Taxi [1998] (DVD)

~ ~ About three years ago or so I watched a couple of foreign language DVD's (French) called "Taxi" and the sequel "Taxi 2" by the French writer and producer Luc Besson, who is probably best known for the movie "Leon". (1994) Both were highly amusing comedies that lost little by being subtitled, and indeed I have watched both of them again since then to while away a pleasant couple of hours in front of the old gogglebox. So when I read that the original film had been remade and released on DVD in an English language version it was a nap that I was going to purchase and watch the DVD at some stage. As it transpires this was to prove to ...  Read the complete review

~ ~ How could a wee ‘mad cabbie’ resist a movie with the title of “TAXI”. I already have “TAXIDRIVER”, the belting early Robert De Niro film, which without a doubt rates in my Top Ten Movies of all time list. (op to follow) But “TAXI” (1998), instead of being set in the USA, uses the streets of the French city of Marseilles as its set. Indeed, it’s actually a French film, with English subtitles. In typical ‘mad cabbie’ fashion, I actually watched the sequel to this film (TAXI 2) first, but decided to write the reviews in the proper sequence. (review of TAXI 2 to follow) I have to say that ...  Read the complete review

Kilometres? That's what they have in France, and are, of course, one of the best reasons to accidentally make your car go faster than it really should, on the side of the road where it really shouldn't. But whether you try to do a few quick conversions into ye olde Imperial measurements or not, it's still pretty fast. Add this speed to the streets of Marseilles and a hastily cobbled together crime scenario, and you get this little gem -- Taxi! Luc Besson wrote the script and produces, but the director's chair goes to Gerard Pires. The story is of a pizza delivery man Daniel (Samy Naceri) who is promoted to taxi driver, and embarks on an ...  Read the complete review

While not even close to being one of my all time favorite films, the french hit action comedy Taxi was nevertheless a fun little ride that featured an easy going chemistry between its leads and car chases that actually felt like the characters were driving through rush hour at over 200 mph. The first news I heard of this new American remake (cus; no offense, but you guys never leave anything alone) was a billboard at the local cinema and a trailer that left me clawing my eyes out in disbelief. Sadly I really am too much of a nice guy, and so when one of my friends said that she wanted to see this I agreed to tag along (Course I would like to know when my friends are ...  Read the complete review

Taxi was written and produced by Luc Besson, although surprisingly not directed. That job went to Gérald Pirès, a director previously unknown to me. Pirès doesn’t do a bad job by any means, although I couldn’t help but feel there’d be a bit more flair about this piece had Besson done all three jobs. The film starts out with the main character Daniel (played wonderfully laid back by Samy Naceri) leaving his pizza delivery job for the life of a taxi driver. Perhaps so far not the stuff of a fast-paced action comedy; unless of course your man happens to be a budding racing driver with a taxi supped up to almost Knight Rider proportions. ...  Read the complete review