'Murder on the Orient Express' great visuals but story derailed
Murder on the Orient Express is filled with beautiful images. Even when you can tell that there was some (or a lot of) digital manipulation, the cinematographer is opulent, gorgeous and colorful. If you haven’t seen the 1974 version of the film, seeing 2017’s edition won’t be a problem. It even does some things better – like added action.
However, what 2017 gets wrong is detrimental to the story, as a mystery, itself. Murder on the Orient Express takes place in a world similar to, but not exactly, ours. For people who see mystery movies or read mystery books because they like to solve the puzzle, it means that in 2017, we are not starting with the same information as the rest of the characters. In fact, the essential part of this information that any American living in the Hercule Poirot’s world would’ve had is left out until about midway through the film. That makes this less of a mystery and more of an exposition.
The cast is every bit as stellar as the 1974’s, maybe even a bit better. Michelle Pfeiffer is amazing. The movie tries to leave you on the hook to the very last scene, which is an interesting take, and it starts showing the true deductive powers of Poirot. Murder on the Orient Express isn’t this fall’s best movie, but it is a nice diversion for those who have already seen Thor: Ragnarok a couple of times. It is also worth the price of admission for those who want something a little more thought provoking but not arthouse.
Read my review of the 1974 film.
However, what 2017 gets wrong is detrimental to the story, as a mystery, itself. Murder on the Orient Express takes place in a world similar to, but not exactly, ours. For people who see mystery movies or read mystery books because they like to solve the puzzle, it means that in 2017, we are not starting with the same information as the rest of the characters. In fact, the essential part of this information that any American living in the Hercule Poirot’s world would’ve had is left out until about midway through the film. That makes this less of a mystery and more of an exposition.
The cast is every bit as stellar as the 1974’s, maybe even a bit better. Michelle Pfeiffer is amazing. The movie tries to leave you on the hook to the very last scene, which is an interesting take, and it starts showing the true deductive powers of Poirot. Murder on the Orient Express isn’t this fall’s best movie, but it is a nice diversion for those who have already seen Thor: Ragnarok a couple of times. It is also worth the price of admission for those who want something a little more thought provoking but not arthouse.
Read my review of the 1974 film.