Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
The most fun thing about watching a remake is wondering “why now?” Especially such famous successful stories like Agatha Christie’s. Murder on the Orient Express released in Nov 2017 starts from the scene long ago, Jerusalem in 1934. Of course the soundtrack for the scene must be a kind of oriental, traditional, and european, the tone really came along with the picture. That’s something challenging for the current composer, requiring a careful choice for both instrumentation and composition.
As the story goes on, if you’re watching and listening carefully, you’ll be surprised how effectively it combines the tone of the 1930’s and the composition for the current movie, mediterranean atmosphere and European fantasy. It’s so gentle, not too exciting, and mysterious enough.
By the way, we enjoy watching this type of mystery with a lot of imagination which comes from scripts and acting. The whole movie is not about any realistic CG or speedy actions. So that music must support that to make the audience more get into the story without any surprise. Patrick Doyle has done great work and we are smoothly excited, getting into the small narrow tight situation like “criminal on the train” and becoming a part of the scene. The Full list of Soundtracks.
Another thing I was surprised about was that the last script of Hildegarde Schmidt was investigated in German, Poirot said “Red kimono!” (turned back to English at the moment). Oops, did he say a word from Japanese? And he found some clothes…Hope you enjoy the movie!
Death on the Nile (2022)
If you have already watched Murder on the Orient Express, you might have the unexpected beginning of a monochrome morning of World War I, which is briefly reflecting a glance of Poirot’s character. You will see Katherine finally too. And you will expect this story is probably going to be deeper, more darker, and more mysterious. Likewise the previous story, the original bestseller mystery published by Agatha Christie in 1937. Death on the Nile directed by Kenneth Branagh, who is starring as Hercule Poirot.
It’s been five years since the crime on the train. The movie strictly follows its heritage while the tone of the picture and the soundtrack is upgraded. To be honest, I was so excited that I got high blood pressure in seven minutes.
The Soundtracks are produced by Patrick Doyle, same as Murder on the Orient Express. Some of the old swing dance “Club music” in 1930’s contrasts with the orchestral tracks, which bring another color to the film. As we’ve watched (and listened to!) Murder on the Orient Express, soundtracks need to connect to the tone of the picture indicating its age and region. However, those swing tunes reflect more inside of the people at the age of 1930’s than a scene of Egypt. It also reminds me of Fitzgerald’s Gatsby. Yeah, Club Swing reflects the people of the 1930’s just the same as Gangs and Prohibition.
On the other hand, all the tracks are really gorgeous. Patrick shows us how to compose music for mysteries. They’re sometimes timeless, borderless, and could be futuristic while the picture keeps the tone of the age in 1930’s. We can find that same in Harry potter’s.
The Equalizer (2021- TV series)
The same name film starring Denzel Washington might be more familiar with you, the original was the same name TV series from 1985 to 1989. The new TV series The Equalizer has Queen Latifah as the titular character “Robin McCall”. Queen dedicates the role and I love her acting. Other supporting roles do too. This TV show is a bomb.
The soundtracks are grouped in two, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge for Hip Hop based tracks, Robert Duncan and Sean Pack for Blockbuster style tracks. This collaboration let the series go to a higher level rather than just a “crime drama”, which is more street flavorful, emotionally tasty. The very first couple episodes feel a little bit loud for me, just my opinion. As the story gets deeper and wider, sound editings are nailed.
