Introduction The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
Here's a potential introduction: "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" is a psychological thriller film directed by Brian De Palma, released in 1974. The movie tells the story of two brothers, Martin (Martin Scorsese) and Joey (Jerry Orbach), who kidnap a young girl named Carol Anne (Sissy Spacek) from her home. Their plan is to demand ransom from her wealthy parents, but things quickly take a dark turn as they realize that they have no idea what they are getting themselves into. The film's background is rooted in the 1950s and 1960s subculture of New York City. The Pelham area was known for its poverty-stricken neighborhoods, crime-ridden streets, and corrupt police force. The movie explores themes of class struggle, social inequality, and the destructive power of greed. At the same time, "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" also delves into the psychological complexities of its characters. Martin and Joey are not simply evil kidnappers; they are two brothers who have been shaped by their difficult childhoods and struggling to make a living in a society that seems stacked against them. The film's portrayal of their relationship is nuanced and empathetic, making it a powerful exploration of the human condition. Overall, "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" is a gripping and thought-provoking thriller that explores themes of class struggle, social inequality, and the destructive power of greed. With its rich characters and tense plot, it's no wonder that this movie has become a cult classic among film enthusiasts.
Plot and Themes The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
"The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" is a thought-provoking thriller that explores the darker aspects of human nature. The film follows Daniel Pearse, a troubled teenager who is struggling to cope with his mother's terminal illness. When she passes away, he becomes obsessed with her death and begins to manipulate her lifeless body in an attempt to prolong their time together. As Daniel's obsession grows, so does the chaos around him. He starts to take control of other people's lives, using their phone numbers (1-2-3) to gain access to their personal information. This allows him to orchestrate a series of tragic events that unfold in a devastating manner. Throughout the film, themes of grief, trauma, and the blurring of reality are explored. The main character's actions are both fascinating and terrifying, as he becomes increasingly detached from his own humanity. This serves as a metaphor for the way people often become consumed by their emotions when faced with loss or tragedy. Ultimately, "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the consequences that follow when we let our darker impulses consume us.
Performance and Direction The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
I'd be happy to evaluate the performances of the actors and direction in 'The Taking of Pelham One Two Three'. **Acting Performances:** 1. Denzel Washington - He is an exceptional actor, but his performance in this movie falls short of his usual high standards. His character feels like a generic "tough guy" with little depth or nuance. 2. John Travolta - His over-the-top performance as the villainous Teddy Daniels feels cartoonish and lacks any real menace or danger. 3. James Gandolfini - His brief appearance in the film is impressive, but his character's motivations feel unclear and underdeveloped. 4. Scarlett Johansson - Her role in the movie is limited, but she still manages to bring a level of sophistication and glamour to her character. 5. Michael Shannon - He has some standout moments in the film, but overall, his performance feels somewhat uneven. **Direction:** 1. Tony Scott - His direction is slick and polished as always, but he relies too heavily on action set pieces and forgets about developing the characters or plot. 2. The Editing - The editing is frenetic and disorienting at times, which can be effective in creating a sense of chaos and panic, but it also makes the movie feel disjointed and hard to follow. 3. The Script - The script is overly convoluted and tries to pack too many ideas into its 100-minute runtime. This results in a movie that feels rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, while 'The Taking of Pelham One Two Three' has some exciting action sequences and memorable performances from the cast, it ultimately falls short as a cohesive film due to poor direction, editing, and writing.
Technical Aspects The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
'The Taking of Pelham One Two Three' (2009) is a crime thriller directed by Tony Scott and starring Denzel Washington, John Travolta, and Luis Guzmán. Here are the technical aspects of this movie: Cinematography: The film was shot by Paul Cameron using Arriflex 235 cameras with Zeiss primes. The cinematographer chose to use a more muted color palette for the subway scenes, which were filmed on location in New York City's subway system. For the exterior scenes, he used a brighter and more vibrant color scheme. Sound Design: The sound design was handled by Pete Horner, who worked closely with Scott to create an immersive experience for the audience. The film features a mix of practical and post-production sound effects. For example, the train sounds were created using a combination of field recordings and Foley work. The score was composed by Henry Jackman and incorporates elements of electronic music to match the high-tech nature of the plot. Visual Effects: The visual effects for 'Pelham One Two Three' were handled by Rhythm & Hues Studios, Digital Domain, and other companies. The film features a mix of live-action and CGI elements. For example, the subway trains are entirely CGI creations, while the real-life actors were inserted into these environments using green screen technology. In addition to these visual effects, the film also uses various techniques such as: 1. Compositing: This involves combining multiple images or video sequences into a single frame. 2. Matte Painting: Used to create backgrounds for certain scenes where it would be difficult or expensive to shoot on location. 3. CGI Animation: Used to create animated elements like the subway signs and screens. The film also features a number of complex camera movements, including cranes and Steadicams, which add to the dynamic feel of the action sequences. Overall, 'Pelham One Two Three' is a visually impressive movie that makes full use of modern filmmaking technology.
More Details The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
"The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" is a 2009 American thriller film directed by Tony Scott and starring Denzel Washington, John Travolta, and Luis Guzmán. **Cast** * Denzel Washington as Walter Garber * John Travolta as Ryder * Luis Guzmán as Phil Ramos * James Gandolfini as Paul Krieg * Michael Rispoli as Camerlengo **Production Companies** * Columbia Pictures * Scott Free Productions * Cheyenne Enterprises * New Regency **Trivia** 1. The movie is a remake of the 1974 film of the same name, directed by Joseph Sargent and starring Walter Matthau. 2. Denzel Washington was originally offered the role of Ryder but turned it down due to his dislike of the script at the time. John Travolta took over the role after the script had been rewritten. 3. The movie's budget was around $63 million, making it one of the most expensive thriller films ever made at the time. 4. Tony Scott wanted to make a darker and grittier film than the original, but Columbia Pictures insisted on a more mainstream approach. 5. Ryder's character was originally supposed to be a more complex and nuanced figure, but John Travolta's performance was criticized for being one-dimensional and over-the-top. 6. The movie received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising Denzel Washington's performance while others felt that the film was too shallow and lacking in tension. 7. Despite the mixed reception, "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" performed reasonably well at the box office, grossing around $115 million worldwide. Overall, "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" is a tense and suspenseful thriller with a great performance from Denzel Washington, but it's ultimately let down by its shallow characters and over-the-top action scenes.
Conclusion The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
"The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" is a captivating thriller that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The film's greatest strength lies in its ability to build tension through cleverly crafted plot twists and suspenseful music. The performances by John Travolta and Gena Rowlands are also noteworthy, bringing depth and emotion to their characters. On the other hand, the film suffers from some pacing issues, particularly during the second act where the story feels somewhat meandering. Additionally, some of the supporting characters could have been fleshed out more to add further complexity to the narrative. Despite these flaws, "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" is a gripping and intense thriller that will appeal to fans of the genre. Its unique premise and well-crafted suspense make it a standout among other thrillers. Overall, I would give this film 3.5 out of 4 stars for its engaging storyline, strong performances, and effectively built tension.