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The Taking of Pelham 123 Review

27 Jul 2009
Critics rating: 2.5 stars out of 5
Reviewed by Tom Charity , LOVEFiLM
The Taking of Pelham 123

Tony Scott puts Denzel Washington and John Travolta through their paces in this big-ticket upgrade on a 70s underground classic.

 (That’s underground as in subway, not Andy Warhol territory, by the way.) Ostensibly based on John Godey’s novel, not Peter Stone’s screenplay for the 1974 film, this adaptation represents an evolution, but not necessarily an improvement.

The plan is essentially unchanged, at least at first. A group of armed men hijack the titular New York subway train. They decouple all but the lead carriage, hole up between stations, and the leader, who calls himself “Ryder” (John Travolta) calmly informs the radio controller that the City has just one hour to cough up a $10 million ransom to secure the lives of the passengers.

Cast details

On the face of it, it’s a bewildering scheme. Escape seems unlikely. But there’s no question these men mean business. When the Transit dispatcher, Walter (Denzel Washington) is replaced by a professional hostage negotiator (John Turturro), Ryder signals his displeasure by shooting the train driver dead. Walter is returned to his post, too late for his colleague, but still with an outside chance of saving the day.

The first Pelham is remembered for three things: the color-coded criminals (a conceit that Quentin Tarantino ripped off for Reservoir Dogs); a vintage Walter Matthau performance; and the clever kicker.

Scott’s streamlined version – written by Brian LA Confidential Helgeland – axes (i) and (iii) entirely, and substitutes Matthau’s baleful Transit cop with Denzel’s disgraced manager, demoted to the dispatcher’s desk after accusations that he’s taken a bribe.

From this dubious original sin Helgeland fashions a textbook redemptive arc for Walter, and a contrived connection between the civil servant and the crook he immediately pegs as a fellow Catholic. The two men take turns playing priest and penitent, detective and quarry, while Scott desperately tries to rev up the action, crashing several police vehicles as the authorities race the ransom money across town.

The Taking of Pelham 123: John Travolta

A moviemaker who instinctively feels the need for speed (as Tom Cruise put it in Top Gun), Scott isn’t exactly playing to his strengths here. His hyperactive crabbing camera moves don’t so much disguise the talk-talk at the centre of the script as distract from it. The relentless sideways shunting motion becomes such a tic that when a real action sequence presents itself – a runaway train careering down the tracks – Scott contrives to make it look almost inert; as thrilling as a stop light.

More than anything, though, Pelham mark II reflects how New York has cleaned up its act over the last three decades. The racially-obsesssed vernacular of the 70s has gone, for the most part (Travolta lets off a few cracks at the expense of the Italians, but no one else rises to that challenge).

A moviemaker who instinctively feels the need for speed Scott isn't exactly playing to his strengths here.

The rank but pungent smell of the old boroughs has given way to scratch-and-sniff references to Terrorists, Wall Street excess and a philandering mayor (James Gandolfini). Perhaps as an unintended side-effect, the colourful character bits fleshed out in the original by stalwarts like Hector Elizondo, Jerry Stiller and Martin Balsam (to name but three) are steamrollered by the new movie’s twin star turns. Even a reliable scene-stealer like Luis Guzman barely gets a word in edgewise as John and Denzel trade call and response.

It’s an uneven fight – but that is by design. Travolta, goateed and tattooed, goes for the jugular, ranting and raging entertainingly, but to diminishing effect. Washington is the tortoise in this race: slow and steady. No prizes for guessing who comes out on top…

Yup. That would be Walter Matthau. As simple as 1; 2; 3.

The Taking of Pelham 123 Reviews

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LOVEFiLM Review Taking of Pelham 123, The

  • 2.5 stars out of 5  

    By Tom Charity from LOVEFiLM

    Tony Scott returns with this crime thriller starring John Travolta and Denzel Washington.

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Most helpful review Taking of Pelham 123, The

  • A Different Film From The Original

    Rated - 5.0 stars  
    By PJPK (9 reviews) from North East , 23 Jul 2009

    [Highly rated reviewer]

    From what I have seen and heard, this is only loosely based on the original film. If you see it expecting to see a remake then you will be disapointed.
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All reviews

(510)
  • Watchable mediocre thriller

    Rated - 2.0 stars  
    By Bobsview (559 reviews) from Gloucestershire , 05 Apr 2013
    Remake of the 1974 classic , with lots of internet technology. John Travolta playing John Travolta. Watchable but not as good as the original.
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  • action packed film with suprises everywhere

    Rated - 4.0 stars  
    By SE_SCFA (2 reviews) , 23 Jan 2013
    The film starts on an ordinary day, where train dispatcher Garber (Washington) starts noticing that something is wrong. Hijacker Ryder (Travolta) demands $10,000,000 or the hostages die. The film gives you a real time account for whats happening with a clock counting down the fatal minutes until the deadline. In conversation between Garber and Ryder, you find out that Garber isn't as innocent as he seems.
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  • great film

    Rated - 3.5 stars  
    By jannylou (1 review) , 19 Jan 2013
    very enjoyable film with John Travolta playing a great part. Alot of action and a good story line. would recommend this film.
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  • Must see

    Rated - 4.0 stars  
    By jenko (39 reviews) from Pewsey , 05 Jan 2013

    [Highly rated reviewer]

    A really good thriller that keeps you watching. The acting is excellent as is the story line. I haven't seen the original but if you like your action thrillers don't miss this one.
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  • Worth watching

    Rated - 3.5 stars  
    By a customer , 17 Sep 2012
    Good remake of the original. Excellent acting, but what else do you expect from Denzel Washington and John Travolta, definately worth watching.
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