Delays Expected. 4 / 5
Directed by David Leitch.
Unlucky assassin Ladybug is determined to do his job peacefully after one too many gigs gone off the rails. Fate, however, may have other plans.
The foul-mouthed, high-energy Bullet Train leaves the station for two hours of non-stop action with a chaotic but distinctive attitude.
Brad Pitt fronts an all-star ensemble cast as one of many assassins that find themselves on a Bullet Train to Kyoto. Leading with his signature and frustratingly effortless swagger, he carries the film with many memorable supporting roles - Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brian Tyree Henry being stand-outs.
As soon as the journey begins it's relentless at throwing over the top scenarios, characters, and accents at the audience with plenty of surprises along the way. Writer Zak Olkewicz manages to keep the convoluted story balanced but must have just discovered Chekhov's gun in Screenwriting 101 using it at every opportunity from major plot developments to Chekhov's Fiji Water.
Director David Leitch uses his past action experience to his favour with this being his most ambitious and violent film yet.
The plot feels far too conveniently neat and unearned especially as the film sprints to its final destination but its cheeky self-aware nature and vivid style make this an undeniably good time and a blast to watch on the big screen.
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