I am the first to tell anyone: watch the original version. Most of the times it is better anyway - but even if not, watching the original after you've seen the remake might have already spoiled things for you. Now when I say Original in this case, I am talking about the movie with Peter Ustinov as Poirot and not the version that was made for TV (which I have not watched yet).
Ustinov was a great Poirot - but Branagh really excels and relishes in this role too. He captures the essence of that weird character and seems really fond of him - making movies worth your while. And in this case a coherent one at that.
Not only do we get a visual upgrade (there are some very stunning scenes in this, which would make great postcards), but we get a theme: love. Now I have not read the novel, so I don't know what this movie leaves out - or what it depicts better or worse than the Ustinov version. What I do know is, that while both versions have the same conclusion, there are enough differences to make anyone watching be thoroughly interested to say the least.
The cast cannot be compared to the original movie (as in the original had way more heavyweights than this has), but even someone like Gal Gadot is able to convince. Although to be fair, she mostly has to look good. She does have an emotional encounter with Branagh - I am assuming she draws from personal experience and stardom/fame - the way she plays that.
There is also a bit of greater emotional attachment and grip on Poirot. As viewers we are as close to him as possible. Some of the other characters are therefor not as richly painted as in the original. But the core is stronger - and the emotional impact ... especially towards the end and if you invested yourself in Poirot ... is quite amazing to say the least.
Very well done - and it shows that Branagh takes these adaptations seriously. Which should leave you satisfied as a viewer. Unless you are hung up in the past ... which if you see this movie, might find ironic ... and even worth a pun.
Ustinov was a great Poirot - but Branagh really excels and relishes in this role too. He captures the essence of that weird character and seems really fond of him - making movies worth your while. And in this case a coherent one at that.
Not only do we get a visual upgrade (there are some very stunning scenes in this, which would make great postcards), but we get a theme: love. Now I have not read the novel, so I don't know what this movie leaves out - or what it depicts better or worse than the Ustinov version. What I do know is, that while both versions have the same conclusion, there are enough differences to make anyone watching be thoroughly interested to say the least.
The cast cannot be compared to the original movie (as in the original had way more heavyweights than this has), but even someone like Gal Gadot is able to convince. Although to be fair, she mostly has to look good. She does have an emotional encounter with Branagh - I am assuming she draws from personal experience and stardom/fame - the way she plays that.
There is also a bit of greater emotional attachment and grip on Poirot. As viewers we are as close to him as possible. Some of the other characters are therefor not as richly painted as in the original. But the core is stronger - and the emotional impact ... especially towards the end and if you invested yourself in Poirot ... is quite amazing to say the least.
Very well done - and it shows that Branagh takes these adaptations seriously. Which should leave you satisfied as a viewer. Unless you are hung up in the past ... which if you see this movie, might find ironic ... and even worth a pun.