The Taking Of Pelham 1 2 3
You pay your money and you board the train and you hope that you are not on Pelham 1:23! When asked why the train is called Pelham 123 Walter Garber (Denzel Washington) responds “It comes out of Pelham Bay at 1:23 in the afternoon!”
This train is doomed as soon as Ryder (John Travolta) and his henchmen decide to hijack it and demand ransom for the passengers. This is a well thought out heist with cons who have experience with the metro system in on the caper.
What we have here are two of the biggest names in movie history going against one another. John Travolta and Denzel Washington – can you get any better!?
Denzel is outstanding as the ordinary man called upon to do extraordinary deeds. He is spellbinding as the Metro Transit worker who, through fate or bad luck, happens to be at the control of the subway system at the time of the hijacking.
On the other side of the coin we have John Travolta. He is accomplished at playing the villain and does not disappoint here. He is a cold hearted killer with only profit on his mind. He has a penchant to play with people, especially Denzel (Walter Garber).
The movie is fast paced and very tense! Who will be next to be executed by the psycho Ryder (Travolta). Can you stand the camera work and all of the police motorcycle closeups. Just how many car crashes can you stand? Oh, my!
This a really a suspenseful movie and one that I enjoyed. Sure there were plot problems such as the ending (warning, spoiler!) when Denzel (Walter Garber) is standing with a pistol pointed at Ryder and about a dozen police officers are closing in and they don’t fire at him! In my city he would have been dead meat!
In the end, things end up as they should in a perfect world, that is, except for the unfortunate souls that are killed. Garber even remembers to bring home the milk! (ha, ha – go see the movie!).
The frenetic sound track and in your face filming all add to the excitement and tension generated by this movie. I enjoyed it just as I have enjoyed all of the movies of Denzel Washington and John Travolta!
Okay, as usual, if you want to read some quotes from this movie check out
http://www.tvmoviequotes.com/thetakingofpelham123.htm
Rating – R -
Fatwayne’s rating – 
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where ya’ at baby……let’s go see a movie soon!
Great to hear from you Biker Bob! I am always up for a movie! If I’m lucky enough and there is something good to see I’ve been known to attend three times a week. It is a rare occurence when I don’t make it at least once weekly. So, pick your poison and rattle my chain and let’s make this thing happen! Take care good buddy.