Taxi (PG-13, 2004)

common sense media says

Think twice before hailing this Taxi.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has a very lighthearted, even cavalier attitude toward substance abuse. Washburn's mother is an alcoholic, and this is primarily played for comedy. Washburn and Belle are exposed to nitrous oxide ("laughing gas"), also played for comedy (including a side effect of making their voices deeper, a sort of anti-helium). Parents should make sure that children and teens who see this movie understand that inhaling nitrous oxide for non-medicinal reasons can be dangerous. The movie has a few strong words, including some not usually found in PG-13s, like an anatomical term and the "N" word (heard in a song lyric). The movie has a lot of comedy-style violence, with many car chases and explosions and some shoot-outs. Some characters are injured, but no one is killed or badly hurt. There are some mild sexual references. A strength of the movie is the portrayal of capable and intelligent minority women and inter-racial respect and cooperation.

Violence: A lot of comic peril, car chases and explosions, shooting, characters injured.
Sex: Mild sexual references.
Language: A few strong words.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Alcoholism portrayed as charming and comic, nitrous oxide inhalation portrayed as safe and fun.

More on Taxi

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why Washburn was a bad driver and what makes someone a good driver.

What's the story?

What's the story?
In this remake of a French film, Washburn (Jimmy Fallon), a dedicated cop who is the world's worst driver, gets teamed up with Belle (Queen Latifah), a speed-loving would-be NASCAR driver with a souped-up taxicab When Washburn hails Belle's cab to get to a bank robbery, it leads to all kinds of misunderstandings, shoot-outs, and car chases before they catch up with the culprits, a gang of (yes, really) four Brazilian supermodels.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
TAXI has some numbingly obvious musical cues and even more numbingly obvious jokes, with situation after situation rather than story. The script is so sit-com-ish you almost expect a laugh track. It all seems a little tired, from the lead-off to the tune of a former hit song to the attempt to find some humor in a character who has the same name as Supreme Court Justice Anthony Scalia.

Queen Latifah and Fallon have strong screen presences and great comic timing and the movie has a few moments of silly fun and a couple of slick stunts. The talented Jennifer Esposito gives her standard "exasperated police lieutenant" role some warmth and appeal. Giselle Bundchen makes great use of her supermodel body, but she's no actress. This is one Taxi you should think twice before hailing. (But if you do see it, wait until the very end because the best joke in the movie comes during the outtakes over the credits.)

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Director: Tim Story
Cast: Jennifer Esposito, Jimmy Fallon, Queen Latifah
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 97 minutes
Theatrical release: October 8, 2004
DVD release: February 15, 2005
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: language, sensuality and brief violence

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

Shinjo
adult
 
Not a great movie...
This movie isn't that good...though Queen Latifah is funny. I wouldn't recommend seeing it.

 
I watched it at least 4 times!
This movie was funny and full of action and adventure. It was not very sexual or violent. It was mostly funny. Much of this movie is a car chase, but it doesn't get old, they keep it fresh and interesting. Some scenes may not be appropriate for kids under 12.

alexo21
adult
 
Funny (I wish i had given it 4 stars)
this movie is alright for children guess. Good looking women in bikinis and a scene of butt grabbing give it its PG-13 rating. This movie was really funny and catchy. Jimmy Fallon is hilarious. Its not a very intellectual movie so its mostly for teens. Fast cars, europian girls, a really really funny guy that sings like a girl. YOU cant go wrong.

 
Didn't get bored.
I took my 11 year old son to see this movie and wished he had been a little older. Very sexy ladies in the film and one scene of a woman touching another inappropriately. Other than this, we found it funny and engaging and would watch it again (when he's older).

antoineisthebest
teen, 15 years old
 
copy of the french!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it's just a replic of the french movie just watch the french movie instead it's way funnier I watch taxi 1,2,3,4 and I found way funnier! DON'T EVEN WATCH THIS S***T taxi(1998) is way funnier

Phenom
teen, 18 years old
 
I laughed, i cried but mostly i cried laughing so hard.
This was a funny movie i dont know why critics dont like this movie i thought it was funny but not for some one under 12 yrs. old

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