The Taking of Pelham 123
By Marshall Fine
Rating:
Who’s in it: John Travolta, Denzel Washington
What’s it about: A New York transit official (Washington) must cope with a group of criminals who hijack a subway.
Doors closing: The head hijacker is Travolta in smiling psycho mode – except for that hair-trigger temper. He and Washington are connected by radio but they develop a relationship – the best thing about this movie. In fact, both Washington and Travolta are top notch, giving performances that are a lot better than the film itself. The scenes where Travolta threatens the passengers (and even kills a couple to prove he’s serious) are wrenching.
Director Tony Scott is able to create tension – but he doesn’t know how to create excitement. While there are flare-ups of action, you never really get swept up by it. Scott’s visual tricks can’t make up for the fact that, after the first half, this movie just isn’t very thrilling. Meanwhile, real New Yorkers will laugh at all the geography mistakes that Scott makes.
Long story short: Catch a cab instead.
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