In his first starring role since receiving his long overdue first Oscar for acting, Brad Pitt returns to the silver screen in Bullet Train. Bullet Train, based on the Japanese novel Maria Beatle and directed by Pitt’s former stunt double David Leitch, is the story of an assassin who boards a train to complete what seems like a peaceful, simple assignment until the presence of several other assassins on their own missions causes chaos to ensue.
Bullet Train represents Pitt's rare non-Awards Season release (and increasingly rare on-camera release) at this point in his career. It’s not unfamiliar territory for him, but they are far and few between now. Is this foray away from Oscar bait for Pitt worth the trip?
In theory, Bullet Train should be a hardcore, straight-laced action film due to its setting and title. In reality, it’s anything but that. If Smokin’ Aces had an unprotected fling with the Deadpool movies after too many shots of Jackie Chan, the resulting offspring would be Bullet Train. It’s a strange, flawed mix, but it somehow all works out in the end.
The footprint of Smokin’ Aces presents itself, for better and worse, starting with Bullet Train being an ensemble project instead of a star vehicle. Pitt’s Ladybug may be the central character in the film, but writer Zak Olkewicz’s script gives the other characters plenty of scenes to chew.
On the one hand, the decision to avoid making Bullet Train a one-person show is a gift because it takes what could have been a very formulaic, predictable action flick and transforms it into something more enjoyable. The provision of a backstory for each assassin explaining their respective reasons for being on the train adds an element that removes any thought of having a hero and keeps you guessing who will win and how until the final act.
On the other hand, Bullet Train suffers the same flaw that sunk Smokin’ Aces in that having so many plotlines to track has the film jumping all over the place that its more profound points are lost. In Bullet Train’s case, the film’s primary motif, fate, gets lost and is poorly handled to the point where it seems unessential. The viewer never gets a true sense of who the assassins are and why fate is such an essential piece of their story.
Dialogue is also an issue as some characters tended to ramble instead of giving context that moved the film along. The conversations about a character’s affinity for the children’s show Thomas and Friends and an unnecessary body count montage were scenes best left on the script’s rough draft as they both waste time and add nothing to the story.
The Deadpool influence, aside from Leitch also helming Deadpool 2, is seen as Bullet Train packed with gory, R-rated action that doesn’t take itself seriously. This part of the film is where the cast truly delivers and Bullet Train earns your money.
Similar to the Merc With a Mouth’s movies, Bullet Train features some incredibly savage fights and kills accompanied by wisecracks and jokes mid-fight. Pitt uses this opportunity to show he could still be among the elite action stars if he wanted as well as a vastly underrated comedic timing that we haven’t seen enough of throughout his career.
The Aaron Taylor-Johnson-Brian Tyree Henry pairing works just as well as Pitt’s contributions, despite the script putting some roadblocks in their way. Once you get beyond how juvenile they wrote Henry’s Lemon and the previously mentioned Thomas conversation they share, the duo’s chemistry and humorous banter throughout the rest of Bullet Train is a hallmark of the film. The remaining cast members, such as Joey King, Andrew Koji, and Hiroyuki Sanada, are also impressive as they balance their characters’ violent nature with comedy.
Jackie Chan’s spirit comes through in Bullet Train’s fight choreography, also a high point for the film. Leitch builds his Chanesque fight scenes for Bullet Train on tight, quick strikes and the fact that any prop in a scene can be a weapon. The execution of the moves is flawless (another credit to the cast) and commands respect for the martial arts, but it easily takes a fun turn when an object such as a water bottle or a pot is used to inflict damage on an opponent.
Bullet Train will probably never be mistaken for a top-tier action film that will rival the likes of Top Gun: Maverick or some of its director’s previous work. The story jumps around too much to become invested in any one character, and it’s closer to The Hangover than John Wick for a good bit of the film.
However, that doesn’t mean Bullet Train is a lousy watch because what it lacks in consistency and cohesiveness is compensated for with plenty of fun. The cast, specifically Pitt, Henry, and Taylor-Johnson, do an excellent job juggling rampage and wit and the fight sequences are top-notch. It’s ultimately a solid end-of-summer diversion for those who need something to hold them until the fall movies roll in. Watching Bullet Train in a premium format may be tempting, but save your money because you can get everything you need to enjoy it on a standard screen.
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