Bullet Train (English) Review {3.5/5} & Review Rating
It has been a while since an action comedy hit screens. However, director David Leitch, who has earlier helmed action flicks like ATOMIC BLONE, DEADPOOL 2, and FAST & FURIOUS: HOBBS & SHAW comes on board for the Brad Pitt starrer BULLET TRAIN. Said to be an action comedy, the film boasts of some high-octane stunts and comedic gags that will leave you in splits. But will this attempt at entertaining the audience pay off, or will it like so many action films that have come before be another run of the mill mindless adrenaline rush is what we analyse.
BULLET TRAIN stars Brad Pitt in the lead role alongside a multitude of other cast members. The film follows the story of an assassin hired for a job who finds himself in the middle of an unknown plot. Left to figure out what is exactly happening, Pitt as Ladybug runs amok clueless about who the others are. Contracted to find and snatch a briefcase on-board a high-speed train, Ladybug soon learns that he is not the only one after the said case. Flush in the middle of a rut, Ladybug is left to outsmart the others to attain the case. Will he manage to overpower the others or will he succumb, does he find out who the others are, will he walk away and live from this encounter are the questions that form the rest of the film.
Starting off, BULLET TRAIN, which is based on Maria Beetle (published in English as Bullet Train) by Kōtarō Isaka starts on a sombre note. It begins with a young child in hospital after being pushed off a roof. In the hospital room is his father Yuichi Kimura (Andrew Koji) an assassin, and his grandfather The Elder/ Kimura’s father (Hiroyuki Sanada). The atmosphere is rather heavy with Kimura’s father lecturing him on how a father is meant to protect his family.
Spurred by his father’s words, Kimura sets off on a mission to find the person who pushed his son and make him pay. From there the story jumps to Brad Pitt, who is enjoying his visit to Japan. Complete with the neon lights and the over the top anime, Pitt’s character Ladybug, who suffers from intense bad luck, is attempting to rise above it all. However, an unexpected snatch and grab job lands in his lap, from handler Maria Beetle (Sandra Bullock), after another assassin passes it up citing stomach issues. After a brief back and forth conversation between Maria and Ladybug, the latter accepts the job since it is a simple task. However, all hell breaks loose when Ladybug finds himself in the middle of a complex web whose strings are being pulled by an unknown and unseen individual. In the meantime, the story introduces other characters as well, from Lemon to Tangerine, to Prince, the Wolf, and The White Death. While the first two Tangerine (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Lemon (Brian Tyree Henry) are hired assassins, Prince (Joey King) comes across as a young schoolgirl caught in the middle, The Wolf (Bad Bunny), a Mexican cartel hitter out for revenge, while The White Death (Michael Shannon) is a revered and feared mob boss. Detailing the back-stories of each of the lot, the film moves ahead, as Ladybug is introduced to each of the passengers on the train.
With a characters that play integral parts in the narrative, usually, the story becomes muddled and confusing. However, David Leitch has done well in keeping things linear. In fact, despite each character being intertwined with the others, Leitch has done a commendable job of detailing each one of them with a backstory and depth. From Tangerine and Lemon as the Twins, to the revenge drive The Wolf, to the mysterious Prince, each character’s role has been well developed and narrated. If just keeping multiple storylines running parallel was not enough, Leitch has the added responsibility of interweaving them and action into the mix. Here a special mention needs to be made for the writer Zak Olkewicz who has done a marvellous job with the screenplay. Assisting Leitch’s direction and Olkewicz’s screenplay are cinematographer Jonathan Sela, and Dominic Lewis who is in charge of the music. Despite being confined to the bogeys of a train, Sela has done well to capture the tight space, while not making it look claustrophobic. Similarly, the music by Lewis greatly enhances the on-screen visuals with a tempo that helps build anticipation.
As for performances, BULLET TRAIN features some stellar performances by Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, and others as well. Despite the core being a linear plot, Pitt has done a commendable job in layering his character Ladybug and humanizing the job of an assassin. Aaron and Brian as the Twins bring the comedic element, while Joey King takes care of the suspense. Overall, each of the cast members have put their best foot forward for BULLET TRAIN. The cameos by Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum and Ryan Reynolds serve as icing on the cake.
On the whole, BULLET TRAIN lives up to its promise of action, comedy and suspense. With perfect execution, the well-edited crisp film keeps you gripped. A rollercoaster ride from start to finish, with twists galore and thrilling action peppered with humorous banter, BULLET TRAIN is a definite must watch. At the box office though, due to the low-key promotions, the film will have to rely heavily on positive word of mouth among the audience. Thanks to the title and mass elements, it also has a chance to score in its dubbed versions.
