Bullet Train Film Review

By Raul Mendez

SPOILERS AHEAD

Bullet Train follows the story of an unlucky assassin who is determined to continue his job peacefully, however, fate has other plans for him as his latest mission puts him on a collision course with some of the most dangerous adversaries from around the globe, each with conflicting yet connected goals. All taking place on the fastest train on the globe.

Bullet train was directed by David Leitch and was based on the novel Maria Beetle by Japanese author Kōtarō Isaka. The cast is star studded featuring names like Brad Pitt (Ladybug), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Tangerine), Sandra Bullock (Maria Beetle) and Joey King (Prince). Each of these actors shine in their roles as Brad Pitt gives a comedic performance in his role while also captivating the audience as he shifts into a more serious persona at points. Joey King also gives a great performance as she manipulates the surrounding cast throughout the film through her wide range of facial expressions and tones of voice.

The plot of this film is incredibly intricate as multiple characters are sewn into each other very precisely as they cross paths in very clever ways. Aaron Taylor-Johnson's character Tangerine and his brother Lemon (Brian Tyree Henry) cross paths with Ladybug on several occasions throughout the film, may that be coincidence or not, as they search for their briefcase as well as attempt to protect The White Death’s son. Other assassins such as Wolf (Bad Bunny) and The Hornet (Zazie Beetz) come into conflict with Ladybug due to his incredibly ‘poor’ luck and fate's apparent dislike for him.

Fate plays a large part in the narrative as we see it mentioned on several occasions throughout by multiple characters. Late on in the film before The Elder (Hiroyuki Sanada) and his son (Andrew Koji) take on the White Death and his army alongside Ladybug and Lemon, The Elder tells Ladybug that the insect is something of a magnet of bad luck, absorbing it and helping others achieve their desired outcome. Although due to what Ladybug called bad luck by being even put on this mission in the first place due to the absence of Carter (Ryan Reynolds), in a way perhaps it was ‘good fate’ as the most dangerous and worst of the cast is killed off due to the interference of Ladybug, his survival is also ensured by fate and luck as he survives many alterations due to luck and good timing as for example he is stabbed,only for him to survive through incredible luck. Lemon is the only assassin to survive due to his willingness to eventually cooperate with Ladybug. It could be argued that the moral of the story is those who have a better moral compass are the ones who will have fate go their own way.

The visuals of Bullet Train are also refined thanks to its vibrant colour scheme and sharp CGI. The train starts in Tokyo which is known for its colour and lights. This is completely reflected throughout as certain parts of the train are filled with colours which are softly lit so they backdrop onto the characters effectively. This choice is effective as it ensures that the film is enriched in both modern and traditional Japanese culture that tend to clash in the plot.

Overall, Bullet Train is a solid movie with an interesting plot that explores deep themes of fate and luck as well as brushing over the culture of Japan. 8/10.

Written by Raul Mendez.