Review for Taxi Blu-Ray

Daniel is a Pizza Delivery man, who after quitting his job goes onto his dream of being a taxi driver. However, his reckless and speed-hungry driving causes him problems with the police. Detective Emilien offers him a deal: Help capture a gang of bank robbers and he will not have his licence taken from him. This leads to a crazy mix of action, stunts and more action through the streets of Marseilles.

Taxi is Luc Besson's thrilling French action film that has spawned a franchise unto itself. Besson has become infamous for the high octane action of films such as the Taken series, Leon and the surreal science fiction The Fifth Element. However, he very rarely Directs the films that he writes allowing others to focus his vision for him. Director Gerard Pires has done little of note since making this film, but this is an excellent and wonderfully shot movie.

Now, I will be honest I wasn't too impressed with this film when I first saw it in 1998/1999. It seemed like just another action film and bulldozed through every cop cliche that there was. However, on this second viewing I can appreciate the amazing camerawork, the non-CGI car chases that look amazing and the simple story that it revolves around. The fact that I have the dirty memory of the awful, embarrassing 2004 remake starring Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon in my head probably doesn't help though.

The acting by everyone is fine, nothing special, but gets you through the film. Samy Naceri as Daniel is fine and carries the film well aided by Frederic Diefenthal as Emilien. This is not the silly buddy-cop chemistry of Rush Hour or anything like that, but it works well and you enjoy watching the two of them. The only name you will recognise is Marion Cotillard as Daniel's girlfriend Lily. Cotillard went on to win an Oscar for her portrayal of Edith Piaf in the amazing La Vie en Rose and also starred in The Dark Knight Rises. She is great in this film, though it is not exactly a career defining performance or anything.

Throughout the film the action is well paced. At only ninety minutes you would think either the film would feel rushed or would be half-made, with lots of gaps. It is neither and because of that it is a hugely enjoyable film to watch. It is a shame that they didn't include the two sequels with this film as a boxset as by the end I wanted to continue on with the adventures of these characters. Humour throughout is placed well and if you sense there is a Tarantino-feel to the film then you are probably right. Use of the Pulp Fiction theme as well as the well timed action/comedy moments are perfect.

The only extra apart from the trailer is a fifteen minute making of created at the film of making the film. It is a shame that nothing more contemporary is included. I expected some interviews with those involved, a commentary or something to show why this deserved the High-Def Blu-ray treatment. Other than the film being good, nothing is given. In regards to the quality of the film it does look amazing and again with no CG and all the stunts (as far as I am aware) being real, this is a fantastic looking picture.

Taxi is a film that you will enjoy if you like your action and comedy fast. This is not the smug bravado of Fast and the Furious or the over the top nature of the Rush Hour films, but a film pitched perfectly. Avoid the remake at all costs and flag down the infinitely superior original.