Denzel Washington, John Travolta, John Turturro

In The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, Denzel Washington stars as New York City subway dispatcher Walter Garber, whose ordinary day is thrown into chaos by an audacious crime: the hijacking of a subway train....( read more  read more... ) John Travolta stars as Ryder, the criminal mastermind who, as leader of a highly-armed gang of four, threatens to execute the train's passengers unless a large ransom is paid within one hour. As the tension mounts beneath his feet, Garber employs his vast knowledge of the subway system in a battle to outwit Ryder and save the hostages. But there's one riddle Garber can't solve: even if the thieves get the money, how can they possibly escape?

Flixster Users

60% liked it

617,031 ratings

Critics

52% liked it

201 critics

R, 2 hrs. 1 min.

Directed by: Tony Scott

Release Date: June 12, 2009

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DVD Release Date: November 3, 2009

Stats: 20,094 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (20,094)


  • November 15, 2009
    review to come
  • November 15, 2009
    It is interesting to watch how stories can change depending on the director's style.
    In this case director Tony Scott turned a quieter intense thriller into a balls-out action film that only Scott can deliver. Which just happens to be both one of the film's strong points as well...( read more) as its biggest flaw. Yes it is quite distinctive from the 1974 film but it is also more or less the exact same film from any other Tony Scott in the last decade. All flaws and total disinterest in logic in place.
    Luckily that means all the strongest points of Tony Scott's film, in particular the cast. With his fourth film with Scott, Denzel Washington is once again solid as the lead. Providing a quiet strength and flawed everyman needed for the character and never being attention to the his star power. It just goes to show how strong he really is as an actor.
    Now on the polar opposite of subtle, John Travolta dials his performance up to 11 and loves every second of it. Its great to see Travolta back in "Face/Off" mode and is actually the funniest time I've had at a Travolta film in a long time.
    Both actors provide great sense of conflict and find an equal level realism and crazy fun and for a solid 2/3s of the film it keeps that balance.
    Then comes the ending, which throws out just about everything that was good about this film out of the window and just becomes an bombardment of annoying cuts, frantic camera work and cars crashing all over the place, as though I was re-living my driver's test all over again. Which is a shame because Scott has a really great story here but he just can't stay still and let the story tell itself.
    So what your left with is a solid rental and a fun popcorn film but nothing near as great as the first film.
  • November 15, 2009
    A really entertaining heist film that I can only describe as very solid. Great direction, cinematography, and performances all around (especially from Travolta).

    One of Tony Scott's better efforts.
  • November 11, 2009
    If you've seen any other Tony Scott film, you'll know exactly how this plays how, even if you haven't seen the original.

    I will give credit to Travolta, who is uneven in the film, but shows moments of a truly fun and great performance. Hopefully he'll find the right director on...( read more)e day that will harness his Travoltaness.
  • November 7, 2009
    It's Inside Man meets Speed. A real knockout. A smart, taunt, exciting and adreniline-pumping edge of your seat cat and mouse action-thriller. It's gripping, memerising, compelling and tremendously exhilerating all the way through. A stylish, well-crafted and brilliant thrill-mac...( read more)hine thats loaded with explosive action and nail-biting suspense. It's heart-pounding and breathtaking. It's slickly character driven and well-developed. This film is laced with quick humor, a sharp plot and top-notch acting. Director, Tony Scott once again proves he is a master of delivering an intelligent thriller to the screen with his unique style in directing and story telling. A sensational and hard-boiled movie that truly delivers with non-stop pulse-pounding thrills. It has you glued to your seat for the whole ride. Washington and Travolta are pure dynamite, these two great actors togehter is like watching sparking live wire. John Travolta is riveting, he's always filled with raw energy showing that the movie star still has plenty to offer. Denzel Washington is teriffic, again showing why he's the compelling hero. John Turturro and James Gandolfini are fantastic. A powerful piece of great action movie that really dazzels.
  • November 22, 2009
    I've seen it once and don't really wanna watch it again. It's just boring.
  • November 21, 2009
    Horrible script and poor direction. skip this film.
  • November 21, 2009
    DANG......love this movie MEHN!!!!! SHYTTTTTT!!!!
  • November 21, 2009
    Bueno tenia tantas ganas de ver esta pelicula que me quede con las ganas y se volvio un disgusto con mal sabor de boca. Claro que los actores como Denzel Washington y John Travolta son vastante atrayentes, de sus actuaciones no hay nada que decir más que la versatilidad de John e...( read more)n esta pelicula y Denzel pues creo que volvio a encasillarse, la palicula empieza bien y termina bien, pero a todo esto los huecos de la trama en el medio de ella te dejan nada complacido; a la trama le puedieron explotar más. En fin creo que desepcionante.

    Atte. Maliova
  • November 21, 2009
    A great movie, where you did not know how it would end. Denzel Washington and John Travolta were excellent as usual.

Critic Reviews


July 31, 2009
Nigel Andrews, The Financial Times

If you like Scott you can argue that too much is better than too little. This movie has a vision and sticks to it. full review

June 15, 2009
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker

Can a director be arrested for the attempted hijack of our emotions? full review

June 12, 2009
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Set in a nightmare New York City, the subway hostage thriller batters our nerves like a tom-tom. full review

June 12, 2009
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

Most disappointing is the new film's reluctance to even attempt to match the ingenuity of the original movie's celebrated one-two punch ending. full review

June 12, 2009
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, an energetic updating of the 1974 mass transit thriller, takes account of how much the character of New York has changed. full review

June 12, 2009
Kurt Loder, MTV

There's plenty of action, but little to get excited about. full review

June 11, 2009
Pete Hammond, Hollywood.com

A solidly crafted suspense thriller set on a subway train proves the perfect vehicle for two stars at the top of their game. full review

June 11, 2009
Claudia Puig, USA Today

The new Pelham takes the chilling original premise and modifies it for an era steeped in technology, making for an energetic and engrossing adaptation. full review

June 11, 2009
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

As Ryder's motives begin to reveal themselves, The Taking of Pelham 123 loses its aura of post-9/11 dread, replaced by a muddled commentary on Wall Street greed in these days of raging financial crises. full review

June 11, 2009
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

This movie hits you like 600 volts from a sparking third rail. Damn straight it's electrifying. full review

View more The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • murad4murad
    October 5, 2009
    It reminded me of the 90s movies, meaningful, a lot of hidden points, great actors, smart directing plus I just loved Ryder's personality in the movie and how it reflected his background and what he's been threw in his life (John-T). I give it 5.
  • aliciacheney19
    June 13, 2009
    hi to you
  • liliecv1
    June 12, 2009
    i hope is as good as i think it is!
  • AsianNorthOfThailandGeneration
    April 6, 2009
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    " Hey my friend " Rayman0071 " . He has invitation me to watch it . You know i'm really wishing would like to watch it on rite thier at the nicer theatre . Have you watch it ? "
  • ahmedsniper2003
    August 4, 2008
    I ADDED THIS MOVIE TO FLIXSTER!!!!!

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The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 Trivia


  • Name this movie that starred Robert Shaw as a hijacker along with Martin Balsam and Walter Matthau as a transit authority inspector  Answer »
  • Vincent D’Onofrio  Answer »
  • Name the film: Walter Matthau has to stop Robert Shaw and a team of hijackers from shooting innocent people on a NY subway.  Answer »

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