Bullet Train
Bullet Train
Starring Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry
Directed by David Leitch
Starring Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry
Directed by David Leitch
Fate, luck, karma - three of the most intangible realities in the world that have been debated, discussed, and debunked throughout the centuries. Is everything we do fated for an eventual outcome, despite the concept that we possess free will? Are some people just born lucky, while others can never catch a break due to not fault of their own? Does what goes around really come around? These existential questions are posed in the action-packed "Bullet Train," but much like the constructs themselves, the answers aren't easily supplied. Instead, it's a somewhat overly-long action film filled with Guy Ritchie-inspired quips and Quentin Tatantino-like monologues that maintains a forward momentum of edge-of-your-seat suspense, even if we should've gotten off a few stops before.
Seasoned assassin Ladybug (Brad Pitt) is called upon by his handler Maria Beetle (Sandra Bullock) to get on a bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto to pick up a briefcase when the man who was supposed to do it fell ill. Ladybug is hesitant because he's turned his life around, is seeing a psychiatrist, and doesn't believe in killing anymore, but he takes the job anyway when Maria tells him it'll be an easy grab. Of course, things don't go as planned when he finds that the train's passengers are some of the most notorious assassins on the planet, all of whom are tied directly or indirectly to the master assassin known as the White Death, who's suitcase Ladybug is trying to attain.
The Prince (Joey King) is a ruthless assassin who uses her youthful female look to disarm her opponents, and wants the White Death dead by any means necessary. Brothers Tangerine (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Lemon (Brian Tyree Henry) are escorting the White Death's son (Logan Lerman) back home along with said briefcase, so when the briefcase goes missing they embark on a journey to get it back. The Father (Andrew Koji) is out for revenge against the person who pushed his son off a roof, while his father, The Elder (Hiroyuki Sanada), also seeks revenge. Plus there's Mexican assassin The Wolf (Benito A. Martinez Ocasio, aka Bad Bunny) and The Hornet, who uses specialized poisons to kill their enemies, and during the train ride these assassins will come into conflict and uneasy alliances with one another in hopes to make it off the train alive.
"Bullet Train" is an excellent ensemble piece that weaves a complicated and highly connected story that supplies enough background to establish each assassin as their own unique character, gaining each of them specific fans who root for their survival. Not an actor is wasted in this epic, as everyone receives ample time to prove their worth and each of them has unique quips and charms about them. Each actor brings their talents to the screen in different ways, which keeps your attention throughout the over two-hour runtime, when it could've been cropped by about thirty minutes.
Brad Pitt's Ladybug is a reformed killer who seems to have the brain of a teenager when it comes to certain things (commenting on how cool it is that a phone as a tracker, for instance) yet has a heart of gold and is easily the most relatable.
Joey King's The Prince is an anime girl brought to life (fully equipped with a pink outfit and tiny backpack) who is able to blend into any situation by claiming to be the "poor helpless girl" while hiding her steely resolve underneath.
Both Andrew Koji and Hiroyuki Sanada as The Father and The Elder have familial ties and exist to right the wrongs done to their family.
Brian Tyree Henry and Aaron Taylor Johnson, as Lemon and Tangerine, offer the most depth to their characters as more than just assassins for hire, but their back-and-forth and strong love for one another shines through in every frame.
On top of these terrific performances there's a long list of surprise cameos that only add to the excitement of the film, and besides Sandra Bullock's no-nonsense voice, it'd be a shame to mention these cameos and spoil them for the audience - although once you see them, you'll understand why Leitch picked them.
Director David Leitch is no stranger to blending action with intriguing camera angles and deadpan humor, directing films like "Deadpool 2," "Atomic Blonde," and "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw" (and also an uncredited director for "John Wick"), so "Bullet Train" is in entirely capable hands, and it shows. Despite the over use of CGI and green screen (hey, at least he does it better than Marvel), it doesn't detract from the story and makes it more interesting and dynamic, along with respecting the cultures and civilities of those involved (such as taking great care to not yell or talk loud in the quiet car, or the stalemate when two men are fighting and a train attendant comes between them).
The story of "Bullet Train" is thought-provoking and insightful, but somewhere around the midway mark it starts to lose its luster before picking back up again. There's continual focus on fate (was it coincidence that all these assassins got on the same train?), luck (Ladybug feeling that he's the most unlucky man in the world, despite overcoming different obstacles that would've proven otherwise, while it seems that The Prince has all the luck), and karma (will the White Death receive his just "reward" for all the carnage he's wreaked?), and thankfully these concepts landed more than they fell, and mixing in the quips, heartfelt speeches and excessively hilarious monologues, you've got the makings of a great action film that you won't mind sitting through multiple times.
While the action sequences seem implausible, it's obviously an over-the-top action epic where you're supposed to suspend disbelief and sit back and enjoy the ride. For any action enthusiast - or even a casual viewer, you won't regret buying a ticket to take this ride.
The Score: A
Seasoned assassin Ladybug (Brad Pitt) is called upon by his handler Maria Beetle (Sandra Bullock) to get on a bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto to pick up a briefcase when the man who was supposed to do it fell ill. Ladybug is hesitant because he's turned his life around, is seeing a psychiatrist, and doesn't believe in killing anymore, but he takes the job anyway when Maria tells him it'll be an easy grab. Of course, things don't go as planned when he finds that the train's passengers are some of the most notorious assassins on the planet, all of whom are tied directly or indirectly to the master assassin known as the White Death, who's suitcase Ladybug is trying to attain.
The Prince (Joey King) is a ruthless assassin who uses her youthful female look to disarm her opponents, and wants the White Death dead by any means necessary. Brothers Tangerine (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Lemon (Brian Tyree Henry) are escorting the White Death's son (Logan Lerman) back home along with said briefcase, so when the briefcase goes missing they embark on a journey to get it back. The Father (Andrew Koji) is out for revenge against the person who pushed his son off a roof, while his father, The Elder (Hiroyuki Sanada), also seeks revenge. Plus there's Mexican assassin The Wolf (Benito A. Martinez Ocasio, aka Bad Bunny) and The Hornet, who uses specialized poisons to kill their enemies, and during the train ride these assassins will come into conflict and uneasy alliances with one another in hopes to make it off the train alive.
"Bullet Train" is an excellent ensemble piece that weaves a complicated and highly connected story that supplies enough background to establish each assassin as their own unique character, gaining each of them specific fans who root for their survival. Not an actor is wasted in this epic, as everyone receives ample time to prove their worth and each of them has unique quips and charms about them. Each actor brings their talents to the screen in different ways, which keeps your attention throughout the over two-hour runtime, when it could've been cropped by about thirty minutes.
Brad Pitt's Ladybug is a reformed killer who seems to have the brain of a teenager when it comes to certain things (commenting on how cool it is that a phone as a tracker, for instance) yet has a heart of gold and is easily the most relatable.
Joey King's The Prince is an anime girl brought to life (fully equipped with a pink outfit and tiny backpack) who is able to blend into any situation by claiming to be the "poor helpless girl" while hiding her steely resolve underneath.
Both Andrew Koji and Hiroyuki Sanada as The Father and The Elder have familial ties and exist to right the wrongs done to their family.
Brian Tyree Henry and Aaron Taylor Johnson, as Lemon and Tangerine, offer the most depth to their characters as more than just assassins for hire, but their back-and-forth and strong love for one another shines through in every frame.
On top of these terrific performances there's a long list of surprise cameos that only add to the excitement of the film, and besides Sandra Bullock's no-nonsense voice, it'd be a shame to mention these cameos and spoil them for the audience - although once you see them, you'll understand why Leitch picked them.
Director David Leitch is no stranger to blending action with intriguing camera angles and deadpan humor, directing films like "Deadpool 2," "Atomic Blonde," and "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw" (and also an uncredited director for "John Wick"), so "Bullet Train" is in entirely capable hands, and it shows. Despite the over use of CGI and green screen (hey, at least he does it better than Marvel), it doesn't detract from the story and makes it more interesting and dynamic, along with respecting the cultures and civilities of those involved (such as taking great care to not yell or talk loud in the quiet car, or the stalemate when two men are fighting and a train attendant comes between them).
The story of "Bullet Train" is thought-provoking and insightful, but somewhere around the midway mark it starts to lose its luster before picking back up again. There's continual focus on fate (was it coincidence that all these assassins got on the same train?), luck (Ladybug feeling that he's the most unlucky man in the world, despite overcoming different obstacles that would've proven otherwise, while it seems that The Prince has all the luck), and karma (will the White Death receive his just "reward" for all the carnage he's wreaked?), and thankfully these concepts landed more than they fell, and mixing in the quips, heartfelt speeches and excessively hilarious monologues, you've got the makings of a great action film that you won't mind sitting through multiple times.
While the action sequences seem implausible, it's obviously an over-the-top action epic where you're supposed to suspend disbelief and sit back and enjoy the ride. For any action enthusiast - or even a casual viewer, you won't regret buying a ticket to take this ride.
The Score: A
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