The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3

At first, this thriller looks quite good, but once it gets to the streets, it's not the same anymore. Denzel Washington excels in the scenes behind the counter, action is an unwanted bonus in his case. Travolta once again plays a proper jerk who tries to add some additional dimension. And I actually buy into it. However, it's still just an average action rather than anything else. (05/04/2014)

The moderate Scott, whom Helgeland's screenplay ties to the chain of tolerability in terms of deadly attacks on the first signal system, this time relies mainly on the actors, who make the most of it within the genre banality about the struggle of a good-hearted dispatcher with an insidious kidnapper. There is no point arguing about the psychological portraits of the characters, the snipers who don’t shoot, and a few other question marks. At least it goes by quickly. (04/10/2009)

A film with absolutely NO CHARISMA, which is quite a big mess given that this a project that stands and falls with conversational tension. Tony Scott's clip exhibition in the action scenes fails completely and Pelham is pretty cumbersome in the tunnel. Being good at a craft and having good actors on the set is not enough. Overall, solidly above average, but one can rightly expect more from a filmmaker with Scott’s credentials. (27/08/2009)

The Taking of Pelham 123 is marred by its extremely routine script, which doesn’t have a single interesting scene, including its climax. However, its four excellent, well-cast actors and Manhattan filmed in Tony Scott’s attractive style make it fun to watch and superficially cool. (26/04/2010)

Without wanting to somehow intentionally swim against the current, I swallowed everything Pelham threw at me and I give it four stars. I was entertained by the film, although it's true that you don’t really see any surprising twists or logical actions of some of the characters, but whatever. I have a soft spot for Scott's style, Travolta (especially his dogsled speech got me) rocked, Washington was more of a standard, Gandolfini as the mayor was pretty good and Turturro, admittedly, almost useless. I expected entertainment, not Oscar drama, and I got it. Satisfaction. (11/09/2009)