Train (2008)

On IMDB, it states that "Train" was originally penned as a remake to the 1980 Jamie Lee Curtis film "Terror Train". Apparently, they must have re-written the entire script, as other than the fact that the events are unfolding on a train, there isn't even remotely any similarities between the two plots. "Train" follows an American wrestling team as they travel abroad to compete. On the night before they leave for their next stop, the kids decide to sneak out of their hotel, and visit a local club. Drunk, disoriented, and in some cases bleeding, the kids get lost on their way back to the hotel, and by the time they make it back to the train station, their train has left without them. The coach has waited at the train station for them to arrive, so once they are reunited, he tries to get them booked on the next train to their destination. Unfortunately, being in a foreign country, communication doesn't seem to be working out very well. Finally, another passenger that speaks English steps in, and informs them that the train she is about to board will get them where they need to go. As soon as they step foot on the train, you can tell something is not quite right. The crew is dirty, and ragged, and just overall shady. Our wrestlers are not in for a pleasant train ride through the country.

I had little to no expectations going into this movie. I've had it laying on my desk for the better part of a year, but I just assumed it was z-grade nonsense. Thankfully, I got around to watching it, and it's far better than I expected. Understand, that enjoying this film on the whole takes a lot of suspension of disbelief. As soon as we are introduced to the crew of the train, no traveler in their right mind would have continued. A tip, if two dirty, tattooed men that appear like they haven't bathed in around three months, grabbing their crotches, making slurping sounds, and just being generally creepy ask you to give them your passport, it would be a good idea to ignore that request. There are a lot of things that happen aboard this train, and otherwise, that is a full on assault on common sense. Strangely enough, it doesn't appear to hamper the experience. "Train" is genuinely creepy at times.

It's bad enough to be in a foreign land, and feel alone due to the communications barrier, but couple this with the claustrophobic feeling of being trapped on a train, and it amplifies the sense of dread, and isolation that seeps from this movie.

The acting, for the most part is passable. There are a few lines that I questioned it's delivery, but it's nothing that deters from the continuity of the film. There were a couple of times where the way a scene was edited seemed a little odd, like they just couldn't get the scene cut right or something, but it only happened once or twice, and it was too quick for it to be any kind of issue.

Now, lets get to the bread and butter of this flick, the violence. The gore in this movie? Outstanding. I never would have expected such a visceral display of torturous carnage that is on display here. Sick, and depraved acts are intensified with some amazing practical FX. In fact, you don't have to wait around for the mayhem to begin, the opening montage is gorier than most mainstream flicks combined. If graphic violence is your thing, you're in for a fun ride.

In closing, "Train" is not absent of flaws. Some supremely idiotic decisions are made by our characters, so if that kind of things ruins a movie for you, just remember that I warned you. Overall though, I'd recommend the movie to any genre fan. It's quick and dirty, and it makes no apologies for it's self. For netflix subscribers, "Train" is currently available to watch instantly, so if you're looking for a horror movie with some balls this weekend, give it a shot.

6.5/10