Before I start reviewing “Stop! That! Train!”! (a film that has been algorithmically dominating queer social media feeds in the form of ads for the past few weeks), I feel I should offer a disclaimer: I’m not a superfan of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
Just to be clear, that doesn’t mean I’m not a fan. I just want to clarify that I’ve never been a loyal viewer where new episodes are the highlight of the week, nor have I followed the careers of the contestants I loved the most. I don’t know who won each season or how many times they appeared on the show. I don’t even know most of the catchphrases. I say this because, as someone who didn’t see any of the references to the show that have been said to be sprinkled throughout the film, I want you to know that I’m probably not the person RuPaul and filmmaker Adam Shankman had in mind when they were making this movie.
But I respect and adore the art of drag, not only as an expression of queer identity tied to a long tradition spanning centuries, but also as a powerful tool for satire. It’s a strange perspective that exposes society’s hypocritical norms and mainstream “morality” in a way that’s completely negligible to those who aren’t into jokes, and the queens of “Drag Race” not only respect that tradition, they abide by it. There’s definitely a strange spirit of rebellion alive in “Stop! That Train!” – even if it sometimes feels like you’re just going along for the ride.
It was mounted as a parody of old school “disaster movies”. The genre had its heyday in the ’70s and ’80s, when parodies of classic films like “Young Frankenstein” and “Airplane” were also successful. (which obviously serves as a major blueprint) – Shankman’s films seem to be driven by some sort of impulse towards the absurd. de facto Although they are sociable, they are most concerned with getting the joke right. I’m imagining a modern world where high-speed rail travel is a reality in America (I doubt that will ever happen) that Please be kind) and a black drag queen could be elected president (OK, in the context of the plot she might be a cisgender woman, but still) but the whole thing is as “off the rails” as it really is anyway.
In the middle of it all are Tess and Dee Dee (Ginger Minj and Jujubee, both popular “Drag Race” veterans). These two “train stewardesses” disguise themselves as jobs on the prestigious railroad “Gra-Amazonian Express” and face hostility from the “mean girl” crew members who work there. But the popularity contest soon takes a backseat as the train finds itself plunging into a catastrophic “Storm Ganza,” and you, along with the train’s various passengers, are faced with the task of saving themselves from certain doom. Fortunately, they are not alone. The underrated train dispatcher Donna Dusk (Rachel Bloom) does her best to guide them to the most dire consequences from afar, and American President Judy Gagwell (RuPaul Charles, of course) also has a personal interest in averting disaster. After all, not doing so can lower her popularity rating by several points. Will this alliance of brave women with something to prove be able to guide this runaway train (and all its passengers) to safety? Of course it’s possible, but it’s done in the most ridiculous way possible.
Like the aforementioned “Airplane!” (a goofy 1980 farce modeled after the popular all-star disaster blockbuster “Airport” series), “Stop! That! Train!” takes an approach to comedy that’s more like facing a high-speed pitching machine in a batting cage than watching a movie in a theater. It’s joke after joke, firing at the wall in rapid succession on the theory that at least some of them will stick, and this is clearly a tradition, resulting in many jokes Don‘t. For every belly laugh, there’s a real groan, and a fair number of the laughs are “polite” laughs at best. But that’s of course part of the charm. Screenwriters Christina Friel and Connor Wright skew the humor towards the vulgar (something the mass drug movement has fully embraced, anyway), making most of the characters into clowns, and liberally transplanting plot points and tropes into the ludicrous scenario. It’s all intentional and mostly works. Because this is the kind of movie that’s meant to be as “stupid” as possible, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.
Of course, some viewers may be overwhelmed by the film’s humor. The borrowed metaphors may be too familiar to be very funny, the vulgarity can sometimes come too close to being in bad taste, and the overall spirit of badmouthing can easily come across as just meanness when you’re in a bad mood. But let’s be honest, most of those people probably aren’t going to watch “Stop! That! Train!” For the rest of us, there is still a cumulative effect that leaves us with the impression that the whole is greater than its parts, even if many of the jokes are way more off the mark than expected and some of the funny ones don’t have the “oomph” they should have. After all, sometimes we just want to mindlessly enjoy a movie without thinking too much about it, and no one was expecting an Oscar winner, right?
As for the plot of the disaster movie, it is, of course, impossible to take it seriously, but along the way it provides an opportunity to introduce many characters and caricatures. Minji and Jujubee are essentially the stars of the show, and their easy chemistry helps move the movie along. RuPaul remains a superstar through and through, striding confidently into the role of the president, legitimately dominating every scene he’s in, yet with enough grace that he never overpowers or overshadows the work of his co-stars, especially Matt Rogers. Matt Rogers probably shares more screen time with President Gagwell than anyone else, as his press secretary and confidante.
Veteran comedian (and “SNL” alumnus) Chris Parnell makes great use of his gleeful, deadpan lunacy as the train conductor, and Brian Jordan Alvarez (“The English Teacher”) brings an endearing charm as the assistant conductor who doesn’t know how to drive a train, despite the questionable choice of using an exaggerated “Bill & Ted”-era Keanu Reeves impression for the character’s voice. It’s complete with a gallery of familiar faces who make cameos in bit roles and as train passengers, providing perhaps more genuine comedy and interest than the main story. And even though she herself never steps foot on the train, Bloom (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”), despite giving herself completely to the train, gives her all to the ride and acts as a grounding force.
And that’s certainly stupid. It’s as insubstantial as the AI-generated backgrounds used to create speeding trains and stormy action scenes. Again, there is no other way.
Don’t post that! That’s it! train! ‘Made for fans, but fun for everyone appeared first on LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News Washington Blade.
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