The Taking of Pelham 123 Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A disgruntled Wall Street guy and a subway dispatcher have a really intense phone call while a train full of people is kinda held hostage, but mostly it’s about feelings.

🍿 The Taking of Pelham 123: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Subway Hijacking

Four armed men, led by Ryder, hijack a New York City subway train, Pelham 123. They decouple the front car, taking the passengers hostage. Ryder contacts Walter Garber, an MTA dispatcher, demanding $10 million in one hour or hostages will be killed. Garber, facing an internal investigation, becomes the unlikely negotiator.

Negotiations and Tensions

As the deadline approaches, Garber and Ryder engage in tense negotiations, revealing personal secrets and hidden motives. The Mayor authorizes the ransom payment. However, a car accident delays the money’s arrival, escalating the danger for the hostages. Ryder’s true intentions go beyond the initial ransom demand, revealing a deeper scheme.

Ryder’s Master Plan

It’s revealed that Ryder’s hijacking is part of a larger financial scheme to manipulate the stock market. Using put options, Ryder aims to profit from the chaos caused by the hostage situation. His accomplices set up internet access in the subway tunnel to monitor the market’s fluctuations. A hostage loses his life when trying to protect a child.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Walter Garber (Denzel Washington): A New York City subway dispatcher, under investigation for bribery, who becomes the negotiator for a hijacked train.
• Ryder (John Travolta): The ruthless and intelligent mastermind behind the subway train hijacking, seeking revenge and financial gain.
• Phil Ramos (Luis Guzmán): A former train operator and accomplice to Ryder, helping to execute the hijacking plan.
• Camonetti (John Turturro): A New York City Police Department hostage negotiator who initially clashes with Ryder’s demand to speak only with Garber.
• Mayor (James Gandolfini): The pragmatic Mayor of New York City who must make difficult decisions during the hostage crisis.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ryder: “Everybody dies sometime, right? Just a matter of when and how.” – Ryder says this to Garber, reflecting his nihilistic outlook and willingness to kill hostages.
• Ryder: “I’m gonna hurt somebody real bad if I don’t get what I want.” – Ryder threatens Garber to emphasize the urgency of his demands and the consequences of non-compliance.
• Ryder: “You’re my goddamn hero.” – Ryder’s last words to Garber, indicating a twisted respect and recognition of Garber’s forced actions.
• Garber: “I’m just a guy who works here.” – Garber’s response to Ryder highlighting that he is an ordinary man placed in an extraordinary situation.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $100,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $65,452,312
• Worldwide Gross: $150,166,126

💥 The Taking of Pelham 123 Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing this in the theater and being pretty entertained! Denzel is always great, and Travolta chews the scenery in a fun way as the villain. The dialogue between them is what makes it work. The plot is a little outlandish and some of the action scenes are over-the-top, especially the car crashes, but overall, it’s a decent thriller for a rainy day. The best parts were the phone conversations and the moral ambiguity that surrounds the characters. Did I walk away thinking it was a classic? No, but I had a good time!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of crime thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in hostage negotiation scenarios”
  • “Denzel Washington and John Travolta fans”
  • “Audiences who enjoy fast-paced, action-oriented movies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and gunfights”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Intense and suspenseful situations”
  • “Brief scenes of blood and gore”

Professional Reviews

• The Hollywood Reporter: “Tony Scott’s direction is pretentious and throws out some obligatory action scenes that seem to exist for the sole purpose of padding the time. Washington and Travolta do what they can but really deserve better.
• IMDb User Review: “A decent thriller with good performances from Washington and Travolta. However, it doesn’t leave you engaged in what’s happening because the plot and action lack humanity. Still, it’s held together by solid direction and is worth a ride.
• IGN: “The film is a by-the-numbers heist flick; the good guy will win, but the fun is seeing how he’ll do it. Because Garber is no longer a professional crime fighter, an otherwise predictable (although enjoyable) premise becomes more suspenseful.

Audience Reactions

Travolta’s over-the-top performance as the villain is highly entertaining.: The chemistry between Denzel Washington and John Travolta is a major highlight.

The film’s fast-paced action and suspenseful moments kept viewers engaged.: Despite some flaws, the movie provides a thrilling and enjoyable ride.

Overall Consensus: While not a cinematic masterpiece, “The Taking of Pelham 123” is a decent, thrilling action movie with strong performances from Denzel Washington and John Travolta that makes it worth watching.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “John Travolta’s decision not to actively promote the film stemmed from the recent tragic loss of his son Jett, making his participation more subdued than usual.”
• “Director Tony Scott employs a signature visual style with quick cuts and dynamic camera movements to create a sense of urgency and tension throughout the film.”
• “The film is a remake of the 1974 film of the same name, which was based on a novel by John Godey. This version updates the story with modern technology and financial elements.”
• “Filming locations included Toronto’s Lower Bay Station, which was used to represent multiple New York City subway stations, adding to the authenticity of the underground scenes.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Taking of Pelham 123?

The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009) is available for streaming rental or purchase on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check local listings for availability on cable providers. You can find purchase options through search Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Taking of Pelham 123, you might like these similar films:

• The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974): The original film is a tense, character-driven thriller that inspired the remake, offering a grittier and more nuanced take on the same story.
• Inside Man (2006): A heist movie with clever criminals, intricate planning, and compelling negotiations, this one is more of a bank setting instead of a train.
• Phone Booth (2002): Similar to Pelham, this one features an ordinary man trapped in a high-stakes situation, forced to make difficult choices under pressure from an unseen antagonist.
• Speed (1994): An action-packed thriller involving a vehicle rigged with explosives, where the protagonist must prevent it from dropping below a certain speed to save the passengers.

🛒 The Taking of Pelham 123 Related Products

• The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) [Blu-ray]: Experience the original 1974 classic starring Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw. This Blu-ray edition offers a high-quality viewing experience of the film that inspired the remake.
• Pelham 123: Subway Hijack (Movie Novelization): Dive deeper into the gripping story with the novelization of the film. This digital download expands on the characters and plot, providing a richer and more immersive experience.
• Denzel Washington Movie Collection [DVD]: Own a collection of Denzel Washington’s best films on DVD, including classic thrillers and dramas. This set is a must-have for any fan of his work.
• John Travolta: The Action Star Collection: Own a collection of John Travolta’s best action and thriller films on DVD, including classic thrillers. This set is a must-have for any fan of his work.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Taking of Pelham 123 features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “99 Problems” – performed by Jay-Z

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Gunmen Hold A New York Subway Train For $10,000,000

Want a quick and detailed recap of the adrenaline-pumping action thriller “The Taking of Pelham 123”? This video has got you covered! Join me as we dive into the intense plot and relive the thrilling hostage situation in the New York subway.

✨ Rate