JEANNE’S REVIEW

Yippee! Comedy is alive and well thanks to RuPaul and a bevy of hilarious --- and very talented --- drag queens who all star in STOP! THAT! TRAIN! directed by Adam Shankman. Much like ‘disaster’ films such as AIRPLANE! (1980), where everyone in the movie is in danger of dying, the laughs come fast and furious.

Shot in 19 days, Shankman, who has known RuPaul since 1994, sought a tight schedule as he’s a director who is confident in getting the right take the first time. And with STOP! THAT! TRAIN! being fronted almost entirely by drag queens, Shankman was adamant that the joke not be that they’re drag queens, but rather that the joke is the movie.

RuPaul’s Drag Race was the impetus for STOP! THAT! TRAIN! and the major cast members are from the international drag empire. Tess (Ginger Minj) and DeeDee (Jujubee) star as attendants on the low-class Stank Rail. They just want to see America. And they’d much rather be working for the luxury Glamazonian Express train line. When Stank abruptly goes out of business, Tess and DeeDee get their wish.

Unfortunately, they must deal with a trio of mean-girl, first class attendants on Glamazonian, Amber (Brooke Lynn Hytes), Ayshleiygh (Symone) and Alli (Marcia Marcia Marcia/Marty Lauter). These three are glamour drag queens personified and have no interest in working with Tess and DeeDee.

Unbeknownst to all of them, including the passengers, a “Stormaganza” is in their path, threatening to derail the high-speed train, causing them to crash into Florida. At this point, only President Gagwell (RuPaul) can save the day.

STOP! THAT! TRAIN! is indisputably campy, silly, great entertainment. One can only imagine the fun this cast --- along with a plethora of celebrity cameos --- had making this long-overdue comedy. There are just way too many stars to list who do appear, but trust me, it’s impressive.

The sets by production designer Alessandro Marvelli are fabulous and the costumes by Salvador Perez are divine as one would expect in a film inhabited by drag queens. There are also two musical numbers written by Brad Leland and choreographed by Jamal Sims, both of whom have worked on Drag Race.

STOP! THAT! TRAIN! is purposefully being released during Pride month “to bring people together and celebrate just being who you are --- gay or straight.” It’s a wonderful sentiment for a film that is truly joyful!

Opinion: See It Now!

DAVID’S REVIEW

If you’re  old enough to remember the hilarious 1980 spoof AIRPLANE!, then STOP! THAT! TRAIN! is a must see. Actually it should be seen by anyone who enjoys a comedy with dozens and dozens of sight gags performed by a cast of mostly drag queens, courtesy of RuPaul’s team. The big difference here is that this film features a train in dire straits --- an impending weather disaster-in-the-making dubbed a “Stormaganza”.

RuPaul himself plays U.S. President Gagwell, with five wardrobe changes and amazing wigs. The train itself, called the Glamazonian Express, features a huge slate of actors, including Ginger Minj as Tess and Jujubee as DeeDee, two bumbling but likeable train stewardesses.

Directed by Adam Shankman and written by Christina Friel and Conner Wright, STOP! THAT! TRAIN! begs for at least a second viewing because the jokes come in rapid fashion. However, Shankman admonished the cast to play the script as a drama rather than a comedy – and it works gloriously!

Of the large cast of cameos, three names stand out to me: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Jerry O’Connell. Of course, other cinephiles will recognize their own favorites. One exec called this effort “ a silly drag disaster movie” --- and it’s perfect for the times which we are currently experiencing.

Opinion: See It Now!