Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30947 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-10-14
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: French
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 86 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Executive-produced by Luc Besson (The Big Blue) but directed by the far more obscure Gérard Pirès, this anodyne but perfectly amiable buddy movie-cum-policier sets up sexily scar-faced Samy Narceri as a speed-obsessed Marseilles taxi driver who's cajoled into helping clumsy cop Frédéric Diefenthal catch a gang of German bank robbers. The dialogue, characterisation and plotting are as flimsy as a rusty Lada, but they're only padding anyway between the slices of car-chase and motorway action that form the steely infrastructure of the film. These, indeed, are pretty spectacular: impressively fast, they're filmed by either low-slung bumper-mounted cameras to make the road seem perilously close or from helicopters to show just how unfaked the action is, while the generally excellent soundtrack pumps relentlessly on. The final stunt, involving an unfinished motorway overpass, is a real beauty in particular.

When not zooming round corners and round asphalt, the characters puzzle dimly over the blindingly obvious ruses of the baddies and make continually frustrated attempts to sleep with their unfeasibly pneumatic love interests. If a French lad's magazine could talk, it would look something like Taxi, which of course will be no bad thing for many a viewer. --Leslie Felperin

Special Features
4:3
DVD 5
French
Region 2
Dolby Digital 2.0 French
Dolby Digital 2.0
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Original Theatrical Trailer
Filmographies
English

Synopsis
Written by Luc Besson, TAXI is a fast-paced comedy thriller, in which former pizza delivery guy Daniel (Samy Naceri) embarks on a new career as a taxi driver in his specially-adapted high-speed car. Oblivious to his passenger's day job, he demonstrates his talents to police officer Emilien (Frederic Diefenthal) and consequently Daniel is forced to accept a new role as the personal driver of Emilien's police car. Soon Daniel is in over his head in an adventure that involves German bank robbers, a legion of pizza delivery boys, and much more.

Customer Reviews

Stunning!
This is the only film that I have rented out more than three times! I think that it is that good. The film is great for people who are into cars and chase scenes. Daniel in his BTCC 406, and the Germans in there Merc 500E's. Great to watch.(Plus you get to hear a throaty V8 roar!) Unfortunatly it is only avalible in french. Please, only buy/rent the subtitled one. I was unlucky to watch a dubbed version. Some of the worst dubbing I've seen. Avoid. I've ordered the soundtrack for it. Only decent french music that I've heard really. Can't wait for Taxi 2, and possibly its game, which I've played in demo form. Its not too bad. Overall, an unmissable film for speed junkies!

Excellent Entertainment
This is a highly entertaining film that is definitely one to buy as it is a film that can be watched again and again.

The cast is excellent with each member fitting their role, with the interaction between both Daniel and Emilien as well as the supporting cast such as Lilly and Camille being first class, this results in the humour being excellent from start to finish. The film is not just comedy though there are some fast car chases, which have some great camera work and they fit in with the style of the film and are definitely entertaining.

Incase you didn't know this is a French film, as can be seen from the patriotic use of a Peugeot as "the" car. This also means that the audio is French only with English subtitles but this doesn't detract from the film and as with most good subtitled films after a while you don't even notice that you are reading them.

Perhaps the weakest aspect of the film is the script but it is not bad and there is enough present with the comedy moments, cast and car chase scenes to stop you really noticing. All in all this is a film that doesn't try to be anything other than it is, its not over complicated and is something you can just sit down relax and enjoy.

You'll end up smiling in spite of yourself
It has all the hallmarks of a potential flop - low budget, unknown actors, Dukes of Hazzard-style plot, unheard-of director, and all in dodgy subtitles as well. I was all set up to hate this movie like a week-old Big Mac & Fries.

I couldn't help it - I loved it. The spark-spitting Vespa ride under the opening credits started the little smile on my face, and it just couldn't be stopped from there. It's simple (no denying), and the car stunts are dangerously low-tech (what, REAL car crashes?), and the characters are sitcom-slim (taking less time than a polaroid in development), but I defy you to come away with anything other than an adrenalin-induced good vibe at the end.

It's the movie equivalent of junk food - but at least it tastes good. It's worth having in your DVD library, even if you only drag it out for a laugh before bed after a night at the pub. Life's too short to miss out on a little old-fashioned fun!