Detailed Summary
The Setup — Belle becomes a taxi driver
The film opens with Belle Williams (played by Queen Latifah) — a former bicycle courier who has just earned her taxi license. She’s proud of her new, souped-up 1999 Ford Crown Victoria taxi, complete with a supercharger, which she and her friends rigged up as a gift for her last courier gig.
Her very first fare turns into a wild sprint across New York City — getting to the airport in fifteen minutes — introducing us to her reckless driving style and fearless attitude.
Detective Andy Washburn — the accident-prone cop
Meanwhile, Andy Washburn) (played by Jimmy Fallon) is a police detective whose string of traffic accidents leads to his demotion and loss of driving privileges. His boss (and ex-girlfriend) Lt. Marta Robbins strips him of his car.
So when a bank robbery alert comes in and he can’t drive, he flags down Belle’s taxi — setting up the unlikely partnership.
First clash with the robbers — Belle gets tangled
Belle and Andy chase after a group of Brazilian female bank robbers as they flee in a BMW, but the police botch the arrest and mistakenly detain Belle and Andy. Belle’s taxi is impounded, and to get it back, Andy promises to let her drive again — but only if she helps him catch the robbers.
This is where the main plot kicks off: a car-chase-filled, action-comedy detective story led by a mismatched pair.
The scheme of the robbers & how they hide the money
Belle and Andy dig into the robberies and figure out the gang’s clever trick: just before garbage collection, the gang robs a bank, dumps the stolen money with the trash, and a corrupt garbage collector (“working for them”) picks up the cash — thus laundering the money under the city’s nose.
They also realize the gang has kidnapped the garbage collector’s wife to ensure his cooperation. This raises the stakes — it’s not just about the money anymore, but a life.
The Big Chase & Hostage Rescue
Belle and Andy track down which bank will be robbed next, alert the police for an ambush — but things go sideways once the robbers take a hostage. In a tense finale, they attempt to exchange the money for the hostage while fleeing via car. Belle drives like crazy in her taxi; Andy coordinates the chase.
The chase ends on a partially built bridge under construction, where Andy uses some quick thinking to trap the robbers. There’s a gunfight, Belle gets wounded, and it becomes a dramatic rescue and escape sequence.
Movie Ending
After the bridge chase, the police arrest the robbers. Belle is shot during the chaos, but Andy gets her to the hospital just in time. Their teamwork — and Belle’s driving — foil the heist, save the hostage, and recover the stolen money.
In the aftermath: Belle’s dream gets fulfilled — she gets a chance to drive professionally in NASCAR, sponsored by New York banks. Andy’s name is cleared, he gets reinstated, and his relationship with Robbins looks to be on again. Belle’s boyfriend proposes to her (via a big Jumbotron at the race), marking a happy personal closure.
So the film ends on a high, feel-good note: crime solved, dreams realized, romance blossoming — classic action-comedy closure.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No — there are no post-credits scenes in Taxi (2004). Once the credits start rolling, you’re done.
Type of Movie
Taxi (2004) is a lighthearted action-comedy / buddy-police heist movie, mixing car chases, slapstick humor and crime-thriller elements.
Cast
- Queen Latifah as Belle Williams
- Jimmy Fallon as Andy Washburn
- Gisele Bündchen as Vanessa (the leader of the robber gang)
- Jennifer Esposito as Lt. Marta Robbins
- Ann-Margret as Andy’s mother
- Henry Simmons as Belle’s boyfriend Jesse
- Supporting roles: Ana Cristina de Oliveira, Christian Kane, Ingrid Vandebosch, Magali Amadei, and others who make up the robber crew or police background.
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Christophe Beck. His music underscores the high-speed chases and action-comedy tone, supporting the frenetic pacing and comedic beats of the film.
Filming Locations
Although the film is set in New York City, many of the street-chase sequences were reportedly filmed in Los Angeles rather than on location in NYC.
This decision — common in Hollywood action comedies — means the “New York feel” is mostly simulated via set design, editing and perhaps selective skyline shots rather than authentic Manhattan traffic gridlock.
Awards and Nominations
- The film was nominated at the 2005 Teen Choice Awards for Choice Movie: Villain (Gisele Bündchen) and Choice Movie: Female Breakout Star (also Gisele Bündchen).
- Another nomination was Choice Movie: Rockstar Moment for Jimmy Fallon’s on-screen singing of “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)”.
The film didn’t pick up major critical awards, reflecting its reception as a light-but-flawed action-comedy.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The movie is a remake of a 1998 French film of the same name (originally produced by Luc Besson), so from the start there was the challenge of adapting French sensibilities into a U.S. action-comedy format.
- The film’s car stunts and chase scenes were criticized for overreliance on blue-screen/green-screen and editing — many critics noted that the chases don’t feel real or dangerous, undermining suspension of disbelief.
- Despite Queen Latifah’s talent and Jimmy Fallon’s comedic profile, several reviewers found their chemistry weak and the humor largely ineffective — a common complaint about the remake.
- It’s worth noting that the production budget was modest (about $25 million), especially for an action-comedy with car chases and a star cast — which may explain some of the shortcuts in execution.
Inspirations and References
- The film is officially based on the earlier 1998 French movie Taxi — written and produced by Luc Besson. It tries to recreate the premise (wild-driver taxi + clumsy cop + bank-robbery gang), but shifts the setting to New York and alters tone for Hollywood audiences.
- The original French film (and its sequels) themselves were known for high-octane car chases, suburban crime humor, and a lighthearted crime-comedy vibe — all of which inspired this adaptation, though many critics argue the remake fails to capture the original’s charm.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There is no widely documented alternate ending or major deleted scene for Taxi (2004). The publicly available sources and reviews do not mention any other version of the ending or extra scenes that got cut.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Belle’s first crazy taxi ride to the airport — demonstrates her driving skills and sets the tone.
- The first chase after the Brazilian robber gang, ending in Belle’s taxi being impounded.
- The moment Belle and Andy realize the gang’s method of laundering money via garbage — clever twist in the heist plot.
- The final high-speed chase on the unfinished bridge and the hostage-money exchange — the film’s big action climax.
- Belle’s NASCAR victory (or rather, her entry into the world of pro racing) as personal redemption and dream-fulfillment.
Iconic Quotes
Because the film tends to prioritize action and slapstick over quotable dialogue, there aren’t many widely recalled “iconic” lines. Still, some recurring banter and cop-taxi humor stands out — though no single catchphrase has entered public memory the way lines from classic comedies do.
Trivia
- Taxi (2004) is an American remake of the 1998 French film of the same name.
- Despite being set in New York, many of the chase scenes were actually filmed in Los Angeles.
- The movie had a modest budget of US$ 25 million but grossed about US$ 71.3 million worldwide — a commercial success despite poor critical reception.
- Critics often cited the overuse of blue-screen and unconvincing car chases as major flaws.
Why Watch?
If you want a light, fast-paced, mindless action-comedy — with car chases, a somewhat goofy buddy dynamic, and some fun moments — Taxi (2004) delivers. It’s not a masterpiece, but it can serve as a guilty-pleasure movie when you just want to relax and enjoy some “fast taxi vs. robbers” mayhem. Its ending is satisfying, the chase scenes, even if unrealistic, offer energy, and it closes with a feel-good resolution.
Director’s Other Movies
- Barbershop (2002)
- Fantastic Four (2005)
- Think Like a Man (2012)
- Ride Along (2014)
