The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (1974) - Walter Matthau plays a subway operator who must outwit a team of hijackers who hold a car of people for hostage for $1M. This is classic 70s cinema in the best way possible. It reminds me a lot of Dog Day Afternoon. It's funny but at times gravely serious. Everyone talks and acts like they're from the Bronx and the whole movie takes a cue from Matthau's humorous nonchalance fed-up-edness, making it wildly entertaining. For example, when Matthau tells that the lead hijacker has a British accent, he relays "He's either English or a fruitcake." Cheesy The story is a battle of the minds. I just love it when the heroes and the villains have enormous respect for each other. Everyone plays fairly (tho the hot-headed Mr. Grey henchman has his moments). And it's also an action movie complete with a ticking clock. It builds up halfway, and then unfolds non-stop action for the second half. Truly a well-done screenplay.
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009) - Within seconds, I could tell you it's by Tony Scott (I somehow missed the "A Tony Scott Film" opening credit so the Produced By credit was validating). It's all flashy colors with ostensibly glamorous jobs like subway dispatcher. The original looks like United 93 by comparison. It foraskes the original's realism for Bruckheimer-style gloss. The biggest difference is Robert Shaw's calm collected villain is replaced by John Travolta's Broken Arrow-style criminally insane one, leaving little to no character development for the other villains or passengers. Also, the introduction of wifi and (sigh) a subversive video chat on a laptop. The differences actually spiral exponentially (esp starting at the halfway point), so that by the end, they're almost two different stories.
By no means is the remake a bad movie. It's as good as a well done music video, and the original story really elevates it (it's hard to screw up a story this well written). But the absolute best part of the remake was introducing me to the original as well as offering a fun thrill ride where you don't have to turn your brain off to enjoy it (well, maybe just a little). I look forward to rewatching the original (4 stars). I could take or leave the remake (3 solid stars).
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