Director: Kenneth Branagh
By Alex Watson
Agatha Christie has never looked so stylish. Kenneth Branagh gives his audience an enjoyable ride in Murder on the Orient Express. Showing some neat visuals and generating some lovely moments of mystique on board the cramped rail coaches. But despite sporting a wonderful heavyweight cast- we can't escape the fact that the needed tension is disappointingly absent. Branagh adds style and finesse- but this fails to really add anything new to an already well-covered story
After successfully solving a mystery in Jerusalem, world-famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) decides to take a mini holiday on board the Orient Express. While onboard, suspicious American businessman Samuel Ratchett (Johnny Depp) is stabbed to death. Although wishing to stay out of it, Poirot is the only man on board who can find the killer. This will be his most challenging case yet because all the passengers seem to have their own past demons.
Murder on the Orient Express is a very beautiful looking movie- thanks in part to the colorful and scenic photography by DP Haris Zambarloukos. Branagh definitely has the look of the era down and he is clearly having a ball playing the egotistical but brilliantly minded detective. Nailing down the more tricky aspects of his persona (including his obsession with having two perfectly symmetrical eggs)- Poirot is a nemesis for any criminal. When the passengers are loaded onto the train in Istanbul, the tension begins to build wonderfully. Ratchett emerges as a rather crass and bullying figure who is beginning to fear for his life. The passengers nervous and scornful looks they pass at each other give sparks of mystery.
When the big moment hits- the air seems to go out of the picture. The suspense seems to feel flat and although the legendary reveal is still clever, in this adaptation it just feels predictable. The cast that Branagh has assembled is wonderful to watch, but great names such as Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Daisy Ridley, Michelle Pfeiffer, Penelope Cruz, Josh Gad and Willem Dafoe are confined to bit parts. As the mystery unravels there are some fine moments of emotion on display. Josh Gad, in particular, comes up with some fine acting which gives depth to a complex character. Poirot already seems to have an idea of who the killer is, but knows he must tread carefully. The claustrophobic setting of the train carriages is still nerve-wracking in places. With the train derailed by a snow drift, Poirot knows every step he takes could be dangerous.
Classic mysteries like Murder on the Orient Express are rarely seen in today's film world. Although Branagh still gives us a great middle of the road thriller, you can't help feeling that this tale feels dated. Already well adapted for film and television, Branagh is unable to bring any new to proceedings. Any newcomers to this story will be able to guess to the big finale from a mile away- partly because Poirot gives red herrings throughout. Although there are some missteps its a picture that still entertains and on the visuals and star power alone, this is a good journey onscreen.
Kenneth Branagh does an interesting new spin (and new mustache) as the famous Belgian Poirot. A more physical version of this character, Branagh is unafraid of doing more heavy lifting that sitting around. He wonderfully shows the more quirky side to this character and is unafraid to give light to his arrogance. However, TV's David Suchet remains the perfect Poirot. In the supporting ranks, we are given some performances to savour. Michelle Pfeiffer, in particular, is glorious as the conflicted Caroline Hubbard. Derek Jacobi still shows he has a presence that few veterans as the tricky Edward Masterman- his character alone deserved more screen time.
Murder on the Orient Express is a mystery that is still rightly regarded as a classic. However, despite Branagh's best efforts, it doesn't feel any newer on screen.
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