'Kill' review: All aboard this bloody crazy train
Courtesy of Lionsgate
“Kill,” the new Bollywood import from Nikhil Nagest Bhat, is both emblematic and derivative of the new school of action pictures. Think “John Wick,” “Bullet Train,” or “The Raid,” and older movies like “Die Hard” but on a train! That’s not saying “Kill” isn’t a hyper-kinetic and bloody good time at the movies. On the contrary, when you’ve seen all of the above mentioned titles, not to mention countless others I’m sure I’ve forgotten, it raises the bar for other genre titles to stand out.
“Kill” has a relentless attitude and an even more insane body count (I lost track after the first 20), but it can also feel like a case of deja vu. It joins a long list of well-shot and well executed movies that occasionally rise above their expectations and subvert their predictable outcomes. And Bhat manages to throw a few wrenches to keep us on our toes, including dropping the title card 45 minutes into the film. But “Kill” works best when it’s throwing fists and bashing skulls, and it does with style and flourish.
The film wastes no time throwing us into the action. We meet a tough, stern commando named Amrit (Lakshya) who hitches a ride on a train to New Delhi in order to save his lover Tulika (Tanya Maniktala) from an arranged marriage. Those plans hit a snag when a group of thugs and thieves, led by the wickedly deranged Fani (Raghav Juyal), commandeer the train and take everyone hostage, putting Amrit and his best friend Viresh on the defensive. They decide to fight back, utilizing all their combat training, and begin dispatching goons one-by-one in often ludicrous, bloody fashion.
As is usually the case in a movie of this stature, the plot is second to all the bloodshed, of which there is many. All you need to know is there is a massive squad of armed, muscular baddies aboard the train who begin wreaking havoc and Amrit, in trying to save the love of his life, decides to stop it. It’s an easy elevator pitch (with just enough heart) and lays the foundation for an excessive amount of gunplay, martial arts, and thrilling knife fights in extremely close quarters.
Bhat likes to keep the action contained and condensed (something “Bullet Train” failed to accomplish), which gives each sequence a little edge to them. “Kill” embraces its depravity and enjoys letting the bodies hit the floor. Those who don’t like their movies extra gooey should look no further.
Grade: B
KILL opens in theaters Thursday, July 4th