Judi Dench | Fast Lane Film

I’ve always loved a good mystery. When I was a kid I used to read Encyclopedia Brown, Nancy Drew and the like. I marveled at the mental dexterity and nearly prescient reasoning those young sleuths displayed. Moreover, there’s just something about a good mystery that feels comforting, yet thrilling. Couple my affinity for mystery with an enjoyment of ensemble films, and there was no way I’d miss Murder on the Orient Express. It was a treat to watch our charming protagonist, the affably eccentric Hercule Poirot in action, extracting information from suspects both willing and unwilling.

Although some viewers may be familiar with Poirot (Kenneth Branagh, Dunkirk), the film begins with an effective introduction to the genteel gumshoe, as he solves a theft by uncovering the smallest, most inconspicuous clue. Watching Poirot is like a master class in crime solving. His reputation precedes him, and those being interrogated often police themselves, dispensing with lies without bothering to try to stump the ever-observant Poirot. When our vaunted detective finds himself aboard the Orient Express, the stage is set. Poirot is headed to London to consult on a homicide, but not before meeting a colorful cast of characters aboard the train, one of whom will become a victim themselves.

Most notable among the passengers are Edward Ratchett (Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales), a seedy underworld type running from a mysterious foe, along with Dr. Arbuthnot (Leslie Odom Jr.) and his companion Mary (Daisy Ridley, Star Wars: The Force Awakens), two acquaintances who are curiously pretending to be strangers, and Caroline Hubbard (Michelle Pfeiffer, Mother!) a saucy older woman looking for a good time. Rounding out the bunch are an assortment of other passengers, including a wealthy grand dame (Judi Dench, Victoria and Abdul), a religious domestic worker (Penelope Cruz, Zoolander 2), and Mr. Ratchett’s assistant Hector MacQueen (Josh Gad, Beauty and the Beast).

Quite simply, the crux of the movie is the murder of one of the dozen or so passengers. The ambience of the confined space and the proximity of the guests to one another make for a taut and suspenseful journey. I found myself trying to think as Poirot, to observe as he did. Nothing was what it appeared to be, and the storyline kept me in suspense without being intellectually dishonest. While the pacing and emphasis on dialogue won’t appeal to everyone, I never lost interest thanks in large part to Kenneth Branagh’s jovial turn. He seemed to relish the role, and it was fun to watch him be the smartest person in the room. Or in this case, on the train.

Murder on the Orient Express will appeal more to grandmothers than millennials, due to its slow pace and the genteel nature of its protagonist. It wasn’t an action-packed nonstop thrill ride; it was a quiet, enjoyable film for those who enjoy a good mystery. This won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if the trailer piqued your curiosity at all, I think you’ll be pleased.

Grade: B+

I’m no expert, but I do consider myself a 007 enthusiast. During one particularly nasty winter several years ago, I was trapped indoors by a blizzard. Since I couldn’t go anywhere, I pretty much watched TV the whole time. It turns out that every James Bond movie ever made up to that point was available On Demand. I watched easily about 10 movies, give or take. That means I saw all of the ones with Sean Connery and most of the ones with Roger Moore. I’d seen the more recent entries at that point, which would have included those with Pierce Brosnan. I’ve bored you with that anecdote so you know where I’m coming from when I say that Sean Connery remains the best to have ever ordered a martini shaken, not stirred.

Although I think Connery was the best, Daniel Craig (Dream House) has pleasantly surprised me, and I’d actually rank him in the top 3 to ever take on the iconic role. The franchise got a reboot in 2006 when he stepped in for Casino Royale, the first book in Ian Fleming’s series. Craig has grown on me. He’s not traditionally handsome, and I couldn’t imagine him in the part until I saw for myself just how capable he was. He kept momentum with Quantum of Solace, and I expected Skyfall to be nothing short of amazing. It was pretty good, but not exactly great (to me).

There are certain things that I like about this franchise; I guess it’s my inner geek that enjoys these little hallmarks. I like the theme, with its typically slow-motioned graphics and scantily clad silhouettes. I also like Bond’s penchant for harrowing chases and narrow escapes. All of that was present, but the actual storyline left a little to be desired. When we catch up to Bond this time, he is in the midst of a hot pursuit. The movie opened up with immediate action, and as usual Daniel Craig delivered. Suave yet rugged, he personifies the embodiment of danger and refinement. When Bond inadvertently gets in the crosshairs of another agent (Naomie Harris, Ninja Assassin), M (Judi Dench, J. Edgar) authorizes her to take the risky shot anyway. She narrowly misses her intended target, wounding Bond instead. Believing that Bond is dead, M tries to regroup.

Their grief is short-lived, as Bond resurfaces just as the Boss of the same villain he previously pursued carries out a terrorist attack on MI6. The nefarious mastermind in question is Silva (Javier Bardem, Vicky Cristina Barcelona), a former agent with a vendetta against M. To further foul things up, Silva also engineers the release of every active agent’s true identity. Here we reach my primary criticism of Skyfall: the lack of originality. A very similar plot was already featured in last summer’s The Bourne Legacy. The first time I saw a movie where the identity of every secret agent was leaked, I was impressed. But once something becomes trite or hackneyed, I’m no longer impressed by it. Although I always appreciate a clear storyline, I thought the writers could have done more.

Director Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition) conveyed the excitement of the franchise and captured the chemistry between Daniel Craig and well…everybody. Javier Bardem is a fine actor and made a great villain, but really – will any bad guy he portrays ever rival his turn in No Country For Old Men? Impossible. From a visual perspective, the movie was sleek and polished, with some really cool cinematography at certain points. I didn’t find much fault with the film, but there have been better entrants in the series. Overall, Skyfall won’t disappoint you Bond fans out there. Those with a less forgiving eye may be underwhelmed, but by all accounts most people enjoyed it. I think it’s worth checking out. Grade: B+