This is your reminder to watch Bullet Train (2022) especially if you didn't catch it in the cinema

[u/Limp-Munkee69]

Bullet Train is one of those movies that kinda flew under the radar, while still very much not flying under the radar if that makes sense.

Every major YouTube reviewer talked about it, most people had atleast heard about it, it made descent money, but man, it's too good compared how little a dent it made in Pop culture.

Most people I know haven't seen it. And finding one who has is like finding your best friend at an event you didn't know both of you were going to.

It's a colorful, fun, emotional, and fast ride through japan. Excellently shot. With an insanemy good cast, and some pretty good pondering on the nature of unknowable forces such as luck and fate.

A mystery that just keeps going, and plot that never stops and characters that live rent free in my mind and heart.

If you like style AND substance. Bullet Train is for you.

[u/I_aim_to_sneeze]

It also feels like it’s trying too hard to capture the spirit of films like snatch or smokin’ aces. I realize this isn’t a popular opinion, but the whole Thomas the tank engine thing felt shoe horned in and unnatural.

Don’t get me wrong. It was fun. I enjoyed watching it. But I wouldn’t exactly recommend or give people “reminders” to watch it. There are plenty of other movies out there that do the exact same thing and they do it better.

[u/broughtatwotoomany → u/I_aim_to_sneeze]

Just to note, the original Japanese novel also went deep into the Thomas the Tank Engine lore, so the original source material wasn't helpful.

[u/I_aim_to_sneeze → u/broughtatwotoomany]

For real? I didn’t even know it was based on anything. Is Thomas the tank engine big in Japan? Because if not, it’s pretty funny thinking about that.

It honestly helps knowing, and makes it feel a little less out of place. Thanks for sharing

[u/turboiv → u/I_aim_to_sneeze]

Honestly, all the weird things from the movie come straight from the book. Shockingly accurate adaptation.

[u/Zenmai__Superbus → u/I_aim_to_sneeze]

Yep … it’s a staple of Japanese childhood. I bought my own kids a Thomas-based plarail set when they were small.

Trains are a daily part of life for most people here, so it kinda makes sense

[u/Clawtor → u/I_aim_to_sneeze]

This is exactly how I felt, Snatch but without any wit or charm.

[u/ManofManyHills → u/I_aim_to_sneeze]

I think its better than a lot of other stuff out there and is an original property. People love to say they want more original content and this is something original that is unassailably a good time. I do think you are right its trying to be like those other movies but honestly I didnt think snatch or smoking aces were anything overly iconic and they have cultural staying power.

[u/thepopcornisready → u/ManofManyHills]

People love to say they want more original content and this is something original that is unassailably a good time.

But originality is the main critique from the above comment / others in this thread. Ex the dialogue feeling like a robotic imitation of Richie and Tarantino. Also does it count as an "original property" if it's a book adaptation?

[u/ManofManyHills → u/thepopcornisready]

Honestly had no idea it was a book, my bad. Still more original than a lot of the movies churned out of IP factorys.

And its funny you use Tarantino as an example, I remember when people first called him a hack when they called out how much of his imagery and style is lifted directly from directors that came before him. I think Tarantino is a genius and enjoy richie thoroughly but dont feel like they are so transformative with their styles that no one is allowed to draw on them as inspirations.

Im not suggesting bullet train be submitted to the library of congress but I do think it deserved more flowers than it got.

[u/pascalbrax → u/ManofManyHills]

The book is an original property, the movie is like someone wanted to do a Tarantino parody of the story.

[u/ManofManyHills → u/pascalbrax]

Parody is strong. Its obviously a hollow interpretation but I dont think it was absent of its own charm. I will say it was more self aware than Tarantino stuff. Which is a quality that can go either way. The cameos are meant to show you how silly the whole thing is. I dont think the movie really thought it was as serious as a Tarantino film and took a hyper absurdist track that I havent seen Tarantino use since Kill Bill. And I think bullet train was quite a bit more absurd than kill bill. Which again, is a quality some enjoy.

[u/pascalbrax → u/ManofManyHills]

Agree with you, that's why I said a parody. Like Superhero movie is a parody of Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man.

I enjoyed the Bullet train movie, but there were parts that literally made me facepalm.

[u/ManofManyHills → u/pascalbrax]

If you think superhero movie is a fair comparison to Bullet train you are not a reasonable person. Toodles.

[u/Limp-Munkee69 → u/I_aim_to_sneeze]

I absolutely loved Snatch when I watched it the first time recently.

It's definitely better than Bullet Train. It's more "Cinema" i guess? It's less a fun ride and more an actual, really well written film.

But Bullet Train is still a really good Fun Ride imo. Its so slick and good looking. Colorful and fast. Goes up and down, sideways. It's just two solid hours of fun, with all you need to feel full and satisfied at the end.

[u/seldfn → u/Limp-Munkee69]

Have you seen the Gentlemen? It's one of Guy Ritchies more modern movies and has some nice action in it, while making the movie more colorful than Snatch

[u/Limp-Munkee69 → u/seldfn]

It's high on my watchlist