Why the 2004 American remake of Taxi failed to impress professional film critics
In short: Directed by Tim Story, the 2004 action comedy Taxi brought together Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon for a high-speed chase through New York City. Despite a modest financial performance, the film was widely panned by reviewers, who found the remake of a 1998 French production to be largely uninspired.
The film centers on Belle Williams, a skilled cab driver who modifies her 1999 Ford Crown Victoria with a supercharger, and Andy Washburn, a clumsy police detective struggling with his career. After Washburn is demoted to foot patrol for crashing a vehicle, he enlists Belle to help him track down a gang of Brazilian bank robbers. The plot relies on a series of improbable events, including the discovery that the thieves hide their loot in trash bins before garbage collection, eventually leading to a high-stakes hostage exchange on a bridge.
Critical reception was overwhelmingly negative. On Rotten Tomatoes, only 9% of 105 reviews were positive, with the site labeling the film a silly and unfunny adaptation. Metacritic assigned it a score of 27 out of 100, reflecting generally unfavorable opinions. Critics like Roger Ebert and those at the New York Post were particularly harsh, with some calling the work witless and insulting to the audience. Conversely, some viewers offered a more generous perspective, with CinemaScore polling showing an average grade of B+.
Despite the critical drubbing, the film achieved a worldwide gross of $71.3 million against a $25 million production budget. It opened in 3,001 theaters in the United States on October 6, 2004, earning $12 million in its first weekend. While reviewers like Mick LaSalle criticized the car sequences as unconvincing and lackluster, the film remains a notable example of the challenges inherent in adapting international hits for American audiences.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Taxi (2004 film)
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