Taxi Brooklyn

Contrary to what people are saying, I actually liked this. Even though the acting isn't amazing, I usually can't spot bad acting just because I'm focused on the story. Yes, it is predictable and uses a lot of cliché plot points, but it make for good entertainment. Clichés aren't always bad, and the predictability doesn't extend too far into possible major plot points. I'm looking forward to the next episodes, but not with edge-of-my-seat excitement. And I don't think that's writers intended. It's a comedy-drama not a drama-comedy. It's wasn't written to be thrilling. It was written to be fun and entertaining. This is just my opinion. I may not even watch the next episodes. I may just read the online recaps. I may not even do that. But what I can say is that I enjoyed the first episode, and am hoping it doesn't disappoint me in the future.

Leo Romba (Jacky Ido) is a french NY taxi cab driver. He spent 4 years in a French prison for being the wheel man in a bank robbery. It wasn't an easy imprisonment since the money belonged to some bad guys. NYPD Detective Cat Sullivan (Chyler Leigh) is investigating his father's murder. It's stuck in IA and they're stonewalling her. She's meeting a secret informer but she's disrupted by a bank robbery. The bank robber had hijacked Leo's cab. After crashing her car once again, she's banned from driving by her superior and forced to walk the beat. Instead she continues to investigate both the bank robbery and his father's death by getting Leo to drive her in his cab.

The premise looks really stupid and I couldn't believe the silly promo ads. So I had to check out the show. In that sense, this doesn't disappoint. It's a mess. This is supposed to be funny but the comedy is clunky. It's got bad annoying musical cues. I don't even know why they try to be funny. The only one marginally funny is Ally Walker as the wacky mother. In general, they should abandon any attempt to be funny.

The pilot is just jam packed with too much story. There is an intense bank robbery caper. Then everybody has a crazy backstory. Cat has daddy issues. A federal agent comes to pick up Leo and it turns out to be Cat's ex. Leo has a family back in France and I'm sure the bad guys are coming for him. At least they got a few car chases in. I always like real stunt driving. However it's so chaotic that I couldn't really enjoy them.

The acting is problematic. I like Chyler Leigh but she just doesn't fit as a cop. They try so hard to tomboy her up but the stylish pixie cut is just so cute. I don't remember french actor Jacky Ido other than in 'Inglourious Basterds'. I like him but I don't really know much about him. It's nice to see Jennifer Esposito back after her illness. I don't know how much input Luc Besson has in this. My best guess is that he had a general outline and other people crammed all kinds of junk into this. It's just a mess.

EDIT (after 7 episodes): The show improved in a few areas while problems still remain. First, the earthquake stopped. The shaky camera was half the problem. Second, the story is simplified more into a procedural. Thankfully the ex-husband is sidelined. Although it's a shame that Ally Walker and Jennifer Esposito seem to have also been reduced in their roles. Third, Chyler Leigh got a makeover. However she has gone too far the other way dressing like a fashionista. The taxi thing is still too convoluted. How Leo can still be in post 9/11 America considering he's an ex-con is beyond me. A guy like that couldn't possibly even get a visitor Visa in the real world. It's silly at best and uncomfortably stupid at its worst.

Plot can have similarity with other cop shows, but I think actors are quite successful with their genuine performances. Action, investigation, revenge, romance, emotions and humor are all inclusive. I think it deserves more ratings.

Sullivan and Romba have interesting backgrounds. We can learn more about their past, as the series progress I hope. Sullivan is a beautiful cop, yet she does not thrust and get close to anyone easily. Romba, on the other hand, has some numbers of tricks, he is very clever, honest and charming taxi driver who becomes sort of an assistant detective.

In the pilot other characters include a captain, a special agent, a mom, and a child who spice up the show altogether. Captain is a father figure and protective. Special agent is obsessive and jealous about his work, Romba and Caitlyn. Mom is supportive and child is a good son.

There is no offensive language. It is suitable for families. Lastly, I think the series should continue so I rate it 9/10 to support the effort of these talented crew.

This show was great!!! As I kept watching I was hooked! I really hope the rumors about canceling the show are false. Give us a season 2. PLZ !! I would love for this show to continue. The storyline was excellent an was good enough to keep me interested. One season will not do this TV series justice. The chemistry amongst the actors is very impressive. Some of the acting by the characters could've been slightly better but the storyline makes up for that... Besides I could say the same about many other shows (that some of the actors are not that good) and there storyline is mediocre. AND many of them have more than one season. this show deserves to have a second season. its that good in my opinion. I hope there are others who will watch or have already watched it and feel the same. Please express your desire for them to continue and we may just get what we want. I hope all of this wishful thinking pays off... The fact I took the time to do this should speak volumes of how good I think this show is. With all that being said, I HOPE THERE WILL BE A SECOND SEASON!!!! PLEASE! I hope somehow or some way it helps in the efforts to launch a season 2!!

After reading reviews here i was hesitant to watch the show, but with lack of anything else to do, i continued onto it anyway, and all the reviews are just haters. The first episode got a 7.7/10 and the story- line behind Cat is actually something i WILL definitely continue to watch the show for.

Responding to complaints from the others, Yes, The camera is a little shaky, but it's not the kind of pirated recorded on CAM shaky, it's the visual effects, following the character around shaky, and i didn't even notice it until i read a review that claimed it. You'll only be bothered by things like this if you have a weak attention span, or you aren't paying any attention to the show.

I didn't really see any problems when it comes to the characters or the execution of the plot, I really enjoyed the storyline, and will continue to look forward to the following episodes. Just saying, if you're someone who watches TV shows for the actual story, and not someone who watches them just to kill time, you'll enjoy this show. (It's not like the Simpsons or such that you can enjoy it without paying attention)