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Bullet Train Blu-ray Review

“Bullet Train” derails.

Based on the Japanese novel “Maria Beetle,” “Bullet Train” is a comedic action-thriller largely set on board a bullet train traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto. While sort of an ensemble piece, the main character is an American assassin with bad luck codenamed Ladybug who is reluctant to embark on an assignment to retrieve a briefcase. Of course, his hesitancy turns out to be justified as the mission goes south as the train is filled with dangerous assassins including the vengeful Yuichi, brothers Lemon and Tangerine, a mysterious woman (Prince), The Wolf and The Hornet (who is disguised as a mascot). Also on board is the unnamed Son of a mob boss named White Death and later The Elder (Yuichi’s father) and The White Death himself. What follows is a chaotic series of events filled with death, backstabbing, duplicitous actions, revenge, and some twists and turns.

Directed by David Leitch (who helmed “Deadpool 2,” “Hobbs And Shaw,”  “Atomic Blonde” and co-directed the first “John Wick”), “Bullet Train” comes across as a straight up Guy Ritchie wannabe. In fact, it was shocking that Jason Statham and Vinnie Jones didn’t show up at some point. Much like Ritchie’s “Snatch” and “Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels,” “Bullet Train” is loaded with quirky criminal characters, violence, and interconnected plots. The problem is that those movies are infinitely superior in every way. Leitch’s movie is simply a tired action spectacle trying to replicate a Guy Ritchie movie. What’s even weirder is that Leitch even rips off himself with the whole “luck” subplot that feels quite reminiscent of the plot device used in “Deadpool 2.” Sure, Leitch tries to entertain audiences with intense action, plot twists, and dark comedy, but it’s never as exciting, clever or funny as it tries to be. It mostly feels like a disposable Netflix action movie that tries to juggle too much (it’s surprising that this was a theatrical release to be honest).

The extraordinary cast does help the movie coast along with talent like Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bryan Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Zazie Beetz, Logan Lerman, Michael Shannon, and one major cameo. Of the lot Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Bryan Tyree Henry seem to be having the most fun here (and their chemistry together proves that). 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1 1080p. How does it look? The film dazzles in 1080p. Note: This title is also available on 4K.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? Expect a loud and layered 5.1 track for this action-packed film.

Extras:
* Digital copy
* DVD copy
* “Catch What You Missed: Easter Eggs”
* 3 minutes of outtakes and bloopers that are more amusing than anything in the movie.
* “Mission Accomplished: Making Of Bullet Train”- A brief making of featurette with the usual set footage and interviews.
* “All Aboard The Pain Train: Stunts” featurette along with previsualization on a select stunt scene
* “Trained Professionals: The Cast”
* Sony trailers
* “Bullet Train Goes Off The Rails”- NBA tie-in ads with the Lemon and Tangerine characters.
* Commentary by David Leitch, Kelly McCormick, and Zak Okewicz.

October 18, 2022 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Action Movie, Brad Pitt, Bryan Tyree Henry, Bullet Train Blu-ray Review, Bullet Train Movie