"One more word outta you, I gonna smash your mouth."

It's slow in starting, funny in the middle, and action-packed in the end. Silver Streak, starring Gene Wilder, is a comic train thriller, reminiscent of the classics of the genre, but with a decidedly modern sense of humor. Both the action and comic moments work and even work together for the most part, although there are exceptions. Frequent Gene Wilder co-star Richard Pryor shows up around the middle.

James Bond fans should take note of this film. Clifton James, who played Sheriff J. W. Pepper in two of the Bond films made immediately before Silver Streak, plays almost the same character here, though without the redneck slant. And Richard Kiel, who played Jaws in two of the Bond films made immediately after Silver Streak, plays almost the same character here too, metal teeth and all.