Full of action, Travolta is brilliant! (The Taking of Pelham 123 [2009] (DVD))

Member Name: emmajt81

Product:	The Taking of Pelham 123 [2009] (DVD)
Date:	14/08/09 (12 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: John Travolta is top of his game again

Disadvantages: Some action scenes a little far fetched - but that's Hollywood!

Am a big John Travolta fan so had been looking forward to this film coming out for ages. Had the date in my diary and went to see it at the flicks the first day the previews started - and it didn't disappoint!! John Travolta is always at his best when he's playing the villain - he brings a lot of dark humour to this film as well. The cinema I was in was packed - not a spare seat anywhere - and the place was roaring with laughter at some of his one liners. And there's also plenty of action!

Set in New York (for a change!) the story is about the hijacking of a New York City subway train. Ryder (John Travolta) is the key hijacker and the brains behind the operation. Walter Garber (Denzel Washington) is on duty as a dispatcher in the office when he sees the subway come to a halt. Not just another day in the office for Walter! Ryder then demands $10 million as a ransom and if he doesn't get it in a certain time he will start killing passengers. Walter is then racing against the clock to figure out a way of rescuing the situation and getting the money to Ryder on time. There are a few twists and turns along the way and a lot of laughs too. The film dives right in with the hijacking at the start - no hanging around - and the action and suspense just continues from there for the whole film. Ryder is a man who will carry out his threats and you begin to realise why he is doing this when you get a bit of his character's background.

This film is a remake and some have said it's not as good as the original. I haven't seen it so I can't comment, but I loved this film. I thought that it was fast paced and Travolta was perfectly cast in his character as well - he does the baddies so well! I could have seen a few other people in Washington's role I have to say, but he still does a good job. Directed by Tony Scott, a lot of people were expecting more from the action scenes some of which are a little far fetched (cars crashing and flipping over each other which wouldn't happen, trained police motorcyclists running into the back of parked cars etc), but this is a Hollywood action film - I was expecting nothing less! It all certainly kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the film!

It's fast paced, tense at times, and definitely entertaining. At 106 minutes its not too long either. This is definitely one to see this summer - don't wait for the DVD!!

Summary: Great action film with a few laughs thrown in!