John Godey's 1973 novel The Taking of Pelham One Two Three boasts a suspense situation so surefire that even the directorial bad habits of Tony Scott can't ruin this latest movie version. Four armed men seize a New York City subway train, isolate one car, and threaten to start killing passengers if a ransom isn't paid within the hour. The ransom was a million dollars in the book and also in Joseph Sargent's solid 1974 movie, in which Robert Shaw played the mercenary leading the hostage takers and Walter Matthau was the growling transit cop trying to outsmart him. In 2009, the title has gone digital--The Taking of Pelham 123--and inflation has jumped the asking price to $10 million. Where Shaw's menace was steely, John Travolta opts for manic, and shamelessly has a blast in the master villain role. His adversary, cagily underplayed by Denzel Washington, has been upgraded in civil-service rank but also demoted on suspicion of taking a bribe. This colors the dynamics of the dialogue between Washington at his control-center console and Travolta on the motorman's microphone aboard the stalled train.
So far, so reasonably good. But the director's trademark tactics keep getting between, well, everything. From the get-go, the visuals are subjected to pointless and irritating stutter effects, speeding-up/slowing-down, gratuitous camera movement, and the interposition of dirt- or light-smeared panes of glass between the camera and people we'd appreciate a clear look at. The 1974 movie settled for one police car being wrecked as the ransom is rushed uptown; Scott requires multiple collisions, each the occasion for police cruisers taking Lethal Weapon-style flight. The hostages in the earlier film were wittily individuated, a multicultural group portrait of the city at that mid-'70s moment; the ones on Scott's train--and also Travolta's fellow perpetrators, including that wonderful character actor Luis Guzmán--barely register. On the upside, John Turturro and James Gandolfini shine as two guys who (like the actors themselves) are very good at their jobs—respectively playing a hostage negotiator and His Honor, the mayor. The screenplay by Brian Helgeland (L.A. Confidential, Mystic River) strives intelligently, if formulaically, to add new dimensions to the main characters and to offer its own gloss on the current economic meltdown. --Richard T. Jameson
Stills from The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (Click for larger image) |
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 What a great Blu - worth your time |
| Review Date: November 2, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Steve Kuehl, Ben Lomond, CA |
I enjoyed watching this suspense/action film from one of my favorite directors - but when it was all done I actually liked the Blu better as a whole than the movie itself. It seems as though lovers and haters here already know the story of a hijacked subway train in NY, but either way I think everyone should give this BD a chance.
The picture clarity was outstanding throughout and very little drag gets noticed even with all of the dark sequences in the tunnels. The DTS rocks consistently and I am glad they went this way for being a train film, but Tony Scott is a big DTS guy anyway so I expected not to be disappointed. The special features are what make this package and include:
* 30 minute making-of that covers all aspects of production sans the additional documentaries. Plenty of background regarding Tony's vision - filled with plenty of unbleeped expletives from cast and crew alike (always prefer things to be uncensored). Love the story about the Albanian cousins who ended up being in the film, one right out of prison to fill his needed authenticity.
* 15 minute "Third Rail". Awesome informative piece about the aspects of working underground in the MTA property. Really good material about what it took for this film to be made like no other before it (usage and cooperation with NYC and the MTA).
* 6 minute Stylizing. Interesting plug for the hair styling crew behind this film (Lab Salon).
* 7 minute marketing Pelham. Like a long music video/trailer - would loved to have seen one with Man on Fire.
* Descriptive audio track in English - I loved this. Had not heard one before and it actually had customers mesmerized with how accurate and fast this narrator was regarding everything happening on screen - recommend giving it a try.
*CineChat and MovieIQ - your BD player has to be tuned up for handling these guys. The MovieIQ is more fun if you are into the trivia thing and have time.
Overall - a fun film on a solid BD. Enjoy. |
GREAT MOVIE
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| Review Date: October 15, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Enrique Calvillo III, san antonio,tx USA |
| THIS MOVIE WAS BADLY CRITICIZED BY A LOT OF MOVIE CRITICS AND PEOPLE WHO WENT TO SEE IT,BUT WHEN I SAW IT,IT WAS THE MOST ENJOYABLE,DRAMA,SUSPENSE,AND ACTION MOVIE THAT I'VE EVER SEEN! GREAT PARING OF JOHN TRAVOLTA AND DENZEL WASHINGTON FOR THIS MOVIE,TRAVOLTA MAKES A GREAT VILLAIN SIMULAIR TO HIS CHARACTER IN "BROKEN ARROW"! IT WAS WORTH IT I CANNOT WAIT TILL IT'S REALEASED ON DVD! |
A Wild & Exciting Ride with Terror
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| Review Date: January 23, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Phyllis M. Kusi, Atlanta |
As a train commuter, this film made me contemplate the potential danger and adventure of my 30-min. ride to and from work. Whew... I made it!
THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 is a thrilling ride through the New York City subway. From the speed of the trains to the movement of its passengers, this film is full-throttle action!! Don't miss a stop...
Despite the schism in the transportation system, Walter Garber (Denzel Washington) and Ryder (John Travolta) come together as opponents to expose the politics of the 'system'. Garber uses his finesse and intellect to disarm the greed and bitterness of his antagonist. Both actors showcase their wit and talent to give moviegoers/ viewers an exciting ride. There is never a dull moment.
PELHAM is a must-see film! It is even worthy of a second or third look because you could miss something when you blink.
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A Remake very well done
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| Review Date: July 5, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Jeff, |
| I loved this movie. Of course it is a remake but they did an excellent job of updating the plot to fit our more modern times. The character development was great, Travolta does a great bad guy. It moves at nice pace. If you enjoy a movie with suspense you will want to watch this one. |
Next Time They May Want To Take a Cab
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| Review Date: June 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: John F. Rooney, |
"The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" may make you very reluctant to take a New York City subway train in fear of it being commandeered and you becoming a hostage under the control of a psychopathic killer like John Travolta. He lets out all the stops in this one giving a garish performance of an off-the-wall homicidal nutcase. Denzel Washington is at the opposite end portraying how an ordinary guy can stay fairly cool in the face of great stress although, at times, it seems as if he too will slip into the hyper-world.
This is an incredibly exciting, gripping, suspenseful, fast-paced, and at times frenetic movie, that proves the power of movies to grab you, shake you up, and keep your eyes glued to the screen.
The subway system, the way it operates, the nuts and bolts of it, have probably never been done this authentically before. On the surface streets cop cars and motorcycles race around a very brilliantly photographed Manhattan. There's comic relief (gags), a good performance by John Turturro as the hostage negotiator, and a less than effective performance by James Gandolfini as the Mayor.
Technology and the Internet play roles in this new version of a 1974 movie. It's hectic, harrowing, at times gory and gruesome, but it will hold your attention unless you're a zombie.
The two stars, veteran actors, complement each other very well, and it's good casting. Travolta's character elicits a surprising admission from Washington's. Travolta has quite a range as a movie actor, but in this one we have to give him leeway in hamming it up because he is, after all, playing a maniac.
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