Taxi 3 is the third entry in the popular French action-comedy franchise, directed by Gérard Krawczyk and produced/written by Luc Besson. Once again, we follow the chaotic adventures of the fastest taxi driver in Marseille and the most unlucky police officer on Earth.
Detailed Summary
The Police Struggle With the “Santa Claus Gang”
Marseille’s police force is under attack from a gang of bank robbers disguised as Santa Clauses. Despite their confidence, the police—led by the perpetually incompetent but overly proud Commissioner Gilbert—are constantly humiliated. Meanwhile, journalist Petra is secretly profiling the gang, which complicates the investigation due to internal leaks.
Daniel’s Taxi Upgrades and Relationship Trouble
Daniel, played by Samy Naceri, remains the master of the highly modified Peugeot taxi. However, his relationship with Lilly is in danger due to his obsession with racing and helping the police rather than being a responsible boyfriend. As the investigation evolves, so does Daniel’s car, receiving new extreme upgrades fit for a James Bond vehicle.
Émilien’s Personal Crisis
Officer Émilien (Frédéric Diefenthal) faces relationship drama with Petra, as he prepares for fatherhood. His clumsy nature escalates in intensity, placing him at the center of the investigative chaos. Despite his incompetence, he stumbles across crucial clues that unknowingly help capture the criminals.
The Big Chase and Capture
The Santa Claus gang attempts a major heist. Daniel and Émilien team up for a wild pursuit across icy roads and steep mountain slopes. Using Daniel’s snow-modified taxi, they chase the gang to a ski resort, where they manage to corner and capture them thanks to unexpected teamwork, bold driving, and embarrassing police blunders.
Movie Ending
The final act fully resolves both personal and criminal conflicts. After the gang is caught, Émilien and Petra prepare for their baby, strengthening their relationship. Daniel’s loyalty to Lilly finally pays off as he chooses her over his reckless taxi lifestyle—though not entirely abandoning it. The film ends with the anticipation of a quieter, more mature future, yet makes it clear that Daniel’s taxi adventures are far from over. The criminals are returned to Marseille in humiliating fashion, and Commissioner Gilbert pretends everything was his success, as usual. The ending embraces closure but humorously leaves the door open for more chaos in Marseille.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
There is no post-credits scene in Taxi 3. Once the main credits roll, the story wraps up without additional jokes or hidden sequences.
Type of Movie
Taxi 3 is a high-speed action-comedy featuring outrageous car chases mixed with slapstick humor, crime investigation, and character-driven jokes characteristic of French pop cinema.
Cast
- Samy Naceri as Daniel Morales
- Frédéric Diefenthal as Émilien Coutant-Kerbalec
- Marion Cotillard as Lilly Bertineau
- Emma Wiklund as Petra
- Bernard Farcy as Commissioner Gilbert
- Bai Ling as Qiu
- Jean-Christophe Bouvet as Commissaire Gérard
- Guest Appearance: Sylvester Stallone (uncredited cameo cameo in opening scene)
Film Music and Composer
The soundtrack features tracks by various French rap artists popular at the time. Unlike many Hollywood films, Taxi 3 uses a compilation approach rather than a single orchestral composer. The music largely reflects urban French culture and reinforces the film’s energy and comedic tone.
Filming Locations
The film was predominantly shot in Marseille, featuring its iconic streets, harbor, and city center. Several chase scenes were filmed in the French Alps, specifically near Chamonix, to accommodate the snowy pursuit sequences. These locations emphasize the contrast between urban speed and mountain danger, showcasing Daniel’s transformed taxi capabilities.
Awards and Nominations
While Taxi 3 did not receive major international awards, it performed strongly in European box offices, becoming a commercial success in France. It continues to be recognized for its cult fan base, car stunts, and comedic legacy within French cinema.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Luc Besson supervised car modifications to ensure they felt both believable and exaggerated.
- The production team built several Peugeot models with specific stunt functions, including the ski-mode version.
- Sylvester Stallone accepted a cameo simply because he enjoyed the series’ energetic humor.
- Real police vehicles were borrowed from Marseille authorities, who reportedly enjoyed their portrayal as “lovably incompetent.”
Inspirations and References
The Taxi franchise draws from France’s tradition of slapstick crime comedy while embracing American-style stunt action influences. It also pays homage to older European chase films and modern police farce humor.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Deleted scenes mostly involved extended comedic sequences around Commissioner Gilbert and Émilien’s parenting panic. No official alternate ending has been confirmed, but early script drafts reportedly highlighted more romance between Daniel and Lilly, which was shortened to maintain the film’s rhythm.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Taxi 3 is not based on a book, but the screenplay was written specifically for cinema by Luc Besson. The franchise remained strictly original, expanding with sequels rather than adaptations.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Daniel’s radical taxi transformation sequence, unveiling new winter modifications.
- The opening cameo with Sylvester Stallone awkwardly requesting a taxi ride.
- The chaotic investigation board scenes where Gilbert pretends to understand the case.
- The final icy mountain chase, showcasing the taxi on snow tracks.
Iconic Quotes
- Commissioner Gilbert: “I knew it! I had everything under control.”
- Daniel: “No taxi drives faster than mine.”
- Émilien: “I’m not scared, I’m just… evaluating danger.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Gilbert’s office displays medals he clearly did not earn.
- Daniel’s garage contains posters referencing previous chase scenes from earlier films.
- Stallone’s cameo subtly mocks his Cobra persona, linked to his line about crime fighting.
Trivia
- Peugeot sales reportedly increased after the first three Taxi films.
- Samy Naceri had stunt doubles, but he insisted on doing several driving shots himself.
- Marion Cotillard went on to become an Oscar-winning actress, yet remains beloved for her role as Lilly.
Why Watch?
Because Taxi 3 delivers energetic action, absurd comedy, memorable characters, and uniquely French humor, wrapped in fast cars and silly police chaos. It’s an ideal watch when you want something fun, light, and unapologetically over-the-top.
Director’s Other Movies
- Taxi 2 (2000)
- Fanfan la Tulipe (2003)
- Wasabi (2001)
- Imperium: Augustus (2003)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Taxi (1998)
- Taxi 2 (2000)
- Taxi 4 (2007)
- Taxi 5 (2018)
- Wasabi (2001)
- Bandidas (2006)
- Welcome to the Sticks (2008)
