The Taking of the Pelham 123 (2009)

After watching the movie from 1974 I naturally also had to see this modern adaptation from 2009. It start Denzel Washington as luitenant Garber and John Travolta as the criminal with the plan to hijack the subway. Most of the story is the same although there is an additional twist with Garber being suspected of having taken a bribe while selecting a new train. That makes him suspicious and everyone has to wonder if he is not in with the criminals. Obviously this only works when you watch the first time. It also adds a little drama to the main character having to fight not only the criminals but also his colleagues and the police. Compared to the old movie there is more visual bling bling but it really doesn’t add much in this case. Most action takes place in the subway train so there is not much opportunity for dynamic camera effects etcetera. Comparing the 2 movies the only real difference is in the actors and in what they do with their roles. Denzel Washington adds drama as the tormented soul that has to pay for the mistake he made and John Travolta is very good as the mad raving lunatic out to get his revenge. It is a bit dramatic and over the top but for me it works. Only in how the end is wrapped up so that the good guys win I find the new version inferior to the 1974 movie.