The Taking Of Pelham 123 (2009)

This film is overall very entertaining. The storyline is simple, but keeps you enticed. Tony Scott should be very proud of itself, i'm confused why this film didnt do great at the box office.

I have never seen the original, so cannot comment on how different or similar they both are. However, having seen this one, i see no reason to see the original. I would be extremely shocked if the original was better.

Incredible acting from both John Travolta and Denzel Washington. Both actors play their characters with ease. Travolta suits being the villain, whereas Washington suits being the hero. Even though Travolta is the villain, the audience still sort of like him as a character. I believe this was done on purpose. The other actors performances were also brilliant from the likes of: John Turturro, Luis Guzman and James Gandolfini.

The films entertainment mainly comes from the action and suspense. There are some great scenes when the police are trying to transfer ransom… more »

This film is overall very entertaining. The storyline is simple, but keeps you enticed. Tony Scott should be very proud of itself, i'm confused why this film didnt do great at the box office.

I have never seen the original, so cannot comment on how different or similar they both are. However, having seen this one, i see no reason to see the original. I would be extremely shocked if the original was better.

Incredible acting from both John Travolta and Denzel Washington. Both actors play their characters with ease. Travolta suits being the villain, whereas Washington suits being the hero. Even though Travolta is the villain, the audience still sort of like him as a character. I believe this was done on purpose. The other actors performances were also brilliant from the likes of: John Turturro, Luis Guzman and James Gandolfini.

The films entertainment mainly comes from the action and suspense. There are some great scenes when the police are trying to transfer ransom money, from one side of New York, to the other.

There are a few reasons why this film doesnt get a 5 star review in my mind.

Firstly, at time John Travolta reminds me of a school boy bully. He throws childish insults at Walter Garber, New York's mayor and Camonetti. I know John Travolta's character (Ryder) isnt always supposed to be taken too seriously. However, too many childish insults makes you wonder how this man had the brain power to put together a fantastic plan to makes millions of dolllars.

Also, the film isnt very realistic. There are many things that the NYPD could have done better to stop Ryder much easier. You will realise this when you watch.

Overall, this in entertaining for anyone who enjoys actions/thrillers with great acting. Which is almost everyone!

I was always a fan of the original 1974 thriller, but after rewatching the movie seemed very dated. This was a film that screamed to be remade. It's good to see they got the right man for the job, Director Tony Scott (Crimson Tide, Top Gun, True Romance, The Last Boy Scout) delivers a very tight thriller, and just like the original has a great leading cast, this time with the always excellent Denzel Washington and a back on form John Travolta doing what he does best and relishing the bad guy role. The tension in the film is well sustained, and the action reliant final third is very well staged. It's good to see that no CGI has been used and most of the scenes are filmed in real locations and not on a sound stage, giving the film a gritty realistic edge that really pays homage to the thrillers shot in the 1970's. Unlike most summer Block Busters this movie is not bloated and has a smart swift running time of 100 minutes.
This movie is refreshing as it is not flashy and delivers… more »

I was always a fan of the original 1974 thriller, but after rewatching the movie seemed very dated. This was a film that screamed to be remade. It's good to see they got the right man for the job, Director Tony Scott (Crimson Tide, Top Gun, True Romance, The Last Boy Scout) delivers a very tight thriller, and just like the original has a great leading cast, this time with the always excellent Denzel Washington and a back on form John Travolta doing what he does best and relishing the bad guy role. The tension in the film is well sustained, and the action reliant final third is very well staged. It's good to see that no CGI has been used and most of the scenes are filmed in real locations and not on a sound stage, giving the film a gritty realistic edge that really pays homage to the thrillers shot in the 1970's. Unlike most summer Block Busters this movie is not bloated and has a smart swift running time of 100 minutes.
This movie is refreshing as it is not flashy and delivers in what it sets out to do.
A very entertaining suspenseful thriller.