THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123

CAROLINE: “The Taking of Pelham 123” is a remake of a ’70s film, and it stars Denzel, who needs no last name, and John Travolta who’s sporting some ’70s facial hair even though the movie takes place in the present.

RYAN: Since I didn’t get to go to this screening with you, my most important question off the bat is, how bloated does John Travolta look?

CAROLINE: He’s not too bad, actually. He’s never going to be as skinny and sylph-like as he was back in the day, but for him he’s looking pretty good. He must be on a low-salt diet. And he’s not afraid to have his receding hairline out. But the real star of the show is Denzel.

RYAN: Was his performance better?

CAROLINE: I sure think so. He’s just so amazing in everything he does; so stoic and understated. He’s a master. He plays a subway controller who has to deal with a hostage situation and he’s just flawless. Never over-the-top – which is more than I can say for Johnny T.

RYAN: Oh no. Was he overdoing it?

CAROLINE: In some scenes, yes. He plays the villain and he clearly got very into it. I was like, “Take it down a notch, honey.” He had some funny lines though, and a few times he was genuinely scary; but for a lot of it he was kind of hysterical and all over the place. Some people even laughed inappropriately at his lines.

RYAN: He needs to simmer down. Was the movie action-packed and exciting?

CAROLINE: Very. It was all about NYC and the subways, so as a New Yorker, I loved that. The audience was totally cheering and eating it up too. It takes place in real time, which made it very tense and exciting.

RYAN: Would you call it a big summer movie? Does it have special effects?

CAROLINE: Not really. It’s not so much a blockbuster as just a good thriller. There are definitely a couple car chases and some gun play and violence, but it’s not “Transformers” or anything. There’s some good action though, and lots of edge-of-your-seat moments.

RYAN: How badly does it make you want to go back and rent the original 1974 version?

CAROLINE: [laughs’ Not that badly. I think John Travolta’s facial hair more than made up for the ’70s aspect.

— BOTTOM LINE —

CAROLINE: I really liked this movie. I’m not sure if it has huge buzz though, because people are more excited about all the summer blockbusters and sequels that are out now. But it’s a good, intense flick and Denzel is a joy to watch. I would have enjoyed it more if you were with me, just because it’s so tense and exciting that you want someone to share it with.

RYAN: Aw, thanks honey.

— RATING —