Following Pitt’s character Ladybug, the movie follows the unlucky hitman as he gets on a train to do a simple job but ends up involved in a convoluted cat and mouse game against five other assassins and their competing agendas to get single brief case. It’s the type of setting that already makes for a high stakes action movie or even spy thriller but what sets this film apart from the John Wicks and The Bournes of the world is by far it’s comedy. Pitt does an amazing and surprising job as Ladybug, who’s essentially determined to use his newfound zen and therapy to deal with his more murderous tendencies and bad luck and always making us laugh when it dismally fails and he has to resort to unorthodox tricks to deal with his enemies. Director David Leitch shows his Deadpool experience here, with the movie being a breakneck collection of awesome, violent action scenes and very funny lines. It’s not the same as say Marvel’s witty banter within the avengers but instead it’s often Ladybug reacting to the weirdness of everything and failing to find a peaceful solution while punching someone in the throat.

This comedic energy is carried by the supporting cast as well, especially Aaron Taylor Johnson and Brian Tyree Henry’s Tangerine and Lemon, two adoptive brother assassins who can’t seem to choose between their designated codenames or the latter’s obsession with Thomas the Tank engine. Add in Sandra Bullock as Ladybug’s handler , Zazie Beatz and Bad Bunny in some choice boss battles as assassins , and Joey King being the movie’s unassuming villain, and you have a movie that has the fight scenes of John Wick, the wittiness of Deadpool and the craziness of Rat Race in the best of ways.

This doesn’t necessarily mean the movie’s dumb or braindead however, rather the opposite actually. Lietch has managed to craft something with some meaning to it despite seemingly being set to an absurd background. There’s a few moments where you genuinely feel something heartfelt and even emotional, even if those are far between. The overall premise of fate and luck doesn’t always land however, even if it does make for some interesting scenarios and in the end this is really a film where the characters carry the script more than it’s overall message. Even when the actors can’t do that however, the setting and atmosphere definitely can. Tons of movies set themselves in Japan.

Everything from Fast & Furious to the X-Men movies have explored it, but not quite like this. Ironically this movie is set in a train and not the streets of Tokyo for example and yet it exudes a love and respect for Japan that makes it look and sound incredibly unique. This goes all the way from the neon lights to the Japanese Karaoke versions of Hit 70’s songs. It makes the world the movie’s in feel more fun, and as we speak I’m currently looking for this movie’s OST.

And that’s bullet train in a nutshell. It doesn’t try to be anything crazy, but it does load up on the bullets and the train, as well as a heap of comedy and self awareness that only certain actors, directors and writers could bring front and center. It’s an awesome movie, and a hell of a great time to watch. Hopefully some of you catch it soon.

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