Lalo Schifrin wrote one of the score to the Bruce Lee action adventure Enter the Dragon back in the late 70's. Since that time he's continued to work and compose, however, he never really had the opportunity to write a score like the one he wrote for Enter the Dragon. That is until Rush Hour. Rush Hour is an action comedy film starring Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan as an unlikely pair of cops thrown together to solve a kidnapping case. The director of the film, Brett Ratner, was a self professed fan of Enter the Dragon and his desire was to make this a film in that same vein. One of the principle elements that helped make Enter the Dragon a success was Lalo Schifrin's score, thus, a partnership was formed.
The score that Schifrin has composed here can only be described as an updated version of his score for Enter the Dragon. Combining ethnic Chinese instruments with a full orchestra, Schifrin works out a score that works well in crossing the barriers. The main title piece, Rush Hour Main Title is a great piece that introduces the main theme that is used again throughout portions of the score. Indeed, in some tracks it's clear that Schifrin was trying to bring back memories of his score to Enter the Dragon. The opening moments of Lee Arrives in L.A. sounds remarkably like the opening titles to Enter the Dragon. But this score doesn't solely try to be like that film. It has it's own merits and is a decent score that deserves a listen.
Total time: 47:22
1: Rush Hour Main Title (2:02)
2: Fight At The Harbour (1:20)
3: Soo Yung's Theme (3:17)
4: Soo Yung's Abduction (0:55)
5: Lee Arrives in L.A. (1:29)
6: Jumping The Bus (2:07)
7: Won Ton For Two (1:50)
8: Explosive Situation (1:19)
9: Lee At The Mansion (2:18)
10: Restaurant Poison (2:15)
11: Battle At Juntao's (2:20)
12: Greasy Egg Rolls (0:56)
13: Chasing Sang (2:36)
14: $50 Million Ransom (1:51)
15: On Juntao's Heels (4:09)
16: Asian Art Convention (1:48)
17: Lee's Sadness (1:47)
18: High Tension (2:29)
19: Sweet And Sour (2:09)
20: Chinese Street Music (2:03)
21: Carter Chases Clive (1:32)
22: The British Menace (1:26)
23: Rush Hour End Title (3:24)