Taxi (Widescreen Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Taxi (Widescreen Edition)
Movie Review: Dangerous Driver, Dangerous Cop, Dangerously Decent
Summary: 3 Stars
"Taxi" is a ridiculous movie based on a series of ridiculous French films by Luc "Transporter" Besson. I don't know what aspect of the story is the most bizarre: that the New York banks are being robbed by Portuguese bikini models, Queen Latifah having bike skills that'll pounce Mat Hoffman, a taxicab that acts like a transformer, or Jimmy Fallon as a cop? My money's on Jimmy Fallon. In fact, if there's one thing that would ruin an otherwise run-of-the-mill popcorn flick, it would be that guy. His attempt at comedy is about as effective at tickling my funny bone as a sledgehammer, and it's just as painful. His character does nothing but cause problems instead of solving them: he can't drive a car, he charges into enemy headquarters, and he patronizing with armed criminals. He's an insignificant nuisance, and even if he does grow out of these problems with the help of a Natalie Cole song, he's still a humorless character with no trace of charm; I sorta wished Jennifer Esposito's character (wearing a low-cut top for a lieutenant) would just fire him at his first offense.
Why couldn't this movie be all about Queen Latifah? Her wisecracks need to be diminished, but she's more than capable in getting the job done on her own. She knows where she had to go, she has her people to scout the area, she understands the mind of a criminal, and she drives like Nascar; that woman's a better cop that Fallon is, and she's just a cabbie. I know this set-up of the incompetant/competent pair is deliberate, but all this incompetent fellow did was look at a map. If the movie has to be another ebony-and-ivory buddy cop flick, why couldn't she team up with Mel Gibson? He may be controversial in recent times, but I can trust that psycho over this comedian.
As far as "Taxi" goes, the sensual nature of the villains and the cast made it too silly, and too much of its humor is about two leads arguing; they're not funny, and they go on like clockwork. But the car chases were entertaining, even if they are absurdly planned. But as absurd as the movie is, it's a fun distraction of an absurdity, same as "Hudson Hawk".
Movie Review: Queen Latifah is the centerpiece in this lame-brain comedy
Summary: 3 Stars
This movie is another proof that a comedy does not have to be plausible or even have a good plot to make us laugh. To keep this kind of silliness in the air the movie depends on the delight created by the stars. Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon bring energy and fun to this lame brained comedy. From the opening bicycle messenger sequence under the titles to the very last outtake there is nothing in this movie that makes much sense let alone a speck of plausibility.
Yet, you just like watching Queen Latifah occupying the screen. Yes, we would like watching her all the more in a better movie, but sometimes it is OK to have fun being silly. Her souped up taxi is silly, that she can zoom through downtown traffic is silly, that Fallon could be a cop with all his foibles is even sillier, and there is a lot more in this movie that is even dumber including the Super Villains being attracted to bank robbing. Fallon is not as delightful as Queen Latifah, but makes his feckless cop into someone you almost care about. He and Queen Latifah do have some chemistry as a comedy team.
But who cares? This is not a movie about realism. It is playing pretend and setting up silly situations that we can laugh at. That Ann Margret as Fallon's constantly intoxicated mom can make drunkenness funny at all is an achievement in today's MADD world.
If you want to turn off your brain for a bit and understand that all your enjoyment will be destroyed the moment your plausibility circuitry evaluates anything you are seeing on the screen, this should work for you. If you can't then this is a one or two star movie that will drive you crazy. In either case, you won't remember much about it the day after you watch it.
Movie Review: It Has A Few Good Moments....
Summary: 3 Stars
This was a one of those movies that seems to go off track here and there. Jimmy Fallon and Queen Latifah fans will see the best and the worst of both stars. What you won't see is any consistency in this film.
Taxi is a movie that seems to change directors from day-to-day filming; there are scenes that have all the excitement and star quality of a "Lethal Weapon", and there are scenes that have all the drabness of a daytime soap opera.
Jimmy Fallon plays a cop who is not a very good driver and has an ex-girlfriend (so he says) for a boss. Their banter is not the least bit entertaining, even though I believe it is supposed to be.
Queen Latifah plays a bike courieor who finally gets her cabbie license. QL is an excellent actress, and at times I almost felt like she was doing everything in her power to carry this film. I think she is so appealing to the masses because she seems like such a "down-to-earth" person. She has a real charm on the screen.
Fallon's character has some truly funny moments: The huge pile-up of cars when he tries do commandeer a citizen's vehicle and his alcoholic mother are amusing, but these good spots are rare.
The whole movie seemed to need a rewrite. I didn't hate this movie, but I definitely didn't think it was all it could have been. Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon are so talented that it takes an amazing script to utilize their talents. I would advise them both to be more picky with their scripts.
So all and all...If there is nothing else to buy or rent, try this movie. I wouldn't make it my first choice.
See ya next review.
Movie Review: Wait for the Video
Summary: 3 Stars
First things first, If anyone who watches this film really believes that was Queen Latifah in the opening sequences, I have some Brooklyn Bridge deeds to sell you, as well as some oceanfront property lots still available in Kansas. Now that that's out of the way...
Taxi stars Queen Latifah and Jimmie Fallon. Latifah is a former bicycle messenger turned taxi hack, while Fallon is a New York City policeman who cannot drive. Fallon while reacting to a "bank robbery in progress" call employs Latifah to drive him the crime scene. Thus begins the arduous journey of our two co-stars.
As you can surmise, the robbers successfully escape; Fallon is relieved of duty; Latifah loses her cab, and both must rely on each other to catch the guys (or in this case, bad girls).
As in any buddy picture, the movie is only successful if the chemistry works between the stars. And though Fallon and Latifah aren't Gibson and Glover (Lethal Weapon), or even Chan and Tucker (Rush Hour), the camaraderie does work; and I did enjoy this film.
My rating: Wait for the Video
BTW... Obviously the cab sequence of changing from taxi to supped-up hotrod must have cost a great deal of money..... The sequence is shown three different times throughout the movie..... At some point you're sitting there saying to yourself, "ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!! Get to the Chase!!!!!!!!"
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Movie Review: $$$$ SPEED $$$$ SPEED $$$$ 3 Stars
Washburn (Jimmy Fallon) can't seem to get a handle on the bad guys, his gun, or the wheel. As he steadily drives his department crazy with stunt after stunt he finds himself without a license. So how can he get to the scene of the crime?(((YO TAXI)))
Good thing Belle (Queen Latifah) is on the pedal! With Belle's souped up Crown Vic they are able to glimpse the assailants. But who cares? Belle's cab is impounded. Washburn is a joke if anything at the station.
As the odd couple stumble on the speedy supermodel bank robbers it appears that it's more than they can handle.
Belle's man is perturbed that time doesn't seem to be on his side as he has done his best to ask her a major question.
With time on their hands Belle and Washburn work through some of their issues. Become friends and in the end things work out with them doing what they both loved in the first place.
I liked it. Not to mention that Henry Simmons with his FINE self was in here. That and I love me some SPEED! I have to drive fast otherwise there is no need in driving. Great stunts... No matter what you dream of doing follow your heart!