Article: Will work for laughs: New line's 'Rush Hour' franchise depends on the oddball chemistry of Tucker and Chan.(COMING ATTRACTION)(Rush Hour 3)

At 38, Brett Ratner has directed eight movies--five for New Line, with its Rather-led "Rush Hour 3" poised for an Aug. 10 release. So what makes the company so eager to work with Ratner?

"Simple--he has a special verve and a unique energy that makes him very suitable for films that need that drive," says Bob Shaye, co-chairman and co-CEO of New Line. "He loves film, has a great sense of humor, and also has a very idiosyncratic charm which clearly works well with big stars."

Sure, but a lot of people in this town love film.

"He really understands--in the most positive sense of the word--how to co-opt actors, production people and even his ...

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