Bullet Train: A High-Speed Ride to Nowhere
The promise of a film set on the Shinkansen, Japan’s iconic bullet train, is undeniably enticing. It conjures images of a high-octane, thrilling ride, with action unfolding at breakneck speed. However, Bullet Train, while boasting a star-studded cast and a premise brimming with potential, ultimately fails to deliver on that promise. Despite its flashy setting and attempts at humor, the film’s disjointed narrative, underwhelming action sequences, and a missed opportunity to explore the cultural depth of its Japanese setting leave it feeling like a lost opportunity.
Lost in Translation: A Disjointed Narrative
The film attempts to juggle multiple storylines that ultimately clash rather than complement each other. The premise, based on Kōtarō Isaka’s novel, centers around Ladybug (Brad Pitt), a seasoned American hitman embarking on a seemingly simple mission: steal a briefcase and depart at the next stop. However, the train becomes a chaotic microcosm of intertwined narratives involving various assassins and criminals, with each character vying for control of the briefcase and the kidnapped son of The White Death (Michael Shannon), a ruthless Russian-Japanese crime lord.
The film struggles to seamlessly weave these threads together. The individual character arcs, while often interesting in themselves, rarely connect meaningfully to the overarching narrative. The attempt to tie these strands together through themes of fate and luck feels contrived and ultimately doesn’t elevate the chaotic plot. The constant interruptions and abrupt shifts in focus make it difficult to invest in any specific character or storyline.
A Missed Opportunity for Cultural Exploration
While the film uses the Shinkansen as its backdrop, it seems content to merely utilize it as a visual element rather than deeply exploring the cultural nuances of Japan. The decision to populate the film with predominantly Western characters, replacing the Japanese characters featured in the novel, feels like a missed opportunity. A film set in Japan, with its rich culture and history, could have benefitted from a more nuanced representation of Japanese society and explored the complexities of the characters within that context.
Uninspiring Action: A Lack of Real Thrill
The lack of impactful action sequences is a particularly disappointing aspect of Bullet Train. Director David Leitch, known for his work on films like Deadpool 2 and Hobbs & Shaw, fails to deliver the explosive and creative fight choreography we’ve come to expect from him. Instead, we get a string of forgettable, often disjointed action scenes, punctuated by comedic moments that rarely land. The film relies heavily on the confined space of the bullet train, but fails to successfully translate that limitation into clever action set pieces.
Underutilized Cast: Wasted Potential
While the film assembles a talented cast, they are often relegated to playing caricatures rather than fleshed-out characters. Pitt’s charming demeanor and self-deprecating humor offer brief moments of levity, but his character lacks depth and motivation. King’s performance as The Prince, a manipulative young woman masquerading as a schoolgirl, is captivating, but sadly, the character’s role in the narrative is underwhelming and feels ultimately unnecessary.
The supporting cast, including Brian Tyree Henry and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the bickering duo Lemon and Tangerine, provide some of the film’s most memorable moments. However, even their comedic chemistry is occasionally overshadowed by the film’s overall tonal inconsistencies. Other characters, like Zazie Beetz, Sandra Bullock, and Bad Bunny, are unfortunately underutilized, their potential squandered in largely one-dimensional roles.
Humor That Falls Flat: A Lack of Real Punchlines
The attempt at humor, while present throughout the film, ultimately feels forced and uninspired. The script, by **Zak Olkewicz (Fear Street: Part Two), relies on overused gags and slapstick humor, often resulting in scenes that feel cringeworthy rather than funny. This comedic approach feels misaligned with the film’s inherently dramatic core, creating a disjointed and uneven tone that further hinders the audience’s enjoyment.
A Flawed Recipe: A Missed Opportunity for a Great Film
Bullet Train represents a film with a strong premise undermined by its execution. The film’s narrative feels disjointed, its action sequences lack the impact expected, and its attempt at humor mostly falls flat. With a talented cast and a unique setting, Bullet Train had the potential to be a thrilling action-comedy, but ultimately falls short of its potential.
While the film may entertain its audience for a brief period, it leaves a lingering sense of disappointment. It serves as a reminder that even with the best ingredients, a flawed recipe can lead to a subpar dish. It’s a testament to the fact that a well-executed action film requires more than just star power and an intriguing location. Ultimately, Bullet Train is a missed opportunity, a high-speed train that never quite makes it to its destination.
