Review By Aaron Rourke (Melbourne, Australia)
This latest retelling of the beloved Agatha Christie book, helmed by renowned actor/director Kenneth Branagh (Henry V, Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet), unfortunately falls between two demographics by trying to cater to both, with frustratingly uneven results.
Beginning in the city of Jerusalem, circa 1934, we are introduced to the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Branagh), who is coming to the end of his current case, naturally picking out the correct wrongdoer. Ready to enjoy a rare break, Poirot’s plans are thwarted by a new assignment, which will require him to ride on the famous Orient Express from Istanbul to Calais. While waiting for the boat that will transport him to Istanbul, he meets Mary Debenham (Daisy Ridley), who instantly recognises the detective, while once on the boat, he notices a peculiar relationship between Debenham and Dr. Arbuthnot (Leslie Odom Jr.), with sparse conversation that seems suspicious.
Promised entry on the fully-booked train by local acquaintance Bouc (Tom Bateman), Poirot is shown onboard by conductor Pierre Michel (Marwan Kenzari), thus bringing him into contact with the unusually large number of passengers who have decided to travel on the Orient Express this time of year. These include the aggressively sociable Caroline Hubbard (Michelle Pfeiffer), noted gangster Edward Ratchett (Johnny Depp), his butler Masterman (Derek Jacobi) and accountant Hector MacQueen (Josh Gad), Count and Countess Rudolph and Elena Andrenyi (Sergei Polunin and Lucy Boynton), Princess Dragomiroff (Judi Dench) and her assistant Hildegarde (Olivia Colman), and Austrian professor Gerhard Hardman (Willem Dafoe).
Not long after the train has departed, it is suddenly halted by an unforeseen avalanche, and as staff check to see that all passengers are okay, Ratchett is found murdered, brutally stabbed to death by an unhinged, unknown assailant. After Bouc begs the detective to solve the case, as it will ease tensions with authorities at Calais, Poirot reluctantly agrees, and begins piecing together the clues that will uncover the murderer’s true identity.
While one tries, it is impossible not to compare this modern incarnation with the adaptations that have preceded it, and it doesn’t reach the same entertaining and compelling heights of those earlier efforts. The 1974 version is still the best known, and its attention to detail, characterisation and the mechanics of its mystery plot, were handled far better by screenwriter Paul Dehn (The Spy Who Came in from the Cold) and legendary director Sidney Lumet (12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon, Prince of the City). Though Lumet’s film is only 15 minutes longer, there is a superior use of screen time, with the large cast able to make a real impression while the multiple clues are laid out in a compelling manner.
Many fans of the book may not realise that a Japanese version was produced in 2015; a big budget, two-part mini-series from highly successful writer/director Koki Mitani (The Magic Hour, Suite Dreams, University of Laughs), who was marvellously faithful to the source material, while expanding upon the backstory that leads up to that fateful murder on the Orient Express. If you can track it down, it is most worthwhile, and is headed by a star-studded Japanese cast.
Branagh’s version is more reminiscent of the 2010 TV movie starring David Suchet, not in the specific changes made to the story (which gave the Suchet entry a compelling, potent finale), but rather the truncating of the details of its colourful gallery of suspects. In wanting to streamline the material for today’s younger audiences, much character information has been removed, to the point where many of the talented actors barely get a chance to make a genuine impression. Screenwriter Michael Green (who co-wrote the far more absorbing Blade Runner 2049) deletes a couple of crucial plot points, which are then hastily mentioned later on, and even introduces some new twists, some of which are completely illogical to the puzzle Christie has laid out. Only Poirot is fleshed out to any great degree.
Performances are functional, not due to incompetence on the part of the actors, but simply because they have very little to work with. Branagh is quite good as Poirot, but of course he has the meatiest role. Much has been made of his moustache, but it is accurately presented as described in the book. His French accent is more distracting, reminding me of John Cleese’s French taunter in Monty Python and the Grail, and I was disappointed we didn’t get to see the same comical level of grooming Poirot gives his moe and hair here as Albert Finney gave his in the 1974 version.
Pfeiffer (who is thankfully making a welcome return to the big screen) tries valiantly to make the most of the limited material afforded to her, while Dafoe, Dench, Colman, and even Branagh regular Jacobi are mere background decoration. Other crucial participants come across as totally inconsequential, and the Count’s Jackie Chan-style abilities (which are shown in one scene and then never alluded to again) is jarring to say the least.
With these talented actors left out to dry, the two performers who do get a modicum of dialogue; Ridley (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and Odom Jr. (from the hit Broadway musical Hamilton); are by far the dullest, again an obvious ploy to attract younger patrons. Another aspect where Branagh and Green don’t appear to trust the attention span of modern audiences, is the needless moving of each interrogation to a new location (apparently indicating that smart dialogue and character interplay isn’t enough to satisfy movie-goers nowadays), and even throw in an action scene that is both ludicrous and pointless. The finale isn’t helped by heavy-handed, Last Supper-type symbolism, while the prolific CGI remains somewhat unconvincing throughout.
There is just enough in Murder on the Orient Express to make it mildly entertaining, but considering the talent in front of and behind the camera, this has to be considered a major disappointment. Those new to Christie’s oft-filmed mystery may find this slick rendering enjoyable, but those who have fond memories of Lumet’s delightful adaptation, or who have seen Mitani’s loving tribute to the source material, will find this new interpretation quite a forgettable journey.
Rating: 3/5
Get your tickets, grab your popcorn and drinks, all aboard Murder on the Orient Express. Enjoy your next movie outing with a murder mystery chalked full of big name actors who aim to impress. Stamped with a rating of PG-13 this is a film the whole family can enjoy but primarily aimed more towards an adult audience with a taste for drama. The runtime for this film is no mystery and lands at one hour and fifty-four minutes.
If your like me and enjoy a movie involving the human condition, tons of intriguing characters and a major plot twist, this is just what you have been looking for. In this fast paced, explosion loving day in age it’s nice for a change in pace every once and awhile. This film delivers just that. So if you are interested in something a little different you won’t be disappointed. However in the spirit of trying something separate from most other movies one has to truly give this film a chance and allow themselves to get into the mystery state of mind and enjoy. You won’t find any cheap thrills here just a great story with an amazing cast.
This particular movie follows the crime filled adventures of renowned detective Hercule Poirot, a larger than life character with a black and white way of seeing his world around him. After being interrupted from his vacation, we are taken aboard a locomotive set in 1934 where Poirot is now on his way to London on business. Here our protagonist has a chance encounter with a mysterious case of murder and a car full of unlikely suspects. All the while left with a major crime that is more than he bargained for having to be solved before the train reaches its final destination. Filled with lies and deceit in the form of the beloved board game clue you are sure to be entertained left guessing the entire film.
This adaption of Agatha Christie’s novel of the same name, is directed by none other than the movies lead actor Kenneth Branagh: Thor (2011), Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014). Screenplay by Michael Green: Logan (2017), Blade Runner 2049 (2017). Cast members include top billed actors such as Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley and more.
A true tale of moral dilemma; in the end leaving the audience to decide the true nature of justice. This particular film not only consists of a well-known cast with gripping performances from Kenneth Branagh, Daisy Ridley and Michelle Pfeiffer but includes a very intriguing storyline with fantastic camera work, unique angles and incredible shots hiding a much more sinister work at hand. This plot driven film brings together a wide variety of characters from assistants to royalty but primarily focuses on one major event that leads them all to be where they are on the train. So strap yourself in, join the passengers along their mountain filled ride and see if you can spot the true villain before the world’s greatest detective does.
Rating: 4/5
Murder on the Orient Express … Kam’s film review
With a vast cast full of established stars
I was rubbing my hands in anticipation
Only to be disappointed with a precipitation of old tosh !
This was a fumbling feeble attempt to awaken some old flames into action … Instead all we got was a log fire that had been extinguished for 20 years!
The over elaborate & sometimes damn annoying self perpetuating French sleuth elongated this film to accommodate his over hyped friends to little effect for the paying public.
There was no intensity in the trail.
Film lacked edge & suspense.
Acting was frail & ended up in a Dench!
It lacked Cruz control!
Movie derailed same time as the train!
Judi & the story lacked punch!
Johnny was out of his Depp!
It should be renamed …
Murmur on the orient depress!
It’s about an over grown moustached detective who is commissioned to London via the lavish train, only to find himself at the centre of, mind the pun …
a ratchet murder. There are few clues but many suspects. Hercule weaves his way through the train & passengers with little vigour or intent. His reasoning is over elaborate & his intellect is wildly exaggerated.
So if you are intrigued by sedatives & don’t want to take the oral form then this the movie for you!
It’s only lavish in its scenic views & otherwise chronic in its acting portrayal. The acting is so wooden that it should be chopped up & thrown in wood burners at least there it would be more useful!
The movie lacks intrigue & puts visual fatigue into customers so they don’t have to buy sleeping pills.
Lastly, the only thing saving it’s face was a weird moustache!
Kam rightorwrong 2017
This film is ridiculous and the people who made it are morons. You put a train on a track between Vinkovci and Slavonski Brod in Croatia (kingdom Yugoslavia in 1934) in a high mountain with tunnels, snow and avalanches but there is one problem. No one even tried to check the geography. You would see there is no such mountains in 200 miles radius and that route particularly is flatlands only. And one more thing. You have black soldiers in the Yugoslavian army in 1934. I bet there was not a single black person in the entire kingdom in that time. Also not to mention that the train would fall of the mountain pass etc… all in all. The people in charge of this production have no clue what they were doing. How do I know all this? I live there and know my history. Btw the rest of the movie is shit too.