First Take: Bullet Train - who needs strikes when you have guns?

SYNOPSIS: Five assassins aboard a fast moving bullet train find out their missions have something in common.

We’ve really seen it all when it comes to these transportation related movies - 2006 gave us Snakes on a Plane (and the best overdubbing of swearing ever), but when it comes to action films set on the Japanese rail network - notably the Shinkansen bullet trains - we’ve never had anything quite like the latest effort from John Wick co-director David Leitch.

Based on the dark comedic novel written by Kotaro Isaka, Leitch is able to create a 2 hour 6 minute film that does things in a very different way - which ultimately creates a bit of a tonal mismatch. Some of it is pretty linear, while other bits are flashbacks, but ultimately Zac Olkewicz’ script delivers some brutal action sequences that arguably mock what we’ve seen in the action genre in recent years - the quiet carriage fight is a key example of this, as it blends Deadpool style humour with very serious action. It is shot brilliantly by Leitch’s long time collaborator Jonathan Sela, and the score from Dominic Lewis comes in exactly when it’s needed.

As for the cast, well, we have Brad Pitt in full form, performing (reportedly) 95% of his own stunts during this film, allowing him to showcase why he’s still a solid talent that returns on investment. Supporting him are Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Bryan Tyree Henry as comic characters Tangerine and Lemon, rapper Bad Bunny (credited under his real name) as one of the many assassins on the train, as well as Joey King and Michael Shannon filling out the remaining roles. There are plenty of cameos too, obviously there isn’t too much to say about these without revealing who pops up - but there are a few surprises in there that will get a laugh.

THE VERDICT

If you want an action film that doesn’t take itself seriously, Bullet Train is the film for you - while it has its flaws, it is quite simply a movie which takes an idea, runs with it, and has a lot of fun in the process.

RATING: 3.5/5