Take some A-list stars, lets say Denzel Washington and John Travolta. Throw them into a storyline where they are at odds with each other. Make one of them a recently demoted subway station dispatcher and the other a very scary criminal mastermind. Then mix it all up using one of the best dramatic thrill directors, Tony Scott, and what you get is a recipe for a winner.
The film sets up quick with the hijacking of a subway train in New York City by Ryder (Travolta) and three of his heavily armed fellow ex-cons. His intent is to ransom the hostages for 10 Million dollars and he has no fear of shooting them one by one if the delivery is late. After making contact with Walter (Washington), a subway dispatcher, the two become linked in the drama and the confrontations that follow.
If you like your thrill with some excellent drama, then there is no one better than director Tony Scott to provide a big helping. Having assisted a lot of A-list acting careers with his exciting, dramatic style of delivering the story and box office success, Scott hardly ever deviates from his captivating formula.
In The Taking of Pelham 123 he pits a cool and calm character played by Washington against Travolta, a man who is about to explode. The two go head to head with Travolta being the prime antagonist, much like he was in Swordfish, but edgier. He has a 10-million-dollar goal and a murderous mentality. Scott takes the two to new heights as he plays the game of right versus might.

































