The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 - Movie Review

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (R) 106 minutes B-
Denzel saves the day... and this film.

Starring Denzel Washington, John Travolta, John Turturro, Luis Guzman, Michael Rispoli, and James Gandolfini

We pretty much know how a movie like this will end, the question is all the stuff that brings us to that point. People complain that some films (like this one) are too predictable, yet it's the kiss of death when a filmmaker makes a film in which the bad guys win.

So here we have a chunky Denzel Washington as an understated New York City subway dispatcher. I sense that he's suppose represent many of us who are trying to survive that rat race in these competitive and complicated times. While John Travolta represents the thinking man's bad guy... the Bernie Madoff type with a gun.

The film is entertaining and suspenseful even though we can all figure out how it'll end. But I also found it a little too slick at times and a little annoying with it's MTVish type production that goes for the wow factor over good old fashion grit.

This isn't a bad film though, it's what I would call a "popcorn movie". It's nothing that will stick with me after I leave the cineplex, but it was entertaining and worthy of a cold beverage and a buttery small popcorn.