"Bullet Train Explosion" is high octane entertainment

The Bullet Train, the film that inspired the nineties hit Speed, receives its own remake in Bullet Train Explosion from Netflix. Shinji Higuchi directs the film from a script by Kazuhiro Nakagawa and Norichika Ōba.

The premise is intriguingly simple yet gripping: the Tohoku Shinkansen train will detonate if its speed decreases below 100 km/h. Within this meticulously crafted narrative, Higuchi weaves an ensemble thriller that unfolds among a diverse group of passengers and crew members.

As they face the harrowing reality of their situation, the story highlights the intense human drama and the critical split-second decisions that must be made to prevent catastrophe. Alongside the suspense, Higuchi offers a thought-provoking commentary on society's increasing dependence on technology and procedures, reflecting on how this reliance can empower and endanger lives in high-stakes scenarios.

Tsuyoshi Kusanagi portrays Conductor Takaichi with a commanding presence and masterfully balances expressions of stoicism and vulnerability. Reuniting with director Higuchi after "Doomsday: The Sinking of Japan, " Tsuyoshi Kusanagi brings depth and emotional power to his role, which might otherwise have become another action movie stereotype. Kusanagi's performance establishes the film's emotional core while maintaining personal stakes throughout the film's fast-paced camera movement between passengers in panic, control room operations, and expansive CGI scenes of the train speeding ahead.

Machiko Ono and Jun Kaname captivate audiences as disgraced politicians and flamboyant YouTube stars, both ensnared on a series of trains. In this chaotic setting, they frantically seek to exploit the unfolding crisis to their advantage. Meanwhile, Kusanagi embodies the image of a religious martyr, dramatically navigating the turmoil as if on the verge of his crucifixion, evoking a profound sense of sacrifice and desperation.

Visually, Higuchi is in top form. The train's polished neon interiors and the expansive aerial views of a country in distress combine to create frames that hum with dynamic energy. The train's bomb threat becomes more menacing through Higuchi's skill in creating tension with spatial details where each station and track curve represents a possible fatal spot.

The initial setup will be recognizable to genre enthusiasts, but the way this story unfolds defies expectations. "Bullet Train Explosion" maintains relentless momentum and continuously delivers unpredictable plot twists that impact its characters. This reboot stays true to its origins but brings modern urgency, razor-sharp pacing, and heartfelt elements to maintain audience engagement beyond the explosive scenes.

Bullet Train Explosion delivers constant suspense from beginning to end. While I'm sure the film would come across better in a cinema, this genre-defining cinematic experience establishes Shinji Higuchi as a visionary director in Japan's film industry. 

Final Grade: B+

Bullet Train Explosion premieres globally today on Netflix..