Review
«Morbius» is one big disappointment
by Luca Fontana
«Bullet Train»: the sickest trip of the year
2.8.2022
Translation: Katherine Martin
Action-packed, suspenseful and full of black humour, «Bullet Train» from «John Wick» director David Leitch and starring Brad Pitt is the kind of novel adaptation that no one was waiting for, but will captivate everyone.
Let me get one thing straight: my review contains no spoilers. Any information stated here is featured in trailers that have already been released.
Not everything that director and ex-stuntman David Leitch touches turns to gold. But plenty does. The first «John Wick» film, for instance, or «Atomic Blonde». After all, Leitch is at his best when he focuses on his trade mark: crafted, powerful action without faffing around too much with CGI – and always captured with a steady camera.
His latest work, «Bullet Train», strikes much the same note.
What’s «Bullet Train» all about?
Ladybug (Brad Pitt) is a hitman. In fact, he’s one of the best. If only he wasn’t so unlucky: though his jobs are ultimately always successful, all hell breaks loose constantly. Eventually, one too many jobs goes awry, leading Ladybug to accept peaceful missions only – no weapons, no death, no murders. Missions like getting on a train, stealing a briefcase, and getting off at the next station. You don’t get much simpler than that, right?
However, fate has other plans for Ladybug. Yet again. Because the latest job for Ladybug (you get the irony in that being a symbol of luck) puts him on a collision course with the world’s deadliest killers. Killers who’re passengers on Japan’s fastest train, the bullet train, which thunders back and forth between Tokyo and Kyoto at 320 kilometres per hour. And they all only want one thing: the briefcase. Go figure.
From book to film festival
«Bullet Train» is many things. Primarily an action movie, though sometimes a comedy. Then something between a thriller, an Asian gangster movie and a heist movie à la «Ocean’s 11». And when the bullet train races through cities plastered with neon signs, picturesque landscapes and feudal-looking villages lined with pink cherry blossom trees, the film could easily pass for a promotional film about Japan with the blessing of the Ministry of Tourism.
Like when Ladybug is spouting on about something ridiculous his therapist said. Something like: «If you put peace out into the world, you’ll get peace back.» The answer he gets from his client – revealing her identity would constitute a spoiler – is simply a dry: «You forget what you do for a living. Take the weapon.»
This subtle derisiveness running through the entire film is just fantastic. Even if «Bullet Train» does indulge in the odd lengthy gap among all the repartee. Not because nothing happens. It’s more because the blows exchanged between the murderous passengers can seem a bit repetitive sometimes. But that’s just nit-picking. And just when you think you have the movie – the story – figured out, Olkewicz’s script kicks it up a notch.
The last one standing wins
I’ve deliberately refrained from listing more actors – the less you know, the better.
You’re left with an inherently simple yet immensely original action thriller. Not just because of its humour, but because the longer it goes on, the more complex a web of twists, turns and deception is woven. But like I said, the less you know...
Verdict: what can I say? Just watch it!
When the Ticino Film Festival opens in Locarno and people start vying for the Pardo d'Oro, the eyes of many festival-goers will be trained on the Piazza Grande – where Brad Pitt and David Leitch open the festival with «Bullet Train».
In short, watch it.
«Bullet Train» was released in cinemas on 4 August. Runtime: 126 minutes. Age rating: 16.
Luca Fontana
Senior Editor
Luca.Fontana@digitecgalaxus.chI'm an outdoorsy guy and enjoy sports that push me to the limit – now that’s what I call comfort zone! But I'm also about curling up in an armchair with books about ugly intrigue and sinister kingkillers. Being an avid cinema-goer, I’ve been known to rave about film scores for hours on end. I’ve always wanted to say: «I am Groot.»
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