Taxi 2 is a high-octane French action comedy directed by Gérard Krawczyk and written by Luc Besson. Known for hilarious car chases, exaggerated villains, and outrageous stunts, the film continues the adventures of the reckless taxi driver Daniel Morales and the clumsy Marseille cop Émilien.
Detailed Summary
A VIP Visit Goes Wrong
The story begins with the Japanese Defense Minister visiting France to strengthen French–Japanese relations. Émilien is tasked with protecting the minister, while Daniel ends up being the main driver for the Japanese guests with his iconic tuned-up Peugeot 406 taxi. What seems like a routine mission quickly spirals into chaos when a Yakuza gang kidnaps the minister.
The Kidnapping and the Failed Rescue
The kidnapping happens under Émilien’s watch, once again proving his spectacular talent for messing things up. Daniel and Émilien team up to chase the criminals across Marseille. The chase sequences get increasingly ridiculous, featuring insane stunts, sudden crashes, and police incompetence taken to extreme comedic levels.
The Discovery of the Yakuza Plot
The Yakuza plan to ransom the minister and humiliate France’s security forces. Daniel realizes that the only way to catch the criminals is by fully unleashing his custom turbo-charged taxi. Meanwhile, Émilien gets support from his girlfriend Camille and the police force, who all struggle to keep up with Daniel’s chaotic driving tactics.
The Rescue Mission in Tokyo
In the final act, Daniel and Émilien follow the criminals to Japan. Daniel uses Tokyo’s narrow streets to wreak havoc on the Yakuza, pushing his taxi beyond its capabilities. The pair locate the kidnapped minister after a series of intense and comedic fight scenes.
Movie Ending
In the finale, Daniel and Émilien successfully rescue the Japanese Defense Minister. The Minister is impressed not by France’s official security forces, but by Daniel’s insane driving skills and Émilien’s well-meaning clumsiness. France’s reputation is unexpectedly saved.
The film ends with Daniel being congratulated and Émilien accidentally causing yet another disaster during the celebration ceremony, reinforcing the running joke: Daniel is the hero, Émilien is the lovable mess. The movie closes on a comedic tone as both characters return to Marseille, proud, exhausted, and still arguing.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
There are no post-credits scenes in Taxi 2. After the ending, the credits roll without extra content.
Type of Movie
Taxi 2 is a fast-paced action-comedy infused with slapstick humor and exaggerated car stunts. It blends ridiculous police incompetence with stylish automotive chaos, making it both thrilling and amusing.
Cast
- Samy Naceri as Daniel Morales
- Frédéric Diefenthal as Émilien Coutant-Kerbalec
- Marion Cotillard as Lilly Bertineau
- Emma Wiklund as Petra
- Jean-Christophe Bouvet as Commissaire Gibert
- Tsuyoshi Ihara as Yakuza Leader
Film Music and Composer
The soundtrack mixes electronic beats and upbeat urban compositions, matching the film’s fast pace. The music was composed by Alain Weiller, known for energetic rhythmic soundtracks that emphasize motion and tension.
Filming Locations
- Marseille, France: Used for the majority of the chase scenes. The tight streets and coastline roads enhance the speed and chaos of the action.
- Tokyo, Japan: Key scenes shot in the city’s commercial districts. The narrow Japanese streets amplify the danger and intensity of Daniel’s reckless driving.
The contrast between Marseille’s open coastal style and Tokyo’s cramped city structure visually supports the film’s escalating action.
Awards and Nominations
- Won Best Sound at the César Awards (France’s national film awards).
- Nominated for Best Editing due to its dynamic and well-timed action sequences.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Real high-speed stunts were done without CGI.
- The Peugeot 406 used in the film had several modified versions: one for speed, one for jumps, and one for drifting sequences.
- Samy Naceri insisted on performing some of his own driving scenes to maintain realism.
- Gérard Krawczyk incorporated Japanese stunt drivers for Tokyo sequences.
Inspirations and References
- Inspired by car-culture cinema and French street racing trends of the late 1990s.
- The film’s exaggerated comedy is reminiscent of older French action comedies like Les Sous-doués.
- Luc Besson’s script borrows elements from buddy-cop films of the 1980s but twists them into a satire of police incompetence.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
A few deleted scenes include:
- A longer comedic sequence of Gibert testing police weapons.
- Extended stunt shots that were removed to shorten runtime.
No alternate ending was produced, as the film was designed to transition cleanly into a sequel.
Book Adaptations and Differences
There is no original book, but novelizations were published after the film, expanding side characters and giving more detail to the Yakuza storyline. Unlike the movie, the books treat the criminals more seriously and reduce Émilien’s comedic failures.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Daniel installs additional upgrades to the taxi right before the mission.
- The failed police demonstration where everything explodes.
- Chase scenes through Marseille’s harbor roads.
- Tokyo chase where Daniel drifts between pedestrians and lanterns.
Iconic Quotes
- Daniel: “It’s not a car. It’s a missile with seats.”
- Gibert: “We are a world-class police force… theoretically.”
- Émilien: “Trust me, I have a plan.” (usually right before disaster)
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Peugeot used the film as indirect advertising; real car sales surged after release.
- The number plates change during certain stunt shots due to multiple car bodies being used.
- A poster in Daniel’s room references Taxi (1998), creating an in-universe continuity gag.
Trivia
- It became the highest-grossing French movie of 2000.
- The film’s Tokyo scenes inspired the drift-style car chases in Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift.
- Marion Cotillard later won an Oscar, making her one of the few actors to go from Taxi comedies to Hollywood fame.
Why Watch?
Because Taxi 2 offers a rare mix of speed-driven action and laugh-out-loud comedy, with practical stunts and a chaotic charm that modern CGI-heavy films rarely achieve. It’s a perfect pick if you love fast cars, slapstick humor, and unpredictable heroes.
Director’s Other Works
- Fanfan la Tulipe (2003)
- Wasabi (2001)
- Je suis timide… mais je me soigne (1978)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Taxi (1998)
- Taxi 3 (2003)
- Taxi 4 (2007)
- Taxi 5 (2018)
- Wasabi (2001)
- District 13 (2004)
