The Midnight Meat Train (2008)

The Midnight Meat Train (2008) (see below for trailer and preview images)

Directed by
Ryuhei Kitamura

Screenplay by
Jeff Buhler
 
Starring:
Bradley Cooper, Leslie Bibb, Brooke Shields, Roger Bart, Ted Rami, Vinnie Jones
 
Budget $15M                                      Box Office $3.5M
 
IMDb 6.1/10                ​             Rotten Tomatoes 72%                 Metacritic 58/100

I watched this movie and for the life of me, I can’t figure out why it got a 72% on RT but, then again, I rarely agree with those people over there.  Not only is the plot very thinly woven together in my opinion, but Bradley Cooper is one of the last people that I would choose for this kind of role.  I suppose for the role as an insecure and sensitive artist, yeah, he’s your guy but for a horror movie?  I mean, come on!!!  This guy what voted Sexiest Man Alive at one point (yuck) AND is probably the better looking one in at least half of his romances, which should be outlawed.  I’m sorry gents but, the guy should never be better looking than the girl, period.  But, let’s get back to the plot for a second.
 
To me, it’s barely held together.  It’s based off a short story by Clive Barker, which I admit I haven’t read.  I have a feeling though that it’s definitely lost something in the translation from the written word to the produced film.  Maybe it’s a movie I need to watch more than once, though I suspect with the Bradley Cooper aspect, I won’t be doing that any time soon.  I can see how over many, MANY years it MIGHT develop a cult following but with everything else there is out there that ALSO has that potential, I don’t see this being as big of a deal as other films like The Shining or The Nightmare on Elm Street series or Maniac (another one I’ve disagreed with).
 
However, it IS pretty hardcore in the gore scenes and the blood splatter is done fairly well.  I enjoyed the kill scenes, the violence and the death in this flick even if the acting wasn’t at the top of my list.  The film also displayed an excellent suspense factor that was sorely needed in any point but, again, I felt the story line was missing some cohesion in parts that would have helped with the flow.  
 
Our villain, now there’s a creepy character.  Not only is he ugly and bulky, he’s got this silent stare with dead eyes that could send the coldest of chills down your spine if you were the one to encounter him on the last subway train of the night.  There’s also something very unnatural about the physique of the villain, played by Vinnie Jones.  I know I’m probably showing my age here but, the was a movie called “Innerspace” that came out in 1987 with Martin Short and Dennis Quaid.  One of the bad guys, played by Vernon Wells, had this very boxy build, unusually square shoulders, very short hair, barely speaks, creepy smile. The guy in Midnight Meat Train reminds me of that guy in Innerspace.
 
I don’t know if I will watch this film again but, for the rest of you, it may very well be worth watching once.
 
RATINGS
3/5 Stars