Solid Performances, Light on Thrills,

Rating: 6/10 (9 January 2018)

Murder on the Orient Express is a good movie with a reasonably well developed plot and a terrific cast. The set pieces are absolutely devine, and the film manages to pull off what did not seem like a simple task, having the majority of it take place on a train. Kenneth Branagh does a very impressive job directing this, and also shines as Hecule Poirot, his mannerisms and movements are completely unlike himself and he is truly immersed in to this character. Branagh is also joined by a terrific supporting cast that includes Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Judi Dench and Willem Dafoe, among many other big names.
I did find that the film was light on thrills and did not deliver the potential this story had as well as it could have. It gets so carried away on landscape and cinematography that it forgets to engage and immerse us in to this story that should have had me at the edge of my seat waiting to find out the killer, instead of waiting for them to just get to the punchline.
As well as that, they did not take enough advantage of their fantastic cast. The likes of Judi Dench and Johnny Depp are wasted in this movie, playing characters that are given no scope, and they get nothing to do. I understand that Branagh wanted a star studded cast, but a lot of these characters simply are not given enough to do, leaving Oscar calibre performers in the gutter.
Has its moments, but not enough of them. Murder on the Orient Express certainly thinks it is a lot more exciting than it is, worth a look if you are a fan of the novel, but if you are looking to be thrilled, you have many, far better options.

A detective must try and solve the murder of a wealthy gentleman aboard a train with many suspects.

Best Performance: Kenneth Branagh