Murder on the Orient Express

Agatha Christie's iconic Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is all aboard for a cinematic makeover. One of his most famous cases, that of the Murder on the Orient Express, was most famously presented on the big screen in 1974. That version had Sidney Lumet directing Albert Finney as Poirot and an all-star cast of suspects. This new take has Kenneth Branagh direct himself as Poirot and an all-star cast of suspects. The end result is one enjoyable scenic mystery tour.

Poirot opens the film by solving a robbery in Jerusalem. Afterwards, he goes to Istanbul and books a return trip to London on the Orient Express. One of the passengers, a shady businessman named Mr. Ratchett (Johnny Depp), wants to hire Poirot as his bodyguard. Poirot refuses to take the job. Eventually, someone kills Ratchett in the dead of night, while the train derails after an avalanche.

Poirot gets to work when the deed is found. Because of the train's circumstances, he figures the murderer is still snowbound on the Orient Express. He interviews an eclectic cast of characters, which include Ratchett's assistant MacQueen (Josh Gad), rich widow Mrs. Hubbard (Michelle Pfieffer) and Dr. Arbuthnot (Leslie Odom Jr.). Poirot wants to punish the guilty party even if Ratchett wasn't exactly nice. But Poirot figures he might have to this time once he determines the motive of the case.

The screenplay by Michael Green breezes by capably for 114 minutes. Poirot's opening case made for a great display of his personality and skill. It also showcases his sense of humor, even a joke I sensed a mile away (is that good?). You'll have to pay attention to the investigation scenes or the summation might lose you a bit. The flashback scenes, especially those which elaborated on the motive, were striking. 

The murderer's row of actors was pretty good. Kenneth Branagh portrayed Poirot as a delightfully smug and competent detective with a distinct Daddy Walrus mustache. The case's solution certainly affected him. Josh Gad proved he could play a dramatic role (as far as I know) as MacQueen. Mrs. Hubbard made her most impact once she revealed her relevance to the case. The same was true for Dr. Arbuthnot. Count Andrenyi's (Sergei Polunin) sudden ballistic attack on a paparazzi belonged in a pure comedy, but it was still funny weird. Other highlights included Willem Dafoe as Dr. Hardman and Judi Dench as Princess Dragomiroff. 

There's also a fine technical crew aboard for this mystery. Jim Clay's production design visualizes the best looking train station since Hugo and a fine train to set the story. Hans Zambarloukos's cinematography pulls off several impressive long takes and scenery shots in 65mm. Alexandra Byrne's costume design and the makeup design give the characters great period looks. There's also a strong score by Patrick Doyle, which do their best work when the Express disembarks the station and in the Flashbacks.

Murder on the Orient Express is a good introduction to Hercule Poirot. It's an entertaining, involving and panoramic event movie that gets things going from the studio logo on. I'd be set for another Poirot movie in case they make one more. They already hint at the location of his next case, which was already filmed in the 70's.