There can be few instances when title music so perfectly suited a movie. It's a big, brash, jazzy number that could almost be an anthem for New York city. Then, if you listen carefully, there's an understated - almost mechanical - riff beneath the blaring brass that is a metaphor for the subway train itself. Somebody knew exactly what they wanted, and got it. It's perfect. (If you want to hear a benchmark of ineptitude - check out 'Ashanti').
And the movie lives up to expectations. Most of the people are ignorant, coarse and vulgar in varying degrees, but their characters are funny with it. Walter Mathau plays the world-weary head of railway security, showing a contingent of Japanese visitors around with manifest contempt, referring to them as monkeys, unaware that they can speak English (perhaps I should say 'Manhattanese). His boss is a loud-mouthed fool. The mayor is a cynical vote-counter in bed with the flu. A fulminating supervisor won't take 'No' for an answer, and catches the first bullet.
Despite the humour, it is no comedy. A subway train is hijacked and held to ransom. The 4 villains, led by an icy, ruthless ex-Briton, convincingly played by Robert Shaw, also feature an equally ruthless but almost unbalanced mafia hoodlum.
They, along with their prisoner-passengers, are a strange mix, creating unpredictable conflicts.
It's a solid action-movie, taut and highly original. The passing years haven't dulled its impact. Quite the contrary, recent acts of terrorism have only served to highlight the conspicuous vulnerability of its subject.
There's a lot to be said for taking a cab.
But take the movie as well.
And the movie lives up to expectations. Most of the people are ignorant, coarse and vulgar in varying degrees, but their characters are funny with it. Walter Mathau plays the world-weary head of railway security, showing a contingent of Japanese visitors around with manifest contempt, referring to them as monkeys, unaware that they can speak English (perhaps I should say 'Manhattanese). His boss is a loud-mouthed fool. The mayor is a cynical vote-counter in bed with the flu. A fulminating supervisor won't take 'No' for an answer, and catches the first bullet.
Despite the humour, it is no comedy. A subway train is hijacked and held to ransom. The 4 villains, led by an icy, ruthless ex-Briton, convincingly played by Robert Shaw, also feature an equally ruthless but almost unbalanced mafia hoodlum.
They, along with their prisoner-passengers, are a strange mix, creating unpredictable conflicts.
It's a solid action-movie, taut and highly original. The passing years haven't dulled its impact. Quite the contrary, recent acts of terrorism have only served to highlight the conspicuous vulnerability of its subject.
There's a lot to be said for taking a cab.
But take the movie as well.