Bullet Train Movie Review – Should You Watch the Brad Pitt Action Flick?

There’s something about a perfectly done action blockbuster movie that critics love to hate.

Brad Pitt’s Bullet Train gives you just about everything you could hope for in a high-octane film about assassins, but there was a lot of noses in the air when the dust settled.

That’s right, the early Bullet Train reviews are in, and the top critics at Rotten Tomatoes ruled this film as a rotten failure. The audience? Ate it up at a solid 76%.

The question when met with this type of discrepancy, of course, is who do you trust? Some come to an alternate option – like you reading this Bullet Train movie review right now – and in this case, that is highly suggested.

Let’s run through what works and what doesn’t in Bullet Train to help you decide if it’s worth your time.

Bullet Train Overview

Before you decide if you want to watch Bullet Train or not, you may want to learn a bit as far as what it actually is about.

Although, in the interest of full transparency, I don’t really think it matters. That said, here’s a quick-hitting synopsis from IMDB.com.

Five assassins aboard a swiftly-moving bullet train find out that their missions have something in common.

IMDB.com

It doesn’t get more concise than that.

That overview might even be a bit too vague, too. There are a lot of twists and turns in Bullet Train, and while you probably shouldn’t go in trying to take it too seriously, it does go a tad deeper than the critics have suggested.

Another proper way to get you ready for Bullet Train? Check out the energetic trailer.

I will warn you that I am personally glad I didn’t see the Bullet Train trailer before watching the movie. It does give away some pretty fun and intense scenes, and if there’s one thing this movie does well, it’s surprise you.

Still, taking in the trailer may be necessary if you’re already on the fence.

Grading the Bullet Train Movie Cast

Bullet Train does a few things extremely well. One of them is make you laugh, and another is sell a string of extremely convincing fights in a pretty crammed location.

Normally when movies are shot in a finite location, it’s hard to accomplished even one of those things. In Bullet Train, both are done at an exceedingly high level.

Brad Pitt leads the way as a troubled assassin who can’t seem to ever have things break his way. The man dubbed Ladybug has horribly bad luck throughout the film, and it’s a catalyst for the film itself, as well as some hilarious situations and epic battles.

I don’t really need to tell you that Pitt nails his character with ease. He is equal parts badass, and also weirdly out of his comfort zone at times.

Pitt carries the movie on his own, but it’s nice to see he actually gets quite a bit of help.

Joey King is a clever girl who steals numerous scenes due to her ability to convincingly play two different roles, Brian Tyree Henry is a breakout star, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson is Pitt’s perfectly crafted adversary.

Sometimes a movie bills a terrific cast and it falls short. Other times they luck into an amazing slew of actors. Bullet Train benefits from the former, and it makes this fast-paced mess a lot more watchable than anyone gives it credit for.

Bullet Train’s Direction and Tone

You won’t get a groundbreaking takeaway from me when it comes to Bullet Train’s tone and direction.

Oh, other than it is basically flawless in what it’s trying to do.

Bullet Train isn’t here to win Oscars. It’s job is to reel you in with Brad Pitt’s odd dilemma, keep you guessing with new, engaging assassins and quick-hitting back stories, and entertain every step of the way.

Director David Leitch never gives you time to second guess his motives, and there is never a dull moment to allow your eyes to drift down to your phone.

Bullet Train is a pure adrenaline rush. It’s Speed, Snatch, and Crank, tossed into a blend, flipped to high, and nobody every bothers to turn the power off.

Even at the very end, you’re rewarded with a few extra twists, a few more laughs, and one last taste of unbridled action.

Leitch made a fully entertaining and engaging action movie that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Considering that was his job here, I’d say the mission was accomplished.

Bullet Train Movie Rating

• Rating: A-

The only reason I won’t stand up and applaud until my hands are numb? The movie does close with a silly CGI-laden scene, and there’s an admitted lack of substance.

But as I mentioned, Bullet Train was never supposed to pry tears from your eyes or reveal life-changing sentiments. It does still have a heart to be tapped into, though, and it checks off the boxes where it ought to.

If you wanted a Bullet Train review that is heavier on transparency and honesty, and less about ripping a flick for not being the next coming of The Shawshank Redemption, you came to the right place.

Should You Watch Bullet Train?

Hell to the yes. If you hadn’t noticed by now, this Bullet Train review is as glowing as it gets. This is not a movie that set out to move you or to win awards.

Despite it’s mission being rather clear, it did still have a nice message, and it knocked it out of the park in the action department.

The cast was sublime, the story was solid, and the action was absolutely fantastic.

Bullet Train also makes you laugh every five minutes, giving you the perfect recipe for a sit-back-and-don’t-think-too-much blockbuster.

Sure, if you’re looking for something cerebral or realistic, Bullet Train might not be for you. But if you want to have some fun, I don’t know many other movies that will help you get where you want to go much faster.

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