Kenneth Branagh’s Hercule Poirot - and his majestic moustache - are back as the famous detective’s vacation on the Nile is interrupted by the murder of a young heiress.
I was a fan of 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express and excited to see more of Branagh’s work as Poirot - in front of, and behind, the camera.
The director once again surrounds himself with a cavalcade of familiar faces, with Gal Gadot ( Linnet) , Annette Bening ( Euphemia ), Armie Hammer ( Simon ), Letitia Wright ( Rosalie ) and Russell Brand ( Windlesham ) among those on board - and even French and Saunders turning up.
Truthfully, though, it’s the recognisable cast and the lavish sets and production design that holds your interest as the central mystery is a little bland - and takes an age to solve.
This is one of those movies that just looks expensive and it definitely transports you away to another world at a different time as Branagh utilises wide and long shots to sweep you up in its majesty.
The Belfast-born man of many talents steals the show as the attentive, charismatic, resolute Poirot and, unlike with the Orient Express , no-one really comes close to threatening his place on the podium.
The nearest challenger is Gadot who exudes glamour, poise and vulnerability and it’s interesting to see her in a role very different to her star-making turn as Wonder Woman .
But Branagh should have paid more attention to Michael Green’s script, and perhaps shown more bravery to cut it down to size, as the movie is more bloated than me after a few pints and a kebab.
There are flashbacks that don’t really add much and for a film essentially about murder and its aftermath, it’s pushing an hour before anyone’s pulse stops.
It’s no surprise that once the mystery kicks in the flick is at its best with Poirot finally able to hit his stride.
Inferior to its predecessor, then, Death on the Nile is a classic case of star power not being enough to distract from the missteps of a muddled story.
● What are your thoughts on Death on the Nile? Who is your favourite on-screen Poirot? Pop me an email at ian.bunting@reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.
● Death on the Nile is showing in cinemas now.
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