Jan 24 2010
The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009)
Starring Denzel Washington, John Travolta, John Turturro, and James Gandolfini
Directed by Tony Scott
Rated R for violence and pervasive language
1 hour 46 minutes
It doesn’t take long for subway train Pelham 123 to be taken by the villain Ryder (Travolta). Soon thereafter, Ryder starts communicating with dispatcher Walter Garber (Washington) about how he demands $10 million within an hour or the hostages will be shot. The rest of the movie is about Ryder trying to convince Garber how he’s not crazy and that the two of them are really a lot alike. Travolta and Washington are both good in their roles and the pacing of the movie is entertainingly rapid throughout. Unfortunately the plot gets a little unrealistic and corny toward the end of the movie, so the conclusion isn’t as satisfying as it could have been. I’m glad I didn’t see this one in a theater, but I’m not disappointed I rented it.
Grade: B