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| Movie Review: The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 Alternate Title: Take the A Train
Story: Can a movie be both terrifying
and amazingly entertaining at the same time? You bet it can and director
Tony Scott has proven it. In a remake of the 1974 hit,
this time written by Brian Helgeland (LA Confidential
and Mystic River) and based on the novel by John Godey,
it has all of the elements of a good summer thriller. The #6 train (one of my most frequented subway
lines), which starts out in Pelham at 1:23PM is hijacked by a group
of very scary, dangerous thugs led by a guy known as Ryder. He wants
$10,000,000 within the hour or he starts killing the 18 passengers.
His counterpart working on the desk of the MTA is a mild mannered man
named Walter, who has his own troubles. Walter and Ryder are adversaries
made for the big screen. In an almost dizzying pace, we see the film unfold
in real time, which makes it even more scary. It is a film that has
gripping story telling including several nerve wracking moments combined
with a large portion of empathy for the passengers as hostages. As a
frequent subway rider, I could only imagine their terror. Yes, there are some huge plot holes and an ending
that is a bit over the top but the film was a thrilling ride and well
worth the money. If you like your summer thrills on the big screen you
must check out this very satisfying film. By the way - I chose to walk
home rather than take the subway. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWsVNSg5YH8 Acting: Denzel Washington as Walter Garber was right
on target. he was believable and riveting. John Travolta
as Ryder returns to his regular seen acting psychopath behavior. I like
Travolta as a psychopath.John Turturro as hostage negotiator
Camonetti, delivers a fine underplayed performance. The always reliable
Luis Guzmán as Phil Ramos was terrific. Michael
Rispoli as MTA guy John Johnson and another Sopranos alumni
James Gandolfini as the Mayor both deliver the goods.
Trivia: The original film was made in 1974. It was
directed by Joseph Sargent, and starred Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw,
Martin Balsam, Jerry Stiller, Tony Roberts, Hector Elizondo and Doris
Roberts. Director Tony Scott has used dogs in many
of his movies including Top Gun, True Romance, Crimson Tide, The Fan,
Enemy of the State, Man on Fire, and Domino. This time he features one
rat. He graduated from the Royal College Of Art In London, England and
is Ridley Scott's brother. Denzal Washington often
portrays real people: Rubin "Hurricane" Carter in The Hurricane,
Malcolm X in Malcolm X, Herman Boone in Remember the Titans, Frank Lucas
in American Gangster, Steve Biko in Cry Freedom and Melvin Tolson in
The Great Debaters. Richard Gere practically owes his
film career to John Travolta. Travolta turned down
the leads for Days of Heaven, American Gigolo, An Officer and a Gentleman,
and Chicago, all of which went to Gere. Travolta also turned down the
roles: Splash, Apollo 13 and Forrest Gump.
Predilection: I like films that are located in NYC.
Critters: A rat
Food: No time to eat. But milk is spoken about.
Sex Spectrum: No tie for sex.
Soundtrack: Loud
Opening Titles: A clever opening title sequence at
the end of which the crime has already been committed and we enter the
film.
Visual Art: Nothing to want to copy about the NYC
subway system but the City looks superb from the helicopters.
Theater Audience: Less people than were on the subway
as hostages.
Weather: A lovely summer day.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: I squirmed for those hostages.
Drift Factor: No time for drifting.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: I would go for the big screen
and then rent the original 1974 hit.
Length: Two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 8 |