The Taking of Pelham 123
Overview
The Taking of Pelham 123 is a 2009 action thriller film directed by Tony Scott, a remake of the 1974 film of the same name. The film stars Denzel Washington as Walter Garber, a disgraced New York City transit dispatcher, and John Travolta as Ryder, a charismatic, ruthless criminal who hijacks a subway train. Ryder demands $10 million in ransom within one hour, or he will start killing hostages. Garber is the only one who can talk to Ryder, and he becomes the negotiator. The film is a tense, claustrophobic thriller, set mostly in the subway control room. Denzel Washington and John Travolta give intense performances as two men engaged in a battle of wits. The film features a memorable train crash sequence. The Taking of Pelham 123 was a moderate success, earning over $150 million on a $100 million budget. It was praised for its performances and its suspense, but criticized for being inferior to the original. The film is a solid, entertaining thriller that showcases the talents of its two leads.
