I went to see this because a friend wanted to and I was pleasantly surprised. I did not see any earlier version nor read the book so I did not know the solution. I enjoyed it. I did not completely guess the end but my thoughts were circling it very closely and I was close.
I had Michelle Pfeiffer pegged as the killer pretty early and I knew it couldn’t be a coincidence so many people connected to the victim were all on the train so my guess was she manipulated things so that everyone on the train would have a motive to keep quiet. It didn’t occur to me they all actually did the deed until the movie revealed it
Side note: I usually avoid crowded movies but saw this at a 7:30 pm weekend showing that was so full they moved it to a larger theater. Since it was a movie not aimed at kids it was a quiet and attentive audience that was very pleasant. Thus ends my “Old Man yells at Cloud” moment.
I just saw it with the family last night. My two almost-teenage boys didn’t care for it, which is usually a good indicator that the movie was actually quite good.
I haven’t read the book, although it’s on my list (which likely means it’ll never happen). I loved the 1974 version. I watched that one for the first time—in anticipation of seeing this version—a few months ago. Unfortunately I’m one of those people that don’t remember movie details well so I had trouble comparing who was who in each version. I did find that the characters were better developed in the 1974 version. I’ve not seen the David Suchet or any other versions.
For the new version I think the cinematography was great and the numerous long takes made it more so. That action sequence of the chase down the trestles was stupid; it seemed very out of place. Otherwise I liked all of it.
Agreed. Compared to the 1974 version it’s inferior. Judged on its own merits it’s a pretty good film. I wouldn’t mind owning it on DVD when it comes out.