“Bullet Train” with Brad Pitt
riot in the rest compartment
Brad Pitt as a battered passenger on Bullet Train.
© Scott Garfield/Sony Pictures
With “Bullet Train” Brad Pitt delivers an action firework. In the run-up to the theatrical release, the film also faces criticism.
When Brad Pitt (58) climbs the “Bullet Train” from August 4th, he does so with more action than ever in his career – and at the age of 58. The film by David Leitch (46), which is based on the Japanese book of the same name, mixes various show values and mechanics from other films. And there is also a tangible controversy surrounding the exaggerated action comedy.
Action and slapstick in the express train – that’s what it’s all about
Unlucky assassin Ladybug (Pitt) is determined to do his job in peace and quiet after too many things have gone wrong lately. Fate has other plans, however, as Ladybug’s latest mission puts her on a direct collision course with deadly foes from around the world – all somehow connected but with opposing goals. It all happens aboard the fastest train there is.
Fast-paced mix
Just looking at the director’s chair gives the best indication of what kind of wild ride the cinema audience can expect. David Leitch, himself a stuntman for decades, stands like no other for full action – sometimes with more humor, sometimes with no humor at all. He started his fledgling career as a director with the action thrillers “John Wick” and “Atomic Blonde”, followed by “Deadpool 2” and “Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw”. In short: the trend has recently been towards slapstick banging, as is now also impressively demonstrated by “Bullet Train”.
It’s definitely more “Crank” meets “Smokin’ Aces” than “John Wick”, with its colorful Japan setting it is reminiscent of the revenge thriller “Kate” with Mary Elizabeth Winstead (37) and offers an adrenaline roller coaster similar to ” Gunpowder Milkshake”. The brawls from “The Raid” are quickly transported to the “Snowpiercer” train – the arbor is ready.
Controversial cast of superstars
The cast of “Bullet Train” is a feast for the eyes. In addition to Pitt, the cast also includes Michael Shannon (47), Sandra Bullock (58), Joey King (23), Zazie Beetz (31) and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (32). But it is precisely this well-known, but also very western cast that causes displeasure among fans of the template. All of the characters they play are originally from Japan, which prompted the accusation of “whitewashing”. The anime adaptation “Ghost in the Shell”, in which Scarlett Johansson (37) and Michael Pitt (41) took on the leading roles, was faced with the same criticism in 2017.
According to the critics, the fact that “Bullet Train” continues to play in Japan despite the western cast underlines the “whitewashing”. Even in their own country, Japanese actors such as Andrew Koji (34), Hiroyuki Sanada (61), Masi Oka (47) and Karen Fukuhara (30) would be degraded to secondary characters. David Inoue, head of the US human rights organization Japanese American Citizens League, is quoted as saying: “Seeing a film set in Japan, but with Japanese only remaining in the background, is insulting.”
At the same time, he acknowledges that starring Brad Pitt, who is immensely popular in Japan, the film may well be even more successful than it would have been with a Japanese leading actor. Anyone who wants to see for themselves can do so from August 4th.