Famous actor Brad Pitt takes you on one of the most questionable, entertaining, and downright witty adventures in his latest movie, Bullet Train. Hitting US theaters on August 5, 2022, this standout motion picture, directed by David Leitch, plays with comedy and action, bringing back the raunchy plot lines we all know and love.
It goes without saying that movie buffs have much more than the surface-level storyline to look out for in a movie. Although I expect quite a few people to read this review and offer their opinions on Bullet Train’s overly comedic and predictable writing, I also hope my review shares a different perspective on this new big-screen feature.
Truth be told, my expectations for the film were not exactly high going in. I figured it would be another action movie that focuses too heavily on its fight scenes and gives little to no time for audiences to catch their breath.
Watching Bullet Train’s exciting and fast-paced trailer didn’t give me much to go off either. I was mainly thrilled seeing that Brad Pitt was the movie starring actor and that the trailer included a funky medley as its theme song.
All that being said, you might be surprised to know that the motion picture exceeded my expectations, and don’t worry, I’ll explain the how and why in this movie review. I promise not to give too much away in my explanation.
First and foremost, let’s talk about the plot. Bullet Train can no doubt be added to the list of spy/assassin action movies, as it follows the usual trope of having the main character, in this case, LadyBug (Brad Pitt), set off on a top-secret spy mission. Like most spy movies, the main character comes with his own set of bizarre and humorous quirks; for LadyBug (Brad Pitt), he is pretty much summed up as being unlucky, just not in the way you may think.
Bullet Train is set in Japan, and the majority of the film evidently takes place on the bullet train, one of the world’s fastest-moving vehicles. What makes this setting so entertaining is the train’s operation system that only stops a couple of times during a trip, giving passengers only one minute to get off. Director David Leitch used the train’s details to his advantage, making for a plot of unavoidable mishaps and close-quarters fight scenes.
What’s the most enticing about the storyline, however, is the way each character gets introduced. If you love dramatic character backstories, then trust me, you’ll enjoy this movie. From Mexican gangsters to dark and brutal mafia leaders, Bullet Train makes sure to cover all the bases. Even bringing in Joey King, the Netflix movie series Kissing Booth star, as a conniving trickster.
Since I want to give an honest review, I will note that if you are looking to watch an action movie that focuses more on the deep emotional components, then you may want to look elsewhere. Bullet Train is a lot of things, but it is not a serious or overly emotional film. The characters and script are witty and humorous, making it a light viewing rather than an overbearing one.
Next up in my review is the movie’s overall cinematography and set design. As a movie buff, I have a huge admiration for a film’s production. Bullet Train definitely surprised me on the cinematography front, showcasing exceptional lighting and sound design. Not to mention making each scene more attention-grabbing than the next.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 20: (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Each of the train’s carts was unique and played on various out-of-the-box themes that left you feeling confused yet intrigued, eager to see the next cart. The lighting and sound design were strategically placed throughout the movie, making for some genuinely entertaining scenes. There were also several slow-motion parts in the movie that were exceptionally well done. Clearly, Jonathan Sela, the film’s cinematographer, paid close attention to details during production.
Bullet Train’s costume design was also a notable part of the film. Even after being destroyed in a fight scene, each outfit still suited the characters and their individual personalities.
This brings me to the third and final part of my movie review, the casting. When it comes to making a spunky action comedy, casting has to be able to fit the criteria that will have the audience laughing and rooting for their favorite characters. Bullet Train’s casting did just that.
Not only did Brad Pitt nail his quirky bad-luck character, but actors Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brian Tyree Henry also made quite the impression playing brothers Lemon and Tangerine. This duo, who spent half the movie arguing about the kids’ show Thomas The Tank Engine, quickly became my favorite characters. Joey King even surprised me, playing a somewhat serious character who was the definition of frustration. Bullet Train also had a few cameos, with appearances from Channing Tatum and Ryan Reynolds, making the movie even more humorous and enjoyable.
Overall, if you are looking for a movie that is entertaining, eye-catching, witty, comedic, and just over-the-top creative, then look no further. I highly recommend watching Bullet Train if you want something to lighten your mood or if you’re just a super big Brad Pitt fan.
Feel free to send in your thoughts about the movie down in the comments. I’d love to know if you enjoyed it, hated it or if there’s something I missed that’s worth noting.
