Disc Reviews

Taxi Blu-ray Review

10th Nov 2014

I remember a late night TV show in the late 90s/early 00s called ‘OutTHERE’ hosted by Emily Booth and Anna Svenska that depicted scenes from what it assumed that we the British audience would perceive as an assortment ‘insane and bizarre’ international cinema (say that in a WWII era gentleman’s voice). True, it featured plenty of Japanese penis-monster action but it also included regular clips of some truly epic car chases involving a suped-up white Peugeot 406 and a couple silver Merc’s leaving me extremely curious as to what this movie was – and more importantly just how fucked up it must be given it’s company here. You see, at the time, in amongst all the 1970s Italian exploitation movies, the zombie B-movies and the utter insanity of the various ‘J-Horror’ movies you might forgive my impression that Luc Besson’s Taxi (directed by Gérard Pirès) would a far more controversial movie than it turned out to be.

Misrepresentations and silly late night assumptions aside, Taxi is actually a straight forward crime/action/comedy caper about a cocky pizza delivery man turned taxi driver Daniel (Samy Narceri) with race track ambitions and a habitual speeding habit. After being rumbled by an off duty loser police detective Emilien (Frédéric Diefenthal) Daniel reluctantly agrees to help him capture a gang of German bank robbers who have so far evaded police with expert driving and clever getaway vehicle resprayings.

Besson’s light hearted script works surprisingly well, particularly with the dynamic between the two main characters and their developing friendship. Where Emilien is a clumsy, inept twit who can’t drive and has no luck with the ladies, Daniel is enviably cool, a skilled driver and has a smoking hot girlfriend, Lily (Marion Cotillard). The pair bond over the mutual deaths of their respective fathers at a young age and nice touches such as Emilien’s mother Camille (Manuela Goaury) smoking weed all evening with Lily and Daniel offering Emilien advice on how to win the heart of leggy co-worker Petra (Emma Wiklund) all help to seal the deal on the otherwise stagnant routine of ‘bad boy helps cop to secure his own freedom’.

The humour, I’m reliably told, is ‘very French’ (whatever that means) but in case that terrifies anyone in particular I can confirm that there are indeed laughs to be had. It’s simple, make no mistake, but that isn’t to say that it’s dumb slapstick tosh. Diefenthal provides most of the giggles with an ‘Inspector Clouseau’ inspired performance – a shootout scene in a car workshop is particularly amusing. However, Daniel’s character provides the wit, which although is translated adequately in the subtitles is most likely lost somewhat on this very rusty French speaker. I have no doubt there are subtleties at work in Narceri’s performance that are far more amusing for a native.

Where the film gains its top marks is in the action sequences – most of which are car chases and various vehicle stunts. I won’t spoil anything but the chase at the climax of ‘Taxi´ is nothing short of jaw-dropping and still carries weight today 16 years later. Gérard Pirès shows true mettle with stunt direction and his no-frills motor-sport shooting style is extremely refreshing when compared to today’s overly-stylised approach to vehicle stunt photography. Doug Liman blatantly took a cue when he made ‘The Bourne Identity’ 4 years later. In a list of the most thrilling car chase scenes ever I’d personally have no qualms sticking Taxi up there with The Italian Job (1969) and The French Connection (1971).

This is the first time that Taxi has appeared on Blu-ray and it doesn’t disappoint. The original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1 is chopped down to a telly pleasing yet still cinematic 2.35:1 and the disc is blessedly free of an English dub. The 5.1 DTS-HD audio track shines during the frantic moments with exciting 360 degree of audio panoramic smashing but a standard stereo 2.0 LPCM is also included for those with twitchy neighbours. Picture is fine with no contrast or grain issues however I feel as though the colours could be slightly more saturated. If memory serves however I remember thinking that the film was slightly ‘washed out’ the first time I saw it on DVD so this is perhaps intentional.

If you’re in the mood for an oft-overlooked bit of genuinely amusing action with impressive stunt work then I’d definitely give this a thumbs up. For Taxi aficionados, already ready aware of the painful truth that none of the sequels measure up to the original movie – and let’s not even mention the 2004 remake with Queen Latifah – you might be disappointed with the lacklustre special features: a 15 minute making of montage (same featurette on the French release by ARP Sélection) plus the original theatrical trailer.