The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3

Although Tony Scott's technologically souped-up remake lacks some of the grit of the 1974 original, it compensates with charismatic performances and more spectacular action footage (shot on location in New York). Denzel Washington plays Walter Garber, a Metropolitan Transportation Authority executive demoted to subway-train dispatcher pending the outcome of an ethics investigation into his alleged bribe-taking. Walter is forced to deal with a psychotic ex-convict named Ryder (John Travolta), who's carrying out an elaborate plan to hijack a train and ransom it—and its passengers—for 10 million dollars. Promising that he'll kill a hostage for every minute that payment is delayed, Ryder keeps the entire city at bay and even the Mayor (James Gandolfini) is unable to dissuade him. Although Scott's version differs from the original in key aspects, it has the same relentless narrative drive and employs the same plot device used so successfully in the earlier film: the race to halt a runaway train before it crashes. As the bad guy, Travolta characteristically chews the scenery, but this time it's entirely in keeping with the character as scripted, while Washington excellently modulates his performance as the nervous but steady dispatcher, conveying a full range of emotions with subtle facial movements in tight close-ups. While the film carries no hidden messages or social commentary about New York life, this popcorn flick is one of the best of its kind among recent releases. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include two audio commentaries (the first by director Tony Scott, the second by writer Brian Helgeland and producer Todd Black), a “No Time To Lose” making-of featurette (30 min.), “The Third Rail: New York Underground” featurette (16 min.), a “Marketing Pelham” featurette (7 min.), “From the Top Down: Stylizing Character” on the character hairstyles (5 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are the BD-Live function (featuring “Cinechat” and “MovieIQ”), and a bonus digital copy of the film. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a solid thriller.] (E. Hulse)