A Lame Attempt

Rating: 4/10 (12 November 2017)

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
I was quite disappointed with this movie. Granted I'm a huge Christie fan and I believe David Suchet's version of Poirot is the most faithful interpretation of Christie's sleuth. If you are a hard core Christie or Poirot fan, this movie may be more annoying than interesting. IMHO, I'd watch either the Albert Finney or David Suchet's versions before spending time and money on this.
Didn't Like: - Branaugh did not bother with having an egg head, which is one of the most distinctive physical characteristics about Poirot.

the moustache is totally distracting and it was all I could do to listen to the dialogue instead of watching the moustache in fascination. It deserves its own film credit for Pete's sake. And in keeping with Poirots character, while enormously proud of his moustache, Poirot would never allow it to become messy like it was in several of the scenes. It would be waxed to perfection.

Poirot stepping into the manure pile twice. So ridiculous! He would never ruin his shoes in this manner. While his murmured comment about balance rings true, he would immediately stop and clean the one shoe before continuing. Poirot isn't just focused on balance but cleanliness and tidy are imperative. He'd never be able to stand dirty, smelly shoes plus the fact that the leather would be ruined, would render him incapable of moving on until it's cleaned up.

the scene towards the end where all the characters were seated at the long table, looking like The Last Supper seemed an indulgence and overly dramatic on Branaughs part

. - so many flat performances by such skilled actors. Compared to older MOTOE films, the performances were disappointing. I was excited to see all these great actors in one film but sadly they didn't get to shine.

the introduction of the characters was tedious and for those not familiar with the story, probably confusing.

Poirot holding interviews outdoors without being muffled up in coat, scarf, earmuffs, gloves and seemingly unbothered by the cold. Poirot famously hates to be outside in cold weather, far preferring the comfortable indoors with a tisane at his side, so this was so silly that I found it distracting.

further to that, Poirot sitting at the very edge of an open baggage car with the wind blowing cold air over them, for a chat with Daisy Ridleys character seemed very out of character. While perhaps an interesting camera angle, it was not his style.

Branaugh expects us to believe that a handful of men with rudimentary tools were going to force the two engines back onto the track. Sigh, it's just so unrealistic.

Liked:

the scenery was gorgeous, whether CGI or real, it was spectacular and there were several interesting camera angles

I like the Easter egg about Death on the Nile (although I fervently hope Branaugh doesn't attempt a re-do of that story).

while I hated the moustache, I did enjoy the moustache cover Poirot wore to bed. That is definitely a Poirot type of thing to do.

the scene at the beginning with his cane in the wall, Poirot loves to be showman so that seemed in character.

I liked the set, the ambiance and decadence of the train

we finally saw some skillful acting at the very end when all the characters were together for the climatic resolution.

I liked how Branagh did Poirots comments about justice at the end of the movie.