The Pit Crew with their moderately developed thighs wash a train car belonging to Glamazonian Express. Adam Shankman’s Stop! That! Train! focuses on that company as well as its newest two employees, Tess (Ginger Minj) and DeeDee (Jujubee). During their first shift, Tess and DeeDee find that their new coworkers are former rivals from school. But stewardess drama may have to wait, as the Glamazonian Express train heads towards a storm. The storm tests their friendship, DeeDee finds love, and someone has to stop that train!

Stop! That! Train! is a glorified RuPaul’s Drag Race challenge, but in fairness, those are fun. Connor Wright and Christina Friel’s screenplay is a hit and miss, but its actors make do. There’s one funny line where Conductor Davenport (Chris Parnell) talks about arsenic and four year olds. The rest of the mediocre sassy lines make for a passable experience thanks to acting aura. In particular, the snobby first class attendants Amber (Brooke Lynn Hytes) and Alli (Marcia Marcia Marcia), and specifically, Ayshleiygh (Symone), whose nonchalant nature makes her a standout.

Stop! That! Train! takes its sweet time to set up its plot lines, mainly DeeDee and Tess’ conflict with the first class attendants. But then again, this is probably how the disaster genre goes, as the train doesn’t drive close to the storm halfway in. The train rolling into disaster separates the best friends, DeeDee sticking with the assistant conductor (Brian Jordan Alvarez). Meanwhile, Tess tries to calm the passengers down by performing a dance number with the first class attendants.

This film is a throwback to all those disaster movies that pop up in theatres once in a while. Most of them are only really watchable because of actors looking like they’re having fun. Not in my wildest dreams did I imagine Jujubee as a co-lead in a wide release film but here we are. Anything can happen in a blockbuster season where independent film has its chance. I just wish that the production found a better love interest for Jujubee instead of Alvarez.

Viewers can go through 90 minutes of Stop! That! Train! watching scenes taking place inside the train. I bring this up because of the exterior scenes and the controversy surrounding its alleged use of AI during said outside scenes. Some of those scenes are clockable, especially establishing shots where a bridge’s pillars are missing somehow. The AI use is unfortunate, and some of my fellow Catholics might have to skip this. President Gagwell (RuPaul), a real woman, saves the day, but maybe not this film.

Watch Stop! That! Train! in a theatre near you.