First Hit: The impact of this film wasn’t like the original; however the strong acting makes this a good watch.
The original film has a subway car being hijacked for ransom; this new version has a subway car being hijacked ransom; what makes the original more compelling?
The context in which they were filmed: In our world today someone hijacking something is more common and we’ve had real life bombings and killings in subways therefore we are use to it, at times even numb to it.
Back in 1974 when the original came out, high jackings, bombings and killings sprees, especially in subways, were more unusual, hence the impact on the audience was different; it was unusual and scary. However, strong character acting by John Travolta as Ryder the head hijacker and Denzel Washington as the disgraced dispatcher made this new version of this film work.
John Travolta has the look, feel, and dialogue which gives his character the psychotic edge making his character compelling to watch. Denzel Washington is very strong as the intelligent direct interface between the ticking time bomb below the surface of New York City and the everyday life taking place on the streets above. Tony Scott directs this film with little waste; however I found that the shaky camera shots and the quick cuts during the scenes where the police are ferrying the money from one side of NYC to another excessive and needless.
Overall: An entertaining film but it doesn't have the impact as the original for the reasons stated above. However, if were born after 1970 and you’ve not seen the original, this one will do very nicely.