Putting aside the weird logic of it (Who would try to use a webcam in a subway car?), I'm just confused by the fact that the plotline never amounted to anything in the story. Was the camera supposed to give the police secret information? Or anger the hijackers when they found out it was broadcasting the incident live to the news? Or give the guy some inside info about what was happening in the outside world? If so, those scenes ended up in the delete file and all we got were a few moments of uncomfortable comedy as the guy tries to placate his girlfriend without alarming the armed goons behind him.
To me, it felt like an awkward attempt to remind viewers that the movie — based on the 1974 classic –takes place in the now, and not the 1970's. But a webcam? If they really wanted it to feel of-the-moment, they should've had the guy pull out his iPhone and start Twittering the whole thing. Or better yet, have the grade-school kid do it, since the average NYC kid nowadays could give Steve Jobs a run for his money in the tech savvy department.
So what do you think, PopWatchers: Was the webcam subplot pointless? Or was there some deeper meaning that I missed?
More 'Taking of Pelham':
Video: 'Taking of Pelham 1 2 3' reviewed by Owen Gleiberman and Lisa Schwarzbaum
Movie review: 'The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3'
The webcam was important because it gave the controllers a shot of the Guzman character which led to helping find out who may have shared a prison cell with him and when the mayor figured out it was a wall street guy, then they were able to label who Ryder was. Also, the 6 train is the only train I can get cell phone service with (very close to the surface) so it would make sense that people would use their computer on that train. And I liked the boyfriend subplot since it gave a more human face to the hostages as opposed to making them just a bunch of stereotypes like was done in the original.
I’m surprise this movie been getting good reviews. Looks kinda bad…but I guess I’ll just have to see it.
http://tvdonewright.com/2009/06/13/nbc-brings-back-kings-tonight-but-why-did-it-fail/
The laptop/Guzman connection also explained to the cops/other dispatch (or whatever) guys why Ryder would demand Garber bring him the money – because they lost their motorman. Otherwise, they might have suspected the bribe-taker was in on the plan all along.
There are other “scratch your head” moments in this movie. Like why would the system’s other subways still be running when a suspected act of terrorism is going on? Why wouldn’t the stock market cut short trading with a suspected act of terrorism going on (they can do this now)? I graded it a bit less than EW’s B+. Read my review of this movie — and over 20 more out now — here:
http://movies-tv-entertainment.blogspot.com/
(look for the alpha list on the blog’s home page)
@ajc: you hit the nail on the head. the webcam, while not crucial, was very important in the plot for the very reasons you mentioned.
And how about the (former) Airborne guy. I expected him to be a hero. Yes, in a sense he was as he willingly gave up his life, but I expected him to, in some way, overpower Ryder and take back the Subway car.
The webcam was not used as well as it could have been, but it did give them the identity of Ryder’s partner. But what some of you are forgetting when you complain that it wouldn’t have worked in the subway is the scene where a henchman is fiddling with the wi-fi signal so that Ryder could get it on his laptop. This is why the kid was able to receive wi-fi. Pay attention to fine details before you complain about them.
OK yall are focusing on the wrong sub plot. Whats the story about Ryder and the market? did anything that he did effect the markets change at the end of the movie? why did he check it so often? or was he just crazy>?
they destroyed the market of gold in the US. Ryder had 2 million at the end and it ended up being worth a little more that 307 million dollars. all in all Ryder is pretty smart
Okay, he destroyed the stock market and gold shot up, taking his gold investment from 2 mil to 307 mil… But why would Ryder die like that? That makes him not very smart, since he can’t take the 307 million with him… Why did he want to die? Did he have someone he was leaving it to?
Gold is the ultimate hedge against a declining market. People buy gold in the event of a disaster or declining dollar. In this case, Ryder bet 2 million in Gold. When the market declined, Gold increased. That’s how he turned his 2mil into 307 mil.
It is showing that the people on the train have people who care about them, thereby giving the hostages value and importance. Otherwise you don’t care as much if that kid dies.