MOVIE REVIEW - THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123

THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 – REVIEW

8.5 out of 10

The Taking of Pelham 123 is a slick, reimagining of the 1974 original that is filled to the brim with suspense, action and the one thing that is missing from many big budget spectacles, good old fashioned character development.  Director Tony Scott has crafted a tension filled thriller with both John Travolta and Denzel Washington sharing a chemistry that propels the film to its rocketing conclusion.

Scott wastes no time on set up; Travolta hijacks the train before the beginning credits are done rolling and the film continues at a breathless pace until the satisfying conclusion.  The plot goes basically like this; Travolta’s Ryder (his alias) hijacks the Pelham 123 at 2:13 PM and demands a ransom of $10 million dollars be delivered to him within an hour or else he will start killing off hostages.  Ryder refuses to speak with the police and Washington as train dispatcher Walter Garber is forced to serve as negotiator.  Scott keeps the film at high suspense and brings a kinetic feel to the action sequences and chase scenes that will keep your eyes glued to the screen.  Writer Brian Helgeland best known for L.A. Confidential, has written an intelligent script with great dialogue, that is fast paced and exciting all the while developing the characters way beyond what could’ve been the stereotypical psycho versus the reluctant hero.

Denzel Washington is terrific as everyman Walter Garber bringing gravity and a quiet dignity to his performance, keeping Walter grounded in reality, never once allowing the character to slip into clichéd action hero mode.  Garber is the heart and soul of the film and you will find yourself pulling for him from the very first time Washington opens his mouth to the very last scene of the film.  Washington is an amazing actor at the top of his craft and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

What can you say about John Travolta?  The man plays terrific psychos and his performance in Pelham 123 is no exception to the rule.  With his handle bar mustache, neck tattoo and menacing glare, he is one badass you don’t want to mess with.  He puts a delightful psycho spin on every line of dialogue and is gleeful in his madness.  I’ve always liked Travolta as a villain, but in films like Face/Off and Broken Arrow, he goes over the top with his performances.  That is not the case here.  Travolta masterfully takes the character right to the brink, but never crosses the line.  Travolta gives a truly chilling and riveting performance that you won’t want to end. 

The supporting cast all give superb performances as well, especially John Turturro and James Gandolfini.  Turturro plays a hostage negotiator for the NYPD and although he is forced to take second chair to Washington’s Garber, Turturro never once allows the character to become a clichéd pain in the ass, egomaniac.  Instead he infuses the character with a humanity that makes him endearing and real and helps keep the film grounded.  James Gandolfini plays the fictional mayor of New York as a combination of Mike Bloomberg and Rudy Giuliani and pulls it off fabulously.  Gandolfini gives the mayor a quiet strength while also giving him a no nonsense attitude that is quite fitting for the Big Apple.

To sum it up, The Taking of Pelham 123 is an electrifying thrill ride that is made even better by the shared chemistry and the power-house acting of Washington and Travolta. Pelham 123 is one ride that shouldn’t be missed.