The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009)
Strong violence and coarse language
| Director: | Tony Scott |
| Actors: | Denzel Washington, John Travolta, James Gandolfini, Luis Guzman, John Turturro |
A New York City subway dispatcher draws on his extensive knowledge of the subway system in order to outsmart a dangerous criminal mastermind who's hijacked a subway train in this remake of the 1974 thriller inspired by John Godey's best-selling book. Walter Garber (Denzel Washington) was drifting through his daily routine when he received word that a heavily armed gang of four has hijacked a subway train and are holding all of the passengers hostage. Led by cunning master thief Ryder (John Travolta), the gunmen will begin executing everyone aboard should the authorities fail in delivering $10 million in the space of just one hour.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 100mins |
| Origin: | UNITED STATES |
| Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 |
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Member Reviews (79)
79 Member
Reviews
says
user reviews all suck
Mick T
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was expecting a bit more, but a good movie. Denzel always good but some of the characters had a lot more potential but went no where.
Steve
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.
Belinda
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Very disappointing. Lacked suspense. Couldn't care one iota what happened to any of the characters and if I had turned it off half way through I would not have cared what the (predictable) ending would bring.
Robin
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Gritty and fast moving
Maz
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Nothing mind-blowing about the storyline but an enjoyable movie. Denzel plays his character very believably and JT simply "rocks this city" every time he's on screen.
Andrew
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John Travolta over-acts in this one, but seems to enjoy it, so he is watchable. Denzel saves it though, and is excellent as usual. Haven't seen the original, but this is pretty good. Keeps you watching, good tension.
Doug
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I saw the original many years ago - this is a very good remake. Denzel Washington and John Travolta both do an excellent job.
Leila
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Just an average movie nothing to get too excited about
Allen M
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Plenty of suspense here. Well worth seeing - but be warned: the original is better.
NPB
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Very good
Sophie B
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This does exactly what it says on the tin. It's your Saturday night movie with a takeway pizza and a beer. Entertaining, not a bad watch and ends how you would expect.
Vicki
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It was ok but a bit slow at times
PK
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With the likes of Travolta and Washington on show, I was expecting something of an epic. Whilst it did not quite deliver on that whim, it was still good viewing. This action / thriller cleverly sprinkled small twists and motives throughout the film, keeping the viewer guessing the next move. Unfortunately, although you could not see what was going to happen next, you could visualize the ending perfectly; Too predictable. Cinematically, the scenes of NYC suited the ambiance of the film, and was topped of with great action scenes. Oh, and for a laugh, James Gandolfini should never play the ‘good guy.’ His pseudo identity, aka Tony Soprano would not approve.
Anita L
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I saw the original a long time ago, forgotten what it was like, so can't compare the two movies. Denzel is great, John Travolta, I couldn't help but hate. Great action, kept me in suspense.
Donvalebooks
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Having not seen the original, I was hoping to be enthralled and caught up in the tension of a New York city subway hijack. It didn't come up to my lofty expectations, but with strong performances by Travolta and Washington, it was still an enjoyable action flick.
Gabrielle
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Very good movie, worth watching. I enjoyed it very much.
Dan
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Even Denzel and John failed to save this one. The original was the best by far.
Antony D
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JT and Denzel were very good in their roles, JT always looks mean, and a bit wacked. Denzel as the subordinate but stil the leader..... Yep predictable 'negotiator' movie, but still a few good twist and turnes that kept you watching.
Ending would have like to be a 'finale' rather then a 'after thought' feel
Still worth to spend the sat-night on...
GCS
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Yes a surprisingly good, typical American movie with obligatory car flips, and I kept expecting a sub plot that it hined at but didn't come. But very good acting...especially Denzel W that we are more used to being the leader he was great as a subordinate quiet fellow. John T was very good too but it realy is a pity his pay packet goes to that twisted science cult he's involved with.
Laurene
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I loved this film. I thought it would be good but it was awesome. John Tralvolta as Ryder was outstanding as the bad guy. I remember seeing him in Pulp Fiction and thinking he could have been better but this film is his baby. His portrayal was spot on. Denzel was very believeabe in his role as Garber and I was on my seat the whole movie on how it would end. Top movie in my opinion
Carolyn
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Yes, JT makes an awesome bad guy. Not as much character development as I hoped and I was doing something else for most of the time it was on. Quite good
Lissa
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Excellent movie - wonderfully crafted with a great cast, acting and directing. Denzell always plays "real" characters so well and John T makes an excellent creepy bad guy. Would watch again quite happily.
bill
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Not a John Travolta fan, don't mind him sometimes, but...did not like the filthy language: totally unnecessary., spoiled it. Denzel Washington saved the movie, great performance. Good adaptation from the original, could it be better with all the new gadgets and techno. Like the line: "Don't forget the milk."
A2Z
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Nothing outstanding, but a good watch.
Cheryl
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Good movie. Sound performance from everyone. Bit predictable at the end.
K
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really liked it - both leading mean were brilliant in their own rights. Would watch this again very eagerly.
RoyF
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it was a alright movie, it is a rental, the acting is nothing special from the great cast and with tony scottt directing doesnt add anything. trovolta as a bad guy is good. has some good lines but besides that nothing much in this movie.
arni
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boring, predictable, typical travolta and other movie like broken arrow etc. Same story like but this time it is on a train.....
Anonymous
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This could have been better than it actually was considering the names of Washington and Travolta, but it was boring and not the edge of your seat thriller one would expect. The original with Walter Matthau back in 1975 was reason to have a look as the original provided suspense that the latter has failed to deliver. Get a copy of the original.
Tanya
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This could have been a great movie if it had a better ending.
kerry
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Enjoyed it. Love Denzel and John together but maybe they could have toned down the swearing a bit otherwise good saturday night movie
sarah
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AMazing movie... love ever min of this moive..
Mike
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Great sound keeps you fixed to the screen. I thought the movie could have ended better but I enjoyed the experience.
Ian B
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Good performances help to make this film a watchable action/thriller.
Alex F
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Good action movie. Denzel Washington and Tony Scott are a great time that turn average scripts into better than average action movies.
steve
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very good trailer made it look slightly better than it was but would still love to see again any day
NeilP
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Awesome movie ... John Travolta is good, Denzel Washington is superb.
ashmalog
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not one of denzels better films, took a lot of time to get into the storyline. good casting.
Julian
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Another brilliant rendition by Denzel and John Travolta was excellent, well worth a look.
Grant
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very predictable and quite ordinary
Greg
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Pretty average movie, story lacks depth and as usual John Travolta overacts as the bad guy. If it wasn't for Denzel Washington's acting to save the movie, I would not have bothered watching it to the end.
Bec
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Bad. Very bad. Didn't enjoy it. Could've gone without seeing it.
tracey
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good if your into that kind of movie
AD
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Boring, not the action movie I was expecting, predictable and lame.
John F
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Well, to be quite honest, I don't remember a thing about it. Perhaps I returned it without watching. More likely, it left no impression despite the cast.
Ross S
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Two of the great actors of today, much better than the first one, lots more suspence. definately worth a second look
Allan
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A very good movie. Plenty of suspense and sitting on the edge of your chair.
Alisi O
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Loved it
WQZ
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Compare to movies like 'Speed' this movie seems amateur. Lacks in suspense and the dialogue is ... awful! Nothing memorable.
Joseph
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Enjoyable film with an interesting heist but the ending falls flat and lacks the excitement of the rest of the film. Denzel has got these roles down pat but Travolta looked a little strange in this movie and probably didn't need all the tatts and shaved head
Michael
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Didnt John look cool as a badd a$$?
This was not a fast paced action movie which helped give it something to stand out from the crowd. Much of the movie only featured 2 locations - the train car and the control room and focussed on the interaction between the "terrorist" (Travolta) and the controller (washington). As time passed we were given insights into the motivations and character of these 2 people, including the not so innocent controller.
This movie has the capability to stand on it's own two feet without having to rely on heavy action scenes or special effects to carry it.
Tracey
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This was absolutely abysmal, persevered for 30 minutes and it didn't improve.
Doreen D.
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I was looking forward to watching this but was disappointed, was also disappointed in John Travolta. The original was much better.
Karla
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Good movie. Great actors. Recommend.
Ian
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Not too bad, trundles along quite nicely, but the ending sort of leaves you scratching your head.
john
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Great movie watched it 3 times in 2 days my type of movie bit of swearing but still good
Tatum
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A little predictable, but entertaining nonetheless. I feel as though I have seen Denzel Washington in this same 'humble public servant just doing his job' role dozens of times, but Travolta puts in a good show as the bad guy. All in all not a bad night's escapism.
Paul C.
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This movie doesn't differ much from the original, and where it does differ, it doesn't really make any difference either way. It's perfectly watchable, and Travolta does make an excellent "bad-guy" and washington makes an excellent "everyman / good-guy", but we all knew that already, so it doesn't offer anything much in the bargain.
I really recommend that you view the original at some point. Althiough it isn't as slick, it's still a very fresh movie and more about the story than the stars.
Jamie
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100 mins full of action great movie
Bob
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Good movie both Denzel Washington
Brian B.
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I enjoyed it very much. Most critics panned it I don't know why!
Luisa E.
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I loved this. JT does such a great job as a mad man!
Carolyn
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Great movie. Really enjoyed the dynamics. Ending could have been better.
Darren D.
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This was a great film, great cast great action kept you glued with suspense, Travolter and Washington were fantastic. I highly recommend this movie....
Janine
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Excellent. John Travolta AND Denzil Washington - I'd watch it anyway but this is a good story. It's a remake but I own the original and it's almost just like an updated version to include mobile phones etc. with an improved story line and ending. The Denzil Washington character has the same name but a different background etc but it just makes it more interesting. Well worth watching - though a bit heavy on the swearing - John!
Danielle F.
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I thought it was great. Great acting all round, great plot etc.... After reading the reviews on here I was actually expecting more swearing than what there was.
Adrian
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Took a little to get going but ended up being a great movie, gotta say Denzel and John are a good match
Shane E.
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Liked it. John Travolta did a pretty good job although I think he makes a better hero then villain. Denzel Washington was good as always. Movie was entertaining and I recommend it.
Ahmad Redzwan
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Superb, dramatic events.
Sunet N.
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Nice thriller and with Travolta as the baddies leader, you can't get wrong. Good characters and acting, good dialogues. It's a winner.
Julie
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This movie was really good, however there was a lot of course language which may offend some people. It is fast and lots of action and John Trevolta is a very beleivable bad man!
Peter
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Fine action movie. Washington and Travolta deliver.
Heather
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A fantastically fast-paced thriller with brilliant acting by Travolta as the mean crazy guy and Washington as the Rail guy with a conscience ... plot twist was a bit unrealistic at the end... but overall, great action, stunts and keeps you glued. However, be warned... the expletives are full-on.
Karen
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Once again, Denzel Washington played his role well...Good story, kept me watching and I didn't even mind good old John playing the role he did. He actually suited being the "bad" guy in this movie.
Well worth a watch...
Hon H.
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It must be one of the best movies of Dezel and John. the story pace was fast but not very conviencing. the police could've shot John (the bad guy) once they were in the tunnel. But they let him play so the movie could go on.
Michelle C.
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Great movie, definately one to watch, although I'm not 100% convinced John Travolta pulled off the 'enemy' in this one... Denzel Washington was brilliant (as always). Fast passed, would recommend.
Adriaana
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I really enjoyed this movie great acting from all players although I have to say kudos to Travolta he is a really good bad guy. It delivers on suspense and action. Only thing that did bug me a little was the profanity, some places it seems the swearing was just for the sake of swearing. Recommend it to all fans of Travolta.
Leah S.
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it's terrible. john travolta spends 70% of his screen time swearing his box off.