In this expression of Agatha Christie's classic mystery, an American tourist is murdered on the famed Orient Express as it rolls through Europe. Fortunately famed detective Hercule Poirot is on board and reluctantly takes the case.
Kenneth Branagh (Hercule), Daisy Ridley (Miss Debenham), Leslie Odom Jr. (Dr. Arbuthnot), Tom Bateman (Bouc), Penelope Cruz (Pilar), Richard Clifford (Maître d'), Josh Gad (MacQueen), Johnny Depp (Ratchett), Derek Jacobi (Masterman), Sergei Polunin (Count Andrenyi), Judi Dench (Dragomiroff), Willem Dafoe (Hardman).
Murder on the Orient Express begins well enough with some mild backstory and character introductions before smoothly rolling into the current setting and plot setup. From there the film is an interesting journey of theories, misdirection, and supporting plot lines revealed at key points to build suspense and mystery. Interestingly the story becomes less about capturing a murderer and more about the connection between the passengers along with some enjoyable humor.
Acting was amusing if nothing else. Branagh was solid with good delivery. Dench and Dafoe were both well cast for their roles and executed nicely. Bateman, Cruz, and even Depp in a smaller role, were solid and enjoyable throughout as was the nicely varied supporting cast.
Camera work, sets, and backgrounds which were blended with some mild CGI were all well done with good quality and technical detail. Action scenes were fitting and well done. Dialogue had reasonable depth and moved things along fairly well. Sound and soundtrack are both good.
Overall Murder on the Orient Express (2017) is an enjoyable crime drama that does a decent job with the classic Agatha Christie story. Fans of the story or the original should enjoy this one. Those looking for a lot of action may be disappointed.
With some mild violence, this should be fine for teens and above.
Released: 2017
Reviewed: 5.21.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Crime, Mystery, Mystery Drama based on a book, Crime Thriller
copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel
Kenneth Branagh (Hercule), Daisy Ridley (Miss Debenham), Leslie Odom Jr. (Dr. Arbuthnot), Tom Bateman (Bouc), Penelope Cruz (Pilar), Richard Clifford (Maître d'), Josh Gad (MacQueen), Johnny Depp (Ratchett), Derek Jacobi (Masterman), Sergei Polunin (Count Andrenyi), Judi Dench (Dragomiroff), Willem Dafoe (Hardman).
Murder on the Orient Express begins well enough with some mild backstory and character introductions before smoothly rolling into the current setting and plot setup. From there the film is an interesting journey of theories, misdirection, and supporting plot lines revealed at key points to build suspense and mystery. Interestingly the story becomes less about capturing a murderer and more about the connection between the passengers along with some enjoyable humor.
Acting was amusing if nothing else. Branagh was solid with good delivery. Dench and Dafoe were both well cast for their roles and executed nicely. Bateman, Cruz, and even Depp in a smaller role, were solid and enjoyable throughout as was the nicely varied supporting cast.
Camera work, sets, and backgrounds which were blended with some mild CGI were all well done with good quality and technical detail. Action scenes were fitting and well done. Dialogue had reasonable depth and moved things along fairly well. Sound and soundtrack are both good.
Overall Murder on the Orient Express (2017) is an enjoyable crime drama that does a decent job with the classic Agatha Christie story. Fans of the story or the original should enjoy this one. Those looking for a lot of action may be disappointed.
With some mild violence, this should be fine for teens and above.
Released: 2017
Reviewed: 5.21.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Crime, Mystery, Mystery Drama based on a book, Crime Thriller
copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel
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