In theaters on June 12 is ‘Stop! That Train!,’ which sees two train hostesses charged with saving the passengers of a high-speed rail service that is headed for a terrible storm front. The new movie stars RuPaul, Ginger Minj, Jujubee and a host of celebrity comedy cameos.
In theaters on June 12 is ‘Stop! That Train!,’ which sees two train hostesses charged with saving the passengers of a high-speed rail service that is headed for a terrible storm front. The new movie stars RuPaul, Ginger Minj, Jujubee and a host of celebrity comedy cameos.
(L to R) Ginger Minj and Jujubee in ‘Stop! That! Train!’ Courtesy of Bleecker Street and World of Wonder. Credit: World of Wonder / Bleecker Street.
In theaters on June 12 is ‘Stop! That Train!,’ which sees two train hostesses charged with saving the passengers of a high-speed rail service that is headed for a terrible storm front. The new movie stars RuPaul, Ginger Minj, Jujubee and a host of celebrity comedy cameos.
Directed by Adam Shankman (‘Hairspray’), the movie is a comedic take on the classic disaster theme that calls to mind the likes of ‘Airplane!’ and ‘Hot Shots!’.
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Initial Thoughts
(L to R) RuPaul and Matt Rogers in ‘Stop! That! Train!’ Courtesy of Bleecker Street and World of Wonder. Credit: World of Wonder / Bleecker Street.
It’s not every disaster movie based on a train that can claim it boasts a wide array of drag queens. In fact, it’s pretty just this one. But ‘Stop! That! Train!’ is a wild, beyond over the top caper that does sometimes come across as cheesy but ultimately works on the strength of the fact that everyone involved is absolutely in on the joke.
Script and Direction
(L to R) Ginger Minj, director Adam Shankman and Jujubee discuss ‘Stop! That! Train!’
Written by Christina Friel (‘Grimsburg’) and Connor Wright (‘Hazbin Hotel’), the screenplay is mostly a vehicle for crazy jokes, occasional musical sequences and the story of two besties thrown into an incredible situation.
Don’t expecting subtlety or real finesse here –– but there is plenty of heart to be found, and when the jokes land, they land really well.
Shankman, working with possibly his lowest budget in years (seriously, thea cost for this thing was probably less than two episodes of ‘Drag Race’s costume costs), injects plenty of silliness and zest into the movie, and the result is an infectious mix of utterly dumb and truly charming.
Cast and Performances
(L to R) Jujubee and Lisa Rinna in ‘Stop! That! Train!’ Courtesy of Bleecker Street and World of Wonder. Credit: World of Wonder / Bleecker Street.
Ginger Minj and Jujubee make for a wonderful central pairing, making their friendship believable but also able to carry off the various gags. RuPaul is also great as President Gagwell, a woman with her own tragic train backstory (hilariously brought to life in flashback).
Of the supporting cast, standouts are Latrice Royale, whose Barbra keeps popping up in a variety of jobs for deep-voiced, deadpan snark, and ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’s Rachel Bloom, who plays the nerdy Donna Dusk, a woman who first alerts our heroines to the storm’s threat and must battle disbelieving colleagues to keep them updated.
Final Thoughts
Ginger Minj in ‘Stop! That! Train!’ Courtesy of Bleecker Street and World of Wonder. Credit: World of Wonder / Bleecker Street.
‘Stop! That! Train!’ is proudly its own movie, firmly set within the ‘Drag Race’ style, but with a warmth and humanity that keeps the comedy on the rails –– well, mostly!
‘Stop! That! Train!’ receives 73 out of 100.
(L to R) Rachel Bloom and Latrice Royale in ‘Stop! That! Train!’ Courtesy of Bleecker Street and World of Wonder. Credit: World of Wonder / Bleecker Street.
What is the plot of ‘Stop! That! Train!’?
Best friends and train stewardesses Tess (Ginger Minj) and DeeDee (Jujubee) trade their dreary shifts on the Stank Rail for the glitzy Glamazonian Express. However, when a catastrophic Stormaganza threatens to crash the high-speed train into Los Angeles, the duo in coach must join forces with the snobby first-class attendants and President Gagwell (RuPaul Charles) to save the day.
Who is in the cast of ‘Stop! That! Train!’?
Ginger Minj as TessJujubee as DeeDeeBrooke Lynn Hytes as AmberMarcia Marcia Marcia as AliMonét X Change as ProtesterSymone as AyshleiyghRuPaul Charles as President Judy GagwellRachel Bloom as Donna DuskLatrice Royale as BarbraMatt Rogers as Press SecretaryChris Parnell as Conductor DavenportSarah Michelle Gellar as Famous ActressNicole Richie as WorkaholicRaven-Symoné as Shayna GafiltamanischewitzJesse Tyler Ferguson as BusinesspersonCharo as Sexy Traffic ControllerJoel McHale as Male Passenger 2Lisa Rinna as Celebrity
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