MovieChat Forums > The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009) Discussion > John Travolta's performance

John Travolta's performance

posted 14 years ago by drjimmyjam
41 replies | jump to latest

Travolta's 'Ryder' was a spoilt whining, winging, little infant in need of a bitch slap or two in comparison to Robert Shaw's Superior, thorough, intelligent 'headmaster' type of villain. Wow. If your villain/antagonist whatever just shouts and acts impatiently throughout the whole damn film, then he's not in control. We need to feel he's in control of the situation as it 'ups' the danger, and makes it less likely the hero will prevail, which makes a good ending so rewarding when he inevitably does. This is BASIC *beep* I like John Travolta, but on the evidence of this tripe, he needs to retire.
Shame.

[–] nanobot-90-272383 10 years ago

Travolta is always Travolta. Like Nicolas Cage they can't act out of character, which is the hallmark of a good actor.

[–] FridayOnElmStreet 10 years ago

I thought he was great in this.

[–] notsocrazyroy 8 years ago

Me too. Can't understand those who criticise his performance as being over the top. Of course he was over the top, he was portraying a psychopath. He sounded pretty convincing to me, I certainly wouldn't have messed with him.
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