Money Talks

It's very easy to determine if Money Talks is going to be your cup of tea. If you think Chris Tucker is a riotous comedic presence, you'll be in heaven; if Tucker's every moment on screen during The Fifth Element made you want to tear out your own central nervous system, stay very far away. Tucker may be the most actively annoying screen presence since--well, "ever" comes to mind--and Money Talks is a massive Chris Tucker love-in. Here, he plays a motor-mouthed ticket scalper who ends up on the run with an investigative reporter (Charlie Sheen) when he's suspected of aiding the escape of jewel smugglers. In truth, the film is merely an extended opportunity for Tucker to comment on the general idiocy of white people. That includes and goes double for Sheen, whose sole purpose is to be Tucker's most convenient target for insults or a threat to kick his ass. There is nothing remotely sympathetic or likeable about Tucker's character, except that he actually seems to care about his pregnant girlfriend (whom he sweet-talks with a good-natured threat to kick her ass). Ultimately, this is the kind of wretched buddy comedy which makes other wretched buddy comedies look inspired, a showcase for the grating, nasal whine of a frenetic, overly-kinetic '90s Jerry Lewis. Not recommended. (S. Renshaw)