"Murder On The Orient Express" Review - The Love Train

Last night, I got to see an advance screening of the movie, “Murder on the Orient Express”. The film opens this Friday, but I’m excited to tell you all my thoughts on this piece of work. Don’t worry, all spoiler free!

This murder mystery is smashing in its fullest form. I had never read the book, nor have seen the 1970s film, so I went into this film fully blind to the entire story, which is probably a good thing.

For starters, Kenneth Branagh’s directing is just perfect. The cinematography on the train, the effects, the lights, the settings, it all is crafted so beautifully and even more so in such a form that it feels like the 1930s, but is also very contemporary. I have always appreciated Branagh’s directing ever since I watched the epic 4 hour long film adaption of Hamlet he did. That, and the jolliness and beauty he brought to the first Thor film make him easily one of the more underrated directors out there. The screenplay and the score both also feel contemporary which adds so much more suspense and substance to his vision and really makes the film much more of a thriller with the perfect amount of “whodunnit” mystery.

What truly makes “Murder” such an entertainment piece of work is the cast. I mean, what other movie are you going to see 12 all star actors in one place together? Over half of the suspects on the train are academy award nominees or winners, and the ones that are not are freakin’ Daisy Ridley or Leslie Odom Jr! But whether they have an Oscar or not, every actor is just killer as they completely absorb the character each plays in Agatha Christie's novel and make it their own. Michelle Pfeiffer and Judi Dench, are notable standouts, but even newer ones in the business stun the audience. Notably people like Daisy Ridley and Josh Gad, who both have either a stereotype of Star Wars or lovable goofball, give such serious and beautifully powerful performances that are quite the punch in the heart. Also, Leslie Odom Jr. is wonderful and for a moment, he does indeed channel Aaron Burr. I won’t say where, but if you know Hamilton, you’ll see. As wonderful as everyone is though, I oh so want to see Kenneth Branagh get an Oscar nom for best actor. He was so damn funny but also was able to make the audience scared and even emotional quite a few times. But he truly was the one who gave the most grandiose performance.

I see the score on RT is currently at 66%, which blows my mind. Most of the bad reviews say, “It’s not as good as the original”. Well it’s not supposed to be. This isn’t a Disney film, it’s a novel. Adaptions are supposed to be different and I think this story is one that is good enough to be told in a different style, but not as grand as Lion King where it needs to be not touched at all.

And that leads into my final thoughts, while “Murder” is very good, you do really have to know the whole story going into it. I had to wikipedia the plot after I saw it because there were a few plot points I missed that let me to being a little confused in the end. But at the end of the day, Kenneth Branagh takes a very suspenseful, bizarre, and ridiculously basic story and turns it into the best popcorn entertainment you’ll find this Oscar season at least maybe until Star Wars comes out. I highly recommend it. It’s not a best picture contender like “Moonlight”, but it’s sure as hell got enough to be as rewatchable as “La La Land”.

Also, side note, if you live in Hollywood or NYC, please go see this in 70mm (which is what it was filmed on). Seeing my crush, Daisy Ridley, in that format…omg swoon. LOL!

Two Nebs Up!