A-Train: New Beginnings: When Satire Meets Dark Comedy

Our dearest speedster A-Train has accidentally killed a woman. Not what you’d expect from a Superhero. So, when members of his squad “The Seven” convene a meeting to decide his fate, A-Train decides to take matters into his own hands. An ode to the music industry and superheroes’ league, A-Train: New Beginnings, written & directed by Chris Carthern, is a 24:03-minute short that is many things at once. Peppered with sarcasm and wit, the film is a cornucopia of gallows humour, fan fiction and rap music.

“The fastest member of “The Seven” and yet you’re late”, quips Homelander (Salem Way) seethingly as A-Train (Chris Carthern) saunters in. The whole aesthetic of the film hangs on the delivery of the very well written screenplay and dramatisation using animation and visual effects by Alex Cromwell. Add to that Mylina Baez’s makeup and what we have is an ensemble that is believable and a fitting tribute to the genre. As the members, Starlight (Mina Kess), Queen Maeve (Joey G), The Deep (Boaz Hernandez) & Translucent (Alex Cromwell) begin chairing the meet, it becomes evident that the tides are no longer in favour of our Superhero. It’s both funny and hysterical when the league is fighting one of their own rather than a common villain; and that too over bad PR.

Carthern’s short serves as an introduction to those with limited understanding of star vehicle, agent-client relationships and the churnings of the media and celebrity culture. And, he does that smartly with sarcasm and music. By giving A-Train a comeuppance through his rap career, not only does he give the story its necessary trajectory, but also organically introduces music (Tonethegoat, Alfonzo Wheeler & Chris Carthern) into the film. What would otherwise have been hard to sink in, is made easier with the Sound Design (João Paulo “Bill” de Lima) and deft cinematography and editing by Chong Ahn.

One of the best features of the film is its cast. They don’t try to upstage one another; there’s an easy chemistry between them all. When Homelander goes after A-Train for his waywardness, the rest chip in, either to counterbalance or resist. The result? An entertaining short that makes one hold their sides from laughing. The credit of this goes to the writing that gives enough space for each character to grow into.

A-Train: New Beginnings is a must watch for those interested in the genre. And, for those looking to have a better understanding, this can certainly prove to be a good place to start.

Watch A-Train: New Beginnings Short Film