The Taking of Pelham 123

Directed by: Tony Scott

Starring: Denzel Washington, John Travolta, John Turturro, Luis Guzman, James Gandolfini

Synopsis: New York Metro executive Walter Gerber (Washington) is not having a good day. Under investigation for allegedly taking a bribe, he is demoted to one of the Metro control desks. Into his already troubled life comes Bernard Ryder (Travolta) who with an armed gang has taken control of train Pelham 123 and is demanding a ransom of $10 Million. Forced to act as negotiator, Gerber has to try to keep the passengers alive by keeping Ryder calm and ensuring the Mayor meets his demands...



Review:

The Taking of Pelham 123 is a remake of a slightly obscure but taut thriller that originally starred Walter Matthau as Gerber and Robert Shaw as Ryder. If you’ve never seen it, you should check it out – it’s rather good.

The Taking of Pelham 123 remake is one of the most straightforward thrillers to come along in a while. A group of armed men take a subway train hostage and demand 10 million dollars, then execute a clever and daring escape when they get their money. There are a few red herrings riding the train – stock characters the movie mistakes for edgy and up-to-date, such as a kid with a webcam.

The centre of the story is the performances of and relationship between Travolta and Washington. However neither of these are as good as the movie seems to think they are, either. Compare the antagonistic relationship between Dennis Hopper and Keanu Reeves in Speed – it covers similar ground but is much more engrossing. Another problem is that as Travolta and Washington are conversing from separate, stationary, confined spaces, it doesn’t leave much room for Tony Scott’s trademark breathless camerawork. In order to ease his frustration, we are treated to a long, frenzied high-speed chase as the ransom money is escorted across Manhattan. As one of the mayor’s aides points out late in the movie – why didn’t they use a helicopter?

Washington as Gerber is quite conservative and reserved. He doesn’t like talking about his personal situation and only divulges such when Ryder threatens to kill a passenger. He comes across as intelligent and proud of what he has achieved in life. Travolta’s performance as Ryder is much more jittery and less in control, prone to quick bursts of anger when things don’t go his way. When he shoots someone it is always over-kill, emptying half a clip rather than a quick shot to the head.

The script is full of dumb moments, such as the little asides between minor characters which add very little – such as a mother who goads an ex-soldier into getting himself killed to a sniper who lets a rat distract him with fatal consequences.

John Turturro provides the movie’s best moments as a police negotiator who is immediately suspicious of Gerber’s possible involvement – it is the one aspect that felt true in the film.

Verdict:

The Taking of Pelham 123 doesn’t misfire as badly as Righteous Kill, but it is a very pedestrian thriller dressed up as something bigger. There is some good action although it doesn’t happen logically and has no real place in the story at hand. Washington is ok, Travolta is a cartoon villain with no redeeming qualities.

5 out of 10 (MikeOutWest)