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Action
Bullet train 2022
Bullet train 2022
Bullet train 2022
- Time: 127 minutes
- Director: David Leitch
- Country: United States
- Categories: Action
- Release: 2022
- IMDB: 7.3/10
- Actor: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brad Pitt, Joey King, David Leitch, Brian Tyree Henry, Michael Shannon
- Tags: Bullet Train Movies
“Bullet Train” (2022) is a high-octane action thriller film that stands out for its fast-paced narrative, star-studded ensemble cast, and its unique blend of action, comedy, and drama. Directed by David Leitch, known for his work on films like “Deadpool 2” and “Atomic Blonde,” “Bullet Train” is based on the Japanese novel “Maria Beetle” (published in English as “Bullet Train”) by Kōtarō Isaka.
Film Title and Release Year:
The film, titled “Bullet Train,” was released in 2022. The title immediately conjures images of speed, precision, and high-stakes drama, all of which are central to the film’s plot and setting.
Director:
David Leitch, the director of “Bullet Train,” is renowned for his skill in crafting visually stunning action sequences and his ability to blend different genres seamlessly. His background as a stuntman and coordinator has deeply influenced his directorial style, evident in the film’s meticulously choreographed action scenes.
Genre:
“Bullet Train” falls primarily into the action-thriller genre, with elements of dark comedy woven throughout. This mix allows the film to deliver adrenaline-pumping sequences while maintaining a light-hearted and occasionally humorous tone.
Production Background:
The production of “Bullet Train” was a significant undertaking, involving complex stunt choreography and special effects to bring the fast-paced action of the story to life. Filming primarily took place in Los Angeles, California, despite the film being set in Japan. This required the production team to recreate Japanese locations and the interior of a bullet train within a studio setting, a feat that demanded meticulous attention to detail.
Visual Style and Cinematography:
The film’s visual style is characterized by vibrant cinematography and fast-paced editing, fitting for a story set on one of the fastest trains in the world. The cinematography, led by Jonathan Sela, is notable for its dynamic use of color and movement, which contributes to the film’s intense and energetic feel.
Storyline and Plot:
Yuichi Kimura, “The Father”, boards a bullet train in Tokyo in search of the attacker of his son Wataru. Meanwhile, guided by his handler Maria Beetle, operative “Ladybug” is assigned to retrieve a briefcase full of cash from the same train, replacing a sick colleague, Carver.
Ladybug is reluctant, as his recent string of bad luck during his jobs resulted in accidental deaths. Also on the train are two British assassin brothers codenamed “Lemon” and “Tangerine”, who just rescued a man (“The Son”) from kidnappers and are taking him and the briefcase to his father, a Russian-born Yakuza crime lord called “The White Death”.
During the trip, The Son is killed by poisoning. Ladybug discreetly steals the briefcase, but on his way off the train, is attacked by another assassin, codenamed “The Wolf”, who recognizes Ladybug from his wedding, where his wife was killed.
The Wolf mistakenly believes Ladybug to be one of her killers. Ladybug confusedly fights The Wolf, who accidentally kills himself with a deflected knife throw.
Yuichi finds the person who pushed Wataru, a young woman codenamed “The Prince”, but she outsmarts him. She lured Yuichi to the train as part of a plan to have him kill his boss: the White Death. To ensure his cooperation, she has a henchman holding Wataru hostage in the hospital.
Recognizing Lemon from a job in Johannesburg gone wrong, Ladybug offers to return the case in exchange for being allowed to leave. Lemon suspects that Ladybug killed The Son, leading to a fight. Lemon is knocked unconscious during the fight and Ladybug spikes his water with sleeping powder. Tangerine wakes Lemon up and they both split off to find Ladybug and frame him for the Son’s murder.
The Prince finds the briefcase, booby-traps it with explosives, and rigs Yuichi’s gun to explode if fired. Ladybug encounters Tangerine and, after avoiding the White Death’s men, kicks Tangerine off the train as the train departs, but Tangerine manages to climb back aboard from outside.
Suspicious of the two, Lemon shoots Yuichi and is about to shoot the Prince, but collapses after drinking from his water, which Ladybug had previously spiked with sleeping powder. The Prince shoots Lemon and conceals him and Yuichi in a bathroom.
Ladybug encounters another assassin, codenamed “The Hornet”, who poisoned both the Wolf’s wedding party and the Son with boomslang snake venom.
After a struggle, both are exposed to the venom, but Ladybug takes Hornet’s antivenom before she can, killing her. Tangerine runs into the Prince and notices one of Lemon’s train stickers on her, realizing that she shot Lemon.
Ladybug interrupts them, and Tangerine is killed before he can shoot the Prince. At the next stop, Yuichi’s father, “The Elder”, boards the train. He recognizes the Prince’s voice and informs her that Wataru is safe as her henchman has been killed.
After she flees, the Elder tells Ladybug he will remain to confront the White Death, who killed his wife while taking over the Yakuza. Finding Yuichi and Lemon still alive, the four work together and prepare to face the White Death.
At Kyoto, Ladybug gives the White Death the briefcase. The Prince, revealed to be the White Death’s daughter, fails to goad him into shooting her with the rigged gun. The White Death explains that everyone on the train was linked to the death of his wife.
He hired them hoping they would kill each other, not knowing Carver (his wife’s killer) was replaced by Ladybug. The White Death’s henchmen open the briefcase, which explodes, knocking Ladybug and the White Death back onto the train.
The White Death’s remaining henchmen board and battle the assassins, while the Elder duels the White Death. The train crashes into downtown Kyoto. Emerging from the wreck, impaled with the Elder’s katana, the White Death tries to kill Ladybug, but the Prince’s rigged gun explodes in his face. The Prince threatens Ladybug, Yuichi, and the Elder with a machine gun but is run over by a truck full of tangerines driven by Lemon. Maria arrives to retrieve Ladybug, while Japanese authorities begin to clean up the damage caused by the train crash.
Character Dynamics:
The dynamic ensemble cast, including Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, and others, brings a diverse range of characters to the film. Each character has a unique background and motivation, contributing to the intricate plot and the film’s blend of action and dark humor. The interactions between these characters, filled with twists and turns, form the crux of the film’s narrative.
Themes and Cultural References:
The film explores themes of fate, chance, and the interconnectedness of actions and events. It also delves into the psychology of the assassins, examining their morals, motivations, and personal codes. “Bullet Train” also pays homage to various cultural references, particularly to Japanese pop culture and cinema, adding layers of depth to its storytelling.
Reception and Impact:
Upon its release, “Bullet Train” received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its action sequences and humor, while others critiqued its plot and character development. However, the film was noted for its entertainment value, fast pace, and the performances of its cast.
Conclusion:
In summary, “Bullet Train” (2022) is a visually striking and energetically paced film that combines action, comedy, and drama in a unique cinematic experience. Under David Leitch’s direction, the film stands out for its creative action sequences, vibrant storytelling, and the strong performances of its ensemble cast. “Bullet Train” offers a thrilling ride that keeps audiences engaged from start to finish, solidifying its place in the genre of action thrillers.
