Book-to-Movie Review: Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

I recently read Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie and I quite enjoyed it. I actually wanted to read it because of the movie that came out late last year by the same name. I normally am not a book-to-movie snob - I think most are adequately done especially considering time constraints. In this case...well...all I can say is that I enjoyed reading the book.

The movie fell extremely flat for me. If you read my review on the book, you'll remember that I mentioned that I watched the original version and I adored it. I am a little confused as to why Hollywood thought that they should remake the film. LEAVE THE CLASSICS ALONE!!! The original Orient Express was great as it was - there was no need to remake it, with a star-studded cast at that. I think that I (and perhaps others) got sidetracked by the fact that acting greats like Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, and Judi Dench were in the movie, that I neglected to even ask if it was worth my time to watch. There was so much celebrity in the movie that it overshadowed the essence of the Orient Express (for example, the unadmirable Hercule Poirot portrayed by Kenneth Branagh).

There is word that they plan on making additional Poirot adapted movies, like Death on the Nile. If it is going to be anything like the Orient, I'll pass.

Until we read again...