The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009)
Denzel Washington stars as New York City subway dispatcher Walter Garber, whose ordinary day is thrown into chaos by an audacious crime: the hijacking of a subway train. A mustachioed John Travolta stars as Ryder, the criminal mastermind who, as leader of a highly-armed gang of four, threatens to execute the train’s passengers unless a large ransom is paid within one hour. As the tension mounts beneath his feet, Garber employs his vast knowledge of the subway system in a battle to outwit Ryder and save the hostages. But there’s one riddle Garber can't solve: even if the thieves get the money, how can they possibly escape?
Tony Scott (Top Gun, Enemy of the State) directs this remake of the Walter Matthau-starring 1974 thriller.
- Director:
- Tony Scott ('Top Gun', 'Days of Thunder', 'Enemy of the State', 'Spy Game', 'Man on Fire')
- Writer:
- Brian Helgeland
- Cast:
- Denzel WashingtonJohn TravoltaJames GandolfiniJohn TurturroLuis Guzmán
Reviews & comments
ACTION, COMEDY & THRILLER
This movie hits all 3 genres dead centre! While it is not without its flaws, The Taking of Pelham 123 is an easily watchable film. John Travolta easily steals the show as a serious but often black comedic gangster. Denzel Washington attempts to play his equal. Many reviews cite an original film which would make any re-make look worse off. I haven't seen it,...
Variety
pressMore than anything a fascinating portrait of how much New York has changed in 35 years, the film delivers the goods in excitement and big-star charisma.
Total Film
pressFor a good hour, Scott delivers a tense cat-and-mouser. Goes off track when Denzel turns action hero, but his riffing with a sinister Trav is what propels this Pelham.
The New York Times
pressEven at a distance from each other (Washington/Travolta), they conduct a tag-team master class in old-style movie star technique, barreling through every cliché and nugget of corn the script has to offer with verve and conviction. Even when you don't really believe them, they're always a lot of fun to watch.
Roger Ebert
pressThere's not much wrong with Tony Scott's The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, except that there's not much really right about it.
Otago Daily Times
pressIf you can abide cringe-worthy scripts, over-the-top stunts, and "what a guy" posturing, then The Taking of Pelham 123 is probably not a bad way to disengage the brain.
Los Angeles Times
pressSo professionally done you rarely have the luxury of taking your eyes off the screen.
Hollywood Reporter
pressCuriously, despite the ever-energetic Tony Scott at the throttle, the sleek new edition isn't as transporting as it should have been.
Empire Magazine
pressPelham One was first class. Pelham Two stuck to the schedule. Pelham Three needs a bus pass.
Dominion Post
pressPelham 123 loses all credibility in the last 20 minutes, and a twist I was waiting for never arrived, but the film is still an enjoyable waste of a few hours of your life.
Variety
pressMore than anything a fascinating portrait of how much New York has changed in 35 years, the film delivers the goods in excitement and big-star charisma.
Total Film
pressFor a good hour, Scott delivers a tense cat-and-mouser. Goes off track when Denzel turns action hero, but his riffing with a sinister Trav is what propels this Pelham.
The New York Times
pressEven at a distance from each other (Washington/Travolta), they conduct a tag-team master class in old-style movie star technique, barreling through every cliché and nugget of corn the script has to offer with verve and conviction. Even when you don't really believe them, they're always a lot of fun to watch.
Roger Ebert
pressThere's not much wrong with Tony Scott's The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, except that there's not much really right about it.
Otago Daily Times
pressIf you can abide cringe-worthy scripts, over-the-top stunts, and "what a guy" posturing, then The Taking of Pelham 123 is probably not a bad way to disengage the brain.
Los Angeles Times
pressSo professionally done you rarely have the luxury of taking your eyes off the screen.
Hollywood Reporter
pressCuriously, despite the ever-energetic Tony Scott at the throttle, the sleek new edition isn't as transporting as it should have been.
Empire Magazine
pressPelham One was first class. Pelham Two stuck to the schedule. Pelham Three needs a bus pass.
Dominion Post
pressPelham 123 loses all credibility in the last 20 minutes, and a twist I was waiting for never arrived, but the film is still an enjoyable waste of a few hours of your life.
ACTION, COMEDY & THRILLER
This movie hits all 3 genres dead centre! While it is not without its flaws, The Taking of Pelham 123 is an easily watchable film. John Travolta easily steals the show as a serious but often black comedic gangster. Denzel Washington attempts to play his equal. Many reviews cite an original film which would make any re-make look worse off. I haven't seen...
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