The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
Columbia Pictures | Release Date: June 12, 2009
6.3
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 188 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
89
Mixed:
74
Negative:
25
Watch Now
Stream On
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand
Review this movie
VOTE NOW
 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check box if your review contains spoilers 0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
7
grandpajoe6191Sep 29, 2011
Despite the fact that the movie suffered painful cliches during the whole time, "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" is a great,fast paced remake of the 1974 original (never saw it though). The movie's highlight you would want to watch is theDespite the fact that the movie suffered painful cliches during the whole time, "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" is a great,fast paced remake of the 1974 original (never saw it though). The movie's highlight you would want to watch is the frenzied cinematography of director Tony Scott as well as the tense acting of John Travolta and Denzel Washington.… Expand
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
All this user's reviews
9
JasonNJun 13, 2009
Great acting.
1 of 1 users found this helpful
7
MikeKSep 10, 2010
The perfect rental. Not very substantial, but always entertaining and very intense when it needs to be. Denzel and Travolta's good/bad guy relationship is the star of the show here.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
10
LoganHNov 3, 2009
Actors in this movie seem like they were given a lot of freedom in this movie and just have fun. Denzel and Travolta are amazing in this movie.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
9
JosiahKJun 28, 2009
Great performance by Travolta and Washington. I really was surprised by how entertaining this movie turned out to be.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
CapoROct 11, 2009
It may leave you at the edge of your seat most of the time but there's something lacking in the movie. Nevertheless, this is a movie that will be remembered as one of the best thrillers so far.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
CarlosSDec 5, 2009
No waiting around for action in the movie. John is awesome as a bad guy in this movie. From begining to end this movie is great.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
HowardJJul 3, 2009
Well done on acting, especially Denzel Washington. I am not sure if all the cursing was required on Travolta's part. While I was able to follow most of the plot, there were parts that lost my wife. Nice updating of the 1974 original.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
JonnyWAug 11, 2009
A film that has it all, a rich and powerful storyline, believable and likable characters, and perhaps less importantly a great soundtrack and sense of humor.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
JoshWAug 4, 2009
A great movie! well acted with a very clever plot and a fantastic finale!!!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
YSHSep 13, 2009
Electric performances from Washington and Travolta - the tension arcs and crackles! Good performance too from Turturro. The story has some great plot twists and the camera work looks slick. Well worth a watch.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
TotoBJun 12, 2009
Loved it. Easy fast ride.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
TomSJun 14, 2009
All action. Not a boring moment. A lot of fun.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
JackFJun 18, 2009
This was the best movie that I've seen this year!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
ShadowWJun 25, 2009
I did not get too bored, however it was not what I really expected.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
BobKJun 29, 2009
I'm surprised this movie got such mediocre reviews. It was good entertainment and well worth the admission. It's been a long time since I've seen the original - maybe I'll try and rent it.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
ChrisP.Aug 17, 2009
Denzel was really good one more time.I just love his movies. the movie has a lot of action and and a powerful plot.of course also mentionable must be the amazing song of jigga "99 problems"!!!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
NIkoTheVideoKIDJun 24, 2009
Ok, so first of all, I honsestly like John Travolta as Ryder, and I thought the banter between him and Garber was believable and interesting. He is beleivable, but some of his cohorts are simply un-cool.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
RielCJul 14, 2009
This is one of my favorite movies!!! The critics got it all wrong. They said all of the 4 X-Men movies sucked, and they were all good weren't they?? They also said the movie Taken sucked. That was one of my favorite movies... Anyway, This is one of my favorite movies!!! The critics got it all wrong. They said all of the 4 X-Men movies sucked, and they were all good weren't they?? They also said the movie Taken sucked. That was one of my favorite movies... Anyway, The Taking of Pelham 123 is an excellent movie. There is major suspense, and you always think you know what will happen, but then the movie just takes a different turn. This movie has a supreme story, and everything is just perfect. … Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
RealMuthaFAug 22, 2014
Only posting this because I think this movie is a bit underrated. I haven't watched the 1974 original, but I must say that this is expertly crafted, with two great actors on the main roles - Denzel Washington and John Travolta - performingOnly posting this because I think this movie is a bit underrated. I haven't watched the 1974 original, but I must say that this is expertly crafted, with two great actors on the main roles - Denzel Washington and John Travolta - performing outstandingly, with great charisma. The movie, while presenting a pretty straightforward hostage situation plot (and some awkward subplots, like the teen couple), is very intense with suspense being almost palpable at certain moments.
So, know this: Tony Scott (rest in peace) didn't make bad movies. And Denzel Washington doesn't star in bad movies. So when Washington stars in a film by Scott, it just can't go wrong. And it didn't.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
oblique15Sep 1, 2013
You can wish for more out of a movie, but "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3," is more than fine. The talk between John Travolta and Denzel Washington was very interesting the whole way. Honestly the whole movie is interesting all the way to the end.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
ThegodfathersonFeb 12, 2015
This is a solid remake, it pays homage to the classic and adds in pop culture to entertain new viewers. Denzel Washington, perfectly plays, Walter Garber, a man who is caught in a race against time, when he is trying to get hostages out of aThis is a solid remake, it pays homage to the classic and adds in pop culture to entertain new viewers. Denzel Washington, perfectly plays, Walter Garber, a man who is caught in a race against time, when he is trying to get hostages out of a train, run by a madman- Ryder, played brilliantly by John Travolta. The flashy editing, with JayZ's 99 Problems ringing out in tough moments, is pure gold. It adds a funny spice to it. Garber is revealed to have taken a bribe, and more hell goes down in the 1 hr and 20 minutes of this film. It has it problems though. The movie is very short, compared to the classic. Major plot holes are never shed light on, and James Gandolfini's Mayor turns into a dick quickly. The screenplay is okay, the actors have simple lines, and none of them have a kick to it. Overall, this is an attempt at making a redefined 123, and it works for the most part. Tony Scott, R.I.P.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
MovieGuysApr 23, 2014
The remake of this great action caper isn't as bad as most will say. It might not be that faithful to the original's methods of storytelling and thrills, but it is still a good effort. It's nice to see present-day actors like Travolta andThe remake of this great action caper isn't as bad as most will say. It might not be that faithful to the original's methods of storytelling and thrills, but it is still a good effort. It's nice to see present-day actors like Travolta and Denzel pull this thing off.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
ydnar4Feb 12, 2015
Its cool to see a action movie that has two great actors, one as the protagonist and one as the antagonist. I love watching the bickering between Washington and Travolta throughout the movie. I'd watch this again.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
9
fedorloshakovOct 9, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is an awesome film by Tony Scott. It is well developed and the theme of train system of NYC is well showed. And it is nice to see John Travolta as almost crazy charismatic antagonist doing what he wants. And of course Denzel Washington as usual plays were qualified worker of train system and as usual saves the day. Very much enjoyed.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
DawdlingPoetNov 26, 2021
I thought this was quite a tense and gripping film. I preferred it to the somewhat recent remake, from what I remember, though I did see that quite some years ago. I thought the story was interesting and the characters, the bad guys so toI thought this was quite a tense and gripping film. I preferred it to the somewhat recent remake, from what I remember, though I did see that quite some years ago. I thought the story was interesting and the characters, the bad guys so to speak, were quite sinister and mysterious. I was left guessing quite a lot. I thought the ending was quite good too - subtle but good. I also liked it as Walter Matthau was in it and I haven't seen him in many films. There were some racist comments made but I suppose its a film of its time maybe? (it dates from 1974). I wouldn't say it was necessarily one of the most amazing films I've ever seen but its a pretty solid film never the less and so I would recommend it, yes.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
ChunkDumpDec 22, 2020
when you think a normal day work is going to go smooth until John Travolta shows up. calm and collective Denzel with Johns demanding and spontaneous nature. get that milk and go home.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
More From This Movie

55 Critic Reviews

6.3 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 77 Project Hail Mary
2 75 Send Help
3 73 Hoppers
4 72 The Sheep Detectives
5 68 Crime 101
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL