Directed By: Kenneth Branagh
Written By: Michael Green
Based on the Novel By: Agatha Christie
Cinematography By: Haris Zambarlokus
Editor: Mick Audsley
Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Penelope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Daisy Ridley, Josh Gad, Judi Dench, Olivia Colman, Leslie Odom Jr, Derek Jacobi, Lucy Boynton, Adam Garcia
Hercule Poirot, the best detective in the world decides to leave on the Orient Express. The train accidentally gets stopped because of the strong snow. Little did he know that a murder was planned and that a person on this train was able of commiting such crime. Will he solve this murder before the train starts working again?
Though set mostly in different new location, A train. The movie is filmed lavishly and like a grand production with plenty of flourish to accommodate it’s an all star cast.
Though strangely for such a strong cast they seem to play more caricatures of the parts. Rather then anything believable or dramatic. So that they feel over the top. Almost like they should be in a inspired screwball comedy. No one is quite memorable or distinguished.
Which might be the problem depending what you come into this film expected. If you want a big Hollywood movie that is what get with everything feeling extra. The jokes, the performances, the dialogue, characterization even having a foot chase and separate shootout to add note action. There is nothing subtle here as everything seems presented capitalized if expecting a strong mystery. You will be slightly disappointed if only because the movie is so busy at times. You forget there is one.
Sidney Lumet’s version if only as that was my introduction to the tale. It is subtle and feels more like a theatrical piece. So watching this is almost a shock to the system.
Where it also comes across as partly a vanity project for Kenneth Branagh director/star as only he would probably cast him in the role of The lead of the film. not that he isn’t able, but he has the best role of the film. Even as the star he has such a celebrated cast around him. He isn’t the biggest name, but seems to rest more on their shoulders even though they are mostly supporting players.
The biggest name is actually in it the least, bit makes an impression as an old school wanna be gangster. Who seems more like an intimidating punk crook. But that is the root of the whole film. Everything feels like a performance. Like an elaborate production so much so that nothing seems genuine. Which partially lies at the heart of the tale, but also leave a huge tell. Then again even if not it just feels empty.
Kenneth Branagh recently has been making either ill advised remakes. Where he is absent from the cast but adding modern tricks to familiar tales or taking studio jobs making fist film in tentpole wanna be series of films. Such as THOR and SHADOW RECRUIT not remarkable but serviceable.
The film has a prologue/epilogue that shows how egocentric the character of Poirot is and how he comes to board the train. Which seems there to show rather Then tell about his skills, but also place some comedy to lighten the mood of what soon b comes very dark though progressive for when it is set.
The ending becomes surprisingly emotional and moralistic.
Wish one could trash the film but it’s actually what it appears a competently made popcorn blockbuster film, with a mid-budget but star power of mostly older actors, who are happy to be here. Rather than $100 million cgi Sci-fi creature feature.
So the success of this film I am a bit happy for the film’s success. Hopefully it will inspire more like it again.
Here what you see is what you get. At least weight to see his detective skills in action rather than just know it all the right answers and assumptions immediately.
As long as you don’t expect much you will be entertained. I went in with low expectations and was entertained to a degree with a horrible audience.
Most who know the material obviously know the ending. So I imagine more watch the film to see how it is handled and how it is lead up to. Though that is what there is to more admire. As there isn’t much mystery but a bunch of set-up.
Shooting the movie in 65mm is a nice touch. That adds to the cinematic landscape. Though you only wish it was used on something that was worth it. As the film seems to assume it will be a modern classic. when all it actually does is modernize the tale and make it feel a bit more action oriented
GRADE: C
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