Murder On The Orient Express reviewed by Mark Kermode 

I like Kenneth but for me Hecule Piorot will always be David Suchet.

the sheer amount of talent onscreen is what is getting me to buy a ticket. I expect this to be like "The Great Gatsby" beautiful camera work will put me to sleep.

Thank God he's back! I know Mark deserves a holiday from time to time but film going is hard work without him!

I have seen the 1974 movie and the David Suchet one,and they are both valid in their own way.I saw this version a couple of days ago, and it's VERY VERY disappointing.It's ALL Poirot,and some characters say practically nothing (sadly including Judi Dench).Kenneth Branagh allows himself too much self indulgence,a wasted opportunity

Mark is so on point, could'nt agree more. It was a great big variety show "who dunnit" murder mystery. It was made with care and love, beautifully acted and directed by the great Sir Kenneth Branagh. I really enjoyed it!

Just got back from seeing this. Loved it. It was like a Christmas gift box from Harrods... A classic tale wonderfully told. I grinned from ear to ear all the way through. Perfect in a warm comfortable cinema on a cold night outside :)

It'll be hard to beat Sidney Lumet's version, but I am still excited to see this one.

Is it possible to enjoy it when the story is so well known, the Albert Finney and David Suchet versions have already done it well enough and you know exactly who did the murder?

While I know the story and still love it, I am so excited, the cast,production design, Branagh as director, a murder mystery plus mark liking it is the cherry on the top.

Sounds promising. A treat for the grey cells.

That '74 one is dope.

I loved it, and the last half hour and Michelle Pfeiffers song absolutely wrecked me, just incredibly upsetting and beautiful.

Really good film, great camera work and acting

Kermode is a director hugger. He also gave Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit a positive review.

I was looking forward to this one and the result disappointed me, it started off well especially when they introduced the characters boarding the train one by one, I thought we're in for a treat, but sadly I was bored because Poirot was introduced as a very confident detective capable of solving any murder but on the train however he looked a little lost at times, haven't seen the original to compare but I have watched a few episodes of David Suchet's and his are much better than this.

Problem is they made Poirot into a Belgian Sherlock Homes. Judi Dench was woeful.

The disturbing message the movie claims to be "justice" crippled any enjoyment for me.

Cant wait to see this. I grew up watching the Peter Ustinov versions.

In my opinion, Finney is/was Poirot! Ustinov played it for laughs and Suchet is fine but Finney was the best. Haven't seen this one yet, however.

SPOILER : In this version the train did it.

More like 'Torture On the Orient Express'. Despite an 'all star cast' the film completely lacked any star quality. ....I had to watch the 1974 Sidney Lumet version the following day to recover. Even Dame Judi couldn't salvage this train wreck. And at the end it suggests he might have a bash at 'Death on the Nile.' Please use your 'leetle grey cells' Sir Ken and leave well alone....

for a murder whodunnit "The Limehouse Golem" was superior in my book. The exotic locations and scenery in "MOTOE" was top notch.

Watched this on a plane...I liked it

Surprised.

I saw the Sidney Lumet/Albert Finney version in the cinema as a child and re-watching it a few years ago I still find it a cold, uninvolving film. I might give this remake a go though.

I've only seen the trailer, but I bet Josh Gadd's character did it.

I thought that this version of 'Murder on the Orient Express' was a bit of a romp. It seems that Kenneth Branagh has brought Poirot back to more than a passing resemblance to the Peter Ustinov days, albeit a more nimble model. Great cast; even greater moustache. 3/5

Does Kenneth Branagh's moustache get its own billing?

Has Kermode ever remotely criticised a Kenneth Branagh film, ever? You'd think he was a great director going only on reviews. Loved the Suchet, Chastain, Jones version, albeit it's heavier than a lot of Suchet's Poirots.

Did Branagh grow it? I'd have extra respect for him if he did.

The film’s well acted, well characterised, stylish & well directed, however the film’s poorly written, unfocused, unoriginal & it doesn’t add anything new to its previous adaptations like its 1974 version. (53%) (2.5/5 stars) (mixed)

sorry mark, this movie sucked

When it comes to comparing actors playing the same character, in this case David Suchet, Peter Ustinov, Albert Finney, and now Kenneth Branagh; they should never play the character the same way. Someone here remarked that it was a bit heavy handed but I just saw the film and I thought it was good and atmospheric and looking at it now the character is made to look more personally involved in the matter due to his sense of right and wrong and his desire to maintain order, here it is shown to be tested and we even have to ask ourselves what would we think or do if confronted in a similar situation. Incidentally I thought the cinematography and art direction were superb.

Sounds like a lot of fun

I agree i remember this movie getting alot of hate and i dont understand why, i liked this than the 70s movie, which is great but there is alot I dont like about it first off, Finney version was to over the top which i disliked and the old lady really irritated me the way she talked, but overall is a great film, but mislead with over the top by finney, I like this version more, and cant wait for the sequel which they talk about at the end, and we got the trailer, so that was great, I heard the audiobook first before i watched, so i cant wait to read about the death on the nile, the action was great, i love the locations even though it could be green screen, some of the shots, and then everyone does a good job i feel like michele p wants to play this old timey character, but didnt feel it, and josh gad i love in this, but he felt at times, that his voices changes, he should have kept his voice all the way through, but nothing bad then that, i like this one more than the 70s version, didnt like albert finney didnt see the other ones, i wonder why they didnt do one in the 30s-60s when the book was published. I cant wait to see the sequel, and that was a great scene. I feel like for mystery its a hit and miss, but if they can do it right and have your interest, than thats great, and this did that for me. 4/5 stars

I love the show, but Branagh could make The Emoji Movie and he'd have given it a positive review.

Best version was made by BBC Radio 4.

Just seen it. Disappointed. Not as good as the original. Wish they changed the ending 😔

0/10 Not enough Daisy Ridley

The idea that there is any one that doesn't no the end of this is shocking for me, that being said it's going to be weird when I see this movie because to me David Suchet is Poirot . That all being said I've read this book at least twice a still for some reason I can't help but love it. Admittedly Agatha Christie is probable the only mystery write who I've re-read and enjoyed just as much the second time around that the first time.

110% effort from everyone involved both infront and behind the camera. BUT, knowing the 'punchline', for me this was dull, lacklustre. Homage was not enough. I'd rather have seen a bold stepping away from the punchline.

Guardian Peter Bradshaw gave it 2/5. And said its a dud.

I agree with this review Its an enjoyable film I thought Kenneth Branagh is outstanding as Hercule poirot As good as the David Suchet TV series but more Cinematic I hope they make more

Really bad film. The moustache made it even worse. 😣😥

Thought it was boring tbh.

Mark, I would love to hear your thoughts on Thor: Ragnarok.

Very self indulgent performance, far from Brannaghs best. Decent film overall.

Just got out of it, was laughably bad.

Thought it was terrible - tonally all over the place, and pretty boring despite how camp the whole film is

Branagh butchered the character of Poirot. He doesn’t even understand the character let alone the plot of MOTOE. If you want to watch a couple of good versions of this watch the 1974 version or the 2010 version which is my favourite. You get to see a dark side of Poirot in Suchet’s version and the ending is so powerful.

i'm usually right on with mark and perhaps i missed something here butttttt...... kenneth and i aren't mates and i doubt we will ever be after this. in short, someone gave kb way too much money to make this. firstly, the moustache was idiotic, historical context or not. secondly, i do understand how actor/directors can and often do cast themselves in the lead role but...chuckles is in no way believable as a Belgian. hows about lets cast someone who is at least, French. jean-hugues anglade perhaps?and jonny depp as the dead gangster guy...again, horrible casting choice. his accent is also atrocious. how about someone from new york or boston? micheal imperioli or steven van zandt? thirdly, there was way, way too much cgi in the whole thing. thought for awhile i was watching a pixar film. funny that mk mentions "the polar express"...but michele pfieffer was good. so in short, hated it, hated it, hated it. perhaps this kinda thing should be left to the Cohen Brothers? or if were gonna do a fun family holiday film lets give it to wes anderson. or maybe paul thomas anderson? not that that would be family fun but at least my money, and everyone elses, would have been better spent...

Just saw this and it was soooooooo boring. Such a waste of good actors. I have never walked out of a cinema, and I have seen more than my fair share of films, and I wanted to walk out of this one.

No mention of all the PC stuff being shoved down the viewer's neck re racism, sexism etc which had nothing to do with the plot. The first scenes were boring and took time away from the plot. The characters were never developed even though they were all played by good actors. Over all the film seemed to have large bits chopped out so there were few threads to follow. Some scenes made no sense with characters running around in the snow with just suits on then in other scenes having the full overcoat etc on.

What film was Mark watching? Definately wasnt what I saw, and thought it was one of the worst films of the year. Terribly acted, and all round terrible which sadly got worse as it progressed.

His voice is getting harder to understand

The movie is boring AF. Don’t buy into the review

Beautifully shot, yes - but what a waste!! A truly appalling script. The changes and interpretations are idiotic in the extreme. This is no Agatha Christie.

Crap remake

Even the Alfred Molina version was better than this........and that's saying something. Mark Kermode has lost all credability with this review.

Mark is more depressing than debt.

PLEASE.......... Watch ( FULL MOVIE ) Murder on the Orient Express Visit: tinyurl.com/ydgxjpty

It's such a boring premise. There is a murder and the rest of the movie is just trying to find out who did it. No sense of suspense or terror.

i usually agree with Kermode. not this time. absolute turkey. dont bother

Predicatably, Kermode praises this witless, vulgar and unnecessary remake. He seems to like everything he sees. He has no standards, which explains his popularity with a broad, untutored, mainstream audience.

Terrible review .. awful film .. Branagh's poirot is poor and Pffeiffer is embarrassing ... this is a childish poorly cast remake

This movie was a snoozefest. Spoilers: Everyone did it? I can understand if the book made that reveal more interesting but holy cow is that a bad twist for a movie, especially today.

Wow it's sad to see Mark as he is now. I remember when he was much more down to earth and unique. But I'm sorry to he is without a doubt become such a film snob. I've noticed it so much in his recent reviews, and it's such a shame as I used to actually value his opinion. BTW this movie is a very feeble affair. If people wanted to enjoy a good murder mystery on the Orient Express, with good character acting I'd recommend just picking up the original Albert Finney movie. Kenneth Branagh is good but the rest of the cast make no impression and the mechanics of solving the mystery are completely hidden under Poirot's moustache.

This was a terrible movie, nearly walked out many times, Depp overacts , Pfeiffer is miscast, Judi doesnt get any real screen time and is far too British to play a Russian princess LMAO, and the Music was abominable...in fact I kept hoping The Abominable Snowman would appear and hijack this mess of a movie

Total rubbish. Moustache is a joke. 😆😆😆😆

Do British people seriously refer to "Clue" as "Cluedo"? lol

Awful remake........the original is a million times better than this stinking turd. Mark Kermode has lost the plot if he thinks this film was fun.

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They all did it. Horrible casting.