Taking Of Pelham 123

Year: 2009

Grade: B-

Country: USA

Director: Scott

Review

original version is better, let’s say that up front. this one was more of a thriller and the original had a lighter tone. the ending of the original was far better. interesting to contrast the characters in the two versions. this one has travolta as a high tension terrorist, whereas the first one has robert shaw as a much more measured, british terrorist. of course tony scott couldn’t betray his countrymen so he made the villain american. it’s a talky film with a far-fetched scheme and some iffy details, but it entertains and the two stars are engaging in spite of some of the bad writing. scott has a style of his own. he doesn’t go as far out on a limb here as he does in something like man on fire, but you can still tell that it’s him. lately him and his brother have been about equal in terms of output quality.

Watched in theater