Bullet Train appears in an aspect ratio of 2.39:1 on this Blu-ray Disc. This became a top-notch presentation.
Sharpness looked good. No issues with softness occurred, so the film felt accurate and concise.
No concerns with jagged edges or shimmering occurred, and edge enhancement remained minor. Source flaws also failed to create problems.
In terms of colors, Train went with “action-standard” orange and teal. That said, the various settings allowed for a mix of other tones as well, and the Blu-ray replicated them in a positive manner.
Blacks were deep and firm, while shadows showed good delineation. Overall, this was a pleasing presentation.
Similar thoughts greeted the good DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack of Train. I felt the soundscape delivered an involving experience in which the action scenes offered a nice sense of impact.
The film packed plenty of these elements, with the zooming train and various violent assaults as the main components. Overall, the mix filled out the room in a satisfying manner.
Audio quality was positive. Speech came across as natural and concise, without edginess or other issues.
Music showed good range, and effects offered a nice sense of impact. These were the kind of loud, impressive elements one would anticipate, as they showed solid clarity. This was a very good soundtrack.
As we head to extras, we open with an audio commentary from director David Leitch, producer Kelly McCormick and screenwriter Zak Olkewicz. All three sit together for this running, screen-specific look at the source and its adaptation, story, characters and changes to the script made during the shoot, cast and performances, music, editing, sets and locations, stunts and action, costumes and related domains.
Like the film, this becomes a brisk and peppy chat. We get a fine overview of a good array of subjects in this informative and engaging track.
Outtakes and Bloopers fill three minutes with the usual goofs and giggles. However, we find some alternate lines as well, and they add some humor.
Featurettes follow, and Mission Accomplished spans six minutes, 11 seconds. It offers notes from Leitch, producer Kelly McCormick, and actors Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brad Pitt, Zazie Beetz, and Brian Tyree Henry.
“Mission” looks at Leitch’s career and move to directing as well as his approach on the set, story/characters and the crew. A few insights emerge, but a lot of the program revolves around happy talk.
All Aboard the Pain Train goes for five minutes, 13 seconds and provides info from Leitch, McCormick, Taylor-Johnson, Pitt, Henry, Beetz, 2nd unit director/stunt coordinator Greg Rementer, and actor Benito A Martínez Ocasio (aka “Bad Bunny”).
This one discusses stunts and action. Like the prior show, some useful notes emerge but too much of the piece praises the film and those involved.
Next comes Trained Professionals, a six-minute, 53-second piece that includes comments from Leitch, Henry, Beetz, Taylor-Johnson, King, Olkewicz, McCormick, Ocasio, and actors Andrew Koji and Hiroyuki Sanada.
“Trained” examines cast, characters and performances. Expect more promotional fluff and next to no depth.
Catch What You Missed lasts four minutes, 14 seconds and reveals Easter eggs featured in the film. Some seems compelling but more than a few give us obvious notes.
After this we find Select Scene Stunt Previs, a three-minute, 57-second compilation. These compare choreography test footage with final movie shots, and they become a fun exploration.
Finally, Bullet Train Goes Off the Rails occupies four minutes, 36 seconds and packages clips that mix chats between “Lemon and Tangerine” with pro basketball players Trae Young, Damian Lillard, and Lonzo Ball.
These promote the movie as well as the NBA Finals. Though just advertisements, they amuse.
The disc opens with ads for The Woman King and The Invitation. No trailer for Train appears here.
No one should expect a tight narrative from Bullet Train, and its pursuit of relentless thrills can make the pace too crazed too much of the time. Nonetheless, it offers so much wild action and cleverness to become an entertaining ride. The Blu-ray boasts strong picture and audio as well as a mix of bonus materials. Shut off your brain and enjoy the violent journey.