Unmitigated mess, the heigh of stupidity.

Rating: 2/10 (21 May 2019)

This butchery of Agatha Christie's novel is a feeble excuse for all those involved to make a quick buck. I was so offended by the stupid plot changes that I nearly didn't mind, a) adding a black doctor (hope you meet the quota), or b) changing Ms. Ohlsson into a Spanish missionary (can someone venture a good reason other than "we are short of a mega star with Scandinavian quality so we must make use of Penelope Cruz"?)
Years ago when Miss Marple stories were remade, people were quick to point out that Miss Marple was changed to a distressingly agile and active ol' lady. This time, we have an action-hero Poirot. Ma foi! - is what I think Poirot himself would have said.
But hold the beer. The stupidest plot changes come when the doctor shot at Poirot, AND when the passangers began pointing fingers at each other, given that, a) they plotted together to kill Ratchet, b) nobody expected Poirot to be on the train so any further story was fabricated in a rush, and c) most importantly, they were trying to shift blame to a fictionalized murderer from the outside. Silly still, if you can believe it, after being shot by the doctor, Poirot still offered a theory that an outside killer murdered Ratchet!
If you enjoy an all-star performance, watch the 1974 version instead. That one is not perfect but Sydney Lumet understood that not all the stars could shine so he only gave Ingrid Bergman a 5-minute continuous long shot for her to shine. And boy did she! If you enjoy the definitive Poirot, watch the 2010 version with David Suchet instead. Kenneth Brannagh should stick with modernized Shakespearean stuff - they have the loftiness and gravitas built in so as to satisfy his ego.