I am convinced that The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 would be a much better film without Denzel Washington and John Travolta.

I am not suggesting that their acting ability is somehow insufficient (though Travolta, at times, amps up the ham factor). Rather, with star wattage like those leads, expectations are much higher for a film as slight as this. Had this film been cast with a couple unknowns – and if director Tony Scott would switch to decaffeinated – I'm convinced this film would be better received.

It has all the core elements needed for nail-biting: electricity-generating confrontations, clock-ticking races and a time-tested premise of the little man up against the system. But with the presence of two Oscar-nominated actors, there comes the promise of so much more.

As it stands now, The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 is a loud, frenetic, faint breeze of a movie that loses its impact the minute the lights fade on during the closing credits. Based on the workman-like 1974 original (which was far from a classic and fair game for a reboot), this Pelham follows the same route as the original subway thriller. Screenwriter Brian Helgeland (L.A. Confidential, Mystic River) sprinkles on the grit and provides more information on its leads. The backstories are a nice touch, had they been given a chance to flourish. But they are shelved in favor of endless, needless car chases throughout the city, which Scott directs with his usual Ritalin-starved flair for all things shiny and loud.

Travolta's hair-trigger hijacker, Ryder, does not hold much empathy even with the additional information about his woes. But Garber, Washington's humbled transit dispatcher, is layered just enough to keep us wanting to hang with him a little longer.

The film is frustratingly populated with a host of go-to supporting players, none of whom are given much to do outside of barking a few lines as Scott dizzyingly swirls and swivels his camera around them as though the director were on some exercise routine that does not allow him to stay seated for more than a few seconds. John Turturro, James Gandolfini and Luis Guzman all show up to the party, but are kept on a very short leash.

Article Author: Rob Rector

Rob actually gets paid to see film, and has for the past 15 years. He is very appreciative that he has the coolest job on the planet. He also teaches film in college and started an independent film festival in his hometown.

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