Andy's Film Blog: Kenneth Branagh

Showing posts with label Kenneth Branagh. Show all posts

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Murder on the Orient Express

Called to London for a major case and desperately seeking rest, exacting and world famous detective Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) becomes involved in a murder mystery when the Orient Express becomes snowbound and derailed, a world class heel (Johnny Depp) is murdered in his cabin in the middle of the night, and all twelve of the car's passengers turn suspect. Director Branagh's sleepy, mostly unnecessary Agatha Christie remake with a star studded cast (also including Judi Dench, Penelope Cruz, Michelle Pfeiffer, Willem Dafoe, and Daisy Ridley) bringing little to the table resembles something that belongs moreso to Masterpiece Theatre than the big screen. Branagh's Poirot is strong and emotive and stands alongside Peter Ustinov and Albert Finney.

** 1/2 out of ****

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Cinderella

Kenneth Branagh's sumptuously staged adaptation of the familiar folk tale is really just another harmless and well paced Disney retread with a likable Lily James in the starring role and a delicious performance from Cate Blanchett playing the evil stepmother.

*** out of ****

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Henry V

After bearing insult from King Charles of France, King Henry V galvanizes his outnumbered troops and leads them into glorious victory in the Battle of Agincourt. For his directorial debut and only 29 years old at the time, Kenneth Branagh also wrote and starred in this gritty and captivating Shakespearean adaptation and does stellar work both in front of and behind the camera, with all culminating is the moving and absolutely riveting St. Crispin’s Day Speech. The film is somewhat marred by Derek Jacobi’s anachronistic narration, which plays like a Monty Python sketch, and as for the climactic battle, it serves more as a digression, leaving us longing for the resplendent, powerfully conveyed dialogue.

*** 1/2 out of ****

Friday, April 19, 2013

Hamlet

Kenneth Branagh's 1996 adaptation, which he wrote, directed and starred as the much maligned Danish prince was and remains the only unabbreviated film version of William Shakespeare's great play. Shot in grand and gorgeous 65mm film stock, the last film to be done so prior to "The Master", the production also features, alongside Branagh's own commanding and very impressive performance, a slew of fine portrayals from the esteemed likes of Richard Attenborough, Julie Christie, Derek Jacobi, Kate Winslet, and Billy Crystal to name a few. Branagh's "Hamlet" is both a sumptuous filmization and, for someone not familiar with the material, proves an excellent introduction and piqued my interest for further exploration of the classic.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Thor

This is your usual superhero fodder. In another realm lives a group of warriors who defend the good on earth in their time of need and are currently at peace with the rival ice people who inhabit a neighboring realm. In command in Odin (Sir Anthony Hopkins) who is about to pass his torch to his massive sculpted son Thor (Chris Hemsworth), much to the disdain of his weaker younger brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston). As Thor is about to be crowned, ice people break in, are thwarted and the passage of the crown is delayed. Thor and his warrior troops break into the ice realm, destroy some ice people, and disrupt the peace between the two peoples. As a result, Thor is cast out to Earth along with his hammer, which can only be moved by someone worthy of it. On Earth, Thor comes in contact with a young scientist (Natalie Portman) who tries to help him return home while he aids her with her research. Meanwhile, back home Loki is plotting against his father as well as to keep Thor banished, all leading to a major showdown between the two brothers. As a part of The Avengers team, Thor is not your typical superhero as I already mentioned, as it incorporates Norse mythology into a present day superhero story. This unusualness is what makes the film work as it is not another standard entry in the genre. When I learned Kenneth Branagh was slated to direct, I was a little surprised until I noticed the Shakespearean elements involving the father and two sons, which is undoubtedly what drew him to the story. With Hemsworth, we have surprisingly nice work including nice comic work in the fish out of water scenario when he enters earth. Natalie Portman is cute as ever and a good romantic lead even though the romance makes no sense. Anthony Hopkins and Stellan Skarsgaard provide typically strong support and I was really taken by Hiddleston's performance as Loki. The 3D is probably unnecessary, but is suitable to the scenes in the alternate realms, and is decidedly unsuited to the scenes in New Mexico where it actually hurts it. Thor is an entertaining atypical entry in The Avengers series which looks like it is shaping up to be a pretty spectacular film. Oh and don't forget to stay through the credits of this one as well.