OverallMurder on the Orient Express is a worthwhile bit of fun. Fans of the book might will find it to be a slick, dutiful retelling of a classic, while newcomers will certainly be entertained, Ilove traditional mysteries. There's a reason that detective novels used to be so short; they focused on the mystery at hand rather than the backgrounds of the characters. Nowadays, every detective has to be brooding and have a deep-rooted need for justice because of their dark pasts and/or a traumatic childhood event. Review ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ bores the little gray cells to death November 8, 2017 at 10:02 a.m. | UPDATED: But the Themovie could use one, too. Contriving somehow both to dawdle and to rush, “Murder on the Orient Express” is handsome, undemanding, and almost wholly bereft of purpose. Green adds some heavy Murderon the Orient Express review by Jeff P - This is a really pretty movie. The sunsets and snowstorms look fantastic on 65mm. Movie Reviews. Review by Jeff P. Last updated: 17 Jul 2022 at 01:51 UTC. Back to movie details. This review of Murder on the Orient Express (2017) was written by Jeff P on 12 February 2018. Setin 1934, Murder on the Orient Express is an old-fashioned whodunit. As such, it takes its good old time in unraveling the central mystery. Although there's little action, Branagh-- who also directed -- keeps the story humming along with lush, exquisite visuals (the film was shot in widescreen 65mm); long, mesmerizing tracking shots; and crackerjack performances from Thefilm’s attempt to justify vengeance isn’t the only problem I have with this newest version of Murder on the Orient Express. While perhaps we might laud the movie’s focus on the issue of morality, that same focus detracts us from the traditional charm of Christie-style mysteries: The intricacies of the plot, the cleverness of the MurderOn The Orient Express (1974) Blu-ray + Special Features [B]. 5awleU. The director and star Kenneth Branagh’s remake looks great but feels utterly Branagh in Murder on the Orient Express 20th Century FoxIn cinema, as elsewhere, there can be too much of a good thing. Quick Do you remember the film several years back that starred Judi Dench, Penélope Cruz, Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, and Nicole Kidman, among others? If you recall that it was Nine, the director Rob Marshall’s musical follow-up to his Academy Award–winning Chicago, well good on you. I can scarcely summon any memory of the film ReadingThe director Kenneth Branagh’s remake of Murder on the Orient Express labors under the same delusion that cinematic quality is arithmetical Dench and Cruz are both here again, as are Branagh himself, Michelle Pfeiffer, Johnny Depp, Daisy Ridley, Josh Gad, Derek Jacobi, and God knows how many others who are currently skipping my mind. If movies truly were math, this would be a they aren’t, and it’s not. Branagh’s retelling of the classic Agatha Christie tale is visually sumptuous yet otherwise inert, a series of what are essentially cameos by performers far too gifted to waste their time like this. There should be a law against casting Judi Dench in a film and then giving her virtually nothing to plot is familiar, even to those who have neither read the novel nor seen Sidney Lumet’s famous 1974 adaptation starring Albert Finney The year is 1935, and 13 apparent strangers are sharing a carriage on a train from Istanbul to Calais. One of them is murdered in his cabin with a dozen stab wounds, and the rest are trapped on the train by a snowdrift that has blocked the tracks. Who among them is the killer? Fortunately, among them is also Hercule Poirot Branagh, and he will solve the mystery because that is what he movie opens with an introductory scene in which Poirot is called upon to solve a mystery involving a priest, a rabbi, an imam—yes, the requisite “walk into a bar” joke is made—and the theft of a sacred relic. In the process, we are introduced to the idea of Hercule Poirot, inveterate perfectionist He carefully measures his two boiled eggs to ensure they are the same size; having stepped in a dung patty with one foot, he carefully places the other foot in it as well to preserve “balance” in the philosophical rather than ambulatory sense. Asked how it is he is able to deduce even the most hidden truths, he replies, “I can only see the world as it should be. And when it is not, imperfection stands out like the nose on a face.”The film is a reasonably faithful adaptation of the novel, and some of its variations are improvements. Two characters—a doctor and a soldier—are usefully melded into one, and a secondary stabbing is introduced to good effect. Other alterations, alas, seem more like concessions to the temper of the times a chase through the trestles of an alpine bridge; a fight and gunshot wound; a pointless backstory about Poirot’s lost love; and an extended bout of moral handwringing once the mystery has been the most dispiriting way in which the film diverges from its source material is in the person of Poirot himself. Christie’s Poirot was a somewhat comical figure, a short man five-foot-four, to be precise with a head “exactly the shape of an egg,” and a meticulously waxed mustache that curved up into two points. Branagh’s Poirot keeps the mustache—indeed, pushes it beyond absurdity, now curling up into six points—but otherwise he looks pretty much like movie-star Kenneth Branagh. He’s adopted the habit, a la Sherlock Holmes, of wowing strangers by intuiting their origins and professions on the basis of minute physical details. And, also like Holmes, he’s become adept at physical flatly heroic portrayal of Christie’s odd little Belgian detective might be less annoying if it didn’t smack of directorial vanity on Branagh’s part. So, too, might the fact that Branagh accords himself more screen time than all his illustrious costars combined. This latter defect would arguably be hard to avoid Finney, too, dominated the all-star cast of the 1974 version, even if Ingrid Bergman walked away with a thoroughly unearned Oscar for supporting actress. Is this unfair to Branagh? Perhaps. But it is the tightrope to be walked in self-directed star turns in movies that aim to be on the Orient Express is not a bad movie per se, merely one that feels self-indulgent and thoroughly unnecessary. Or perhaps it’s just me I can only see the movie as it should have been. And when it’s not, its imperfections stick out like the nose above a six-point mustache. A Lot or a Little? What you will—and won't—find in this movie. Where to Watch Videos and Photos Parents say 24 Kids say 51 age 12+ Based on 24 parent reviews April 20, 2023 Totally awesome mystery movie! Entertaining whodunnit doesn’t have too much violence nor bad language. This movie is based on the book by Agatha Christie and the first version of the movie in 1974. Although the movie isn’t very violent it does have some drinking alcohol and consuming drugs. There is some violence a man gets stabbed 12 times in the stomach and some violent dialogue but nothing too hairy. Families will enjoy this murder mystery sequel and will love the storyline. I think this movie is great for ages 10+ This title has Great messages Great role models Too much drinking/drugs/smoking 1 person found this helpful. May 30, 2022 Classic whodunit with a lot of style and panache Excellently shot, fantastic pacing and appropriate liberties were taken with the source material. Fabu job modernizing the portrayals in order to have a cast that reflects 2017 and contemporizing the mystery so more of the audience is invested. Branagh does a fabulous job...on pins and needles for Death on the Nile. What's the Story? In MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, master detective Hercule Poirot Kenneth Branagh has just solved a case in Jerusalem and is looking forward to a vacation. Unfortunately, he's summoned to another case in London and must board the Orient Express. A boorish passenger, Ratchett Johnny Depp, whose business appears shady, tries to hire Poirot for protection. Next thing anyone knows, Ratchett has been murdered, and there's a whole train car full of suspects. Poirot interviews them one by one, including Ratchett's secretary Josh Gad, his valet Derek Jacobi, a society lady Michelle Pfeiffer, a princess Judi Dench, a professor Willem Dafoe, a governess Daisy Ridley, a doctor Leslie Odom Jr., and a missionary Penelope Cruz. But the more Poirot learns, the less the clues seem to add up; they even seem to contradict one another. He comes to realize that this case will lead him to question everything he knows. Is It Any Good? Branagh calls on his finest classical directing skills to make this smart, old-fashioned murder mystery into an enjoyable, great-looking entertainment, with an ensemble cast to die for. Based on the novel by Agatha Christie, Branagh's colorful, fluid Murder on the Orient Express is a worthy companion to the book's previous big-screen adaptation, Sidney Lumet's 1974 version. Best of all, Branagh directs himself in the role of the famous detective Poirot, and it's as natural a fit as his outings as Henry V and Hamlet were. Branagh finds a fascinating emotional center to the character, a certain kind of pain that drives him, rather than just being really smart. Plus he has an amazing mustache. The movie takes place in a single location, but Branagh's camera moves gracefully through the narrow corridors; he never constricts or tightens for suspense purposes. He goes outside, or above, or wide, to bring all the characters together on a human level. He also uses mirrors and windows to fascinating effect. This isn't a traditional murder mystery, in that it's not particularly suspenseful or thrilling. Rather, it's content and mature enough to explore the reasons behind it all, to find the soul of the thing. This is a movie aimed at viewers who have a little bit of patience and who don't mind a little bit of the way things used to be. Talk to Your Kids About ... Families can talk about Murder on the Orient Express's violence. How much is actually shown? What's the impact of the violence that's not shown? Is this thrilling or shocking? How does the movie depict drinking and drugs? Are they glamorized? Do any of the characters appear to be addicts? What indicates that? What does the movie have to say about racism and discrimination? Which characters appear to be intolerant of characters from other cultures? How are they treated by others? Like Poirot, do you believe that there are simple, black-and-white solutions for every problem? Why or why not? Why do you think author Agatha Christie and her character Hercule Poirot have such enduring appeal? Movie Details In theaters November 10, 2017 On DVD or streaming February 27, 2018 Cast Daisy Ridley, Johnny Depp, Judi Dench, Kenneth Branagh Director Kenneth Branagh Studio Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Genre Thriller Topics Book Characters Run time 114 minutes MPAA rating PG-13 MPAA explanation violence and thematic elements Last updated July 2, 2022 Did we miss something on diversity? Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update. Where to Watch Our Editors Recommend Thriller Movies Mystery TV Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. See how we rate Story Based on Agatha Christie’s celebrated crime mystery novel, the film revolves around the murder of a dubious businessman aboard the luxurious first class compartment of the Orient express. With almost every co-passenger being a suspect, Belgian detective Hercule Poirot’s Kenneth Branagh sharp deduction skills are put to test once Loaded with mysterious intentions, cheeky humour, clever repartee and an ensemble cast that comprises some of cinema’s biggest names, Murder on the Orient Express makes for an intriguing watch. Strangers being stranded on a stalled train makes for a great premise, given the thrill of finding a killer lurking this dangerous train ride has its own delays if not derailment. Kenneth Branagh who plays the most crucial character of Poirot and directs the film as well, looks like he is trying to bite off more than he can he manages to infuse the necessary underlying tension, awkwardness and silence between his characters, he and his dramatic moustache and accent struggle to make this retelling of 1930s whodunit, appeal to the contemporary audience. To set an entire movie in just one frame train compartment and yet make it look engaging is another challenge. Branagh wins some, loses particularly liked how he captures his characters as they steal a glance at each other. You wish the story played around their unspoken emotions a little more before diving straight into the investigation. Character buildup seems hurried and thus of Poirot and his obsession for balance’, only if Branagh had maintained that as a director as well. Barring Michelle Pfeiffer and Branagh himself, most talented actors like Judi Dench and Penelope Cruz get lost in the despite the glitches and avalanches, thanks to a stellar cast and gripping source material, this mysterious train journey is worth taking. Does it have a twist in the end? You have to watch the movie to know that.