Brad Pitt is back on screen for the first time in about three years since Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. This time, he picked Bullet Train, a unique action movie about assassins on Japan’s famous bullet trains.

The source material is the novel “Maria Beetle,” published in 2010 by best-selling Japanese author Kotaro Isaka. Interestingly, Isaka himself had repeatedly declined offers for a Japanese film adaptation, and it was only when Hollywood came calling that the project finally got the green light. The reason cited was that the film’s distinctive, Guy Ritchie-esque visual style was deemed difficult to replicate within the Japanese film industry.

Laughing at Hollywood’s “View of Japan”

Japanese viewers watching Bullet Train were likely to have plenty of sarcastic comments. There’s the made-up bullet train called “Yukari,” a silver-haired train attendant, and Kimura, the son of Elder (Hiroyuki Sanada), who speaks awkward Japanese even though his father is Japanese.

These details aren’t mistakes by the filmmakers. The original “Maria Beetle” is also set on a fictional bullet train. Instead, the movie blends Hollywood’s unique idea of Japan with the story’s fantasy world.

To really enjoy this movie, it’s best not to focus on realism, but to accept it as its own kind of “Hollywood-style Japan.” Honestly, the made-up hyper-speed train “Yukari” looked so fun that I wanted to ride it, and its bright, futuristic design was even more eye-catching than the real Shinkansen.

A meticulously woven ensemble drama depicting life’s microcosm of cause and effect

Sophisticated structure as an ensemble piece

The script’s brilliance lies in its skillful switching between multiple assassins’ perspectives, converging them into one grand narrative. The opening scene, where Ladybug accepts a job described as “a simple one-minute job,” sets a humorous tone that lulls the audience into a false sense of security. In reality, the moment he boards the bullet train, a series of unexpected twists and turns unfolds.

The back-and-forth between the British pair, Lemon and Tangerine, is a big part of the movie’s humor. Their scene where they compare people to “Thomas the Tank Engine” characters is an excellent example of the film’s geeky, Tarantino-style fun. When Lemon calls his partner “Diesel (the villain),” it’s not just a joke—it hints at what’s coming later, showing how carefully the script is put together.

The Thrill of Payoff

Things that seem random at first all come together later in the movie. The plastic water bottles, Lemon’s Thomas stickers, and Prince getting on the train all end up making sense, leading to those satisfying moments where you realize, “Oh, that’s what it was for!”

Particularly brilliant was the handling of the theme of “luck.” Ladybug believes himself to be “the unluckiest man in the world.” Still, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that his misfortune is actually someone else’s good fortune, and that good fortune in turn brings misfortune to yet another person – a chain of cause and effect.

The Elder (Hiroyuki Sanada) tells Ladybug in the middle of the story, “The seven stars you bear are not lucky stars, ladybugs, but a sad fate you’ve been burdened with.” This line sums up the film’s theme. It’s about a hero who, like Conan, is stuck with a destiny where trouble follows every step.

A metaphor for life’s cause and effect

At the core of this work lies the theme of “karma.” Each character has committed some sin in their past, and these sins are settled all at once on the stage of the bullet train.

Ladybug’s “simple job” quickly turns into a series of problems, all because of things he’s done before. The son of the crime boss that Lemon and Tangerine are protecting is killed as payback for their earlier actions.

It’s clever how all the characters’ stories come together at the final stop, Kyoto Station. The train seems to run perfectly on time, but everyone inside keeps having their plans thrown off. In a way, it’s a lot like real life.

The Cinematic Thrill of a Confined Space

The bullet train is a perfect setting for a movie. The characters can’t escape, and the audience feels just as trapped with them, intensifying the experience.

Director David Leitch makes the most of this limited space. Moving from car to car, fighting in the cramped toilet, tense confrontations in the quiet space of the Green Car. While the setting is the same Shinkansen, changing locations creates visual changes and variations in the action.

One of the best scenes is when a huge hole opens in the side of the train, and the characters hang on for dear life. The fear of being thrown out at high speed and the struggle to hold on to the briefcase make this a real highlight of the movie’s action.

The Influence of Guy Ritchie and Tarantino

It’s impossible to talk about this movie without mentioning the influence of Guy Ritchie and Quentin Tarantino. What’s interesting is that the “Guy Ritchie” style isn’t just in the film—it’s in the original novel too.

You can see Guy Ritchie’s influence in the movie’s stylish camera work, playful flashbacks, and quick editing. The wedding scene, where Ladybug shows up in white, and the story jumps to a flashback, really brings to mind movies like Snatch and Sherlock Holmes.

The original novel, Maria Beetle, actually feels even more like a Guy Ritchie story than the movie does. It jumps between different characters, has sharp dialogue, and is full of clever coincidences—classic Guy Ritchie features.

At the same time, the movie’s nods to geek culture, its mix of violence and humor, and the fun in the characters’ small talk all feel very Tarantino, like Pulp Fiction or Kill Bill. The idea of using “Thomas the Tank Engine” to analyze people was in the script from the start.

The setting where a foreign assassin is codenamed “Ladybug” also evokes Kill Bill. While the Japanese term ‘Ladybug’ and the foreign term “Ladybug” carry different connotations, this clash of cultures gives the work its unique flavor.

However, this film is not a mere imitation. David Leitch fuses the refined action direction honed in John Wick with the neon-hued aesthetic showcased in Atomic Blonde, establishing his own distinct style. The playful spirit seen in Deadpool 2 is also evident throughout. Particularly intriguing is the meta structure: while Brad Pitt made a cameo in Deadpool 2, here he takes the lead role.

The appeal of the star-studded cast and direction, and a slight sense of dissatisfaction

Brad Pitt as the absolute marquee name

Brad Pitt really stands out in this movie. Only he could play a hitman who wears a bucket hat, reads self-help books, and says, “I don’t want to carry guns anymore.” His character, Ladybug, mixes the relaxed charm of Floyd from True Romance with surprising strength when it counts. The way he reacts with an “Oh well” look when he’s in trouble makes him easy to relate to.

Sandra Bullock’s voice-only role over the phone is also memorable. Since she announced a break from acting after this movie, her last scene feels even more touching.

The Supporting Cast of Character Actors

The cast beyond Brad Pitt also delivers outstanding performances. Brian Tyree Henry and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Lemon and Tangerine form the heart of the film. Their dynamic, the tempo of their banter, and the occasional glimpses of a brotherly bond are major draws that captivate the audience.

Joey King’s character, Prince, is excellent at showing both innocence and cold-bloodedness. Her sweet smile actually makes her even more unsettling.

Hiroyuki Sanada and Andrew Koji, playing father and son, add a lot to the story. Sanada’s presence alone makes every scene feel more intense. Michael Shannon’s White Death, with his wild hair and piercing eyes, is also a perfect fit for the part.

Cameos from Channing Tatum, Ryan Reynolds, and Bad Bunny are short but definitely memorable.

A World View Colored by Music and Pop Culture

The film’s soundtrack is another standout element. Beginning with “Stayin’ Alive” at the opening, the songs inserted throughout give the scenes a unique rhythm. Particularly striking was the abrupt use of “Sukiyaki” (Up with the Sun). While using a Japanese classic in a film set in Japan could be seen as pandering to foreign audiences, this choice carries more profound meaning. Known internationally as “Sukiyaki,” it symbolizes Hollywood’s perception of Japan.

Lemon’s love for “Thomas the Tank Engine” is a fun pop culture nod. Using a kids’ cartoon to understand people makes the life of an assassin oddly relatable.

Areas for improvement: Pacing and runtime balance

There are a few issues, though. Some of the jokes don’t always land, and repeating the same gags or lines can slow things down. The humor isn’t quite as sharp as what you’d find in a Guy Ritchie or Tarantino film.

The movie’s 126-minute runtime also feels a bit long for this kind of story. There’s a slow patch in the middle, and trimming about 20 minutes probably wouldn’t hurt. Having so many A-list cameos sometimes pulls the story off track.

Summary: Karma in the Name of Life, Unfolding on a Speeding Train

The film Bullet Train appears to run on schedule, yet the people aboard are hit by one unexpected trouble after another. It can be seen as a story about how to live a life that doesn’t go according to plan and how to face destiny.

But setting aside such lofty thoughts, the Hollywood-style “ridiculous depiction of Japan” is indeed full of moments begging for criticism. Yet, the authentic charm of this film lies in its depth of enjoyment that transcends this. Prioritizing cinematic pleasure over perfect realism feels like the right approach for an entertainment film.

The mere sight of Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt running amok on a Japanese bullet train is enough to make us happy. We must be truly fortunate moviegoers who love cinema.