Taxi

Proof that France can churn out movies every bit as dumb as Hollywood’s comes courtesy of a Luc Besson-scripted actioner that combines the specialities of one territory (high-octane car chases, noisy shoot-outs) with the penchants of the other (saucy sex farce, casual racism).

Set in Marseilles, Gérard Pirès’ comedy follows pizza deliverer turned speed-freak cabbie Daniel (Samy Nacéri) as he teams up with nervous cop Emilien (Frédéric Diefenthal) to thwart a group of Mercdriving German bank robbers. The mayhem that ensues is watchable enough, though did it really have to progeny two sequels and a US rehash starring Queen Latifah?