A decent family movie

Rating: 6/10 (28 February 2018)

I enjoyed this film - I wasn't sure that I was going to, based on the reviews I'd read - but I did enjoy it, in a mixed kind of way. This despite the fact that I remember the 1974 version, and the TV series version with David Suchet fondly.
A lot of films nowadays tend to be big budget, all action, sweary-mary kind of films. It was refreshing to see a movie that was entertaining and suitable to watch with family members from teens to seniors.
Hardcore fans of Agatha Christie may not be to happy with this adaptation/remake because of the way it's been Hollywoodified - maybe the finger can point to Kenneth Brannagh for this, as he directed and starred in the leading role (which can be seen as a vehicle for his success/reputation). Elements of the film had been modernised, primarily to meet expectations of it's potential audiences, rather than to drive the films on. It was fast paced, moody, sexy and clever at different times - but I don't think it actually needed to be or should have been. The cast was undeniably brilliant, and between them they probably have a massive trophy collection - but did it need to be? I suspect that if the cast was an attempt to do a star studded feature like the 1974 version then it meets that expectation. If the cast was chosen for acting prowess, then perhaps unknown stars could have faired equally well because the film isn't about personality and connecting with the characters, it's about their story. (Perhaps the use of superstars was a clever way of diverting the obvious revelations from the audience so they kept on guessing 'whodunnit' too.)
If you haven't read the book or seen the other versions you might get more enjoyment out of this than anyone who knows the story. Either way though this was a decent family film which wasn't offensive and was made to fit for modern audiences. I'd watch whatever follow-up is planned (and hinted towards at the end). 6 out of 10.