... a focused and refreshingly straightforward thriller that forgoes the usual high tech confusion and contrived high-concept twists so often laid in to surprise audiences.
Comment
06/11/09
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009)
52
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:201
Fresh:104
Rotten:97
Average Rating:5.4/10
Consensus: Despite a strong cast, The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 suffers under the excesses of Tony Scott's frantic direction, and fails to measure up to the 1974 original.
Australian Theatrical Release:
Aug 27, 2009 Wide
US Box Office: $65,452,312
Synopsis: In The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, Denzel Washington stars as New York City subway dispatcher Walter Garber, whose ordinary day is thrown into chaos by an audacious crime: the hijacking of a subway... [More]
Starring: Denzel Washington, John Travolta, John Turturro, Luis Guzman
Director: Tony Scott
Reviews for The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
141 - 160 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Like a child with ADD, Tony Scott's too anxious and fidgety to rely on Brian Helgeland's witty and unnerving screenplay for thrills. Nor will he keep faith in the exciting chemistry between his prize mule Denzel Washington and the playful John Travolta.
06/11/09
Not a bad way to pass a couple hours, as long as you don't sit too close to the screen and are inured to a steady barrage of loud dialogue that doesn't bother to be clever.
06/11/09
If you are lucky enough to have seen the earlier classic, it is more than likely that you will find this version is something to be sneezed at after all.
06/11/09
...a run of the mill remake with nothing extraordinary except for good performances by Turturo, Gandolfini, Rispoli, Washington, and Travolta.
06/11/09
A complete bastardization of everything that was so taut, substantive and memorable in the classic 1974 original.
06/11/09
If I had only one word to describe The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, that word would be - slick.
06/11/09
After a brisk start, Pelham jumps the tracks.
06/11/09
The new Pelham takes the chilling original premise and modifies it for an era steeped in technology, making for an energetic and engrossing adaptation.
06/11/09
Top CriticThis version of the hijacking thriller tale is pretty messy and has all-over-the-map performances and a too-showy directorial style.
06/11/09
the worst kind of dreck
06/11/09
[Tony] Scott, to his credit, mostly lets the actors do their thing and stays out of their way.
06/11/09
As Ryder's motives begin to reveal themselves, The Taking of Pelham 123 loses its aura of post-9/11 dread, replaced by a muddled commentary on Wall Street greed in these days of raging financial crises.
06/11/09
Hiring Tony Scott to direct The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 is like hiring Michael Bay to direct My Dinner With Andre: A colossal mismatch of director and material.
06/11/09
It is remarkable how, with all of the advances in technology over the years, a story like this can remain largely unchanged despite a 35 year gap between tellings. By allowing the movie to unfold in real time, Scott enhances the level of suspense.
06/11/09
This movie hits you like 600 volts from a sparking third rail. Damn straight it's electrifying.
06/11/09
There's precious little that’s memorable or even exciting about this new, annoying Pelham, which goes off the rails early on and never recovers.
06/11/09
Like the subway itself, things move by connections, craziness and clockwork in The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, a fast and relentless hostage thriller that never stops.
06/11/09
Denzel Washington is that valuable paradox, the relatable supernova. [But] it's too bad the movie around him isn't better -- the '74 edition, propelled by David Shire's incredibly badass theme music, kicks the remake's behind all the way to Coney Island.
06/11/09
This sturdy example of straightforward action filmmaking wouldn't merit much interest if not for the acting match-up at its center.
06/11/09
Latest News for The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
August 27, 2009:
10 Hair-raising Moments With John Travolta
Travolta's brutal butch hair -- or lack thereof, handlebar moustache aside -- in this week's remake of The Taking of Pelham 123 got us nostalgic for ol' dimple chin's former... More...
June 19, 2009:
Submit to the RT Show and Earn a Cool $100
Time for the weekly update, folks. As always, thanks to everyone who has submitted reviews and helped contribute to the show. Every week, we continue to bring you a lively,... More...
June 15, 2009:
Watch RT on Current TV
This week, The Rotten Tomatoes Show will be looking at the movies that opened over the weekend, with help from you (the Rotten Tomatoes community), the Current TV community, and... More...
June 13, 2009:
Denzel and Travolta co-star in remake of classic hostage drama. 
More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
Dressing Wonderland
Tim Burton's costume designer talks to Movieline about her long collaboration with the filmmaker and Johnny Depp.
Wes Anderson on Fox
The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox
Win Glee DVDs
We've got 20 copies of the hit TV series' Pilot Episode to giveaway.
Win tickets to Cold Souls
Double passes up for grabs to the new comedy starring Paul Giamatti.
Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Twitter
Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.
Competitions
Win Star Wars prizes
Enough Prequel, Original Trilogy and Family Guy DVDs to fill a space cruiser
Win the entire 007 collection
Everything from Dr. No to Quantum of Solace could be yours.
Win Fight Club Special Editions and more
We're giving away the 10th Anniversary Blu-ray, plus Braveheart and the Rocky collection
IGN RSS Feeds