The Taking of Pelham 123 [DVD] [2010]

John plays a great part in this movie

Loved this film not keen on the ending

I always like to see the original of a film before the remake; In the case of 'The Taking of Pelham 123', I am familiar with the 1974 original - it turns up on TV late at night occasionally - but haven't seen it for a couple of years. On that basis, I'll try and rate this 2009 version on its own merit.I've heard mixed reviews about this remake - it was generally derided by critics, yet some viewers love it. Personally I found myself falling between the two camps - it's not perfect, yet has some very good moments and at the end of the day is a decent enough thriller.The saving grace of the movie is Denzel Washington, who puts in a wonderful performance as subway train dispatcher Walter Garber, an everyman who is easy to identify with.John Travolta is reasonable as head hijacker Ryder, but while he does nothing to damage the film, he felt to me to be playing the same character as we've seen him play in a dozen other movies.I liked the parallels between put-upon Garber and the New York city Mayor (James Gandolfini), neither of whom had complete say in their respective job positions.I wasn't too keen on the camera style of the film - lots of shaky and jolty shots and various camera trickery. I found this much of the time to be distracting, and felt there was no need for it.But one of the films main flaws is that - compared to the original - we never feel any real sense of danger or urgency to save the hijacked passengers. However, this is saved by the great interaction between Washington and Travolta, which this particular version chooses to focus on instead of the more than the actual hijacker/hostage element....And as such, I found the first two thirds of the movie to be very enjoyable. However, later on, it sadly decided to morph into an over-the-top action flick, which felt to be rather 'welded on'. I didn't mind the odd stunt or effect, but the countless cars flipping over and over or flying through the air just felt out of place to me; it's almost as if today's film makers feel contractually obliged to stick this sort of thing in for the sake of it.Without giving too many spoilers away, the last section of the film doesn't do what has gone before any justice, as Washington's everyman character suddenly morphs into an action hero, albeit an unwitting one. I felt this totally at odds with what had gone before, and this climatic section goes on for too long and is awkwardly paced in my opinion.Regarding the DVD release, I find the back cover to immediately spoil the climax, as it shows Washington, with gun, in daylight, running along; surely a better, more representative shot could have been used (although the films trailers themselves give far too much from the ending away).The DVD has two audio commentaries, but the only other feature 'Marketing of Pelham 123', just turns out to be the trailers used to promote the film, which I was disappointed in.All-in-all, this is a mixed film, mostly good, but I found the climax to spoil it. However, at its best moments, with Travolta verbally sparring with Washington, I really enjoyed this story, enough to give it a very reasonable four stars.

A good Service and a good movie, thanks

I've seen this film several times now, and for me, it's one of those that you don't mind how many times you see it. I've seen the original, which I liked, and I think the remake knocks spots off it, and that's WITH John Travolta's somewhat unfeasable moustache.So the story, a bunch of cons hijack an underground train in New York, and demand a ransom for the hostages' release. Not an original story, but what makes the film is the tension between the two stars, Travolta and Denzel Washington. Both men are flawed, both living in their moment, and both grasping at either opportunity or salvation.Tense and gripping from start to finish, I thoroughly recommend.Books you might like to read An Angel's Alternative Cold Steel on the Rocks We Are Cold Steel

The Taking of Pelham 123 gradually accelerates its tension before applying the emergency brakes. New York City. The bustling heart of American bureaucracy, capitalism and greed. An urban beat sprawling the towering skyscrapers, harnessing corporations that generate the commodity of wealth. Money never sleeps. Scott’s remake of the ‘74 classic, that many critics deem “perfect”, embodies the synergetic life moulded by the city. It gives, and it takes. A duality that manifests itself between the connection of the story’s protagonist and antagonist. Two opposing ideologies, both tempted by the greed that New York veils itself in. When the villainous “Ryder” holds a subway carriage full of civilians hostage, only a dispatcher is allowed to negotiate. Placing the lives of many in his hands.Pelham is a game of morality. A game of chess. To reveal the darkened shadows that are suppressed within. The Catholic Ryder ensnaring the seemingly innocent Garber to strategically break down his guard, to form a bond between negotiator and hostage architect. One minute at a time. Whilst Garber calms his temper before any erratic actions are performed, leaving a solemn burden on his conscience. The communicative connection between both characters is often palpable, with each sentence meticulously thought out before spoken. Garber swarmed by police officials and hostage negotiators to say one thing and then the other, conflicted in what move to play next. Scott reassuringly plays out this thriller with a heavy compunction. Each action that is taken, has a consequence.The sole problem with this remake is that it’s so efficient in tackling the plot, that it lacks any thrills to be had. That may seem like a double entendre, but self-efficiency can be a fundamental issue for a thriller. Every character is on autopilot. They do and say everything according to plan so seamlessly, that any edge is prevented. Absolutely safe to watch as a feature, but never involves you indirectly. Scott’s frantic directing style, including the choppy frame cuts and exhausting panoramic panning, is unable to alleviate the safety measures that are inadvertently in place. Mass annoyances rather than cohesive stylistic choices. He does however generate an urban aesthetic that relishes in that New York air.Infuriatingly the tension that is gradually built up in the second two acts, grinds to an immediate halt during the conclusive escape. Action set pieces distract rather than involve. The generic hostages seemingly have no life and, rather ironically, act as one-dimensional commodities that have limited investable power. So when these entities are whisked away on a runaway train, you unfortunately don’t care. Another irritant is the blatant disregard of the NYPD, as they are portrayed to be absolutely useless. Traversing ten million dollars across the city, and they can’t even do that without wrecking several vehicles and themselves. Just another plot convenience to add to the growing list that infests this thriller. And don’t get me started on that laptop that had no connection, then randomly did. Had no battery life...then randomly did. Careless plot details like these can really bring a cohesive story down a level or two.For everything Pelham executes correctly, such as the two main characters (including performances) and urban aesthetic, it seemingly fails on other aspects. Much like public transport, the idea and execution are efficient if irrefutably unreliable.

Missed this film when it came out originally. Great acting and very exciting. First time I'd rented an Amazon film. Thought it would be complicated, not very tech savvy! To my suprice just had to click rent it on my tv and it was done. Will be renting many more. I remember when you had to traipse to Blockbusters to rent video and bring it home, return it on time or else a fine!

John T and Denzil W at their very bests in this fantastic movie that you wouldnt believe was as good as it is ... This is actually a remake (the original sucked!) - The plot twist is pretty darn awesome too!

a rare example of a remake that is not a slavish copy but has enough twists to almost make it an original

Thanks the movie was great.

Movie is great and bluebay quality is amazing too. Behind the scenes and all is great. Thanks.

Film: USA 2009im Vertrieb von SonyGenre: Thriller, Action, HeistRegie: Tony ScottHaupt: John Travolta, Denzel Washington, Luis Guzman, John Turturro, James GandolfiniBudget: 100 Mio $Boxoffice: global 150 Mio $Kino VÖ Deutschland: 24.09.2009Heimkino VÖ Deutschland: 25.02.2010Freigabe: Ab 16Spezifikationen:Codec: AVCAR: 2.40:1Laufzeit: 106 minTon: DTS-HD MA 5.1 (dt, en, it)Inhalt:Der, wegen Bestechung, degradierte Fahrdienstleiter der New Yorker U-Bahn, Walter Garber (D. Washington) in dessen Schicht die von ihm betreute U-Bahn Linie entführt wird von Ryder (John Travolta). Dieser fordert innerhalb einer Stunde 10 Mio$ Lösegeld. Der Bürgermeister (James Gandolfini) willigt ein. Ryder will nur mit Garber verhandeln, was dem FBI Agenten Camonetti (John Turturro) überhaupt nicht passt. Als dieser versucht einzugreifen sterben die ersten Geiseln.Walter Gabor wird von Ryder stetig tiefer in die Situation gezogen, bis hin zur persönlichen Geldübergabe. Mit allen Mitteln und den detaillierten Kenntnissen des U-Bahn Systems versucht Walter Gabor die Situation zu meistern und vor allem zu überleben…..Der Film ist jetzt 10 Jahre alt. Ein Grund ihm mal wieder auf die Pelle zu rücken. Die BluRay gibt’s bei Amazon für kurz über 6 Euro, ein Preis, bei dem man nichts falsch machen kann.Ich hatte den Titel bisher nicht als BD in der Sammlung, daher freute ich mich für diesen günstigen Preis aufzurüsten.Tony Scott’s Thriller ist hervorragend gealtert. Einige Arten der Kameraführung (z.B. stetes Kreisen um Personen) zum Spannungsaufbau finden sich heutzutage nicht mehr. Es macht aber Freude diese wiederzuentdecken.„Die Entführung der U-Bahn Pelham 123“ ist ein atemloser Hochglanzthriller, der auch nach 10 Jahren anstandslos funktioniert und zu unterhalten mag.Selbstverständlich liegt dies nicht nur am Regie-Stil von Tony Scott, sondern auch an seinen Hauptdarstellern, John Travolta und Denzel Washington, die ihre Rollen beide glaubwürdig und mitreißend darbieten. In Nebenrollen überzeugen Stars wie Luis Guzman, John Torturro und James Gandolfini.Der Blu-Ray merkt man ihr Alter nur an der Amaray Hülle an: Die BD ist von 2010 und das BD-Logo ist noch silbern geprägt. Die Hülle ist dick und stabil. Die VÖ war ja noch in den Anfangsjahren der Blu-Ray und es wurde sich noch mehr Mühe gegeben als heute.Die BD ist bereits AVC codiert (durchschnittliche Übertragungsrate 20 Mbps) und liefert ein entsprechend erstklassiges Bild ab.Geschaut auf einer 100“ Leinwand mit einem UHD-Player und Projektor und entsprechendem Upscale war ich von den Farben und Kontrasten einfach nur begeistert. Nichts deutete auf das Alter des Films, bzw. der VÖ, hin.Es ist auch diverses Bonus-Material enthalten, welches ich mir nicht bis ins Detail angeschaut habe.Die Sachen, die ich sah, z.B. mit Tony Scott, waren Interessant und gaben gute Einblicke in die Produktion.Die BD hat ein Wendecover, ohne FSK Logo.Meine Empfehlung: wer den Film noch nicht kennt, aber auf rasante Thriller steht, sollte ihn sich unbedingt anschauen.Wer den Film bereits kennt, dem sei empfohlen ihn sich mal wieder anzuschauen. Das 10-jährige Jubiläum bietet dafür genau den richtigen Anlass. ;)

Unlike many remakes of classic movies, Tony Scott's dynamic version of "The taking of Pelham 123" succeeds thanks to sterling performances by Denzel Washington (NY city subway dispatcher) and John Trevolta (mastermind of hijacking a subway car containing hostages). Supporting actors are also outstanding, and New York street scenes are fantastic. Five stars.