The Mosley Review: Bullet Train
You know when a film's trailer delivers a glimpse of the entire thing in a fun way? Its rare for a trailer to deliver the exact tone of a film so accurately isn't it? Well the team that designed the trailer to this film should win an Oscar for it because this film was everything it said it was gonna be and so much more. It is truly rare for a film to be this much fun and engaging from the opening montage to the closing credits. The action film genre can be a variety of things whether it be an action film that has a thin layered story with great set pieces or a great story that informs the set pieces and they work in tandem together. This film was the latter and I loved the story and all of its moving parts. It does take some influences from films like Snatch and Smokin’ Aces with the plot being centered around a person and object and it was great. There were multiple slivers of a family drama, dark comedy and revenge tale all mixed into this perfect storm of circumstance and luck. The characters themselves push the story and take you on a fun ride that you'll never forget. This film definitely features my favorite collection of characters this year so far.
Brad Pitt was excellent and having the time of his life as the "unlucky" character Ladybug. You want the guy to succeed and get off the train, but there's always something or someone pulling him right back on. He was charming and hilarious as he tries to stay so Zen throughout the mayhem. Sandra Bullock was fun and witty as his handler Maria Beetle. The two of them have such great chemistry and I love their heart to hearts after and sometimes during the action. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Bryan Tyree Henry were truly my favorite characters of the film Tangerine and Lemon. Their chemistry was electric the moment they were on screen together. Their banter was the funniest, insightful, quick and you truly feel their brotherly love toward one another. Tangerine was the perfect bruiser and Lemon was truly the brains and I loved every second. I kind of want a spinoff with those characters. Joey King was perfectly sadistic and cunning as The Prince. She has such command on screen and you love her even though she is so evil. Andrew Koji was endearing and wonderful as Yuichi Kimura and his story was one of the strongest pillars of the film. The great Hiroyuki Sanada was as awesome and elegant as his father The Elder. There isn't a role he's played where he doesn't bring such gravitas to each scene. Their chemistry was strong and I loved their strained relationship. Michael Shannon was awesome and a pure rockstar as the Russian crime boss The White Death. Once he's on screen, you just love every villainous moment of him chewing the scenery. The way his story is tied to everyone is wonderfully weaved throughout and its one hell of a payoff in the end.
The soundtrack in this film was excellent as we here the Japanese version of classic hits and they're all perfectly placed and compliment the tone of the story and emotional beats. The action in this film is perfectly choreographed to tell the story and deliver some great comedic moments and shocking twists. You have to appreciate when a director that comes from a stunt background, really shows how to shoot action the correct way. Visually the film is stunning and each train car has its own personality. Director David Leitch has made not only one of my favorite action films, but one of the best dark comedies of the year. I loved this film and I can't recommend it enough. Do stick around for one of the best story buttons in the mid credit scene that made myself and the entire theater cheer. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
