Updated

Updated · The Guardian · Jun 11

RuPaul’s 90-Minute “Stop! That! Train!” Wins Rave Review Ahead of June 12 US Release

Updated

Updated · The Guardian · Jun 11

RuPaul’s 90-Minute “Stop! That! Train!” Wins Rave Review Ahead of June 12 US Release

Q: Does this film have the comedic genius to become a timeless classic like the movie 'Airplane!'?

Probably not. Reviews suggest “Stop! That! Train!” is a lively, funny homage to *Airplane!* rather than a film with the same enduring comic stature. The evidence is mixed but leans clear. Critics praise its sharp writing, visual gags, slapstick, and the comic performances of RuPaul, Ginger Minj, Jujubee, and Latrice Royale. Several reviews say it delivers a strong joke-per-minute rate and succeeds as a joyful, escapist drag comedy. Its theatrical release and mostly drag-queen cast also give it cultural significance beyond the laughs. But the same reviews also say it lacks the polish, consistency, and broad timelessness that made *Airplane!* a classic. Some of its humor is described as hit-or-miss, with dated or highly specific pop-culture references that may age quickly. One assessment calls it “cinematic cotton candy” and says it is unlikely to be endlessly revisited. Another notes that while it effectively channels the Zucker-Abrams-Zucker style, it does not match the effortless pace or wit of the films it is imitating. That does not make it a failure. By most accounts, it works well as a crowd-pleasing, Pride-season comedy and a strong showcase for drag performers in leading film roles. It may well become a cult favorite within drag and LGBTQ comedy circles. Based on the available reviews, though, it is more likely to be remembered as a spirited niche hit than as a universally timeless classic on the level of *Airplane!*.

3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 11

A new review calls “Stop! That! Train!” a “madcap riot,” praising the 90-minute drag comedy as big-screen-worthy rather than straight-to-streaming filler.
Adam Shankman’s film follows laid-off attendants Tess and DeeDee aboard the Glamazonian Express, where failed brakes and a super-tornado push the campy plot into a White House emergency.
RuPaul’s President Judy Gagwell and a cast led by Ginger Minj, Jujubee and other Drag Race alumni earn particular praise for sharp innuendo, dense visual gags and standout comic performances.
The review says the final third turns more rote and leans too hard on Drag Race in-jokes, but still frames the movie as a joyful, escapist entry in a franchise ecosystem now spanning 14 international spin-offs.
The film opens in the US on June 12, with UK and Australia release dates still to come.