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Bullet Train
(Columbia Pictures)
By Lucas Allen
Director David Leitch is well-known for making some of today’s most high-stylized action movies, having co-directed “John Wick” before moving solo on “Atomic Blonde” and “Deadpool 2.” “Bullet Train” is no exception, as it takes a novel by Japanese author Kotaro Isaka and brings it to life as an ultra-violent, graphic novel for the silver screen. Co-producer Antoine Fuqua originally was chosen to direct it as a “Die Hard on a train”-type film before passing it on to Leitch.
In Japan, a lone assassin code named Ladybug (Brad Pitt) is there on a special assignment after another hitman backed out at the last minute. His handler (Sandra Bullock) tells him to get on a luxury passenger train enroute to Kyoto and steal a briefcase. It’s a simple job, but it proves difficult to pull off when he runs into different assassins out for his blood. The people protecting the case are Lemon (Brian Tyree Henry) and Tangerine (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), who are on the train to escort the son (Logan Lerman) of mob boss the White Death (Michael Shannon). With the case gone, it becomes a wild goose chase for the two men with Ladybug caught in a sudden fight with the revenge-seeking Wolf (rapper Bad Bunny).
Meanwhile, Yuichi (Andrew Koji) is on the train searching for the person who almost killed his young son despite objections from his father the Elder (Hiroyuki Sanada). However, he gets held hostage by the young Prince (Joey King), who has her own motive in confronting the White Death. As the night wore on, Ladybug has to survive one deadly encounter after another. This leads to some twists and turns that became more than just stealing a briefcase.
If you’re a fan of Leitch’s previous action films, you’ll very likely enjoy this one especially when it has a silly story. It’s basically a character-piece with some scenes devoted to backstories on each of them. The dialogue can sometimes get repetitive including Lemon’s obsession with the kids show “Thomas the Tank Engine.” But as it goes on, the movie becomes Tarantino-esque and gets somewhat more interesting. By the time you get to the third act, you’ll already be fully invested and understand each character’s presence in the story.
The violence is the icing on the cake with people getting shot, beaten, and sliced with pools of blood everywhere. It can get shocking as well as hilarious like it’s a blood-soaked screwball comedy. It gets crazier in the third act involving swords and guns on a runaway train. Despite some wonky CGI, the climax is still a strangely satisfying experience.
Pitt’s a good choice for the role of a lonely, seasoned vet who just wants to relax after a long day’s work. His scenes with an unseen Bullock add to the humor in their second team-up of the year, the first being “The Lost City.” King looks pretty cute, but also gives a well-acted performance, especially when she’s using a fake British accent. Both Johnson and Henry work well together like a classic comedy duo with the former being the perfect straight man with a potty mouth. It’s worth noting there are some surprise cameos worth looking out for including Shannon giving his all in his third act appearance.
Mixing elements from “John Wick,” “Speed” and “Weekend at Bernie’s,” “Bullet Train” is pretty ridiculous, but at the same time, kind of brilliant. With its third-dimensional characters, laugh-out-loud humor, and stylish ultra-violence; the movie isn’t afraid to go the extra mile in many scenes. This one may be the best way to end the summer movie season on a high note.
THE MOVIE’S RATING: R (for strong bloody violence, pervasive language, and brief sexuality)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 3.75 Stars (Out of Four)
