The Taking of Pelham 123Movie Reviews

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• Must Go!
  Written June 12, 2009

  Suspenseful and entertaining

  by Pammo1949

  This remake is not a remake but a new twist to a hostage theme. The movie is really good. It does a good job introducing the audience to immediate nonstop action. Denzel does a great job but John Travolta is over the top good as the villian in this movie. As a former civil servant I felt drawn to the roles of those who are part of a system they cannot control. From the mayor, the mayor's advisors, the subway train supervisors and police hostage negotiators and swat team members you realize how "useless: the system can become when "squeezed" by crisis.
  
  You never get emotionally attached to the bad guys or good guys. You are just on a subway ride of terror (domestic). In the end I was really satisfied with the movie going experience. My knee started to jump - too much suspense and I had to calm myself down during a porttion of the movie. Go see it - it was worth the price of the ticket and throughly enjoyable if you like action films.
  

  • 16 out of 16 found this review helpful.
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• Go
  Written June 26, 2009

  DENZEL YOU SLY DEVIL

  by blackfilmstudent

  There was a point in time when I very well may have been the biggest Denzel Washington fan on the planet. He could do no wrong in my eyes and then he got type cast, playing a police officer in four consecutive roles. When I saw the trailer for this film I immediately passed judgement on it, didn't expect very much at all. BOY was I wrong.
  
  This film was everything an action film should be. A compelling story, suspenseful and ACTION packed. There wasn't a dull moment in the film, no opportunity for a bathroom break or concessions run. This film kept me entertained from the first frame to the credits, a task not so easily accomplished.
  
  I would definitely recommend you go see this one. Don't wait for the dvd you might want to experience this one in the theatre. It's rare that "I" the quintessential movie hopper would suggest to part with your hard earned cash but I think you will agree this film is worth it.
  
  

  • 13 out of 16 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written June 15, 2009

  GREAT INTERACTION!

  by notek

  EXCELLENT MOVIE THAT KEEPS YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT! THE INTERACTION BETWEEN TRAVOLTA AND WASHINGTON WAS LEGEND!! TRAVOLTA DESERVES AN ACADEMY AWARD!!.

  • 11 out of 12 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written June 19, 2009

  The Taking of Pelham 123, get on board for a great ride

  by jimjoel49

  This movie is full of Oscar nominations. The writing is smart and witty, something that has been missing in movies for a long time. Denzel Washington and John Travolta both give Best actor nominations performances. James Gandolfini and John Turturro also give great performances. The full cast adds to this wonderful movie. Tony Scott direction keeps the movie on a fast pace that you hope will never end . The Cinematography by Tobias A. Schliessler and the film editing by Chris Lebenzon should both be up for an Oscar as well. This has been a year for great movies and The Taking of Pelham 123 leads the pack. A must see.

  • 10 out of 12 found this review helpful.
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• Oh No!
  Written July 10, 2009

  Out of touch Hollywood

  by terrificlee

  Once again Hollywood shows us how unmainstream they are! I haven't met one person in my lifetime that uses the F-word every other word?? Couldn't sit through the whole thing got tired of the language!

  • 14 out of 21 found this review helpful.
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• So-so
  Written June 27, 2009

  It's Okay...

  by MustBeIMAX

  Denzel Washington stars as a train dispatcher who's day is turned upside down when a group of hijackers take the passengers of Pelham 123 hostage, in demand of a large sum of money. Denzel is put in a situation where he must negotiate with the mastermind of the crime, played by John Travolta. The film is suspenseful, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. However, the film's quality takes a huge drop once Denzel and Travolta meet for the first time. From then on, I was asking myself "WHAT?!?" the entire time. There's also a terrible ending that is so anti-climactic that it nearly ruins the movie. While the movie was flawed, the acting was great and it was suspenseful for the beginning. I'd give The Taking of Pelham 123 a rating of 6/10.

  • 10 out of 13 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written June 21, 2009

  Best movie of the year so far

  by behindthecamera

  The Taking of Pelham 123 is great, keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time, and amazes you from Denzel Washington's portrayal of a regular New Yorker to John Travolta's ingenious and realistic criminal. Both parts are done with exceptional skill. Every time the plot changes a bit, the suspense stays, and gets better half the time. This film is also beautifully realistic; politically and action-wise. There is not a large amount of violence (all are gun involved), but the parts where there are can get pretty bloody, and are in cold-blood. The film's "New York cynicism" sets the tone, but the scene by scene views of New York at the beginning and constant F-bombs by civilians could have been set out differently. There isn't any romance in this film, which is perfect, because it was great without it, so not a date movie. The writers and director create this so well, you become emotional for Garber (Washington), and feel on Ryder's (Travolta) part also. All around amazing.

  • 9 out of 11 found this review helpful.
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• So-so
  Written June 30, 2009

  Decent but not the best

  by Matthew7734

  I have to tell you i was looking forward to seeing this movie but in the end it was a decent movie with allot of action and allot of F* bombs

  • 7 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written June 15, 2009

  Taking of Pelham 123

  by Favored by Him

  Travolta and Washington were great, however, Travolta was the star of the movie. He played the bad guy very convincingly! This version of the movie is so much better thab the 1974 version.

  • 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written June 16, 2009

  You have to see it!

  by Johnpetibon

  The Taking of Pelham 123 is really good. I enjoyed this movie from the beginning to the end. I consider it one of the top five (5) movies of 2009, so far ( of course, this is only until Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen comes out).
  
  Anyway, if you like accion and like to laugh a bit this movie is just perfect. I mean it's a movie with John Travolta and Denzel Washington, what do you expect?

  • 7 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written July 6, 2009

  Just a great film

  by zurcamny

  I remeber being frightened of the first film largely as a result of the pictures of the New York subway. Having recently moved to NY and now using the subway daily I did wonder what affect it would have. I'm glad to say the new film terrified me just as much as the old one but only bacause it's a great plot, extremely well acted with a dialogue that brings it all together. I know others have commented on the 'profanity' or swearing as I would call it but I just think this adds to the realism of the whole thing. No one could seriously expect that anyone in this situation would mind their language.
  
  Washington is great as the despatcher dealing with his own gremlins, rapidly found out by Travolta but managing to give as good as he gets. Gandolphini as the mayor is a great combination of PR and humour and wonderfully believable. The action is paced without being full of electronic wizardry and everyone plays their part.
  
  A great film and one of the best I have seen for a long time

  • 7 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written June 26, 2009

  Nice action packed movie

  by ImaxSyl

  I really enjoyed this movie. Denzel and John Travolta were both excellant. I enjoyed every thing thru out the movie. Plenty of action which is what I like.I would definately recommend this movie.

  • 7 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written July 7, 2009

  The Taking of Pelham 123

  by miss_sunshine09

  It was very entertaining and action packed. John Travolta was excellent. He was very convincing and play the bad guy with style. From his appearance, to the tattoos that were displayed on his neck and his cocky sense of humor. I loved the inner action and diaologue between Denzel Washington and John Travolta> Good Guy/ Bad Guy characters. I rate it four stars. ****
  
  M. Keyes/ Vallejo

  • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written July 22, 2009

  Great Remake!

  by CherryKid

  Great remake of an exciting movie. Nicely updated. Language was too over the top but the action was well done. A thrilling ride.

  • 6 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written June 12, 2009

  Taking of Pelham 1123

  by KatPawsInTN

  I never got to see the original of this movie yet but I am going to try. This is a GREAT Movie and Great cast worth the price of admission plus the popcorn & soda :)

  • 6 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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