304. Bullet Train; movie review

 

BULLET TRAIN

Cert 15

121 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong bloody violence, language, brief sex

Wow! Bullet Train is the best blockbuster action film I have seen in a very long time.

It maybe very violent but it is also beautifully scripted, brilliantly acted and, at times, very funny.

David Leitch's movie has such a wonderful pace to it, barely wasting a second as it assaults the viewer's senses.

It stars Brad Pitt as a former assassin who is hired as a last-minute stand-in to pick up a briefcase from a Japanese bullet train.

Little does he know that others on the train have their own intentions around the case and its contents.

These include unlikely twin bothers, with the codenames of Tangerine (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Lemon (Brian Tyree Henry).

Their verbal sparing is one of the film's many highlights.

Meanwhile, also on board is an anxious father (Andrew Koji) who is seeking revenge after his son was pushed from the roof of a building.

Added to the mix is a mysterious schoolgirl (Joey Prince) who seems to have the measure of all of the protagonists.

And then there is the secretive White Death (Michael Shannon) - a ruthless crimelord to whom all are connected.

The storyline is expertly woven with myriad tangents and some of the most intense action seen at the cinema in 2022.

I have spoken to some folk who don't get Bullet Train.

They think it is too smart for its own good and don't understand the deliberate staccato acting of some of the characters.

I couldn't disagree more - I was entranced from the first scene to the last. I thought it was quick-witted and a fabulously immersive action movie.

Watch it if you can.

Reasons to watch: One of the best blockbuster films in decades

Reasons to avoid: Very bloody scenes

Laughs: Three

Jumps: One

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 9.5/10

Did you know? Bullet Train director David Leitch was Brad Pitt's stunt double in Fight Club, Ocean's Eleven, Troy and Mr. & Mrs. Smith. 

The final word. Director David Leitch: "We decided to create a heightened world for Bullet Train in all aspects, even the journey from Tokyo to Kyoto. Ours is a wish-fulfilment version, a graphic novel version of Japan and the bullet train itself." GQ

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