You know how it goes: when a film contains references to other films or other pop culture references that you won’t understand if you don’t know the work it’s honoring, watching it – at least in these scenes – is only half the battle. pleasure. Something like Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’ is probably a good example of this. that a viewing experience benefits significantly from some knowledge of the numerous films referenced by the cinema junkie.
But even small allusions and Easter eggs can enrich the movie enjoyment. It is not without reason that filmmakers like to resort to it. The moment I recognize and understand a sometimes more, sometimes less hidden reference, I have the feeling that I am part of a select circle and am even more satisfied with what is shown, after all, someone seems to be targeting me and my interests exactly. speak. Fans of comedy blockbusters will love this. Conversely, however, it can also lead to frustration or at least shrugging if such a reprimand falls on deaf ears (and/or blind eyes).
That’s how I felt about a detail in the fun fast-paced action game “Bullet Train” by “John Wick” and “Deadpool 2” creator David Leitch, which will be released in 2022 thanks to its crazy (and bloody) action, the casual humor and Brad Pitt’s brilliant performance were one of my favorite films of the year. Because it was only later that I discovered the gigantic world of “Thomas the Tank Engine“Bullet Train” opened up for me in its entirety. And I owe that to my two-year-old son…
A killer with a penchant for “Thomas the Tank Engine”
Anyone who’s seen “Bullet Train” probably knows what I’m talking about: Professional killer Lemon (great: Brian Tyree Henry) continues to drive his partner Tangerine (no less great: Aaron Taylor-Johnson) crazy because he constantly talks about “Thomas the Tank’ talks. Engine’ philosophizes. But there’s a reason for that: as Lemon himself explains, he learned everything he knows about people from the cult British children’s series. With knowledge of the prototypical properties of the various locomotives, he can better assess his fellow humans and assign them their corresponding locomotive counterparts with the help of the “Thomas” stickers.
I just accepted that when I first saw the movie, but secretly wished they had used a different children’s series for this. ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ was only vaguely familiar to me, so I almost only understood the train station (who are Gordon, Percy and whatnot?). And at the age of 33, I didn’t necessarily feel like focusing on the 24 (!) seasons of children’s series on my own initiative.
Of course, the film also takes you by the hand here as Lemon’s “Thomas” quirkiness not only remains a joke, but later becomes essential to the plot. So even without any in-depth specialist knowledge, we realize that being classified as Diesel obviously means trouble, which ultimately helps Tangerine towards the end to unmask one of the film’s real villains.
But I only became aware of its full significance when my son chose Lemon’s favorite series as his own and, of course, inevitably got carried away with it. From an early age (even younger than 2 years old!) he had a fascination with trains (ICE or “EhhEh” was one of his early “words”). Well, at least not ‘Paw Patrol’, I still think with relief. Anyway, it was only a matter of time before this real obsession brought us to Thomas and his friends. Currently, a day isn’t complete if we haven’t spent at least one episode rattling around the tracks of the tiny Island of Sodor with its colorful and funky steam and diesel locomotives. Since then, I’ve been humming the title song to myself all the time at work – and of course even more so while writing this article.
And the great side effect for me: Slowly but surely, I too became a “Thomas” expert. I also recognized more and more typical human strengths and weaknesses in the locomotives, which I conveyed to the people around me (my girlfriend is totally Emily, by the way!). In a sense, I became Lemon myself (thankfully, but without the backbreaking work so far). Rewatching “Bullet Train” made it all the more easy for me to empathize with him and his “Thomas” influenced view of the world.
From “Thomas” noob to “Thomas” expert
Suddenly, not only did I know exactly what Lemon was talking about, but I could also fill in the blanks he didn’t discuss. Yes, Gordon rarely listens to others and is actually the strongest engine on Sodor – because he pulls the island’s heavy express train through the area and therefore has a very special responsibility (which somehow fits with Lemon’s partner Tangerine). And yes, the sneaky diesel itself (despite some relativizing consequences) often causes problems and often prompts the other diesel locomotives, who are actually quite social, to taunt Thomas and the steam locomotives (and if you’re thinking: “These are worse conflicts than on ‘Game Of Thrones’!”, let me tell you… No, it’s not, the D train almost ran with me).
Anyway, there it was again: that joy of recognizing something in a film, of fully understanding an allusion and, in this case, of really understanding what makes one of the characters tick. The “Thomas” scenes, which I was previously indifferent to, made the “Bullet Train” experience even more complete for me with my new knowledge and, in combination with the wonderfully crazy killer duo Lemon and Tangerine, give me so much fun that they are, are among the action player’s many highlights. Not least because I always think about my wonderful son, who always puts a smile on my face.
I therefore have to restrain myself from showing him “Bullet Train” as his first film as a thank you (where he could certainly explain a lot more to me about Thomas and Co.). But maybe we’ll wait a little longer, because the murderous farce really deserves its 16th release…
Author: Markus Trut
Source : Film Starts
I am Dawid Malan, a news reporter for 24 Instant News. I specialize in celebrity and entertainment news, writing stories that capture the attention of readers from all walks of life. My work has been featured in some of the world’s leading publications and I am passionate about delivering quality content to my readers.
