©Courtesy of Netflix
It released in 1975, the year after “The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3“, but it directly inspired Jan de Bont’s Speed (with Kanu Reeves, of course). Now, the Japanese transit disaster-thriller “Bullet Train“ has been remade, but in a way that clearly pays tribute to the original. Once again, there is a bomb aboard a high-speed Shinkansen train bound for Tokyo that will detonate if the velocity dips below 100 kph. This time there are no police aboard, but the veteran conductor remains determined to safely deliver his passengers to their intended destination in director Shinji Higuchi’s “Bullet Train Explosion“, which premieres today on Netflix.
Arguably, Kazuya Takaichi is the Sully Sullenberger of train conductors. His passengers will desperately need his cool head and reassuring presence. However, his old school spit-and-polish somewhat intimidates his junior conductor, Keiji Fuji. Regardless, they will have their hands full when a mysterious extortionist contacts the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) demanding 100 billion Yen (roughly 705 million in today’s U.S. Dollars, but who knows about tomorrow?) to disarm the bomb.
The bomber will not make things for JR East. The electronically disguised voice insists the passengers must be informed of their plight. Naturally, chaos ensues, despite Takaichi’s best efforts. However, the prominence of some passengers might help generate the mystery villain’s hefty ransom demand. In addition to a large school group, the train carries Yuko Kagami, a politician hoping to weather her recent scandal, and Mitsuru Todoroki, a relentlessly self-promoting self-help guru. Awkwardly, the train also carries a disgraced helicopter pilot who survived a notorious crash.
©Courtesy of Netflix
Of course, Takaichi tries to keep everyone safe, without favor or prejudice, because that is the job as he sees it. Unfortunately, Fuji lacks his calm level-headedness, but Taikaichi appreciates the dedication of rookie train driver Chika Matsumoto, who maintains a steady hand on the throttle, after disconnecting the automatic control system (which would have mechanically reduced their velocity below the mandated level).
International movie fans might best know Higuchi for co-directing Shin Godzilla (which ought to rank alongside the break-out hit Godzilla Minus One). Like his kaiju epic, Bullet Train Explosion partly focuses on a dysfunctional government bureaucracy scrambling to respond to unprecedented emergencies. Indeed, Higuchi has a knack for depicting the chaos behind the scenes, within the halls of power. Admittedly, the film cannot match the shock and awe of Godzilla, even though the sleek Shinkasen trains put Amtrak’s to shame.
Regardless, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi portrays Takaichi with a quiet dignity that is surprisingly charismatic. He certainly inspires confidence. Machiko Ono also greatly elevates the embattled Kagami above and beyond typical corrupt politician stock figures. In contrast, Jun Kaname so perfectly captures the annoying abrasiveness of cheesy influencers, many viewers might prefer to see the train crash, with him inside. Plus, former fashion model Non (Rena Nonen) is so winningly earnest as Matsumoto, it is a shame she has relatively limited screentime.
©Courtesy of Netflix
It would be telling to reveal the villainous mastermind. However, Bullet Train Explosion misses a strong antagonistic foil for Takaichi, like the great Sonny Chiba provided in the 1975 original. It would be hard for anyone to live up to comparisons with Chiba, but in this case, the big twist will probably inspire highly divisive reactions, but it makes sense given the themes screenwriters Kazuhiro Nakagawa and Norichika Oba develop. The train-bound setting also nicely builds the tension. Higuchi’s approach is more akin to Airport-style transit-disaster movies than Under Siege 2 (the one on the train), but it works regardless.
Regardless, Takaichi makes a refreshingly restrained hero, whose greatest asset is not super-strength or genius level intelligence, but rather his keen sense of responsibility. Frankly, this film probably represents Kusanagi’s best starring vehicle yet. The Shinkasen is a strong co-star. Ironically, more western tourists will probably want to book passage thanks to this film, likely to the annoyance the real commuters who will have to endure them. Recommended for fans of transportation-themed thrillers, like Pelham 1-2-3, Bullet Train Explosion starts streaming today (4/23) on Netflix.
©Courtesy of Netflix
Grade: B+
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Here’s the trailer of the film.