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Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
I have heard a lot of people, especially film buffs like myself, and complain about the lack of originality in Hollywood. For a long time the writer’s in tinsel town has made it a habit to reuse stories typically calling the end produce a remake. In many cases the original intent and many of the details of the original make the journey to the new film. Now, it has become common place for a film being given such treat to be hailed as a re-imagining. This simple change in wording affords the writers the necessary permission to alter the story to a greater degree than previously was the practice. Unfortunately most times the word ‘imagine’ deserves no place in any reasonably honest description of this type of film. If you require validation of such an observation just watch ‘The Time Machine’,’ Roller ball’ and ‘Planet of the Apes’ followed by their less than successful ‘re-imagined’ counterparts. While some stories are such classics that each generation deserves an opportunity to provider their own interpretation most times its just ruining a good story, often because the plot and themes are so closely tied to a specific time and place. In the case of one of the more recent examples of the retread, ‘Taking of Pelham 1 2 3’ the film falls sort if the original this remake does manage to hold its own and provide a good, action packed action packed action packed popcorn flick. One reason for the relative working of this movie is it lack of pretension. It never presents itself as anything more than something to enjoy on a movie night with friends. It also helps that this happens to be the function of the original. There are some changes made to update the story but at its core this is a good old fashion cops and robbers flick and delivers on that expectation. The original story and characters were from a bestselling novel authored by the nom de plum of Morton Freedgod, John Godeyin, in the early seventies. Previously it was a hit film in 1974 and also the basis of a made for TV flick about a decade ago. Handling the screenplay for this incarnation of the story is a seasoned veteran with some pretty impressive scripts to his name. there is a distinct trend with his resume towards action encompassing such high profile films as ‘Mystic River’, ‘Man on Fire’, and ‘L.A. Confidential’. He also had a hand in directing several of his scripts including the more tongue in cheek ‘A Knight's Tale’. For a film like this that aims to be a pure shot of adrenalin it is idea to have a word smith behind the scenes who is well versed at telling a story that is compelling enough to hold up between the action shots. Something else that adds considerably to the film is the psychological cat and mouse game played out between the two leads. It boils down to a classic struggle between good and evil with Denzel Washington portraying the hero; New York City subway dispatchers Walter Garber in his battle of wits against the criminal mastermind Ryder, aptly handled by John Travolta. Unlike most remake the one brings the first string players in to carry the ball. The setting is something that is extremely common place for millions of New Yorkers, the subway. I have taken the IRT number six Pelham personally hundreds of time. I probably read the novel while sitting in that train. The difference in cast mandated an altered approach to the point of selecting a slightly different genre. Walter Matthau played the original Garber and while he was an incredible actor he was not an action hero. Washington can not only handle the break neck tempo of a block buster action flick but has the finesse to bring a greater depth to the humanistic aspects of the role. By the same token Travolta continues to amaze with his sheer versatility. He can slip without effort from an overweight house wife in Baltimore to a cold, calculating killer holding a train car filled with innocent people hostage. There is a certain glee he brings to every character he plays that infectiously pulls in the audience. Taking the helm directing this movie is a mother man with a lot of successful experience in the field; Tony Scott. Although not as high profile as his brother Ridley this Scott knows how to tell story keeping the audience riveted to the screen. Some of the pacing is uneven; coming to halt with detours and exposition. I found that this gave the feel of a subway ride; going local until a big transfer point like Columbus Circle then cutting loose as an express careening through the tunnel. The high definition version of this movie is great. The 1080p picture is perfect even in scenes in low, constantly changing light. The audio creates an amazingly velar yet closed in, claustrophobic sound stage that places you in the middle of the action. As re-imaginings or remakes go, this is one of the better efforts. No Time to Lose: The Making of Pelham 123 Posted 11/07/09 |
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