We were looking forward to this but were a bit concerned as some reviews were less than enthusiastic about the latest version. Armed with munchies and a drink (as you are now allowed to take these into most cinemas and theatres) we settled in to our comfy seats to see for ourselves.
Stunning scenes at the beginning with very impressive computer-generated city skyline and colourful market squares crowded with noisy throngs of people – sounds a bit poetic but that is the impression you immediately get. Once on the train, the luxurious classy Orient Express, you are transported to a wonderful journey across vast plains and powerful snow-covered mountains, though clearly not a real landscape.
It truly is a star-studded cast, many familiar faces and a bewitching Poirot whose moustache is mesmerizing – is it real? Is it stuck on? Does it matter? The film follows the original story closely, so there are no real surprises, of course, and we all know whodunnit and why. One review I read said the plot was very confused, but so too is the book so I am not sure what they were expecting to see.
All four of us enjoyed the whole thing, the characters were played brilliantly if a little over-dramatic, and filming ensured great visual impact. As they have just announced the sequel as Murder on the Nile, we can’t wait to see how Kenneth Branagh approaches that one.
