Denzel Washington and Tony Scott reunite once again as lead actor and director for a remake of "The Taking of Pelham 123" (I haven't seen the original). John Travolta joins in the fun as the antagonist, "Ryder", the primary leader of a small group who take over a NYC subway train (nicknamed "Pelham 123") and make demands for the safe return of the hostages onboard. Denzel plays Garber, who is a train jockey for the day (his own backstory provides some bits of fodder for the interplay between Garber and Ryder). James Gandolfini is onboard as the mayor of NYC.
I'm glad that Tony Scott toned down his penchant for lots of quick cuts and garnish color palette, instead, ramping up the action sequences when appropriate, and going with more of a stop motion jump approach at times to service the story.
The interplay between Garber and Ryder is entertaining, and Travolta relishes chewing up scenery when needed to make Ryder's point. The film itself might have flowed a bit better with 5-10 minutes cut from it because it sags a bit in the final act, but it's still rife with dramatic tension and urgency with Ryder's imposed time limit to get him the ranson, else hostages die.
I give it 2.75 stars, or a grade of B-.
I'm glad that Tony Scott toned down his penchant for lots of quick cuts and garnish color palette, instead, ramping up the action sequences when appropriate, and going with more of a stop motion jump approach at times to service the story.
The interplay between Garber and Ryder is entertaining, and Travolta relishes chewing up scenery when needed to make Ryder's point. The film itself might have flowed a bit better with 5-10 minutes cut from it because it sags a bit in the final act, but it's still rife with dramatic tension and urgency with Ryder's imposed time limit to get him the ranson, else hostages die.
I give it 2.75 stars, or a grade of B-.
