The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009) - Good, but probably should have been better

'The Taking of Pelham 123' is a remake, therefore, by by most filmic logic, it's terrible.  Well... I never watched the original, so I can't say how it compares to the source material.  However, I can say that - whether it's a remake or not - it's certainly an enjoyable little thriller (with a few shades of action thrown in there).

And, if you're still on the fence as to whether to watch, I should point out that not only does it star Hollywood heavyweights (the excellent) Denzel Washington and (the mainly pretty solid) John Travolta, but it was also directed by Tony (son of Ridley) Scott, who has quite a flair for these stylish and tense modern day thrill-rides.

Washington plays 'Walter,' a man tasked with running the New York subway trains from a central office and making sure they run on time.  However, what he didn't bargain for when he put his socks on this morning, was that a terrorist known simply as 'Ryder' (Travolta) decides to hijack one of his trains while in a tunnel and demand a substantial amount of money in return for the passengers' safe release.  Therefore, this turns into a most interesting day for not only them, but also New York's long-suffering mayor, played by James Gandalfini.

With a cast list like that, you know it's not going to be awful.  And there's no way I could ever say anything overly negative about this film.  However, just because it has an excellent cast doesn't mean that it's perfect.

It does get a little bit convoluted in places here and there and possibly goes on a little too long than it should.  However, due to the fact that the two main stars don't actually meet face to face for the first two thirds of the film, there did need to be some sort of plot device that meant that you could get the two of them together to play off each other the way a pair of acting legends like Washington and Travolta should.

Overall, Scott's direction gives it a true air of an A-list film and the cast certainly lives up to that label.  It should keep most people entertained for a couple of hours, but it's one of those films that you probably won't bother giving it a second watch for quite some time... if ever.

7/10 if I woke up on Groundhog Day and had to watch this again, I could live with that