A very solid stare from Travolta.
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
Directed by Tony Scott
Columbia Pictures, 2009
By Brian Last
Hollywood is losing its creative juices — half of the films out there are either based on books or are remakes of older movies. The ones that are “original” are often recycled ideas repackaged a different way. But, in this remake of the 1974 film of the same name, director Tony Scott manages to put his original stamp on the material using his directorial staples: quick and often jarring editing, time lapses, and swift camera movements. The result is an action film of genuine quality amidst today’s crowd of recycled films.
Like in the original, a subway train is taken over by a hijacker and his crew, who set a quick deadline for a ransom to be delivered. Ryder (Travolta) makes radio contact with dispatcher Walter Garber (Denzel Washington) at the central hub of the train operations. Garber is thrown into the role of hostage negotiator whether he likes it or not. Garber has to forge a connection and keep buying time for the mayor of New York (James Gandolfini) and his people to come up with the money, as 20 people’s lives depend on it.
Ryder is a bit of a mysterious opportunist. You are never quite sure what his angle is, all you know is he hates New York City and wants it to burn. He’s a smart man who exploits the city and the media for his own gain. Pelham offers a smart look at the mass hysteria the media whips up whenever a hijacking or heist occurs. The film rightly skewers media outlets prone to throw the word “terrorist” around and promote panic.
Just another Monday morning in NYC.
Walter Garber, meanwhile, is just a common man who is thrust into the role of hero, and his character believably shows us the lengths ordinary people can go to when put to the test. At his core, Garber is a man who deeply values human life and will protect it at any cost.
Once you get past the choppy opening, the story flows really well. It clips along at an appropriate speed and has the feel of unfolding in real time. The ending is a little anti-climactic, but it did serve to give us a real sense of who Ryder is and what he is about. I really enjoyed John Travolta — he was over-the-top and even a tad goofy, but he could turn utterly vicious at the drop of the hat. I also liked Denzel, as he was very natural and didn’t try to act above his character. Also, for two people that don’t meet until the latter half of the movie, they have great chemistry. A testament to their acting ability, and Scott’s directing.
Pelham will not win any Oscars, but it is a solid popcorn flick, and another solid addition to the filmographies of Scott, Washington, and Travolta. I believe you will be thoroughly entertained.
I really dig Travolta in these eccentric bad-guy roles. I think he does them really well. He’s a strange combination of likable, fun, and fucking terrifying.