Twenty-five years after John Godey's novel about a New York subway train hijacking first was filmed, director Tony Scott ("Top Gun") gives the tale a more overtly action-packed rendering in an update that isn't necessarily more impactful than the original.

Still, John Travolta clearly has fun as the leader of the bad guys, who matches wits with a dispatcher ( Denzel Washington) while seeking a $10 million ransom for the passengers.

James Gandolfini is enjoyable as the city's mayor in a cast that also includes John Turturro and Luis Guzman. *** (R: P, V) (Also on Blu-ray)

Buy 'The Taking of Pelham 123' on DVD.