At the heart of Bullet Train is a fantastic concept for a story with interweaving narratives in a limited setting. It seems we get an extra dose of this type of filmmaking with Mukunda Michael Dewil's action-thriller Collide also reaching theaters and VOD this month. But while Bullet Train has big moments and a clever finale, it struggles to maintain consistency with its entertainment value. Sometimes funny, sometimes dull; sometimes compelling, sometimes melodramatic; sometimes on the right track, sometimes off the rails. Bullet Train offers a lot to like and leaves something to be desired at the same time.

The film follows a precarious ride from Tokyo to Kyoto for an assassin codenamed Ladybug (Brad Pitt), who has replaced a colleague in a simple mission to boost a briefcase from this train, only to encounter an unexpected series of foes on board. Combat action, sarcastic dialog, and dramatic revelations ensue as director David Leitch admirably, even if imperfectly, weaves a fascinating set of stories bolstered by an impressive ensemble cast around each other.

It is unfortunate that Bullet Train struggles to recognize how too much of a good thing is still just too much. Recurring jokes about one character’s acting, therapy, and Thomas the Tank Engine (yes, the blue locomotive) are wells of comedy that many scenes dip into too often. The number of characters continuously coming and going from the story can raise questions about how many of them were really necessary. And the runtime may prove to be too long for viewers burned out by that repetitive comedy and the revolving door of characters.

But the prominent themes of fate and family are impossible to miss and hard to not appreciate as the third act brings all the events of the film full circle. Bullet Train might not be a first class ticket to entertainment, but the economy experience provides some premium amenities, and I for one found that satisfying enough to be worthwhile.

Acting and Casting - 1 | Visual Effects and Editing - 1 | Story and Message - 2 | Entertainment Value - 1 | Music Score and Soundtrack - 0 | Reviewer's Preference - 1 | What does this mean?