mealine
I love Kenneth Branagh as an actor and director. His take on "Thor" was Shakespearean and he made it work. His take on "Murder on the Orient Express" was a hot mess.
He had a stellar cast, a wonderful and well-known story, and he got in his own way.
I know it is hard to remake a classic murder-mystery and give it a fresh take, but this was a serious fail. I hated the way Kenneth portrayed Poirot.
I admit that when I read the book years ago, I figured out who the murderer was, but even so, I enjoyed the way the 1974 version strung the viewers along until the big reveal.
In this version, the clues and solution pop up like memes or hashtags on social media.
I am sorry I watched this and even more sorry to learn that Branagh plans to give "Death on the Nile" a go. If it's anything like his "Orient Express," I'll be rooting for Poirot to drown.
nulla_29
As a huge fan of Agatha Christie, I find myself thrilling by the idea of another movie adaptation of her books, and I was not disappointed by this one.
This remake is a very interesting try, with good casting, amazing photography and very good acting from Kenneth Branagh. It is clear a great challenge to play this role after David Suchet, who's by far my favorite Poirot of all times and the most talented Peter Ustinov, and, in my opinion Branagh did more than very well. In fact his interpretation of Poirot was a fresh one, focusing on Poirot's wits instead of supporting his usual "caricature" side. Of course Agatha Christie at her books praised this features of her detective, but even though, the main power of Hercule Poirot always was his little gray cells and his upright character, qualities that Kenneth Branagh brought to life successfully.However, I cannot give more than 7 stars because of that almost unbearable,dreadful mustache! Whose idea was that and Why?
Please, if there's another movie, spare us from this mustache.
Also there were some useless fighting scenes and the completely unnecessary mention of a past love of Poirot. That spoiled Poirot's true nature according to the books.
In all, a good movie, worth watching.