Chris Tucker has had one of the most fascinating careers in Hollywood of any actor in recent memory. After making a name for himself as a standup comedian and nondescript background player in TV shows and music videos in the early 90s, Tucker finally hit the big-time with the surprise breakout hit comedy Friday in 1995.
A dozen years later, Tucker left the glitz and glamour of the spotlight despite headlining the lucrative Rush Hour franchise, for which he earned $48 million for his work. When Tucker returned to the limelight, he did so with middling results. To paint a clearer picture, here are Chris Tucker's 10 best movies, according to Rotten Tomatoes!
Panther (1995) 27%
Despite a decent IMDB rating, Mario Van Peebles's Panther, a dramatic portrait of the Black Panther movement, was skewered by the few critics who reviewed it. Not even Tucker's small role could save its fate.
Boasting a stellar, nearly-all African-American cast, the film attempts to depict the rise and fall of the Black Panther Party For Self Defense in the late 60s. The dramatic account is intercut with archival footage of the Panthers rallying in Oakland, California. Unfortunately, not enough time is allotted to tell such a complex story.
A Man's Story (2012) 33%
Although it was produced in 2010, A Man's Story was not officially released until 2012. For Tucker, the movie marked the second film he participated in to be released after a five-year absence from the big screen. Off the top of your head, can you guess the other?
A Man's Story is a documentary film about the life and career of English fashion designer Ozwald Boateng. Many high-profile actors and celebrities partook in the film, including Tucker, Spike Lee, Jamie Foxx, Don Cheadle, and others.
Dead Presidents (1995) 44%
As the heroin-addicted small-time hood Skip in Dead Presidents, Tucker gives arguably the most well-rounded turn of his career. Unfortunately, the film didn't resonate too well among critics.
From Albert and Allen Hughes, the film tracks a black Vietnam vet named Anthony (Larenz Tate), who finds himself in dire need once returning from the war. With limited options in his community, Anthony turns to pals Skip, Jose (Freddie Rodriguez), Juanita (Rose Jackson) and others to rob an armored truck full of cash...aka Dead Presidents.
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (2018) 44%
According to critics on RT, Tucker's decision to team up with visionary director Ang Lee was not a wise one.
The film follows 19-year-old Iraq war vet Billy Lynn, who is brought home from the battlefield to celebrate a victory tour. However, it's not all rosy for Billy, who we see through various wartime flashbacks, overcome more than anyone can imagine. Tucker plays Albert, an ancillary character that doesn't leave much of an impression.
Rush Hour 2 (2001) 52%
While the precipitous drop-off from Rush Hour 2 (52%) to Rush Hour 3 (18%) likely caused the death of the franchise, the margin between the first two films is nowhere near as dramatic.
In the buddy-cop sequel, Lee (Jackie Chan) and Carter (Tucker) venture to Hong Kong where they become embroiled in a web of international intrigue. Two American men are murdered at the Chinese Embassy, forcing Lee to look for answers while Carter intends to party the night away.
Rush Hour (1998) 60%
The stale buddy-cop formula was rewritten from scratch and stretched to the limits in Rush Hour, the hit action-comedy that paired the unlikely duo of Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan.
Cut from the same cloth as 48 Hours and Lethal Weapon, the film picks up when a revered and honorable Hong Kong detective is paired with a brash and loudmouthed L.A.P.D. officer in the quest to the kidnapped daughter of the Chinese Consul. The chemistry between the two leads was so palpable and consistently hilarious that another two films in the franchise were produced.
The Fifth Element (1997) 71%
Flamboyant with a Capital F is the only way to describe Tucker's portrayal of Ruby Rhod, an intergalactic superstar with more fashion swag than a dang Tom Ford model. Or better yet, a Migos member.
Luc Besson's hyper-imaginative future world in The Fifth Element centers on cab driver Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis) as he traverses a colorful galaxy in search of the only piece of heavy-duty weaponry that can defeat Mr. Zorg (Gary Oldman). Tucker gives a big, broad, cartoonish turn as Rhod, a leopard-clad popstar with peroxide donut-hair.
Friday (1995) 78%
Where there's smoke, there's fire. For Tucker, Smokey in the movie Friday still ranks as his most fire role to date. Without it, Tucker would likely have never become a household name.
The landmark urban comedy was written and starring Ice Cube as Craig a warehouse employee fired on his day off for allegedly stealing boxes. With nothing to do on a lazy Friday, Craig is convinced by his stoner neighbor, Smoky (Tucker) to get high for the first time in his life. Smoky lights a spliff, Craig can't resist, and, soon, the two are indebted to local dope dealer Big Worm (Faison Love).
Jackie Brown (1997) 87%
As the boisterous and yellow-bellied Beaumont Livingston, Tucker lent his trademark brand of humor to Quentin Tarantino's ode to blaxploitation cinema Jackie Brown.
Seriously, who can forget the hilarious scene in which Ordell (Samuel L. Jackson) tries to convince Beaumont to climb into the trunk of a car with a shotgun? Ordell bribes the convict with a trip to Roscoe's Chicken & Waffle, which no living man or woman can refuse. Tucker's dialogue in the scene ranks as one of the few times QT allowed for improvisation.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012) 92%
One of the surprising charms of David O'Russell's award-winning take on mental health, Silver Linings Playbook, was the inspired casting of Tucker as Danny, Pat's fellow-inmate bestie!
When Pat (Bradley Cooper) is released from a mental hospital, he's sad to depart from his pal, Danny. But, when Danny sees an opportunity to break free, he takes it and finds himself in the care of Pat and his loving Philly family. Danny ultimately helps Pat court Tiffany (J.Law) by teaching him how to act smoothly and dance with grace.