Movie- The Taking of Pelham 123

Now this is how to make a good action thriller! The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009) is a remake of an older movie, but more than a remake, it is an update and a re-imagining.

The basic concept is the same, a group of terrorists take charge of some subway cars, holds the people hostage and will kill them all and cause a lot more damage unless he gets massive amounts of money from New York City.

But updates in technology and threat factors make the old plot a little weak, and so many subplots are thrown in here. But the subplots which at first seem a bit random, come strongly into play by the time the movie has finished.

Denzel Washington is the star, and plays Walter Garber, a subway dispatcher who is coincidentally (?) on duty when the subways cars are taken hostage. He is the first to talk with the kidnapper and tries to do the best he can to get information from the head kidnapper named Ryder, played very evilly by John Travolta.

Both stars get into their roles, and what emerges from their dialogues is quite fascinating...Garber is not just a dispatcher, he is sharp, but also has had some troubles at work. Ryder is not as smart as he thinks, and gives lots of clues, if only someone will take note....Garber does.

The update in tech also works well here, adding another dimension. The laptop left on in the subway car, the camera running, the use of cell phones, the tech for bombs, all have been skillfully woven in by director Tony Scott. Scott seems to love working with Washington, having made four films with the star (and another coming out this year)---and the collaboration works. Washington takes roles the could be somewhat flat, and adds layers to them, and Scott weaves much more for the actor to sink his teeth into---the scene where Washington is forced into an admission particularly stands out.

Travolta seems to relish playing the bad guy here, he really goes to town with Ryder, and it is fun watching him.

This was a nail-biting ride, and I thought one of the better of its genre.

At least that's my opinion.