"The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3"

Action/Adventure, Thriller, Crime/Gangster, Adaptation and Remake. Rated R.

If you thought hostage-train movies like Under Siege 2 with Steven Seagal were good, get a load—literally, a TRAIN load of hostages— in The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, starring famed actors Denzel Washington, John Travolta, and many more.

The movie starts off with Railway Control Center dispatcher Walter Garber (Washington) doing his daily duties at the Control Center . Then, gang-leader, “Ryder" (Travolta), and his crew, or, “terrorists,” as authorities in the movie put it, jump aboard the Pelham 1 2 3—a New York City train filled with passengers unaware of the prospective hostage situation that may take a toll on all of their lives. Step-by-step, Ryder puts the train under his command, managing to obtain all of train occupants as hostages, or, as he calls them, “commodities.” The train is called the Pelham 1 2 3 because it leaves the Pelham Bay every day at exactly 1:23p.m.

Things take a sharp turn when Garber begins contacting the Pelham to see why it stopped moving when green signals were ahead for it to proceed. When Garber becomes suspicious, he is answered on the microphone by Ryder. Ryder then demands a whopping $10 Million for all of the hostages on the train, explaining that the city has a 1 hour deadline and the penalty of minus one passenger for every minute they pass the deadline. While all of this unfolds, a ticking clock appears throughout the film, which had the effect of keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.

When Ryder begins deeply conversing with Garber, Garber knows he’s bound to fall in the trap of having to deal with Ryder for the long haul. And Garber does this, as he swiftly, yet, painstakingly switches roles from railway operator to hostage-situation negotiator, and he’s determined to say whatever he must to calm hostage-killer Ryder down…even lie and confess about a bribe that Garber was accused of in the railway business years ago. This was particularly impressive within the movie, since such role-switching is rare in reality (yet, not impossible), and Garber brings this particular aspect of the movie to life.

When Ryder demands that the Mayor (James Gandolfini) confirm the $10 Million transfer to Ryder’s account, even the Mayor is unsure how to answer back to Ryder when they both begin communicating over the microphone. All the while, the money is “on the way” and the clock continues winding down, as Ryder begins losing more and more of his patience. When Garber becomes so deeply involved in discussion with Ryder, Ryder then does the one thing Garber never imagined; he demands that Garber deliver the money to the train. Garber hesitatingly agrees, yet, manages to escape from the gang’s vicinity after he delivers the money. Then, authorities kill two of the gang members after surrounding them, and when the gang members attempt to draw their guns. At the same time, Garber seeks out Ryder throughout the city streets, and finds him, attempting to detain him until the authorities show up. Garber then winds up shooting and ending the life of Ryder, and after Ryder threatens to kill Garber if Garber refuses to kill him before authorities show up. In Ryder’s final breath, he says to Garber, “…you’re my hero.”

Overall, this movie was an action-packed, edge-of-your-seat thriller, and a successful remake of the original. Washington ’s focus and Travolta’s psychotic behavior bring this hostage situation to life, with an all-or-nothing outcome bound to have some affect on nearly everyone involved. This is certainly a must-see for action-thriller fans that want a dose of widely-acclaimed actors in a fast-moving, suspenseful situation.

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 was released in theatres June12, 2009, and is still playing at a theater near you.

Many thanks go to the Rave Motion Pictures Movie Theater (in Las Vegas, Nevada) for making this review possible. Rave Motion Pictures is located in Las Vegas ’ beautiful and exciting recreation area, Town Square —acclaimed for its extensive collection of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Rave Motion Pictures releases the hottest movies in its stunning establishment regularly, so be sure to check out a new flick at Rave Motion Pictures in Las Vegas today! Photo credit: media.lvrj.com