Bullet Train Explosion 2025: Thrilling Ride Falls Short
The film's focus on character decisions and the people inside the train sets it apart from the original, and its release marks a significant milestone for Netflix in Japan, highlighting the platform's commitment to supporting high-quality Japanese content.
Shinji Higuchi's 2025 Japanese action thriller, 'Bullet Train Explosion', released on Netflix on April 23, 2025, promises a high-octane ride but fails to deliver due to its convoluted pace and underdeveloped themes, despite its well-executed action sequences and homage to the original 1975 film.
The film takes place on the Hayabusa, the fastest bullet train in Japan, where a group of passengers, including a politician and an influencer, must navigate a desperate situation when an anonymous caller demands a ransom of 100 billion yen, threatening to detonate an explosive system if the train's speed drops below 80 km/hour. The story deviates from the original, focusing on the passengers' interactions and decisions, but ultimately feels overly long and lacks urgency.
Shinji Higuchi's fascination with trains and collaboration with the East Japan Railway Company ensure the accuracy of the bullet train designs and mechanisms, making the film a visually stunning representation of Japan's advanced rail technology. The use of miniature models and realistic effects adds to the film's action-packed sequences, but the one-dimensional portrayal of Hayabusa employees and the unimpressive reveal of the villain detract from the overall experience.
The film's release coincides with Netflix's tenth year of operations in Japan and aims to support high-budget Japanese projects outside the anime space. Despite its flaws, 'Bullet Train Explosion' remains a thrilling action film that pays homage to the original 'The Bullet Train' while introducing new elements and a fresh storyline, making it a notable addition to the Japanese action thriller genre.
In conclusion, while 'Bullet Train Explosion' falls short of expectations due to its pacing and underdeveloped themes, it remains a visually stunning and action-packed film that showcases Japan's advanced rail technology and pays homage to the original 'The Bullet Train'.