Generally I don't do many movie reviews...
Death on the Nile the 2022 version.
(All movie remakes are judged by its predecessor)
Mr Furguson... he already has the opinion that Linnet and those like her that flaunt and abuse their riches and their better than everyone attitude... The world would be better if they were all bumped off as a lesson to others. Another character with motive completely omitted from 2022. He heard also taken a fancy to Rosalie... both if the same mind that Linnets death world solve many problems.
Then there's Pennington the lawyer (Katchadourian 2022) who has stole from Linnet and would cover it up with her murder. 2022 slightly touches on this, 1978 exposed it in more detail giving the lawyer good motive for murder.
The biggest concept in 1978... Everyone on the ship that good reasons and motives to kill Linette... Everyone, excluding Poirot, the crew, Col. Race. And all the clues pointed to everyone but Simon & Jackie... Since they each supplied each other with seemingly air tight alibi.
One of the main Characters in 1978 Was Col. Race, who aided Poirot in his investigations. Omitted for 2022. Col. Race and Poirot bantered ideas and theories giving more clues and possibilities.
There was many more dramatic clues that were presented in 1978 and were omitted in 2022.
The addition of Bouc and his mother were added characters but really didn't add much to the plot and storyline... Considering what was taken away.
So, there you have it. If you enjoyed the 1978 version... 2022 might be a bit of a let down. Still entertaining, but ya can't help but compare it to 1978.
Missing was a bit of suspense when someone (Jackie) Puts a cobra in Poirots cabin to kill him. To keep him from discovering the killer, and Col. Race comes to the rescue and kills the snake.
There was much more drama, suspense, and clues in the 1978 version.
Kenneth did a great job in Murder on the Orient Express... and a good job here... but Ustinov portrayed Poirot with a bit more depth to his character. Better, but only slightly better. I'll still get the movie when it comes out to watch it again.
All in all... 2022 is still a don't miss movie, if you're a mystery buff.
This is the third installment of this movie,
at least that I know of.
1978 with Peter Ustinov which set the standard.
2004 with David Suchet (tv series)
2004 with David Suchet (tv series)
and now
2022 with Kenneth Branagh.
(All movie remakes are judged by its predecessor)
First off... If you have never seen the other versions of the movie, you will enjoy this version. Having said that, it usually hard for remakes to live up to previous versions. The biggest advantage of newer remakes is the updated special effects, which doesn't rely apply here, it's not an that kind of a movie.
I did thoroughly enjoy Kenneth's previous Agatha Christy movie "Murder on the Orient Express". But at the end of it was a bit of nonsense were the main character, Hercule Poirot, is being summoned to Egypt for a murder investigation on the Nile. So what's the rub? At the beginning of Death on the Nile, the murder has not yet been committed... So how could he be summoned for a murder?
But I digress... The newest version was a bit of a distraction for me involving not only the character changes, but how they were in relation to their interaction with others characters. Then there was specific clues in 1978 to create dramatic overtones as to who might have committed the murder... lots of bits and pieces to mull over as the suspense continued to build... most of these eliminated in 2022. In 1978 virtually all the passengers on the boat has good reasons to kill Linnet Ridgeway... This was not the case in 2022. In 1978 everyone had clear and strong motives... And the way the story unfolded, they all were suspect. Now in 2022, few had motives. Then there's the character change ups. Not to give it away, but the plot changed so much from 1978, the only real suspects here were the ones that committed the murder. For me, too many bits of nonsense, not enough detailed clues which add to the suspense, and somewhat flat on the drama. Even in the end, despite the numerous changes, it felt like the end of a Perry Mason trial. At the end, our hero Poirot presents his logical conclusion as to the guilty parties and confronts them. With no actual proof they admit to the crime without any provocation. It was like... Okay, you figure it out, you have now real proof, so will not only admit our guilt, but also take our own lives. At least in the 1978 version, those suspected would have to submit to a "moulage test"... Which would detect tiny bits of gunpowder on the skin of the guilty parties. Knowing they would fail the test, they finally admitted their guilt. Of course this was a trick by our hero, which was effectively and convincingly explained to convince the guilty that they were caught.... And it worked.
All in all... The 2022 version which was entertaining, but did not live up to the emotional and dramatic features from the 1978 version. Too many key clues omitted, and simply not the suspense roller coaster of 1978 version. All the actors were good... It's just left you short on the plot and the way the story was told, in comparison to 1978. Kenneth did a good job... but for me, not as good as Peter Ustinov.
****** Spoiler alter... Read no further ******
Salome Otterbourne. Was originally a writer that slandered Linnet, for which she was being sued. With Linnet dead there can be no slander... thus another motive for murder.... by either Salome or her daughter Rosalie. This was completely omitted in 2022.
Dr Dressner 1978 be Dr Windesham 2022. Dr Dressner was being slandered by Linnet footer what he had done to her friend was she was a patient of his. Her could not sure her because it would bring ruin... yet another motive for murdering Linnet to silence her damaging accusations. Omitted from the 2022 version.
Mrs Van Schuyler... Another 1978 character which could have had motive for murder, simply to get Linnets jewelry. Completely eliminated from 2022.
Nurse Bowers... her family was financially ruined by Lynette's father condemning her to a life of servitude at the lower classes... another person with a motive for murder that was not explored in 2022.
I did thoroughly enjoy Kenneth's previous Agatha Christy movie "Murder on the Orient Express". But at the end of it was a bit of nonsense were the main character, Hercule Poirot, is being summoned to Egypt for a murder investigation on the Nile. So what's the rub? At the beginning of Death on the Nile, the murder has not yet been committed... So how could he be summoned for a murder?
But I digress... The newest version was a bit of a distraction for me involving not only the character changes, but how they were in relation to their interaction with others characters. Then there was specific clues in 1978 to create dramatic overtones as to who might have committed the murder... lots of bits and pieces to mull over as the suspense continued to build... most of these eliminated in 2022. In 1978 virtually all the passengers on the boat has good reasons to kill Linnet Ridgeway... This was not the case in 2022. In 1978 everyone had clear and strong motives... And the way the story unfolded, they all were suspect. Now in 2022, few had motives. Then there's the character change ups. Not to give it away, but the plot changed so much from 1978, the only real suspects here were the ones that committed the murder. For me, too many bits of nonsense, not enough detailed clues which add to the suspense, and somewhat flat on the drama. Even in the end, despite the numerous changes, it felt like the end of a Perry Mason trial. At the end, our hero Poirot presents his logical conclusion as to the guilty parties and confronts them. With no actual proof they admit to the crime without any provocation. It was like... Okay, you figure it out, you have now real proof, so will not only admit our guilt, but also take our own lives. At least in the 1978 version, those suspected would have to submit to a "moulage test"... Which would detect tiny bits of gunpowder on the skin of the guilty parties. Knowing they would fail the test, they finally admitted their guilt. Of course this was a trick by our hero, which was effectively and convincingly explained to convince the guilty that they were caught.... And it worked.
All in all... The 2022 version which was entertaining, but did not live up to the emotional and dramatic features from the 1978 version. Too many key clues omitted, and simply not the suspense roller coaster of 1978 version. All the actors were good... It's just left you short on the plot and the way the story was told, in comparison to 1978. Kenneth did a good job... but for me, not as good as Peter Ustinov.
1978 - 5 stars ... 2022- 4 stars.
****** Spoiler alter... Read no further ******
Characters and clues: 1978 vs 2022
Missing scenes for clues and motives
Louise the handmaden/servant: the scene where Louise asks Linnet for her freedom and a dowry so she can marry ... Linnet refuses and tells Louise that she will continue to serve her, no dowry, she will not get married. The motive for Linnets murder is set. (not in 2022). Also omitted is the scene where Louise is given a five pound note by Jackie, when Jackie slits her throat. As well as the scene where Louise is found dead with a corner of that note, clinched in her fingers, yet another clue. Killed by Jackie because she witness Simon going into Linnets room to kill her.
Salome Otterbourne. Was originally a writer that slandered Linnet, for which she was being sued. With Linnet dead there can be no slander... thus another motive for murder.... by either Salome or her daughter Rosalie. This was completely omitted in 2022.
Dr Dressner 1978 be Dr Windesham 2022. Dr Dressner was being slandered by Linnet footer what he had done to her friend was she was a patient of his. Her could not sure her because it would bring ruin... yet another motive for murdering Linnet to silence her damaging accusations. Omitted from the 2022 version.
Mrs Van Schuyler... Another 1978 character which could have had motive for murder, simply to get Linnets jewelry. Completely eliminated from 2022.
Nurse Bowers... her family was financially ruined by Lynette's father condemning her to a life of servitude at the lower classes... another person with a motive for murder that was not explored in 2022.
Mr Furguson... he already has the opinion that Linnet and those like her that flaunt and abuse their riches and their better than everyone attitude... The world would be better if they were all bumped off as a lesson to others. Another character with motive completely omitted from 2022. He heard also taken a fancy to Rosalie... both if the same mind that Linnets death world solve many problems.
Then there's Pennington the lawyer (Katchadourian 2022) who has stole from Linnet and would cover it up with her murder. 2022 slightly touches on this, 1978 exposed it in more detail giving the lawyer good motive for murder.
The biggest concept in 1978... Everyone on the ship that good reasons and motives to kill Linette... Everyone, excluding Poirot, the crew, Col. Race. And all the clues pointed to everyone but Simon & Jackie... Since they each supplied each other with seemingly air tight alibi.
One of the main Characters in 1978 Was Col. Race, who aided Poirot in his investigations. Omitted for 2022. Col. Race and Poirot bantered ideas and theories giving more clues and possibilities.
There was many more dramatic clues that were presented in 1978 and were omitted in 2022.
The addition of Bouc and his mother were added characters but really didn't add much to the plot and storyline... Considering what was taken away.
So, there you have it. If you enjoyed the 1978 version... 2022 might be a bit of a let down. Still entertaining, but ya can't help but compare it to 1978.
Missing was a bit of suspense when someone (Jackie) Puts a cobra in Poirots cabin to kill him. To keep him from discovering the killer, and Col. Race comes to the rescue and kills the snake.
There was much more drama, suspense, and clues in the 1978 version.
Kenneth did a great job in Murder on the Orient Express... and a good job here... but Ustinov portrayed Poirot with a bit more depth to his character. Better, but only slightly better. I'll still get the movie when it comes out to watch it again.
All in all... 2022 is still a don't miss movie, if you're a mystery buff.
