ashington, Local Online News Community, Forums, Chats, For Sale, Classified, Offers, Film Reviews, Events, Motors Sale, Property For Sale Rent, Jobs, Hotels, Taxi, Restaurants, Pubs, Clubs, Pictures, Sports, Charities, Lost Found
  1. Published on: 04/11/2017 09:51 AMReported by: Film Critic
    Plot: A murder on a train sparks an investigation that happens to have the greatest detective in the world on board.

    As it's been years since I've seen the Albert Finney version and having seen so many films since, I have pretty much forgotten the outcome of this Agatha Christie classic.

    The 'whod dunnit’ sub-genre remains to be a very popular genre. However, we rarely see it on the big screen nowadays. It's home seems to be on TV or books nowadays and there is still a demographic for it.

    When I heard the man, the legend himself Kenneth Branagh was both directing and starring in this, I was pretty excited to see how it would work with today's audience.
    The trailer gives us a cast that on paper is as stellar as they come. Multiple A-listers, award winners and national treasures are involved. There are so many big names that you almost can't believe.

    It was great re-visiting this world and seeing Branagh give it somewhat of a refreshing take on the source material. From the first moment we see that almighty moustache, you can feel that there is an adventure to be had and we are ready for a ride.
    The build-up to the train itself is great, the audience will have lots of fun seeing all the big names appear in their own stylish way and I was seeing a cool usage of fancy camera movement that involves a lot of tracking and bobbing and weeving around its landscape.
    The pacing is solid and consistently entertaining as the mystery being to be unraveled and it gives you enough development that will keep first-time viewers of the story gripped. Then when it comes to the final, while it does get a bit over-the-top on the acting side, the big reveal is executed very well and feels as shocking as the first time.

    As expected, this is all about Kenneth Branagh. When he is involved with anything, he usually gets the meaty part of any story.
    While I do like Branagh, I always get frustrated with some of his choices in projects. Some people call him today's Laurence Olivier. I agree with that. But only due to him pretty much copying his back catalogue. From his theatre and on-screen work to countless Shakespeare adaptations. That being said, he's always great in his roles and this one was pretty good. While he does over-act a bit towards the end, he still gives a great Poirot.
    I won't mention everyone, just the notable ones. Josh Gad was a nice surprise as it was the type of role that we don't usually see him in. He pulled it off nicely and I think he stole many scenes. I hope this gives more dramatic roles as it shows he can do it.
    I was happy to see Daisy Ridley in something that isn't Star Wars. She contributed nicely and is developing nicely into a successful actor.
    It was great seeing Michelle Pfeiffer again after seeing her earlier this year 'Mother!'. Seeing her twice in one year is a real treat. She's still got that presence of sexiness and mystery and I hope to still see her a big productions.
    Another big name that we don't see anymore that I was happy to see was Derek Jacobi. A fantastic talent that I think still has some golden performances left in him. While he didn't contribute much to the main plot, it was nice to see a man of his talent back on show.

    There are many other parts to the film that I liked seeing. It goes without saying that the costumes, make-up and sets are absolutely immaculate. You can see the dedication they give to each of the suspects costumes and make it tell a story of their background. Don't be surprised if that gets a few nominations in those categories.
    Even the score by Patrick Doyle had its strong moments. That feeling of the Orient and time-period was enhanced with the music rather well.

    I didn't have many problems with it. It does have its slow moments. While I know they were necesary for character development, it just felt the film grinded to a halt after everything else was moving pretty swiftly.
    I was fearing some over-acting would come into play and it does do that towards the end. I won't criticise it too much as they worked hard on the build-up. But when you watch the big reveal, don't be surprised if you have a feeling of 'The Last Supper' when seeing that scene.

    So while it is a worn out genre and it's a re-make of a story many know, Branagh and his team managed to shake off the cobwebs and present in a fun way for the next generation.
    I had fun with it, there's lots of cool characters that are introduced and developed well. First-time viewers of this story will have a great time trying to work out who did it. It's great to look at both with the physical sets and the sweeping shots that are heavy in CGI.
    I might go so far out and say this might be suitable for family viewing. There is one brief shot of some bloody images. But other than that, I think kids might get a kick out of this. Particularly older ones.

    Rating: 7/10
     

  2. Your Comments:



You are in: UK / Ashington / North East
Find any Town in the UK, or Use UK map
Local Google MAP for Ashington



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


Film Reviews, Last Cinema Movies, Movies, DVDs
ashingtonashington News


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
ashington Bathroom Suppliesashington Bathroom Tapsashington Bathroom Furnitureashington Bathroom Showersashington Shower Enclosuresashington Bathsashington L Shaped Bathashington P Shaped Bathashington Wet Roomsashington Bath Screensashington Bath Mixer Tapashington Bidet Tapsashington Toilet Seatsashington Sanitarywareashington Combined Toilet Basinashington Stovesashington Wood Stovesashington Home Stovesashington Cooker Stovesashington Enamel Stovesashington Designer Stovesashington Contemporary Stovesashington Multi Fuel Stovesashington Accounts Softwareashington Sage Softwareashington Sage Line 50ashington Sage Line 200ashington Pegasus Accountsashington Access Accountsashington Car Servicingashington MOTgashington Tyresashington Car Batteryashington Exhaustashington Journalist Jobsashington Reporter Jobsashington Writing Jobsashington Freelance Writerashington Self Employed Jobsashington Franchise Businessashington Franchise Opportunitiesashington Driving Schoolsashington Driving Lessonsashington Driving Testashington Driving Theory Testashington Driving Instruction, 0000 ashington Driving Instructor, 0000 ashington Insolvencyashington Insolvency Serviceashington Insolvency Servicesashington Liquidation Serviceashington Business Recoveryashington Insolvency Practitionerashington Bankruptcy Serviceashington Winding Up Petitionashington Business Financeashington Business Recoveryashington Voluntary Arrangementashington Individual Voluntary Arrangementashington IVAashington Debt Adviceashington Debt Managementashington Company Administrationashington Administrationashington Corporate Recoveryashington Corporate Voluntary Arrangementashington CVAashington Corporate Insolvencyashington Corporate Liquidationashington Members Voluntary Liquidationashington MVLashington Partnership Voluntary Arrangementashington PVAashington Tax Demandashington Invoice Financeashington Bridging Financeashington Vouchersashington Dealsashington Matalanashington Firewoodashington Fire Woodashington Kiln Dried Hardwoodashington Logs For Saleashington Log Suppliesashington Logsashington Firewood Logsashington Seasoned Logsashington Hardwood Logsashington Firewood Suppliersashington Firewood Log Suppliersashington Firewood Dumpy Bagsashington Firewood Cratesashington Cheap Firewoodashington Homefire Logsashington Cheap Firewood Logsashington Kindle Conesashington Pizza Oven Logsashington Heating Oilashington Home Heating Oilashington Red Dieselashington White Dieselashington Kereseneashington Commercial Fuelsashington Calor Gasashington Propane Gasashington Butane Gasashington Heating Gasashington Horse Trainingashington Horse Trainerashington Horse Whispererashington Equine Whispererashington Horse Whisperer Victoria Smithashington Rattan Garden Furnitureashington Rattan Furnitureashington Rattan Sofaashington Rattan Dining Setashington Rattan Directashington Cheap Rattan Furnitureashington Rattan Corner Sofasashington Rattan Day Bedsashington Rattan Sun Loungersashington Rattan Cube Setsashington Rattan Bistro Setsashington Chimeneasashington Firepitsashington Patio Heatersashington Card Payments Processingashington Credit Card Processingashington Merchant Servicesashington Merchant Accountashington Merchant Paymentsashington Card Machinesashington Card Terminalsashington Online Paymentsashington Worldpayashington Bouncy Castlesashington Bouncy Castle Hireashington Garden Trampolinesashington Pramsashington Pushchairsashington Strollersashington Hauck Pramsashington Huackashington Childrens Trampolinesashington Baby Mobilesashington Baby Activity Matsashington Baby Bedroom Furnitureashington Childrens Bedroom Furnitureashington Hygiene Vendingashington Washroom Vendingashington Air Freshenersashington Air Careashington Aerosol Systemsashington Gel Systemsashington Water Savingashington Urinal Water Savingashington Eco Capsashington Sensaflushashington Water Managementashington Urinal Dosingashington Urinal V Screensashington Legionella Risk Assessmentashington Legionaires Bacterialashington Odour Controlashington Odour Eliminationashington Odour Removalashington Airsterilashington Hand Careashington Hand Creamashington Hand Soapashington Hand Washingashington Hand Dryingashington Hand Dryersashington Electric Hand Dryersashington Fast Hand Dryersashington Commercial Hand Dryersashington Energy Efficient Hand Dryersashington Hand Dryer Rentalashington Hand Dryer Salesashington Paper Towelsashington Roller Towelsashington Cotton Roller Towelsashington Blue Roller Towelsashington White Roller Towelsashington Janitorial Suppliesashington Janitorialashington Cleaning Suppliesashington Cleaning Productsashington Cleaning Equipmentashington Office Cleaningashington Home Cleaningashington Debt Recovery Servicesashington Debt Recoveryashington Debt Collectionashington Outsource Credit Controlashington Collection Agencyashington Debt Collection Agencyashington Commercial Canopyashington Steel Canopyashington Bike Shedsashington Bike Storageashington Bicycle Storeashington Bicycle Storageashington Bikes Storeashington Bike Storeashington Outdoor Canopyashington Cycle Sheltersashington Cycle Shedashington Cycle Storageashington Cycle Rackashington Cycle Compoundashington Cycle Solutionsashington Scooter Storageashington Scooter Shelterashington Canopiesashington Canopyashington Play Area Canopyashington Entrance Canopiesashington Entrance Canopyashington Waiting Shelterashington Smoking Shelterashington Parent Waiting Shelterashington Parent Shelterashington Teen Shelterashington Nursery Canopyashington School Canopyashington Play Canopyashington Envirolawnashington Astroturfashington Cheap Astroturfashington Artificial Grassashington Cheap Artificial Grassashington Astro Turfashington Artificial Lawnashington Fake Grassashington Fake Lawnashington Fire Stove Glassashington Heat Resistant Glassashington Fire Glassashington Stove Glassashington Fire Resistant Glassashington Replacement Stove Glassashington Glass For Stovesashington Spill Kitsashington Spill Control Kitsashington Spill Kit Refillsashington Spill Kit Refill GK6ashington Chemical Spill Kitsashington Oil Spill Kitsashington Solar Panelsashington Solar Panels Costashington Solar Heatingashington Solar PVashington Commercial Solarashington Photovoltaicashington Dust Matsashington Entrance Matsashington Reception Matsashington Anti Fatigue Matsashington Floor Matsashington Logo Matsashington Washroom Servicesashington Principal Washroomsashington Washrooms Suppliesashington Washrooms Solutionsashington Sanitary Disposalashington Sanitary Binsashington Sani Binsashington Lady Binsashington Feminine Hygiene Unitsashington Sanitary Waste Disposalashington Sanitary Wasteashington Sanitary Unitsashington Feminine Unitsashington Hygiene Servicesashington Sanitary Bin Supplierashington Sanitary Bin Rentalashington Sanitary Bin Rental Servicesashington General Wasteashington Trade Wasteashington Commercial Wasteashington Business Wasteashington Waste Managementashington Waste Collectionashington Cardboard Wasteashington Paper Wasteashington Plastic Wasteashington Glass Wasteashington Biomass Wasteashington Metal Wasteashington Confidential Wasteashington Confidential Waste Serviceashington On Site Shreddingashington Off Site Shreddingashington One Off Shreddingashington Contract Shreddingashington Dental Wasteashington Dental Waste Disposalashington Dental Waste Legislationashington Dental Waste Complianceashington Accupuncture Wasteashington Accupuncture Waste Disposalashington Accupuncture Waste Collectionashington Tattoo Wasteashington Tattoo Waste Disposalashington Sharps Binashington Sharps Collectionashington Hazardous Sharpsashington Non Hazardous Sharpsashington Cytotoxic Sharpsashington Cytostatic Sharpsashington Ink Blockashington Wet_Wasteashington Tattoo Inkashington Drug Destructionashington Drug Disposalashington Drug Denaturingashington Unwanted Drugsashington Out Of Date Drugsashington Pest Controlashington Rodent Controlashington Bird Controlashington Bird Proofingashington Guano Controlashington Pest Call Outashington Pest Preventionashington Pest Deterrentashington Nursery Wasteashington Nappy Wasteashington Nappy Binashington Nappy Disposalashington Nappy Wheelie Binashington Nursery Waste Disposalashington Nursery Waste Collectionashington Incontinence Padsashington Offensive Wasteashington Human Wasteashington Nursing Home Wasteashington Care Home Wasteashington Hazardous Wasteashington Infectous Wasteashington Pharmaceutical Wasteashington Medicinal Wasteashington Medicine Wasteashington Infection Controlashington Hand Sanitisersashington Clinical Waste Disposalashington Clinical Waste Managementashington Clinical Waste Policyashington EA Registrationashington Hammocksashington Garden Hammocksashington Adult Hammocksashington Childrens Hammocksashington Baby Hammocks