Murder on the Orient Express (12A) - Movie Review

A claustrophobic trip in the dark and snowy Alps, on the world’s most famous train after the occurrence of a murder, is the offering on board big screens these days.
Set in 1934, this feature film based on the classic book by mystery writer, Agatha Christie is at least the third attempt for celluloid.   Hercule Poirot, the little Belgian detective with the handlebar moustache is first seen here close to the magnificent wall of Jerusalem, (probably Malta doing the doubling) solving a near impossible case.  He then realises that he needs a vacation, and he heads off to the world’s most famous train, the Orient Express.  It is the depths of winter as he goes onboard the train, and he meets a most interesting cast of characters, all of whom have seen some wealth come or go in their lives.
The cast is made up of a dream team, which is rare to see in movies today, writes David Flynn.  Poirot is played by Kenneth Branagh, who is also the director of the film, and who has publicly said he hopes this will be the first of a new movie series.  Johnny Depp plays Mr. Ratchett, who tries to hire Poirot as soon as the Orient Express takes off.  Ratchett believes his life is in danger, and it’s no secret that he isn’t proven wrong.  The train get caught in an avalanche which causes the claustrophic feeling on the train, following the expected gruesome murder.  Judi Dench, Michele Pfeiffer, Penelope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Derek Jacobi, Daisy Ridley and Olivia Colman are among the all-star cast who joins Branagh and Depp in this version of ‘Murder on the Orient Express’.
The cinematography in the movie is second to none, and the walls and seas around ‘Jerusalem’ are simply beautiful.  Also there are superb views of the mountainous Alps.
There are one or two very good performances among the actors, but some of them are just going through the motions.  However ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ is wonderful escapism on the cinema screen.