Murder on the Orient Express (2017) User Reviews

Visually stunning, fairly decent film.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 18 November 2017]

I must admit as an Agatha Christie obsessed fan, my initial thoughts were of pure joy, it's been a while since Agatha Christie was on the big screen, appealing to new fans, and how magnificent that such a stellar cast was assembled. Then I thought, of all the titles, why go for such an obvious choice, which has been done several times.

Firstly, the film is undeniably beautiful, the costumes, sets, filming etc, the film will undoubtedly win an Oscar for the visuals. You can see big money was put into the look of the film.

My major irritation throughout, was his moustache, just absurdly over the top, when Depp and Pfeiffer should have been dominating scenes, all I could look at was that moustache. That apart Branagh was excellent, I never thought he'd carry it off, but he did.

I am intrigued as to whether this is a one off film, or if there'll be the odd appearance on the big screen. Only time will tell.

All in all, it was good, I wanted and hoped to absolutely love it, unfortunately I didn't, but no way is it as bad as some say, too much quality for that.

7/10 (hoped for a perfect 10!)

Fans of Poirot steer clear, for there is no Poirot here

[fletcherc21 · 6/10 · 10 November 2017]

This movie was clearly made for a modern audience with no familiarity with Agatha Christie's work. Branagh's portrayal of the legendary Belgian detective Hercule Poirot bares only a passing resemblance to the source material with an inconsistent accent, the wrong mustache, and only some of his iconic quirks and mannerisms. That being said, it is a decent mystery that follows the plot of the story pretty well and it would probably be enjoyable to people seeing the story for the first time and having no preconceived notions of what Poirot should be.

A strong supporting cast featuring Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Johnny Depp, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Penelope Cruz, and many other familiar faces performs well. However, no one stands out in the way Ingrid Bergman did in the 1974 adaptation or Jessica Chastain in the 2010 version.

There were also several semi-action moments that were incredibly out of character for Poirot, yet provided no actual excitement to justify the sudden stylistic change. The ending hints at Death on the Nile being the next mystery for this detective masquerading as Poirot to tackle, but Poirot should not be summoned to solve a murder, he simply stumbles upon them whenever he goes on vacation.

You'll never guess who dunnit

[bob-the-movie-man · 7/10 · 6 November 2017]

There's a big problem with Kenneth Branagh's 2017 filming of the Hercule Poirot-based murder mystery…. and that's the 1974 Sidney Lumet classic featuring Albert Finney in the starring role. For that film was so memorable – at least, the "who" of the "whodunnit" (no spoilers here) was so memorable – that any remake is likely to be tarnished by that knowledge. If you go into this film blissfully unaware of the plot, you are a lucky man/woman. For this is a classic Agatha Christie yarn.

The irascible, borderline OCD, but undeniably great Belgian detective, Poirot, is dragged around the world by grateful police forces to help solve unsolvable crimes. After solving a case in Jerusalem, Poirot is called back to the UK with his mode of transport being the famous Orient Express. Trapped in the mountains by an avalanche, a murder is committed and with multiple suspects and a plethora of clues it is up to Poirot to solve the case.

Branagh enjoys himself enormously as Poirot, sporting the most distractingly magnificent facial hair since Daniel Day-Lewis in "The Gangs of New York". The moustache must have had its own trailer and make-up team!

Above all, the film is glorious to look at, featuring a rich and exotic colour palette that is reminiscent of the early colour films of the 40's. Cinematography was by Haris Zambarloukos ("Mamma Mia" and who also collaborated with Branagh on "Thor) with lots of innovative "ceiling down" shots and artful point-of-view takes that might be annoying to some but which I consider as deserving of Oscar/BAFTA nominations.

The pictures are accompanied by a lush score by Patrick Doyle (who also scored Branagh's "Thor"). Hats off also to the special effects crew, who made the alpine bridge scenes look decidedly more alpine than where they were actually filmed (on a specially made bridge in the Surrey Hills!).

All these technical elements combine to make the film's early stages look and feel truly epic.

And the cast… what a cast! Dame Judi Dench ("Victoria and Abdul"); Olivia Coleman ("The Lobster"); Johnny Depp ("Black Mass"); Daisy Ridley ("Star Wars: The Force Awakens"); Penélope Cruz ("Zoolander 2"); Josh Gad (Olaf!); Derek Jacobi ("I, Claudius"); Willem Dafoe ("The Great Wall") and Michelle Pfeiffer ("mother!"). A real case again of an "oh, it's you" film again at the cinema – when's the last time we saw that?

It's also great to see young Lucy Boynton, so magnificent in last year's excellent "Sing Street", getting an A-list role as the twitchy and disturbed countess.

With all these ingredients in the pot, it should be great, right? Unfortunately, in my view, no, not quite. The film's opening momentum is really not maintained by the screenplay by Michael Green ("Blade Runner 2049"; "Logan"). At heart, it's a fairly static and "stagey" piece at best, set as it is on the rather claustrophobic train (just three carriages… on the Orient Express… really?). But the tale is made even more static by the train's derailment in the snow. Branagh and Green try to sex up the action where they can, but there are lengthy passages of fairly repetitive dialogue. One encounter in particular between Branagh and Depp seems to last interminably: you wonder if the problem was that the director wasn't always looking on to yell "Cut"!

All this leads to the "revelation" of the murderer as being a bit of an anticlimactic "thank heavens for that" rather than the gasping denouement it should have been. (Perhaps this would be different if you didn't know the twist).

However, these reservations aside, it's an enjoyable night out at the flicks, although a bit of a disappointment from the level of expectation I had for it. I can't be too grumpy about it, given it's a return to good old-fashioned yarn-spinning at the cinema, with great visuals and an epic cast. And that has to be good news.

For sure, Branagh does make for an amusing and engaging Poirot, even if his dialogue did need some 'tuning in' to. There was a suggestion at the end of the film that we might be seeing his return in "Death on the Nile" – the most lush and decorous of Peter Ustinov's outings – which I would certainly welcome. He will have to find another 10 A- list stars though to decorate the boat, which will be a challenge for casting!

This Version Is A Train Wreck

[ecastrodesign · 6 November 2017]

If you have any affection for Sidney Lumet's 1974's stellar version of "Murder On the Orient Express", do not bother watching this new version, you will be very disappointed. Even the poster reflects an uninteresting tone, the font used is modern and lacks any sense of style.

Kenneth Branagh is a great director and actor that has given us some memorable films, unfortunately "Murder On the Orient Express" isn't one of them.

At last night's screening of "Murder On the Orient Express" I had to use the restroom after about 40 minutes. As I reentered the theater the person entering with me asked me "Do you think this movie will ever get started?" I said "I don't know; I guess we'll have to see." It caught fire way to late, in about the last 20 minutes.

Indeed, the movie had a painfully slow start, with a completely overproduced prologue that seemed quite unnecessary. The introduction of the characters is messy and it becomes rather confusing as to who they are. The cast is full of great actors, but so few are able to "shine" in this production.

Kenneth Branagh is an interesting Hercule Poirot, he seems to be trying way too hard, and for me somehow he never "owned it." The extremely grotesque mustache seemed to get in the way

Michelle Pfeiffer, as Mrs. Hubbard is lackluster and quite flat, until the last 20 minutes where she does get a chance to shine, but by then it's too late, but it's not her fault.

Derek Jacobi, one of our greatest actors is so misdirected in this version that he delivers an insipid performance. Penelope Cruz walks through a part that gained Ingrid Bergman an Oscar in the original, again not their fault.

Interestingly enough, it is Johnny Depp who gives the best performance. He embodies his character with the right amount of vile corruptness, and sleaziness that brings life to the screen. He also has the most interesting costumes in the movie.

Judi Dench is elegant and funny but her companion played by Olivia Coleman, who usually turns in stellar performances is totally uninteresting here, again not her fault.

The production is indeed rich and elegant in its production design, and cinematography. The costumes however are fine, but lack a certain panache and glamour we have grown to admire in past Agatha Christie films, such as those designed by Tony Walton, and Anthony Powell. Alexandra Byrne is an extraordinary designer, but somehow it feels like the concept was to be subtle and "real". She needed to be bold and adventurous like her work on the "Elizabeth" films with Cate Blanchette.

The musical score vacillates from very generic, to frantic and never finds the right tone, never providing a sense of mystery and suspense. Only when true vintage songs are incorporated does the atmosphere come alive.

Kenneth Branagh is such a gifted filmmaker, it is sad to see this film fall short. He is in almost every frame, perhaps he would have crafted a better film if he was not in it. As the conductor of this train, he did not provide an elegant journey with wit and great character development for one of Agatha Christie's finest stories.

Sheer entertainment

[laks-81654 · 7/10 · 11 October 2021]

Why does everyone say that this movie is so bad? I agree with it being a bit cheesy and not exactly Knives Out in terms of suspense-surpise, but I think it is really entertaining and captures much of the spirit of the original book! Drop the pretentiousness and enjoy 2 hours of good old fashioned, classic whodunnit:)

The Little Engine That Couldn't

[Hitchcoc · 6/10 · 11 November 2017]

I have to agree with several others who have commented on this film. It lacks any sort of spark. Each actor plays to the camera and there is little interaction among them. Johnny Depp is pretty good as the victim, but even he seems a caricature. It is a star studded cast and that may have been a mistake. Branagh's Poirot is so dull. And that awful mustache. It looks like he glued on the bristles from a hair brush. The plot is confusing and there is little mystery. When I saw the first film, I knew the ending, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. There are several strange events that take place in this one. Poirot is way to brusque and unpleasant. My picture of him is a kind of shyness. The ending scene, where things are explained and the murderer revealed, is incredibly dull. Too much hoopla and not enough good direction.

Great Cast

[jack_o_hasanov_imdb · 6/10 · 27 August 2021]

I haven't read the Agatha Christie books yet, I have no idea how the book is, but I liked it as a movie. It has a wonderful staff.

Kept me guessing throughout!

[arsenalboy-17374 · 7/10 · 4 November 2017]

I went to see Murder on the Orient Express last night and this is my review. I am rating it 7/10

A quick overview of the film is that someone is murdered on the Orient and the worlds best detective played brilliantly by Kenneth Branagh must solve this case with caution and intelligence.

The film starts smoothly with some laughs produced by Kenneth. We meet every character before the train journey and that's when the guessing begins.

I really enjoy a film that keeps you guessing and gives you a few unexpected twists. The orient certainly delivers that.

Pros: Few well timed laughs, Kenneth Branagh is fantastic, Guessing Twists, Being focused on what is going on Lovely scenery, Great cast and an intense story.

Cons: To be honest, with the type of film it is and plot. There isn't anything bad I can say about it because it delivered Agatha Christie's story very well.

An entertaining watch for those who like a mystery film with a strong cast and to be engaged throughout but getting you to guess at most stages of the film.

I guessed loads but was wrong!

Thank you and hope you enjoy this review

A Nice Change Of Pace And A Solid Throwback

[Obi_Bamm_Karaoke · 9/10 · 9 November 2017]

When was the last time Hollywood gave us a true old school style "whodunit" type of film? (Don't strain your brain here. You can take it as rhetorical.) These types of stories, where a detective is presented with a crime scene and figures it all out with just their intellect and powers of observation have always been a big part of my life. Trying to figure out the culprit before its eventual reveal was always challenging to me, and putting these stories on the big screen have kind of faded into the background. So, what do you do when you want to bring them back? Call Kenneth Branagh.

In his latest film, he brings to life one of the most famous detective novels in Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express". He plays the famous (and infamous, depending on who you are) Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, who is taking a bit of a vacation on his way to his next case on the famous Orient Express. Unfortunately, fate has its own plans for him as a murder most foul (I have always wanted to use that phrase in a review) happens during a snowstorm that derails the train. No one is seen by Poirot as innocent as he questions the passengers, follows the clues, and races against time to solve the case before the local authorities arrive and could accuse the wrong person of the murder.

OK, so let me run down the cast for you: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Leslie Odom, Jr., Tom Bateman, Josh Gad, Penelope Cruz, Derek Jacobi, Olivia Coleman, Willem Defoe, and Dame Judi Dench. And yes, they are ALL in this thing, as well as Branagh, who also directed. Given all of that paired with the fact that this runs less than two hours, and I was intrigued on multiple levels. And trust me here: this film does not disappoint. Sure, there are some liberties taken from the source material, but none of them are so far out of the norm that will drive the fans of any previous iterations of this story. Branagh is truly enjoyable as the character who is a genius but has his own issues that actually enhance his powers of observation, and his direction is top-notch here. This is gorgeously shot, including a few shots where there is a nod to the old ways of effects, giving a tighter and more nostalgic feel to the modern telling of this tale.

The performances here are exactly what I expected from a cast of this caliber. With a story that has been around as long as "Murder on the Orient Express" has been (the book was written in 1934), there is a bit of a minefield when it comes to bringing it to life that could easily fall down the slope into parody or cariacature, but diverse screenwriter Michael Green, whose resume covers everything from "Green Lantern" to "Everwood" and even "Logan," is able to write dialogue that lets the actors really get into the skins of these characters to treat them with the proper respect and dignity. Yes, there ARE a few liberties taken with the characters themselves, but there was nothing done that gave me even a little bit of growling. Each character has its own arc and motivations that work into the larger picture in a way that is engaging with no wasted space at all.

There will be people that will find this film to be a bit outlandish, but I feel that those people are those that have not taken the time to really study the genre. Not every film has to dumb itself down to cater to the lowest common denominator, and I really enjoy it when a film tells me to engage my suspension of disbelief and simply entertain me. For great escapism and a reminder of a simpler time, "Murder on the Orient Express" achieves this goal for an audience that can truly appreciate its greatness.

Never read the book or watched previous versions and loved it!

[lloydbarnes5 · 7/10 · 14 November 2017]

No I have never read the book, or seen a film that was made over 40 years ago, but I do love the 'myster' genre and this film didn't disappoint. Beautifully directed and produced. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I can understand why people might dislike this film after reading some reviews. But I had no expectations of this film. Lovely.

Difficult to Review

[WylieJJordan · 5/10 · 10 November 2017]

Difficult Kenneth Branagh makes, produces, and stars in good movies, and this version of Murder on the Orient Express features impressive sets, beautiful scenery, and lovely period clothes. An impressive case features Penélope Cruz, Johnny Depp, Derek Jacobi, Michelle Pfeiffer, Judi Dench, Willem Dafoe, and Kennth Branagh as Hercule Poirot. I think those who are not familiar with Agatha Christie, Poirot, or the story may very well like this movie.

I, on the other hand, was massively disappointed, especially by Branagh as a sort of English upper-class colonel with a stick-on cavalry moustache and by the needless addition of an introductory scene at the Wailing Wall. But I am prejudiced. I read the 1934 novel decades ago and again more recently. I liked the 1974 star-studded version with Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Jacqueline Bisset, Sean Connery, John Gielgud, Wendy Hiller, Anthony Perkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Richard Widmark, and Michael York—despite the fact that Albert Finney was a very poor version of Christie's Hercule Poirot.

In my opinion, the 2010 television version of the story starred David Suchet as the definitive Poirot, and the ending was far and away the best of all the versions with which I am familiar. So I think Christie fans may want to skip this edition of the classic.

A Masterpiece

[rolisinha · 10/10 · 1 August 2020]

Truly the best mystery fim of all time . Sir Kenneth Branagh has done truly an amazing job creating and leading a good movie . Truly a good experience.

Genuinely Good

[jordyntsmith · 7/10 · 13 October 2021]

A detective solves a murder in a small passenger train.

I do think it is a genuinely good movie that a person would really enjoy if they didn't already know the ending (but the story is so we'll know that many people do already).

Nevertheless, the movie is fun, has a enticing Hollywood feel to it, and is an easy watch.

I think most moviegoers would like it. And it actually makes me want to read the book!

From The Vast Agatha Christie Collection

[duffjerroldorg · 4/10 · 10 November 2017]

Why remake Murder On The Orient Express when there are so many titles from Agatha Christie's bibliography that have never been made. Specially this one, directed in 1974 by Sidney Lumet - a genius at having many great actors within a confined space, think 12 Angry Men - with a cast that was to die for. The 2017 Kenneth Brannagh couldn't survive the comparison and it doesn't. I missed the elegance and the wit. Albert Finney got an Oscar nomination for his Hercules Poirot here Kenneth Brannagh's mustache will get all the attention as well as Johnny Depp's incomprehensible performance. Then, of course, the score. The original Richard Rodney Bennett became a classic. So, I ask you, was this necessary?

On track

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 21 November 2018]

I haven't seen the original 70s adaptation of the movie. I wanted to before watching this, but a friend wanted to watch it and I just did. I actually quite enjoyed it. It starts quite nice with a twist in the first case if you want to call it that. Generally speaking Kenneth does a great job directing and acting in his own movie. The scope cinematically speaking is just amazing. You can't fault the movie when it comes to the cinematography. I think the acting is really good and the story is tension filled, so there goes that. I did not see the conclusion coming the way it did, but I guess it makes sense. And even then you get another nod at the end of this to something that might be in the Horizon. Sign me up for it, is what I would say. Entertaining and more than decent overall

Too different from the book

[hey-james85 · 6/10 · 12 October 2018]

At first when I saw the trailer, I was so excited and thought "Finally, a remake of Agatha Christie's masterpiece!". But after I watched the movie that night, I can't hide I was so disappointed.

The movie is so different from the book! And many of the scenes are exaggerated, and some important parts from the books are not included in the movie. Some characters lost or exchanged names. No "dr. Constantine", Greta Ohlsson changed into Pilar Estravados, Antonio replaced by some Italian name I can't remember. Some of the characters' personality are also too much for me. Count Andreyi is a... count. It's impossible he is so temperamental in the movie (while in the book Count Andreyi are more respected and well-behaved).

Disappointing, for a Christie's adaptation.

beautiful but lacking

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 13 February 2018]

After solving a case at the Wailing Wall, famed detective Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) takes a boat to Istanbul where he boards the Orient Express with various characters. While crossing the Alps, the train is stuck in the snow and a murder occurs. Poirot must find the culprit and its connection to a famous child kidnap-murder case.

Branagh uses his skills to create beautiful stages on which his actors can perform. The only problem is that the characters are little more than facades. They are surfaces without interiors. While it's impressively beautiful, there isn't any blood pumping through this story. It begins with Branagh and his crazy mustache. It's an artifice in place of real character work. It also draws attention away from any real work. There is an artificiality with the whole world although it is a beautiful art world. I do wonder if this is the best way to update the adaptation of this classic.

A great mystery and a really fun film!

[ethanbresnett · 7/10 · 11 January 2021]

Murder on the Orient Express is a really fun experience. It has everything you want from a crime mystery - a tremendous collection of characters, great location, thrills, humour, and a roaring third act.

What impressed me most about this film was the staging of it. The set was sublime and felt so rich and detailed. The costumes, hair, make up etc were perfect (with the exception of Poirot's moustache... a bit too much maybe?!), and the score complimented the film to a tee. On top of all this there was some top notch cinematography. Nothing to fault from this perspective.

Now the cast. It was a who's who of big established stars and up and coming names in Hollywood, and I loved them all. Despite the sometimes dodgy accents (I'm looking at you Judy), I just can't resist a talented ensemble cast like this. It took me a little while to get on board with Branagh's portrayal of Poirot, but after about 20 minutes I was all aboard! Great cast, each playing their character to perfection.

Now comes the criticism, and this isn't really a reflection on the film, but more on the source material. What I often find with Agatha Christie stories is that I'm always impatient to get to the end. You know there is going to be a satisfying reveal, and also that they are pretty hard to guess as the rug is usually pulled from under you and there are numerous red herrings. As such, the middle act sometimes felt like we were going through the motions, and the pacing of the film can sometimes feel a tad slow.

I'm being picky though, because I was blindsided by the final reveal and thought that they played it out to perfection, with maximum impact. An incredible scene!

If you like Agatha Christie, mysteries, thrillers, crime etc, then you'll have a great time with Murder on the Orient Express.

A nice surprise

[DancingLiv · 8/10 · 3 November 2017]

I was a bit skeptical about this movie, but I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Of course, it's not perfect, and sometimes Branagh overdo it a little, but whoever likes the genre will be captured by the fantastic atmosphere and will not be bored, because Branagh has been able to put some pepper on the story. His Poirot convinced me and the old glories like Judy Dench, Willelm Defoe and Johnny Depp do their job and do it well, but in my opinion the most interesting notes come from the young people: I personally loved Josh Gad and Daisy Ridley, but the real surprise was Sergei Polunin: I mean, for those who saw him performing as dancer, it's not a real surprise, but it's really hard to believe it was his first time in a movie! He has given to his character this melancholy, turbulent and passionate aura, halfway between a Shakespearean prince and James Dean. His expressions, his little gestures, the way he looked at his wife, he made me feel like a teenager who cannot wait to buy his poster and stick it over her bed! And let me say, that guy definitely knows how to "handle" a woman as well as he can deliver a kick! As usual, more the critics hate a film, more it worth to be seen.

An unnecessary murder

[paul2001sw-1 · 6/10 · 6 October 2020]

'Murder on the Orient Express' is perhaps Agatha Christie's best-loved story, a perfectly-conceived locked-room mystery, with a typically preposterous resolution. Kenneth Branagh, who also directs, is the latest in a long line of actors to take on the role of detective Hercule Poirot, and never has Poirot been more magnificently moustached. Poirot is, of course, more a collection of personal mannerisms than a truly rounded character, but Branagh does a reasonable job of bringing him to at least half-a-life (although I still prefer the more forceful interpretation of Ustinov). However, the film lacks a certain tension: a potential murderer is believed to be one of 12 people trapped on a snowbound train, but a consonant sense of claustrophobic menace is lacking. One problem with a locked-room mystery, of course, is precisely that the plot, following the murder, has literally nowhere to go. The result is a moderately diverting film but one that adds little to the previous interpretations of the story.

Everything wrong with Hollywood

[Leofwine_draca · 4/10 · 3 January 2021]

An uninteresting new version of the classic Agatha Christie murder mystery, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS screams everything that's wrong with modern Hollywood. It's been shot on a fake-looking green screen of snowbound vistas, and from the moment it randomly adds martial arts into the story early on I knew it wouldn't be much good. An impressive all-star cast is assembled only for the actors to be wasted in paper-thin roles, while Kenneth Branagh's Poirot gets all of the screen time and attention. He's surprisingly average in the role, easily exceeded by the earlier stars who played the character; Ustinov, for example, but in particular the definitive Suchet. The film adds humour and quirk to the tale but just begins dragging after a while, leading to a shrill and hysterical climax.

I'm not sure why people hate this movie

[kalirossi · 9/10 · 1 January 2020]

I thought this movie was absolutely thrilling. While I agree that Hollywood needs to calm down on the remakes and start valuing original content, I thought this movie was simply fantastic. Why do people say that this movie was an ego boost for Kenneth Branagh? Seriously, why? He's the main character of the story. The other actors each had smaller parts than him. Yes, I did read the book, and I have to say that they were very similar. If the story was told even partially from another character's point of view the plot would have been completely spoiled! As for Daisy Ridley's performance, I thought it was great! Please judge her honestly apart from Star Wars. It's pretty obvious that she receives biased criticism. As for the ending, I was incredibly moved by the cast's performances-especially Branagh's. He really showed a passion for justice the entire movie, and he realized what a grey area the crime committed lies in at the end. Perhaps this is why the color palette is particularly dull in the movie, to represent the grey areas of justice? Or perhaps I'm being pretentious and looking too much into the artistic decisions. Wouldn't be the first time! Overall, I loved this movie, and I'm shocked to see why so many people hate it. If it's only a preference, then fine, but I'm reading a lot of reviews that seem ignorant, arrogant, or biased from the start. I was thoroughly entertained the entire movie, even after I had already read the book. Give this movie a chance! If you don't like it, I completely respect your opinion, but at least watch it with an open mind!

Bland

[coudertcapucine · 6/10 · 23 February 2018]

Despite the impressive cast, the interpretations of the stars are trite. Moreover, the soundtrack is kind of senseless compared to the plot. However the scenario is fascinating ! As always A.Christie does not deceive us. The film is suspenseful but not very striking. You can watch it once but not twice.

Capucine Coudert

A poor copy.

[janalori · 1/10 · 12 March 2019]

What made Ken Branagh think he could improve on the previous versions? Apparently he tried to update the story for the 21st century, but he failed miserably. Watch the earlier versions. This one is CGI crap.

Entertaining and intriguing right to the end!

[0U · 22 February 2020]

I saw this without any foreknowledge of the story despite its history. As a Brannagh admirer I also expected a lot. As such it was a great performance by a great cast. Those who didnâ(TM)t like it perplex me. This is not a modern crime story with action or violence or explosions to distract us. Like Sherlock Homes, Poirot is detective who use his mind and observation skills rather than physical action and violence to solve his case. The filming is perfect, the pace slow and steady, the denouement handled with precision. If you go into this expecting a James Bond type movie ( which I really like precisely because it they are full of action and spectacle but not too much intellectual input !), you will be disappointed. But if you expect to have your mind intrigued and you like to solve crime, then you will not be disappointed. I suspect it will be more enjoyable if you have no idea as to the true plot line, so if you have read the story in the past, it would help if you do not re-read it and you have forgotten some of the details.