Adam Shankman, director of Hairspray (2007) and A Walk to Remember (2002), has returned with his campiest and craziest adventure story yet. Set in the Drag Race universe, Stop! That! Train! throws a million jokes at the wall per minute, hoping more stick than actually do, crafted for a very specific audience of fans of the show and slapstick, absurdist comedy.
Stop! That! Train! is a campy adventure that follows Tess and Deedee, best friends who have lost their jobs at the now closed down Stank Rail. Trading their old uniforms for new ones with the fancy Glamazonian Express, their new lives of luxury are quickly derailed when a catastrophic Stomaganza appears on their route and threatens the train’s journey and all its passengers. It is up to Tess, Deedee, the snotty first class stewardesses, and president Gagwell to save the day before everyone aboard and those at the end of their route face peril.
Even without a knowledge of the background of the film, is clear from reading the names of the train and the characters that this film is very campy. A film that embraces exaggeration and theatricality, in a “so bad its good” nature, it then becomes a no-brainer that the film was first described as being part of the Drag Race universe. Celebrating the theatricality and performance, it even features two original dance and song numbers that I was sad weren’t continued throughout the runtime of the film.
The film features an ensemble cast including many drag performers from the Drag Race franchise. As someone who never never seen any episodes from these series, I completely recognize that watching this film is probably a much better experience for those well versed in the Drag Race universe. It probably views much more as a “*gasp*, its her!” film every time a new performer is introduced on screen, rather than the fun and campy 90-minutes it was for me, recognizing only RuPaul.
What does work for someone like me who went in to the film clueless is how well knows what kind of movie it is. This makes for good pacing, keeping the film moving forwards, and jokes that mostly work, or that can at least be brushed aside because it knows how silly it is.
Speaking of these jokes though, there are a lot. With so many, it does overall succeed in its comedic timing, but this could be due to the fact that almost every second line is a “joke” of some kind (or at least an attempt). I will say that I feel like the first third of the film succeeded much more in its jokes to laughs ratio. By the third act of the film I was definitely laughing a lot less. This could be due to a fatigue that set in as none of the lines could be taken seriously, but this could also mean the jokes just actually stopped working. Again, the film knows what it is and is relentless in its understanding, so for those who enjoy a campy ride of brainless humour, this one may just work all the better.
The central performances from Ginger Minj and Jujubee really do keep the film together and moving forwards despite the small drag in jokes. Their chemistry as best friends is excellent and they play the foolish characters so well.
It is hard for me to say much about Stop! That! Train! when I know that deep down, it just wasn’t for me. Those well versed and invested in the Drag Race community and universe will have a lot of fun with the film, but it was a bit too campy and silly for my enjoyment for 90-minutes. Maybe a 30-minute short would have worked much better for my liking, but I know that Stop! That! Train! will find its community quickly when it is released.
Stop! That! Train! will be released in select Canadian cinemas on June 12. Image courtesy of Mongrel Media.
