The Story:
Belle (Queen Latifah) is a New York City taxi driver who aspires to be a race car driver. In fact, she's souped up her taxi quite a bit. Perhaps a bit too much as she winds up crossing paths with a cop (Jimmy Fallon) and the two become partners trying to solve a series of bank robberies. Naturally, the two have a lot to teach one another. Well okay, basically Belle has a whole lot to teach Washburn...
:)
This movie is closing in on a decade old. That's about the last time I saw it, and I found it fun(ny) back then.
Watched it again recently, and it was still a pretty good film.
Oh, don't get me wrong, it's nothing earth-shattering, but it's not that bad.
Why?
Again, much like yesterday's film, Queen Latifah has a personality that just transcends film and makes her instantly likeable.
She takes a heist film (one of my favorite genres!) originally scripted by the great Luc Besson, and elevates the material with her delivery and charisma.
This is Jimmy Fallon's first foray as a leading man after years of working the Saturday Night Live Weekend Update anchor desk.
He plays a bumbling noob, and he does it really well. :)
Finally, director Tim Story does a great job with his first action flick. His first feature (that I saw/know of) Barbershop, was a really good movie, and Story branched out into action comedy with this one. His next film would be The Fantastic Four, and yes, I know a lot of people hated it, but he got The Thing and Human Torch correct, so that film (and its sequel) will always get a pass with me.
: )
Final Grade: C+/B- ish...
Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I meant to buy this one within the last decade. Perhaps the upcoming decade I will finally get around to it?
