interviews with Chan, who admits he wants to become a more serious actor.

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Nine years after they scored a blockbuster success with “There’s Something About Mary,” actor Ben Stiller re-teamed with writer-directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly for “The Heartbreak Kid” (Paramount, $30). However, this tasteless remake of the dark 1972 comedy penned by Neil Simon landed with a thud with critics and audiences. Included on the disc are bloopers, deleted scenes and two really brain-numbing featurettes -- one on the cast and crew dressing up for Halloween and another about the egg roll tosses the production members participated in after the day’s shooting ended. Check out the original and avoid this.

Oscar winners Jamie Foxx and Chris Cooper star along with Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman in a rare dramatic turn, in “The Kingdom” (Universal, $30), one of the many politically themed films released this year that failed to click with moviegoers. Peter Berg of “Friday Night Lights” directed this action-thriller about a group of FBI investigators sent to Saudi Arabia after a terrorist attack on a compound of Americans working in the country for the oil companies. Extras include passable commentary from Berg and production featurettes.

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“Shattered” (Lionsgate, $27): Pierce Brosnan, Gerard Butler and Maria Bello star in this thriller that opened theatrically internationally but premiered in the U.S. on TNT this past fall. Though far from memorable, it’s an OK time-killer. Extras include a short behind-the-scenes featurette as well as rather giggly commentary with director Mike Barker and producer-writer William Morrissey.

“American Pie Presents: Beta House (Unrated edition)” (Universal, $30): This made-for-video entry in the popular -- and extremely filthy -- “American Pie” comedy franchise hits a low in low-brow comedy. Drunken frat guys may love it, but it’s a misogynist mess. Extras include inane commentary with the cast, crew and director Andrew Waller, deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurettes and an abhorrent “yule” log.

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susan.king@latimes.com

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