Utterly xenophobic, ridiculous concepts, bumbling police officers and that Peugeot 406, Taxi 2 follows on from its predecessor, and while the term sequel is rather derogatory, it is a furthering of the story of the lives of Daniel and Emilien. And it's rather funny: but also slightly disappointing.
There are genuine moments of hilarity that course throughout this film, and Luc Bessons' "Taxi" brand is seemingly rather successful. The opening gambit launches you straight back into the world that we came to know with Daniel the, non-license holding, part time Taxi driver part time speed demon up to his usual tricks of 'saving the day' (albeit getting a pregnant woman to the hospital on time) and all feels rather natural and enjoyable. However, the trouble with sequels is that something extra or different must be added to the cocktail as to "prove" that there has been an evolution in the script writing, and that it's not merely a regurgitation of a previous concept. The point being that what they put in, is somewhat gimmicky and fan boyish.
In place of the ultra slick dead panned German Mercedes Gang, enabling classic lines such as "don't worry Sir we'll get the Krauts" or "Stuff the special German-French relationship, my grandfather fought in the trenches, this is personal", we are introduced to the Jacuzzi...I mean Yakuza. Amusing moments are achieved, as fore-mentioned, in particular an example of wonderfully xenophobic scripting whereby political cars are started and stop by saying either the word "ninja" or "nip". But you can't help feel it's a touch "Kiss Of The Dragony", in that the Japanese were introduced merely for the purpose of the xenophobic jokes and because Yakuza are seemingly "cool". There is no contextual binding that keeps the flow together as there is with the obvious animosity, or political lack of, between the French and Germans. Therefore, we are gifted a funny film, which unfortunately does feel a little forced, especially for plot, in places.
There are moments introduced to connect the two films together, which are not entirely necessary. Obviously the policing units will be the same, but to introduce subsidiary characters for incoherent "in-jokes" is tedious. Also the "modifications" to the Peugeot 406 are most unwelcome, providing an ending which is completely anti-climatic (or perhaps not depending if you can justify a building 'to' a climax) and does not carry the same interest and comic genius the original possessed (everyone I know who has ever seen the first films ending has positively wet themselves).
Taxi 2 is definitely amusing though, and I was torn between presenting this film with a five or six, because why the film is a good lark and entertaining viewing, it's neither funny enough, entertaining enough or original enough to warrant the praise of its predecessor. It is certainly worth a viewing, but I would advise watching the original first for a multitude of reasons, the in jokes yes, but mainly because it's a better film, if you have however and you're feeling like an amiable comedy to brighten up your evening, then make your way to your local video rental or hit the highstreets. Taxi!!..
There are genuine moments of hilarity that course throughout this film, and Luc Bessons' "Taxi" brand is seemingly rather successful. The opening gambit launches you straight back into the world that we came to know with Daniel the, non-license holding, part time Taxi driver part time speed demon up to his usual tricks of 'saving the day' (albeit getting a pregnant woman to the hospital on time) and all feels rather natural and enjoyable. However, the trouble with sequels is that something extra or different must be added to the cocktail as to "prove" that there has been an evolution in the script writing, and that it's not merely a regurgitation of a previous concept. The point being that what they put in, is somewhat gimmicky and fan boyish.
In place of the ultra slick dead panned German Mercedes Gang, enabling classic lines such as "don't worry Sir we'll get the Krauts" or "Stuff the special German-French relationship, my grandfather fought in the trenches, this is personal", we are introduced to the Jacuzzi...I mean Yakuza. Amusing moments are achieved, as fore-mentioned, in particular an example of wonderfully xenophobic scripting whereby political cars are started and stop by saying either the word "ninja" or "nip". But you can't help feel it's a touch "Kiss Of The Dragony", in that the Japanese were introduced merely for the purpose of the xenophobic jokes and because Yakuza are seemingly "cool". There is no contextual binding that keeps the flow together as there is with the obvious animosity, or political lack of, between the French and Germans. Therefore, we are gifted a funny film, which unfortunately does feel a little forced, especially for plot, in places.
There are moments introduced to connect the two films together, which are not entirely necessary. Obviously the policing units will be the same, but to introduce subsidiary characters for incoherent "in-jokes" is tedious. Also the "modifications" to the Peugeot 406 are most unwelcome, providing an ending which is completely anti-climatic (or perhaps not depending if you can justify a building 'to' a climax) and does not carry the same interest and comic genius the original possessed (everyone I know who has ever seen the first films ending has positively wet themselves).
Taxi 2 is definitely amusing though, and I was torn between presenting this film with a five or six, because why the film is a good lark and entertaining viewing, it's neither funny enough, entertaining enough or original enough to warrant the praise of its predecessor. It is certainly worth a viewing, but I would advise watching the original first for a multitude of reasons, the in jokes yes, but mainly because it's a better film, if you have however and you're feeling like an amiable comedy to brighten up your evening, then make your way to your local video rental or hit the highstreets. Taxi!!..