The Mystery Starts Here

It’s the holiday season and let’s face it, there isn’t much good to watch on TV. So, the hubby and I hopped down to the local video store and rented a few flicks. I got “The Taking of Pelham, 1-2-3″ and boy was it good! There’s plenty of action and lots of blood. While the plot was a BIT preposterous, it really hung together quiet well. Besides, any movie with both Denzel Washington and John Travolta can’t be all bad. (Well, there was that one Travolta space opera but let’s not talk about that!)

The basic plot is that a small gang of five men take over a New York City subway car. One of the bad guys had worked in the system and knew how to do it. There are hostages aboard and the leader of the group, John Travolta, demands ten million dollars for their safe release. When someone asks the mayor why ten million, he replies that he can sigh for up to that amount without getting further approval! Travolta  gives the mayor a time limit and says he’ll kill one hostage for every minute over the time limit he has to wait! Denzel is the hapless station operator who is in the wrong – or right place at the time. Denzel has issues of his own with the transit system that heightens the tension. Wouldn’t you just know it – one of the passengers on the subway had been talking to his girlfriend on the computer and….the computer is still running when the bad guys make their demand. She alerts the media so…the world sees what’s going on.

As you can imagine, there is a speeding run through the streets of Manhattan with the cops frantic to get the money to the criminals in time to save lives. With sirens blazing and cars crashing, one of the characters asks why they didn’t just use a helicopter? Well, of course that wouldn’t have been nearly as exciting! Needless to say, the cops make the deadline – sort of and there is a surprise ending. I’m not going to spill the beans – rent the movie, pop some corn and enjoy!

“Pelham” is the remake of a movie made – I think in the 80’s? Maybe earlier – I can’t remember. I do remember I read the book and liked it and the original movie. Too many times movie remakes aren’t that good but I highly recommend “The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3.” It’s a winner!