THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 Movie Review
June 14, 2009 by Eric
Filed under Featured, Movie Reviews
Yesterday, I saw THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta. The movie revolves around a subway train taken hostage. John Travolta plays the hostage taker and Denzel Washington plays the subway supervisor who is negotiating with him.
Let me get a few items out of the way so we can focus this movie review on the point of the movie which was in essence to highlight the acting chops of two movie icons.
The story of THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 is predictable. And when I say predictable, I mean predictable. However you think hostage movies typically go is how this movie went. It seems that the script took every single hostage movie cliches from the heroic train passenger to the worried wife of the unlikely hero and blended them all together into a very bland soup that is honestly not worth mentionning any further.
The directing is classic Tony Scott with the quick and edgy camera shots. I am a big fan of Tony Scott but I am actually getting tired of the style. Or maybe not so much tired as I am blaze about it. It is also possible that since the story was so weak, the camera effects did nothing but emphasize it even more.
Now let's talk about the main event: Denzel vs Travolta. I know that I came in thinking that we would see some sort of a draw because I really like both of these actors. However, I have to give it to Denzel in this movie.
He really made us care about his character and his line delivery was impeccable. Aside from the ridiculous actions the script makes him do (the end of the movie for one thing), Denzel Washington manages to brilliantly shine as a unlikely hero who goes out of his way to make things work.
John Travolta tried to do the same with his character but he couldn't hack it. As a bad guy, he only had one job: intimidate us while making us care for him in some way. Think about it, all great bad guys are always characters that are in the grey with mixed emotions and a lot of baggage. Travolta's character just came across as a bitter douche. So major fail here.
Overall, THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 was alright. Not great enough for me to give a solid recommendation but not bad enough for me to give it a failing grade.
Movies Coming Out This Weekend June 12 2009
Wondering what movies are coming out to theaters this Friday, June 12, 2009? Here is a list with our recommendations (which you can take or leave, it's up to you).
DEFINITELY WATCH AT THE MOVIES
Moon
If you have read my review for Moon, then you know that this is an absolute must-see for me.
Moon Synopsis: Moon follows Sam Bell, an astronaut assigned by Lunar Industries to a three-year mission mining Helium 3 on the moon, the earth's new energy source. As his contract comes to an end and Sam's health starts to deteriorate, painful headaches, hallucinations and a lack of focus lead to an almost fatal accident. While recuperating, Sam meets a younger, angrier version of himself, who claims to be there to fulfill the same three-year contract Sam started all those years ago.
THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 Movie Trailer (2009)
Check out the movie trailer for THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta.
The Taking of Pelham 123 is directed by Tony Scott and so that pretty much guarantees that I will see it. I am a big fan of his films such as Spy Game, Man on Fire, and Domino, I am always looking forward to seeing what he does next. He just has a specific filmmaking style that I really enjoy. And on top of that you add Denzel Washington and John Travolta, come one, I gotta see this.
As for the trailer, even though I'll admit that it doesn't look that original, I think it'll be entertaining at the very least.
The Taking of Pelham 123 comes out to theaters on June 12, 2009, you can watch the trailer below. Do you think it's worth checking out?
Must See Movies of 2009: JULY
Daemon's Movies had prepared a comprehensive list of Must See Movies of 2009.
In order to provide complete and clear coverage of movies to see in 2009, we will have a specific list of must see movies for each month of 2009.
We will of course update our complete list with any movies that spike up our interest as we go along.
You can check out our complete list of Must See Movies of 2009, which will include every month of 2009.
Welcome to the Must See Movies of 2009: JULY!
Must See Movies of 2009: The Complete List
October 3, 2008 by Sandie
Filed under Featured, Movie Reviews, News
Here is the complete list to the Must See Movies of 2009.
Movies will be added throughout the year, so make sure to check back.
If you click on a particular month, it will take you to the list of must see movies for that month.
If you click on the name of a movie, it will take you to all our coverage for that film.
January 23, 2009
Movie Synopsis: A young girl discovers her father has an amazing talent to bring characters out of their books and must try to stop a freed villain from destroying them all, with the help of her father, her aunt, and a storybook's hero.
Watch the Inkheart Movie Trailer
