The story revolves around Ladybug, played by Brad Pitt, trying to steal a briefcase from two paid killers off of (you guessed it) a bullet train. Ladybug was a former assassin who was tasked with getting this package. He was replacing another who became unavailable at the last minute. At the same time he refused to follow his handlers advice to carry a firearm.
The cast was both amazing and varied. Joey King’s performance as “The Prince”, posing as an innocent little schoolgirl who was appalled by the cruelty and violence of men, quickly exposed herself as a clever and ruthless means of destruction. Brian Tyree Henry (who played Lemon) and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (who played Tangerine) are brothers with a body count well into the triple digits who now find themselves escorting both a briefcase and escorting the son of the terrifying crime boss known as the White Death.
The White Death is a Russian who has taken over the Yakuza crime syndicate. “The Elder” played by Hiroyuki Sanada and Andrew Koji, “The Father”, The Elder's son are out for revenge after The Elder’s grandson was pushed off the roof of a department store, putting him into a coma.
The plot of the film, at first at least, seems rather straightforward. Goal driven around the comatose grandson and the briefcase. But new characters are introduced into the mix, establishing the connections between them. All of them have, in some way, a connection. Each of them is in some way related to the others. Whether by blood or association. By family or enemies.
The film reflects on its themes of fate, luck, and karma. Ladybug’s frequent comments on these, sometimes annoying and sometimes humorous, voiced to his handler (Sandra Bullock) start to feel like an explanation to what the film is actually up to. Ladybug, trying to leave his violent life behind him, much like Jules from “Pulp Fiction”. His jobs being more difficult since he has decided to never pick up a firearm again.
The film was directed by David Leitch, a former stunt coordinator and double of Jean-Claude Van Damme. Also with Brad Pitt and the one time directing partner of Chad Stahleski, of the John Wick series. He has become a specialist in high-grade mayhem, having directed “Atomic Blonde”, “Deadpool 2”, and “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw”.
The film, however, seems to have a conflict. At times it can't make up its mind on whether it is light and silly, with none of it actually meaning anything, or, at the same time trying to hit us with its moments of dramatic power.. The story between Lemon and Tangerine, two brothers who work as assassins hits you with the feels. The love expressed between these two can really be felt. Even when they fight and insult each other, their love can be felt.
But the rest of this film seems rather insincere. The film is at its best when it’s a comedy about badasses. Those thinking they are free agents when in actuality they are just passengers on a train, going from one station to the next completely oblivious to the desires of the others riding on it.
The film is abstract in another way, as well. The source of the movie is a Japanese novel by Kōtarō Isaka, the characters being Japanese. Leitch inherited the project from Antoine Fuqua who wanted to make a "Die Hard on a Train" type of film. Leitch recasting the tale “intentionally” for his longtime screen partner Brad Pitt. The film, also, was considered to be relocated to Europe but ultimately decided to keep its Japanese setting.
Parts of the story seemed like a bit of a stretch. For instance, the Yakuza being led by a Russian doesn’t seem likely. However, they played the role perfectly, really selling it.
As a whole, “Bullet Train” was immensely entertaining. While not always sure what type of movie it wanted to be it was still a fun ride and totally worth a watch.
9 out of 10
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