Bullet Train

I struggled to determine how to start this review for several minutes. 

I could have explained how I was excited about Bullet Train because its a Brad Pitt action film from David Leitch,  who has a pretty awesome track record. 

I could have started with another blurb on how I feel like many critics are missing the mark on this one (by quite a bit). 

Instead, I'll just start with: Bullet Train rocks!

It's true that I have been excited for this one for some time. The initial trailers with long-haired Brad Pitt, a Japanese version of "Stayin Alive", and some kinetic action was enough to get me very interested and were just plain cool. I began to worry - slightly - when the trailers seemed to be very "samey" as time went on, though luckily that is actually to the film's benefit (more on that in a second). 

Bullet Train is one of those movies that is just damn entertaining. In an interesting turn of events, the David Leitch-based action is not even its biggest upside. That's not a knock on the action as it's just as kinetic as the trailers would have you believe, there's a decent amount of it overall, and it's good and bloody. In terms of Leitch's resume thus far, this is probably "lesser" in terms of quantity and overall quality/choreography, but that's a high bar from him. Hell, I even enjoyed some of the CGI-heavy moments - mainly the finale - because they're surprising and funny. If you're looking for something like The Raid on a train, you may be a tad disappointed, but for what I was expecting, the action delivered and was a blast. 

Instead, Bullet Train's secret weapon is its humor. The trailers were zany, sure, and there were moments of humor throughout them, but the film as a whole is far funnier than I would have guessed. It's a pleasant surprise and truthfully the single element I can point to that pushes Bullet Train's final rating as high as it does. This year has been mediocre for comedies (in a lot of ways, comedy isn't really the same anymore...but that's for another time) with probably Everything Everywhere All at Once being the funniest of the year thus far. To be fair, that's a hilarious film but I'd be hard pressed to pick a "close" 2nd place. Bullet Train - with its fast quips and what-could-only-be-called-"hijinks" - is a consistently funny film both from a script perspective and physical comedy. Most of the cast gets in on this, but the highlights are easily Pitt, Tyree Henry, and Taylor-Johnson. That's a delight because I love all these actors and it's clear they're having a blast. 

"Dude! I don't even know you!"

Pitt - as Ladybug - is an agent of sorts who believes he's plagued with bad luck, but is seeing a therapist to calm down and work through his negative thoughts. The performance is one of the most entertaining of the year, basically his character from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, but filled with self-doubt. He has some truly laugh-out-loud lines, particularly in key moments: 

"When you point a finger at someone there are 4 pointing back at you!" 

*checks the person's hand, notices technically only 3 point back at the person*

"Huh! That's weird."

*proceeds to get punched in the face*

"Lemon? Like the fruit?"

His coolness, charisma, and persona take the film far and most of his co-stars aim to rise to meet his talent. Brian Tyree Henry is delightful as "Lemon" (yes, the fruit!) and he also has many great script moments, a recurring bit about Thomas the Tank Engine, as well as physical comedy. His banter with Aaron Taylor-Johnson, his brother "Tangerine", is priceless and Taylor-Johnson is effortlessly cool and quippy too. I find he can sometimes fade away too easily, but given the right material, can be a standout. Here, he has the right material. The remainder of the cast, including Joey King, Bad Bunny, Hiroyuki Sanada, and a host of surprising cameos/performances do well and all come zany and ready to match the fun vibe. 

Bullet Train's story is convoluted, and presented in many out-of-order "5 Month's Ago" segments, but even still, I loved it. A lot of this is similar to The Gray Man because this is another film that's my "niche", right up my alley, so I'm willing to look past and even enjoy things that may frustrate other people. Bullet Train's plot felt almost like a "who dun it?" as more and more characters are introduced with the pending "White Death" crime lord waiting at the end of the train ride. It gives the overall stakes purpose and timing, while the character backstories slowly begin to reveal their connections throughout. I'd agree it's too long at slightly over 2 hours, but it never drags either so I'm hard pressed to claim there are "definite" spots I would cut content.

If you haven't realized by now, I loved Bullet Train. My final score is even probably a bit lower than I imagine it will be when I think back to it later in the year. It's a lot of entertainment - R-rated action, great comedy, Brad Pitt, perfect music choices, and neat visuals - pushed into a kinetic, zany package. For many mainstream audiences, much like my full theater last night, I think they'll love it. 

CONS

• A little too long. 10-15 minute trim would have helped
• Sporadic in its storytelling. Until the pieces come together it can feel like it's a lot of irrelevant info
• Some bits feel repetitive (e.g. Ladybug always trying to get off the train)

PROS

• Damn entertaining for a lot of reasons, David Leitch's direction being one of them
• Specifically his action is awesome even if there's not as much as some of his earlier films
• Fun finale with some goofy CGI moments, without feeling overly dumb
• Zany, wild tone throughout. The Japanese setting helps with this, but this is a goofy (in a good way) film
• FAR funnier than I was anticipating. This is the film's "secret" weapon. My theater, my friend, and I were consistently laughing
• Fabulous cast. Pitt is the superstar and his character is crazy watchable, but Taylor-Johnson and Tyree Henry get plenty of special mention as well
• Perfect music selection, often the Japanese versions of popular songs
• Host of surprising cameos and performances
• Aside from a little over-editing, the visuals are stunning
• Hell of a fun time overall

Rath's Review Score | 8.5/10