The Taking of Pelham 123 is a film based on the novel of the same name starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta.
SPOILER WARNING: Plot and/or ending details follow.
Denzel Washington in "The Taking of Pelham 123"
In a busy New York City, a few suspicious men led by “Ryder” (John Travolta) hijacks a subway train but the overtaking of the train is not seen on the CCTV as these hijackers are not amateurs. The gang then uncouple the front car from the rest of the train as it is easier to take hostage of one car than ten cars.
Walter Garber (Denzel Washington) who used to be an MTA dispatcher is demoted to the Rail Control Center due to an ongoing investigation that he took a bribe. Garber numerous attempt to call Pelham 123 train is unanswered until Ryder takes over the microphone. He demands $10 million in ransom money to be paid within one hour, otherwise, for each minute after the timeline, one passenger aboard will be killed.
In the background, Ryder men set up a wi-fi booster to enable Ryder to access the Internet through his laptop to watch stock market as well as to view the camera set up just outside the RCC building in NYC. Unknown to him, one of the male passengers has an active laptop with a webcam connected to his girlfriend’s desktop. The girl witnesses the hostage situation through her webcam and provides the live feed to a local television station. Garber and his colleagues are able to instantly recognize Phil Ramos (Luis Guzman) as one of the hijackers since he used to work for MTA. Meanwhile, the Mayor is transported to RCC and he has agreed to pay the $10 million ransom money.
When NYPD Negotiator Lt. Camonetti (John Turturro) enters RCC, Garber’s boss orders him to leave the premise as Camonetti will take over the hostage negotiations but Ryder is angered by that and demands Garber be put back on the microphone. When Camonetti refuses, Ryder shoots and kills the motor man, who was Garber’s classmate in motor school. Camonetti has Garber brought back to the RCC at once. Camonetti is suspicious of the relationship between Garber and Ryder and even asks Garber for consent to search his home. When Ryder learns about Garber’s ongoing bribery investigation, he forces him to confess by holding the boy with the laptop at gunpoint.
A sniper accidentally fires a gunshot and kills Ramos instantly when a rat bites his leg.
In the meantime, NYPD transports the money using high-speed police patrol car but the car is involved in an accident in which the patrol car overturns. The NYPD motorcycles continue to transport the money to its destination. When it reaches Grand Central, Ryder demands Garber to deliver the money personally in 7 minutes. Garber delivers the money together with a 9mm gun hidden under a secret compartment in one of the bags. Garber is ordered to operate the train to another stop where the hijackers exit. When they reach their destination, Garber manages to escape from the hijackers. As the hijackers try to escape through an emergency exit underneath an abandon subway station, they are clueless about Garber’s pursuit. Ryder manages to grab a cab while his hijackers friend are surrounded by the police before getting killed.
In the cab, Ryder checks his laptop and it is revealed that Ryder has made over $300 million through his investment in gold as the stock market plunges tremendously. Not known to him, Garber is chasing from behind. In the end, Garber finds Ryder trying to walk away from the Manhattan bridge but he confronts Ryder with his gun. When Ryder threatens to kill Garber if he doesn’t kill him first, Garber open fires and instantly kill Ryder.
The mayor offers his gratitude to Garber and even vows on backing him up in the bribery investigation. The mayor later offers Garber a ride home in his car but Garber refuses, saying the subway is faster.
Overall, The Taking of Pelham 123 is a great movie although it lacks a number of elements of a successful film. While actors Denzel Washington and John Travolta gave inspiring performances, there is time when the film intentionally shows that both the cops and the crooks are human with loopholes and careless mistakes greatly visible. Why transport the money using patrol car when you can use the helicopter? Even the Mayor knows that.
My ratings: 7 out of 10.
Popularity: 1%
Make sure you arm yourself with a pen just in case you run into 
