Locomotion. Moving pictures. Trains and movies are a match made in Hollywood.

“The General” (1926), starring Buster Keaton, was inspired by the Great Locomotive Chase of 1862 that happened during the Civil War.

Even before there was a Hollywood, there was ”The Great Train Robbery” (1903), a 12-minute silent western Edison Film release filmed in the wild west of New Jersey.

Earlier in the history of cinema is “L’arrivée d’un train en gare de La Ciotat” (“The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Station”), a 50-second silent documentary film directed by Auguste and Louis Lumière, depicting a steam locomotive heading toward the camera.

The list of movies that fully or partially take place on a train runs to at least 220, even longer than a Norfolk-Southern freight train traversing the Lehigh Valley main line.

These include: “The 15:17 to Paris” (2018), directed by Clint Eastwood and based on a true story about a terrorist on a train; “Murder on the Orient Express” (2017, 1974), “The Girl on the Train” (2016), starring Emily Blunt; “Snowpiercer” (2013); “Unstoppable” (2019), directed by Tony Scott; “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three” (2009, 1974); “Snakes on a Train” (2006); “The Polar Express” (2004); “Death, Deceit and Destiny Aboard the Orient Express” (2000); “Broken Arrow” (1996), directed by John Woo; “Bullet to Beijing” (1995), a TV movie; “Mystery Train” (1989), directed by Jim Jarmusch; “Runaway Train” (1985); “Night on the Galactic Railroad” (1985), a Japanese anime film; “Silver Streak” (1976), starring Gene Wilder; “The Bullet Train” (1975), a Japanese action thriller; “Boxcar Bertha” (1972), directed by Martin Scorsese; “Some Like It Hot” (1959), directed by Billy Wilder; “North by Northwest” (1959), directed by Alfred Hitchcock; “Strangers on a Train” (1951), directed by Alfred Hitchcock; “Broadway Limited” (1941), based on the Pennsylvania Railroad Chicago to New York City line; “Twentieth Century” (1934), directed by Howard Hawks; “La Bete Humaine” (1938), based on the Emile Zola novel, and “Shanghai Express” (1932), starring Marlene Dietrich.

And, of course, there’s “Thomas and the Magic Railroad” (2000), based on the ‘Thomas & Friends” (1984-2021) TV series, which were based on the British “Railway Series” books (1945) by Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher.

Thomas the Tank Engine is referenced in “Bullet Train” by the criminal nicknamed Lemon (Brian Tyree Henry), who tells his partner in crime, nicknamed Tangerine (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), and anyone within earshot that he learned all his life lessons from the little blue engine that could.

“Bullet Train,” directed by David Leitch (co-director, “John Wick,” 2014; director, “Atomic Blonde,” 2017; “Dead Pool 2,” 2018; “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw,” 2019) is based on a screenplay by Zak Olkewicz (“Fear Street: Part Two - 1978,” 2021) adapted from the Japanese novel, “Maria Beetle” by Kotaro Isaka.

A bullet train (Shinkansen) is a passenger train on Japan’s high-speed railway network that can travel 198 mph.

Brad Pitt stars in “Bullet Train” as an assassin nicknamed Ladybug who is hired to infiltrate a group of assassins on a bullet train traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto. He’s supposed to recover a briefcase filled will with $10 million in ransom held by the brothers nicknamed Tangerine and Lemon. They were hired by White Death (Michael Shannon) to recover his kidnapped son.

“Bullet Train” is, as the title implies, a high-speed chase. Criminals are pit against criminals. The action is incessant. The violence is relentless and wince-inducing. The film will have you on the edge of your seat.

The cinematography by Director of Photography Jonathan Sela (Director of Photography, “The Lost City,” 2022; “Deadpool 2,” “Atomic Blonde,” “John Wick”) emphasizes the film’s stylistic violence. Computer Generated Imagery replicates the speeding bullet train.

Brad Pitt is great in the lead role as Ladybug. Pitt’s often laconic acting style serves him well. He has many humorous lines of dialogue. His facial reactions are silly and endearing.

The film is cartoon-like in its handling of the characters, most of whom are sketched out through humorous quips and flashback scenes.

“Bullet Train” has, to quote a cliche, a veritable plethora of flashbacks. There are one or two many flashbacks that impedes the forward motion of the film’s pell-mell plot line.

Noteworthy in supporting roles are Joey King (The Prince), Adrew Koji (The Father), Hiroyuki Sanada (The Elder), Benito A. Martínez Ocasio, aka Bad Bunny (The Wolf), Zazie Beetz (The Hornet) and Karen Fukuhara (train concession attendant).

Sandra Bullock has what amounts to a cameo late in the film as Maria Beetle, who is Ladybug’s handler.

In uncredited cameos are Channing Tatum as a train passenger and Ryan Reynolds as Carver, an assassin.

“Bullet Train” is in the hyper-realistic film-making style of “Trainspotting” (1986), by director Danny Boyle, and “Pulp Fiction” and “Kill Bill, Volumes One and Two” (2003, 2014) by director Quentin Tarantino.

“Bullet Train” will be chiefly enjoyed by fans of Brad Pitt and action films who aren’t put off by graphic violence.

“Bullet Train,”

MPAA rated R (Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.) for strong and bloody violence, pervasive language and brief sexuality; Genre: Action, Comedy, Thriller; Run Time: 2 hours, 7 minutes. Distributed by Columbia Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous:

The end credits for “Bullet Train” include a scene that amplifies a plot point in the film. The credits display images of key props and items seen in the film.

At The Movies:

“Bullet Train” was seen at Dolby at AMC, AMC Center Valley 16. Sit back in the recliners and enjoy the ride.

Theatrical Domestic Movie Box Office,

Aug. 19-21: “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero,” the anime feature film, opened at No. 1, with $20.1 million, in 3,018 theaters, as “Beast” opened at No. 2, in 3,743 theaters, with $11.5 million, and “Bullet Train” rounded from its two-week No. 1 run dropping two places to No. 3, with $8 million, in 3,781 theaters; $68.9 million, three weeks.

4. “Top Gun: Maverick” dropped two places, $5.8 million, in 2,969 theaters; $683.3 million, 13 weeks. 5. “DC League of Super-Pets” dropped two places, $5.7 million, in 3,537 theaters, $67.4 million, four weeks. 6. ”Thor: Love and Thunder” dropped two places, $4 million, in 2,755 theaters, $332.1 million, seven weeks. 7. “Nope” dropped two places, $3.5 million, in 2,381 theaters, $113.7 million, five weeks. 8. “Minions: The Rise of Gru” dropped two places, $3.5 million, in 2,654 theaters, $350 million, eight weeks. 9. “Where the Crawdads Sing” dropped two places, $3.1 million, in 2,608 theaters, $77.7 million, six weeks. 10. “Bodies Bodies Bodies” dropped two places, $2.4 million, in 2,541 theaters, $7.4 million, three weeks.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of Aug. 21 is subject to change.

Theatrical domestic box office,

Aug. 19-21:

Unreel,

Aug. 26:

“The Invitation,”

PG-13: Jessica M. Thompson directs Nathalie Emmanuel, Thomas Doherty and Alana Boden in the Horror Thriller. A young woman falls in love and finds out she’s the subject of a gothic conspiracy.

“Three Thousand Years of Longing,”

R: George Miller directs Tilda Swinton, Idris Elba and Pia Thunderbolt in the Fantasy Drama Romance. On a trip to Istanbul, a scholar is offered three wishes in exchange for the genie’s freedom.

“The Good Boss,”

No MPAA rating: Fernando León de Aranoa directs Javier Bardem, Manolo Solo and Almudena Amor in the comedy drama. The owner of a company tries to resolve problems at the workplace.

Movie opening dates as of Aug. 21 are from Internet Movie Database and are subject to change.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes