Celebrating 20 Years of ‘Taxi’ (2004): A High-Octane Comedy Classic

October 6, 2024, marks the 20th anniversary of the action-comedy Taxi (2004), a film that paired unlikely duo Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon for a wild ride through the streets of New York City. Directed by Tim Story, Taxi is a remake of the 1998 French film of the same name, but with a uniquely American twist.

In Taxi, Queen Latifah stars as Belle, a fearless taxi driver with a need for speed, who gets roped into helping bumbling NYPD cop Andy Washburn (Jimmy Fallon) as they chase down a gang of Brazilian bank robbers, led by model-turned-actress Gisele Bündchen. The film blends high-octane car chases with laugh-out-loud moments, relying heavily on the comic chemistry between Latifah and Fallon to fuel its fast-paced narrative.

Though it wasn’t a critical darling at the time, Taxi has since garnered a cult following for its over-the-top action scenes, witty dialogue, and vibrant energy. Queen Latifah’s charismatic performance and Jimmy Fallon’s lovable clumsiness made the film an entertaining watch, while Bündchen’s role as the villainous bank robber added a surprising layer of glamour to the plot.

As we look back 20 years later, Taxi stands as a time capsule of early 2000s cinema—when car chase movies were at their peak, and light-hearted buddy comedies ruled the box office. Whether you remember it for the thrilling stunts or the hilarious banter, Taxi is a nostalgic reminder of a fun, fast-paced comedy that continues to entertain.