I’m going to go all in from the outset: Bullet Train is one of my favourite films of the year so far.
I was sceptical going into the David Leitch-directed offering at Boston Savoy, but – a few dodgy cockney accents aside – the action-comedy is an absolute blast from start to finish.
With likeable characters that are all well introduced and played by an all-star cast, relentless and enjoyable action, a well done overarching plot and a very on-form Bratt Pitt, Bullet Train has everything you want and more from a film of this genre.
Pitt is very much the main character as “Ladybug”, an unlucky assassin who is attempting to complete his missions in a more peaceful manner.
Here – with Sandra Bullock’s Maria Beetle in his ear – he’s tasked with stealing a briefcase from a bullet train that is travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto.
It all sounds very simple and very nearly plays out that way, but his problem is that multiple other players are in the game on a train that is loaded with other assassins and mischief makers.
For starters, there are brothers “Lemon” (Brian Tyree Henry) and “Tangerine” (Aaron Taylor-Johnson).
They have their own agenda and, despite being the characters guilty of the bad British accents, are fun throughout.
Taylor-Johnson, in particular, is on especially fine form here and looks a lot more imposing than I’ve ever seen him before.
Rapper Bad Bunny has a smaller but fun role as “The Wolf”, who is hungry for revenge on another passenger elsewhere on the train. His back story is particularly brutal and does push the 12A rating to the absolute maximum.
A less menacing presence is Joey King’s “Prince”, who revels in her position as silent assassin on a train full of alpha-male egos.
She’s as cute as she is menacing and flies under the radar with great ease.
Likewise, Zazie Beetz is another major player as “The Hornet”. She gets the least screen time here, but leaves a major mark on proceedings.
Another plot involves Japanese duo Andrew Koji and the legendary Hiroyuki Sanada, who are trying to find the person responsible for pushing the former’s son off the roof of a building.
All of these threads are tied together beautifully and divulging any more information about the plot would veer into spoiler territory.
Although it doesn’t feel like a Tarantino film, there’s something very Pulp Fiction about how Bullet Train plays out, meshed with Leitch’s trademark brand of action and humour.
It’s simply one of the must-see films of the year and looks great at the cinema.
Voice Verdict: 9/10 (reviewed at Boston Savoy)
+ A great cast all having fun
+ Relentless action
+Overarching story is great
+Pitt/Taylor-Johnson shine…
– …despite the latter’s cockney accent
SHOWTIMES
Boston Savoy (Friday, August 12 to Thursday, August 18)
NOPE (15)
11.30am (not Wed), 2.30pm (daily), 5.20pm (daily), 8.15pm (daily)
DRAGON BALL SUPER: SUPERHERO (DUBBED)
3.30pm (Wed/Thurs)
DRAGON BALL SUPER: SUPERHERO (SUBBED)
6pm (Wed/Thurs)
BULLET TRAIN (12A)
5.30pm (daily), 8.30pm (daily)
DC LEAGUE OF SUPER-PETS (PG)
10am (daily), 12.30pm (daily), 3pm (daily), 5.35pm (not Wed/Thurs)
WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING (15)
8pm (Sun), 8.30pm (Wed)
THE RAILWAY CHILDREN RETURN (PG)
10am (not Sun), 12.15pm (not Sat)
MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU (U)
10am (daily), 12.10pm (daily), 2.20pm (daily)
THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER (12A)
12.40pm (daily), 3.20pm (not Wed/Thurs), 5.45pm (Wed/Thurs), 6pm (not Wed/Thurs), 8.40pm (not Thurs)
ELVIS (12A)
2.30pm (Thurs), 8pm (Fri/Sat/Tues)
TOP GUN: MAVERICK (12A)
8.20pm (Thurs)
JURASSIC WORLD: DOMINION 2D (12A)
2.30pm (not Sun/Thurs)
NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: PRIMA FACIE (15)
2.45pm (Sun), 8.20pm (Thurs)
LAAL SINGH CHADDHA (12A)
4.30pm (daily), 8pm (daily)
SILVER SCREEN
BULLET TRAIN (12A)
11.30am
SUBTITLED SHOWING
NOPE (15)
8pm (Mon)
KIDS’ CLUB
THE LEGO MOVIE 2D (PG)
10.15am (daily)
SUPPORTIVE SHOWING
THE LEGO MOVIE 2D (PG)
10am (Sun)
