Bullet Train Review: Clash of tones hampers otherwise fun action romp

Like Thor: Love and Thunder, Bullet Train has some severe tonal shifts and a script that only occasionally elicits laughter.

By far the emotionally resonant characters are Kimura played by Andrew Koji (Snake Eyes) and The Elder played by Hiroyuki Sanada (Mortal Kombat). Koji and Sanada feel like they are in completely different films from the rest of the cast. Kimura’s reason for boarding the train is a deeply personal revenge mission. Sadly, Koji is once again kind of wasted in the film as he spends most of the film detained by Prince played by Joey King. Every scene featuring Koji and Sanada feels like straightforward drama and Bullet Train could have gone down this direction.

David Leitch decides to go down a more comedy-action route with the rest of the cast. Brad Pitt is fantastic as Ladybug. A snatch and grabber-type of an operator who is easing back into the job after some time away. His handler, played by Sandra Bullock, gives him a simple-sounding job. He just has to grab a briefcase and get off the train. However, there are several adversaries on the train standing in his way. Pitt shines in the action sequences and his aw-shucks demeanor is a blast to watch.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Bryan Tyree Henry are quite good as the twins. A pair of assassins who have had a few run-ins with Ladybug. Henry’s character Lemon, is given more notes to play than Taylor-Johnson’s Tangerine. There are also some fantastic cameos, including one which is actually crucial to the film’s plot.

King is miscast as the overlooked, innocent-looking woman who is actually evil incarnate. The banter is clever, but never really connects on many comedic blows. There are just too many stories and varying tones for the film to manage all of them successfully.

For the most part, the action sequences are great. The lack of space on the train does hamper the samurai sword fights.

Overall, Bullet Train is a fun film that doesn’t overstay its welcome and could lead to sequels or prequels that gel together better than this film.

With the overview out of the way, let’s dive deeper into the elements that stood out in Bullet Train. There may be some minor spoilers.

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Ladybug catches a Bullet Train

Pitt’s Ladybug hops on a bullet train to retrieve a briefcase and get off the train. He finds the briefcase with ease. However, as he begins to leave the train, Bad Bunny stabs him in the chest. From this point on, Ladybug is forced to contend with a number of assassins.

Ladybug just doesn’t understand why Bad Bunny attacked him. His handler points out he attended the cartel leader’s wedding where all of the attendees except Bad Bunny were poisoned. Ladybug cordoned off a section of the train where he holds the bodies is posable forms. He realizes there’s more to the briefcase and stashes it. Yes, the assassin who poisoned Bad Bunny‘s beloved is also on the train.

Bullet Train does a solid job of making it clear that all of the assassins are tied together by someone or something. It’s clear someone is pulling the string. He or she is using the briefcase as an excuse for these assassins to eliminate each other.

Thomas the Tank Engine

Lemon and Tangerine are adopted, siblings. Taylor-Johnson isn’t given as many layers as Henry’s Lemon. Although their back-and-forth is enjoyable throughout the film.

Lemon has two standout characteristics. He has a unique affinity toward Thomas the Tank Engine and disdain for Diesel. Lemon also has the ability to pick up when someone is lying to him. Henry continues to be one of the most versatile actors. He can shift from pathos to comedy on a whim and more than holds his own in the action sequences.

Taylor-Johnson shines brightest as Tangerine in the action sequences. His fight inside and outside the train with Pitt’s Ladybug is outstanding.

Bullet Train jumps from character to character at such a rapid pace, which makes it tough to flesh out other characters aside from Ladybug. Luckily, Henry makes every scene count.

Family Legacy

Fate and legacy are heady themes weaved into the otherwise outlandish events in Bullet Train.

Kimura is a father who boards the train. He’s seeking revenge for his severely injured young song. Before Kimura can even sit down, Prince (Joey King) captures him. She wants Kimura to kill her father, White Death. If anything happens to her, his son will die.

Later, The Elder boards the train. The Elder is Kimura’s father. He is also seeking to kill White Death. White Death (Michael Shannon) is a Russian immigrant who betrayed The Elder’s father and took over his family’s clan. The rather serious storyline is woven around all of the other craziness on the train.

Prince is also trying to forge her own legacy. She is White Death’s daughter and is trying to earn his respect.

These serious storylines just don’t mesh with Ladybug, Tangerine or Lemon’s rather surface-level storyline. They basically have jobs they were assigned and are trying to carry out.

Bullet Train Final Thoughts

Wild tonal shifts aside, Bullet Train is a fun enough ride. There are just too many storylines and characters to balance. However, the action sequences are thrilling, Pitt is unbelievably charismatic, Henry shines and every cameo delivers.