Bullet Train movie

Brad Pitt plays Ladybug

On September 1st, "bullet train』.
The second book in the "Killer Series" by bestselling author Kotaro Isaka, "Maria Beetle," has been made into a Hollywood film starring Brad Pitt and directed by David Leitch, director of "Deadpool 2."

Ladybug (Brad Pitt), the world's most unlucky assassin, faces the worst 120 minutes of his life on a high-speed train departing from Tokyo!

Here are some impressions from a student newspaper intern. Everyone, please come to the theater!

There were many depictions of Japan, which was a good opportunity to learn about the image of Japan as seen from overseas and the differences in culture. In particular, the neon-lit streets, swords, and Yakuza were mixed with the rest of Asia, evolving into a new sensibility different from that of Japanese people. Also, the vivid depictions are typical of Western films, and felt much more adult than Japanese dramas and movies.

The visuals and music were also very elaborate. The music was gorgeous, with 14 songs used. There were many scenes with Japanese music playing, and the Showa era music was fused with modern trains to create a new world. The plot twists were resolved very satisfactorily, and I enjoyed the constant "Could it be!?" moments. There were many characters, and it was a film with a good pace.

Kanto Acupuncture and Moxibustion College, 3rd year student, Takehara Koryu

The setting of this work is Japan.

I was captivated by the unpredictable events that unfolded as 10 assassins boarded a Shinkansen train departing from Tokyo Station. Featuring a diverse cast of assassins, including Brad Pitt's down-on-his-luck assassin Ladybug, the film manages to capture humor amidst the grotesque scenes of the killing spree, and the 120 minutes flew by. The Shinkansen heads to Shizuoka Station, where White Death, the boss of the world's largest crime organization, awaits. The motives of Ladybug, the other assassins, and White Death are intricately intertwined, and the plot is ultimately resolved, resulting in a beautifully woven film. The action scenes were spectacular and incredibly satisfying. It was so entertaining I wanted to watch it again.

Meiji University 4th year student Yui Sakai

No matter how "bad" things get, you can never stop, you just have to keep moving forward. I felt that the train and the lives of each character overlapped in this respect.

In the action scenes, the camerawork moves from the perspective of not only people but also objects, drawing me deeper and deeper into the world of "Bread Train." While this thrilling action film was appealing, it was also worth watching for its humorous portrayal of the differences in culture and sensibilities between Japan and the United States. Also, the way the foreshadowing, a hallmark of Kotaro Isaka's work, is resolved one after the other was once again unexpected. "Bread Train" is a must-see.

Ayako Miyata, 4th year student at Tsuda University

The story is set on a bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto with 10 people on board, including the protagonist, a hitman with bad luck, nicknamed Ladybug. There are scenes of fighting in the streets of Tokyo, but most of the action is with swords. The Japan that foreigners imagine is, as expected, Samurai Japan. While you might think it's an era of sword fighting, the story unfolds with neon cityscapes and a unique worldview.

Each character's family and partner have their own story, and when a loved one is hurt, a desire for revenge is born, and violence leads to endless conflict. Also, Ladybug, who is nicknamed the lucky bug, thinks she is cursed with bad luck, but in fact she is connected to the good fortune of others. It made me think that luck can be perceived as either good or bad depending on how you look at it. The familiar themes of luck and family resonated with me, and I was able to immerse myself deeply in the story.

Yoshiyuki Okazaki, fourth-year student at Kawamura Gakuen Women's University

"Bullet Train" is an unpredictable action movie that will have you hooked from start to finish! The battles between 10 assassins, including the protagonist Ladybug (Brad Pitt), are a spectacular mix of intellect and combat. The scenes where Ladybug fights the assassins are particularly full of comedic exchanges, making it much more than just a simple battle! Furthermore, Ladybug's clumsy mistakes and playfulness will keep viewers laughing, even though she has a lot of bad luck. On the other hand, there are also many things that aren't funny for him, such as being bitten by a poisonous snake... Be sure to check out this fantastical action story set aboard a bullet train, starring Brad Pitt and other super-famous Hollywood actors!

Sudo Kakuto, 4th year student at Rikkyo University

The comedy will have you laughing out loud, with the protagonist's constant misfortune and exhilarating action! It's a "restless" action comedy that makes you think, "Well, what's going to happen in life?", about all the things that go wrong in everyday life, the unpleasant things. The first thing that struck me was the vivid, unique visuals that create a foreign atmosphere, even though it's Japan. Even though I regularly use Tokyo Station and Shinagawa Station, it felt like a completely different world, and I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Another highlight is the humanity of the "10 assassins" who are all very strong characters, which becomes apparent as the story unfolds. I don't usually watch action movies, but this one might get me hooked!

Misaki Otsuka, a fourth-year student at Tokai University

I've never had the chance to see an action movie in a cinema before, but when I did, it was incredibly powerful, and combined with the sense of speed of the train, I couldn't stop feeling excited and on edge. At the climax, the pasts and emotions of various characters came together, and I couldn't take my eyes off it. As the setting is Japan, beautiful Japanese scenery is shown in various scenes, and the love that the production team has for Japan is also evident. I think it's a movie that can be enjoyed from many different perspectives.

Daiki Shimada, third-year student at Kokugakuin University

·title:"bullet trainBULLET TRAIN
Release date in Japan: Thursday, September 1, 2022. Now showing in cinemas nationwide. 
・Original work: Kotaro Isaka's "Maria Beetle" (published by Kadokawa Bunko)
Director: David Leitch
Screenplay: Zach Olkewicz
Cast: Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Shoji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, Bad Bunny (Benito A. Martinez Ocasio), Sandra Bullock
・Japanese dubbed voice actors: Kenyu Horiuchi (Ladybug), Maika Yamamoto (Prince), Kenjiro Tsuda (Tangerine), Tomokazu Seki (Lemon), Subaru Kimura (Wolf), Kazuhiko Inoue (Elder), Shuhei Sakaguchi (Kimura), Miki Tachikawa (White Death), Fuwa-chan (Hornet), Ryoko Yonekura (Maria)
・Running time: 2 hours and 6 minutes
・Rating: R15+

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