“Murder on the Orient Express” is just a typical “who-done-it” movie with nothing all that different or new from others. 

The movie opens in Jerusalem, Israel near the Wailing Wall, where the audience first meets the main character, Hercule Poirot, played by Kenneth Branagh. Poirot is a world famous detective who solves different crimes all over the world. 

On the first day of the train’s voyage to London, Poirot meets American businessman Sam Ratchett, played by Johnny Depp.

The first half of the film does not have any form of suspense making the beginning dull. It fails to grab the audience’s attention as Poirot only talks to himself throughout the majority of the first half. Poirot and Ratchett’s conversation on the train also adds nothing to the film; it only distracts from the plot. The only interesting part of the first half is the ending where the hunt for a criminal initiates.

The questioning of the potential criminals starts the second half of the movie, which is much darker and confusing compared to the first half. In the second half, as Poirot interrogates suspects, he ends his interrogation by saying they were the ones who committed the murder. However, in reality this does not happen, and the movie moves on to the next interrogation with Poirot repeating the same thing he has done in the previous interrogation. However, Poirot’s actions are never explained which can cause confusion.

Later on, we meet the character Mrs. Hubbard, played by Michelle Pfeiffer. Pfeiffer’s character is the only saving grace for this movie because she adds at least a little, much needed suspense. The end of the movie is much better, it ended up being a nail biter at least briefly.

However, in the end no one gets charged with a crime because it was viewed as justice. Even though it was viewed as justice, someone still should’ve been held accountable like a typical “who-done-it” movie. In addition, there was plenty of opportunity for an action scene which the director and writers chose not to utilize.

Among Branagh, Depp, and Pfeiffer’s characters, the movie also included other famous actors such as Josh Gad, Daisy Ridley, and Judi Dench. However, none of their roles were as strong as Branagh and Pfeiffer.

Dialogue is the only tactic used so the audience can understand what is going on. The only good part about this movie is Branagh’s and Pfeiffer’s acting which allowed their characters to come to life. Branagh’s acting makes it feel like he is a true detective.

The plot was slow-moving, with too much dialogue and little action. However, it did include the normal interrogations needed in the typical crime and mystery movie.

Grade: C-