I’m glad that this kind of movie can still be made, and actually be successful. For one, I love the time period and the genre. It harkens back to the earlier days of cinema. Films like The Maltese Falcon, or Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much. And while this iteration of Agatha Christie’s classic isn’t perfect, I still thoroughly enjoyed watching it. I imagine this is the type of movie a 1930’s or 40’s noir director would dream of making. It’s not without its problems. After a strong 1st couple acts, the plot kind of loses steam and begins to feel strained. It doesn’t feel as clever as it promised in that opening sequence. And while I like the ending, it wasn’t nearly as satisfying as it could have been. Though I’m not exactly sure why. Maybe it has to do with the weaker middle sections derailing things a bit. But overall, the cast’s performances are all strong, and the set pieces and look/feel of the film are all fantastic. Kenneth Branagh’s performance stands out, particularly since he was directing as well. This was an entertaining mystery thriller, and I’ll probably check out the planned sequel in a couple years.

3.5 out of 5 stars