Murder on the Orient Express

Another adaptation of the legendary Agatha Christie novel, this time directed by Kenneth Branagh who also stars as the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. He brings in an all-star cast with the likes of Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Judi Dench, Daisy Ridley and plenty more.

If moustache-driven murder mysteries are your thing then you might want to get down to the cinema. This is a solid film by all standards but the massive ferret crudely plastered across Branagh’s face is too ridiculous to overlook. Very few films have been hijacked by facial hair but this one can definitely go on the list.

It’s not just the lip rug that is a problem. Branagh overcooks the subtle symbolism behind the story, having Poirot explain what he is thinking all the bloody time. This kills all suspense or mystery, something already difficult to achieve when most of the audience already knows the ending.

Nevertheless, the high production values shine through and capture the romance of fancy train travel (even if it’s a myth).

A slick but clumsy production, and further evidence that David Suchet truly is the only Poirot.