Certainly not brilliant but still rather enjoyable!

Rating: 7/10 (6 November 2017)

I must admit, after his first directorial debuts with the appalling THOR movies, I was a little hesitant about Kenneth Branagh's latest outing as director (and star) with Murder on the Orient Express, and though there was a fair amount of material to enjoy, I'm sad to say that I WAS fairly spot-on.
Don't get me wrong, there IS enjoyable stuff here but there were also various problems that left me rather disappointed.
Let's first focus on the good things.
First of all, one thing Branagh REALLY does well in this movie with his directing, is he delivers a brilliant and authentic slice of nostalgia.
We begin in 1930s Jerusalem and Branagh captures the spirit and style of that period spot-on. The fashion, the clothes, the cars, the expensive clubs and bars. We see beautiful shots of Istanbul too with the glorious steamboats and the incredible Cathedrals.
We're really transported back in time, but the other way Branagh delivers that nostalgia is with the absolutely breathtaking natural scenery that revolves around the Orient Express's journey. The cinematography in this film is BRILLIANT, courtesy of Haris Zambarloukos and really flies us into the snowy mountains or across the sun- kissed plains. The journey of the train is REALLY beautifully shown all the way through the film.
Another good thing that Branagh captures is the attitudes and politics of the period. He's changed the British Colonel Arbuthnot into an African Dr. Arbuthnot, but this change from the original text is actually really interesting and adds another level to the story. A lot of the characters suffer from period racism, and that is authentically portrayed VERY well.
Another thing is the set design, the interior of the train. It's beautiful, classic and very stylish.
Also, another obvious thing to mention about Branagh's directing is that he does pull together a formidable cast. Almost every member is on top form. The whole line-up from Pfeiffer to Dafoe is great.
Pfeiffer delivers a very emotional and strong performance as Mrs. Hubbard. Daisy Ridley plays a posh heroine and she plays that authentically too. Leslie Odom Jr. isn't bad as Dr. Arbuthnot but his muddled accent IS a distraction. Judi Dench and Olivia Coleman are two other interesting and authentic performances as the Russian Princess and German maid. Penelope Cruz delivers a interesting and surprising performance is Pilar Estravados. The great Willem Dafoe delivers enjoyable authenticity and some charm as the Nazi Professor. Derek Jacobi and Manuel Garcia- Rulfo deliver two very enjoyable performances. Jacobi harnessing his inner Alfred Pennyworth and Rulfo ringing with charisma...
I am however, rather divide on Johnny Depp's sinister businessman Ratchett. He DOES play a thug well but there are STILL ghosts of Captain Jack and he can be a little laughable at times.
Now we've gone through the GOOD members of the cast, onto the bad. Four performances stand out as REALLY poor. Josh Gad, Lucy Boynton, Sergei Polunin and Tom Bateman as the assistant, Count, Countess and train manager. They ALL deliver poor and rather weak performances with Gad, Polunin and Bateman all trying vainly to portray real emotion and Boynton basically playing a female Jack Sparrow.
I've saved Branagh's performance for last. I was incredibly divided on his performance as Hercules Poirot which is a combo of Sherlock Holmes and Howard Hughes from THE AVIATOR . He DID deliver emotion and authenticity but there were times when his raving about the "crime" and the "truth" did feel a bit over-dramatic. His accent wasn't bad but I (personally) think that David Suchet did the best accent. Also, as many have mentioned, his mustache is simply not Poirot, it's more of a John Ruth from the Hateful Eight in my opinion!
Now, the script. It, like the film has both good AND bad points. The dialogue is usually smart, sharp and interesting. It displays Poirot's genius and the personalities of the passengers very well. It really showcases the nostalgia of the times VERY well and slightly hinges on the 1974 film of the same name, but it also really grafts the tragedy and horror of the fictional "Armstrong Case" very well too.
However, this version does have slight changes in plot to the original novel by Christie. There are various twists and turns that are interesting but, VERY messy. Things could do to be tightened up a lot in this film. Also, it just isn't exciting and it didn't really grab me at all. There is almost no dramatic atmosphere or tension.
However, all the good performances, great cinematography and interesting dialogue DID deliver a fairly enjoyable picture.
But, as I have listed, it does have problems!
Not bad but definitely a B-PICTURE!