Bullet Train Movie Review …a fun revisit

“Bullet Train” is very bloody but bloody good! It’s a two-hour thrill ride that has you traveling fast, up to 275 miles per hour, while traversing the tracks of the Japanese subway system. Hold onto your hat as this highly sophisticated train leaves Tokyo.

We’re en route to Kyoto with assassins and thieves who know of each other’s work but continually get in one another’s way, not knowing they’re on the train. We learn who they are as each moves about the compartments trying to get their jobs done.

What they’ve been finding is that someone has either gotten to it first or, through no fault of their own, inconvenienced them to the point that the job can no longer be done. I’ll let you know now; there’s a lot of death in the film. But I’m sure you’re already expecting that from what you saw in the trailers that enticed you into wanting to see this action-packed thriller in the first place. I assure you; you’ll be pleased if you go see this. The entire audience I watched this with, myself included, gave a collective gasp when they thought something happened to one of the main characters. Speaking of, the characters are so well written that you start rooting for them. Each of them, perhaps. 

As the criminals are introduced, we discover why they’re there. We also get a lot of backstories into who they are and what skills they have. We start with ‘Ladybug’ played by Brad Pitt. He’s fantastic. His humor and action sequences alone make the movie. He’s looking for something simple to do, so he’s given an easy task on this train. Jump on real quick, grab a briefcase, and jump off.

We learn that the briefcase is quite valuable and desired not only by the people who stepped onto the train with it in hand but by others aboard… and off.  

Someone who goes by the name of ‘White Death’ (Shannon) wants it. He put ‘Tangerine’ (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and ‘Lemon’ (Brian Tyree Henry), outstanding antagonists, in charge of his burnout of a son and bringing him the case. Knowing its importance, Lemon puts it in a place where no one will discover it. This happens to be amongst other cases and bags. It takes Ladybug about five minutes to find it. Surprised at how easy it was to locate, he puts it in a safer place… that ends up not being so safe.

We also get to know Prince played by innocent-looking Joey King. She’s anything but innocent. If you think the men you’ve met are dangerous, you haven’t seen anything yet. Dressed like a sweet schoolgirl, she cunningly takes advantage of her appearance, pulling people in with deception to get what she needs. She’s ruthless.

The film’s end strays from the successful Tarantinoesque action it had been. For comedic, childish purposes, it goes a little crazy with impossible, cartoonish scenes that lean toward the ridiculous. If you like that sort of thing, this will enhance the movie for you. Who said action can’t be silly? Who said an action flick can’t also be silly? Not this gal. Your weekend movie doesn’t have to be serious! I loved it.

Director David Leitch, who also directed “John Wick” and “Atomic Blonde,” knows his audience will get what he has done here and why. He brings out the best in his cast and his cast helps the characters get through what they desperately carry inside. This is a great picture and worthy of your time. Watch out for fun cameos.

Released in theaters by Sony on 8/5/22. See it on IMAX if you can.

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