Bullet Train (2022) Film Review

I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve said on the podcast that I should get around to watching Bullet Train, but I finally did and I wasn’t disappointed.

The action comedy is set on a train, as the name suggests, speeding through Japan. Amongst the passengers are a number of deadly assassins, each out on their own job. 

The assassins are played by a cast that is stacked. Brad Pitt is the big name on the poster but it’s a lot more of an ensemble venture than you might think. Joey King nails the role of the innocent yet deadly Prince, Aaron Taylor Johnson and Bryan Tyree Henry as The Twins are a funny and endearing combination of hitmen. Andrew Koji as the vengeful son and Horoyuki Sanada as his father, while likely unknown to most of the audience of this flick add depth to an already stellar lineup which also includes Michael Shannon and Sandra Bullock. 

The film is based on the novel Maria Beetle (or Bullet Train for international audiences) by Kotaro Isaka and knowing that it’s based on a longer work makes sense. There are parts of the film that could have gone deeper or longer and overall the structure suits the chapters of a novel. But the story of a bunch of assassins who slowly realise their individual jobs are all leading to the same point is solidly presented through the film. 

On top of that, there’s plenty of action and plenty of laughs alongside the twists and turns of these interwoven plot threads. There is barely a dip in the story from opening to closing and the ending even surprised me, which is unusual. 

If, like me, you haven’t yet gotten around to watching Bullet Train I recommend it for anyone keen for some lighthearted action comedy that, for once, doesn’t feature Ryan Reynolds.

Lee

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