Bullet Train (4K UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Sony
Release Date: October 18, 2022
Rating: R
Film: 4/5
 
Plot
 Brad Pitt stars as Ladybug, an unlucky assassin determined to do his job peacefully after one too many gigs gone off the rails. Fate, however, may have other plans, as Ladybug's latest mission puts him on a collision course with lethal adversaries from around the globe—all with connected, yet conflicting, objectives—on the world's fastest train. The end of the line is just the beginning in this non-stop thrill-ride through modern-day Japan.
  
 My Thoughts
 I went into this one completely blind and wasn’t sure what to expect and ended up liking it a lot Director David Leitch (Deadpool 2) does a great job with the ensemble cast and gives each of the various characters enough screentime to care about them. I particularly liked the humor between Tangerine (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Lemon (Brian Tyree Henry) and how Pitt was able to riff with each of them along the way. Joey King also does a great job and frankly, I could stare into her beautiful eyes all day. One word of warning—this film is extremely bloody and violent, so be prepared to be grossed out.
 
Overall, the presentation is better than average, but there are few complaints. First, there are times when the edges of the screen are a tad blurry. This comes into play in character’s hair and in objects that should be in focus. Color fidelity is very good though and while rarely called upon, the black levels are excellent. The audio track is excellent from beginning to end with plenty of imaging and discrete effects.
 
Video 8/10
 
Audio 9/10 (Dolby Atmos)
 
Special Features:

• Outtakes and Bloopers
• Catch What You Missed; Easter Eggs
• All Abord the Pain Train: Stunts
• Mission Accomplished: Making of Bullet Train
• Trained Professionals: The Cast
• Select Stunt Previs
• Audio Commentary
• 4K + Blu-ray + Movies Anywhere Digital Copy

 

 
Conclusion
Juggling an ensemble cast can prove to be too much for many directors, but Leitch handles it with ease in this one. The story keeps you engaged and while the violence can be a bit over-the-top, both my wife and I enjoyed it due to the well-placed humor and engaging story. Sure, you have to suspend believe on many occasions, but that’s expected in the genre. Highly recommended.
 
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
M&K Sound X15+ Subwoofer
Dual JL Audio F-110 (stacked and treated as one sub)
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[bmoney]

Loved this movie.

And my less professional review posted before agrees w yours

[AVSCraig]

Alright, I wasn't sure about this, but I love this director's other movies - 

Mini Bio (1)

David Leitch is a billion dollar film director, actor, stuntman, writer, producer, and stunt coordinator. He co-directed John Wick (2014) with Chad Stahelski, on which he also served as producer. David directed Atomic Blonde (2017) starring Charlize Theron. David also directed the box office smash and critically acclaimed Deadpool 2 (2018). He is also the director of Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019).

Leitch was a stunt double for Brad Pitt five times, Matt Damon multiple times as well, including The Bourne Ultimatum (2007).
- IMDb Mini Biography By: KM

I'm in! Thanks David. 

[David Vaughn]

Alright, I wasn't sure about this, but I love this director's other movies -

Mini Bio (1)

David Leitch is a billion dollar film director, actor, stuntman, writer, producer, and stunt coordinator. He co-directed John Wick (2014) with Chad Stahelski, on which he also served as producer. David directed Atomic Blonde (2017) starring Charlize Theron. David also directed the box office smash and critically acclaimed Deadpool 2 (2018). He is also the director of Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019).

Leitch was a stunt double for Brad Pitt five times, Matt Damon multiple times as well, including The Bourne Ultimatum (2007).
- IMDb Mini Biography By: KM

I'm in! Thanks David.

Craig,

I think you'll love this one. It's right up your alley. 

[AVSCraig]

Craig,

I think you'll love this one. It's right up your alley.

Fun silly irrelevant  irreverent action movie - loved it! Watched it last night with friends - they all loved it too. Some fun cameos in there.

[David Vaughn]

Fun silly irrelevant action movie - loved it! Watched it last night with friends - they all loved it too. Some fun cameos in there.

I figured you'd like this one. 

[Paul Heroy]

Is it irrelevant or irreverent... or both... if it's irrelevantly irreverent is it even either? 

[AVSCraig]

Is it irrelevant or irreverent... or both... if it's irrelevantly irreverent is it even either?

That should have been irreverent! Not enough coffee when I wrote that! 

[bmoney]

was a big fan of this!

[Paul Heroy]

Watched this tonight as the 2nd movie of a double header. (The new 4K Casablanca being the first one.) Well, I didn't like it.


No, I loved it! This was such a blast. Felt like a mix of Tarantino and Ritchie (Snatch / Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) as primary influences. It was an impulse rental on iTunes but I might spring for the 4K disc b/c it's one I can see watching again. There was a lot of fast paced stuff going on that gets woven together in a way that I could definitely see being rewarding on a rewatch.

[bmoney]

I’m def looking  forward to a second viewing 

[tripplej]

While on the plane for a thanksgiving trip, I saw this movie. Greatly enjoyed it. Laughed a lot at the funny scenes. I loved the editing as well, after something happened, they show the backstory to give you the full picture.

[bmoney]

Think I’m gonna fire this one up again tonight