Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Blu-ray Review - Murder On The Orient Express

PG-13; 114 minutes; $34.99

Available today on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD is the suspenseful thriller Murder On The Orient Express. Produced by Kenneth Branagh along with Ridley Scott (Alien: Covenant), Simon Kinberg (Logan), Mark Gordon (Molly’s Game), Judy Hofflund (As You Like It) and Michael Schaefer (The Martian),   the film features the talented cast of Branagh (who also directs), Penelope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise), Josh Gad (Frozen), Leslie Odom, JR., Michelle Pfeiffer, and Daisy Ridley (Star Wars franchise).

Based on the 1934 novel of the same name by late great mystery author Agatha Christie, the film centers on Hercule Poirot (played by Branagh), a Belgian detective who plans on taking a much needed vacation in Istanbul after solving a theft case in Jerusalem. However, Poirot's plans are interrupted when he receives a message to return immediately to London to work on another case. Luckily, he knows Bouc (played by Tom Bateman), the director of the Orient Express, who offers him a room aboard the train.

Shortly after the train departs, Poirot meets Edward Ratchett (played by Depp), a businessman who offers to hire Poirot as a bodyguard for the three-day train ride. Edward had received a threatening letter and now fears for his life. Poirot turns down the offer, as he wants to get a little bit of rest while aboard the train.

The next morning, Ratchett is found dead in his cabin. He had been stabbed multiple times. Coincidentally, an avalanche derails the train's engine, leaving Poirot no choice but to solve murder; which isn't an easy task to accomplish as there are no witnesses. After finding a burnt note, he learns that Ratchett was in fact John Cassetti, a child killer. 

Due to the avalanche, the murderer still has to be aboard, which means one of the passengers is the Ratchett's killer. One by one, Poirot interviews each suspect and uses his case-solving abilities to unravel the mystery.

4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD Special Features include:
  • Agatha Christie: An Intimate Portrait
  • Let’s Talk About Hercule Poirot
  • Unusual Suspects (Part One, Two and Three)
  • The Art of Murder
  • All Aboard: Filming Murder on the Orient Express Music of Murder
  • Deleted Scenes (with and without Commentary by Kenneth Branagh and Michael Green) 
    • Alternate Opening 
    • Newsreel (Extended) 
    • Breakfast 
    • Hotel Check-In 
    • Arasta Bazaar (Extended) 
    • Train Montage 
    • Departure 
    • Poirot Bedtime Rituals (with two alternates) 
    • Pierre Michel Interview 
    • Luggage 
    • Dreamscape 
  • Director commentary by Kenneth Branagh and Michael Green 
  • Theatrical Trailers 
  • Gallery




Final Thoughts


This isn't the first time Murder On The Orient Express (also known as Murder in the Calais Coach) has been adapted to film. The first feature film adaptation was released in 1974 and there have been three different television adaptations, including a Japanese two-part miniseries.

Despite the fact that the 2017 version has a star-studded cast, the film received mixed reviews from mainstream critics. Nevertheless, the film did well with audiences; taking in over $350 million at the box-office. A sequel, Death on the Nile, is scheduled for release on November 8, 2019 with Branagh returning to star and direct.

While I have read several Agatha Christie's stories over the years, I have never read Murder On The Orient Express, so I had no idea how the movie's plot was going to play out. Visually, the film is stunning, with beautiful sets and great cinematography. The acting is topnotch; the entire cast is excellent, but for me the standout is Branagh's performance as Hercule Poirot. I read that some critics didn't care that the story is shown mostly from Poirot's point-of-view, but I didn't have any problems with it. Actually, I loved the way the movie was directed. 

The picture and sound quality on the Blu-ray are both excellent. There are over 2 hours of special features, including an alternate opening and a director commentary by Kenneth Branagh.

Overall, Murder On The Orient Express is an entertaining thrill-ride with plenty of twists-and-turns around every corner.



*Note -  I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.








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