D.C. Cab: Blu-Ray Review

The late Joel Schumacher helmed some unforgettable films early in his career like The Incredible Shrinking Woman, St. Elmo’s Fire and the best vampire flick ever produced (IMO), The Lost Boys. One title in the director’s filmography that is almost never brought up, is the comedy, D.C. Cab which arrives on Blu-ray this week. I am pretty sure this is the director’s only broad comedy (unless you count Batman & Robin). There is humor throughout many of his films, but the director seemed more interested in other genres.

Another reviewer ones said that D.C. was basically Revenge of the Nerds with taxi cabs and I don’t disagree. This is one of those vulgar “R” rated underdog flicks that the 80’s were known for. This was definitely a film that I saw numerous times on late-night cable growing up, Like most kids my age at the time, I was a fan of Mr. T and I was entertained by the utter insanity taking place on screen.

Just a couple years after his breakout role in My Bodyguard, Adam Baldwin played a very differed type of character, Albert Hockenberry, an optimistic and hopeful young man who moves to Washington D.C. with the dream of becoming a cab driver. There he meets Harold (Max Gail), the owner of D.C. Cab who happened to be a war buddy of his late father. The company is filled with all types of colorful personalities, including Dell (Gary Busey), Tyrone (Charlie Barnett), Samson (Mr. T), Baba (Bill Maher), Ophelia (Marsha Warfield), Xavier (Paul Rodriguez) and the twins Buddy and Buzzy (The Barbarian Brothers). It is that insane cast that helps make D.C. Cab watchable while still being a pretty terrible film.

There are subplots dealing with a missing violin, a kidnapping, a love story, infidelity, and a competing cab company. There is so much going on, which leaves little time for character development. On the other hand, it also leaves little time to get bored.  Although, I can’t call D.C. Cab a good film, I think it’s worth a watch for those who love 80’s films and may have missed this one. This is the film’s blu-ray debut, so if you are a fan of the D.C. Cab or the cast, this might be for you.

Bonus Features:

• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian/Filmmaker Daniel Kremer and Film Critic Scout Tafoya
• 8 Radio Spots (1 in Spanish)
• Theatrical Trailer

By: Marc Ferman