Stereotypes with hourly comedy

There have been many great buddy cop films made but it seems sometimes the more enjoyable ones involve the differently racial groups. One film I always enjoy watching is Rush Hour (1998) featuring Chris Tucker (African American) and Jackie Chan (Hong Kong). This film has no White protagonist but instead take the background role of the greedy bad guy. Both Tucker and Chan have talent and chemistry that shine in their way. This buddy film explores different their racial and cultural backgrounds so as the story develops the two form a close bond as they learn to work together teaching the other their strengths. They both want to achieve the same goal and working together they do succeed.

Stereotypes typically have its role, an example is in the scene when Tucker first meets Chan and assumes he does not speak English and is a little insensitive towards him. In this film a lot of the comedy comes from their different race and cultural background which is what makes this film entertaining. As with many buddy cop films the two buddies defy the authoritative structure and do things their own way. The storyline is simple and typical but the focus is more on the buddy detective relationship between the two. Tuckers character is outspoken and loud while his wise cracks add to the comedy and making a few race comments when telling Chan to, “don’t touch a Black man’s radio”. There are many comments referring to race but are overlooked to be humorous when Tucker and Chan discuss their fathers where Tucker makes a comment about Chan’s country and even the food, e.g. (“sweet and sour chicken ass”). These comments are funny and slightly racist to some but not meant to be offensive. Most of us have probably heard these kinds of stereotypes before and are use to them. Tucker acts like a comedian and his comments are meant to be entertaining and through the discourses of the modern audience they understand the meaning of the ideological stereotypes.