The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3

“What kind of guy runs off with an ass model?” If you’re looking for a clue into the secret identity of the subway hijacker played by John Travolta, start here. If you’re looking for a summer movie that has everything ”“ thrills, laughs, top-tier acting and nonstop vroom ”“ start here as well. Working from a twisty script by Brian Helgeland (Mystic River), director Tony Scott had me at hello. You gotta love it that Denzel Washington, who plays a train-dispatcher-turned-action-hero, had his character’s name changed from Zach to Walter. It’s a tribute to the late Walter Matthau, who starred so memorably in the 1974 Pelham. By any name, this baby is popcorn-movie heaven.