Movie Review - Death on the Nile

Gotta be honest, I honestly didn't think Murder on the Orient Express needed a sequel. I mean, it wasn't anything special, nor did it add anything new that hadn't already been done to the book that it's based on. But I guess it was successful enough for Kenneth Branagh to make a sequel, which unsurprisingly is based on another book by Agatha Christie, but still all about the great detective that is Hercule Poirot (reprised by Branagh). Interestingly, Branagh actually wants to make a cinematic universe featuring characters from Christie's books, which isn't a bad idea. But with the idea being already crowded, it would be quite difficult for it to stand out. But who knows, maybe it will work. For now, let's see what's happening on the Nile:

The film begins in World War I where we discover how Poirot got his distinctive moustache in the first place and also about his first love too (or one of them anyway). Then in 1937, he goes to a jazz club where one Salome Otterbourne (played by Sophie Okonedo) is performing and bears witness to a Jackie de Bellefort (played by Emma Mackey) introducing her fiancé Simon Doyle (played by Armie Hammer) to her childhood friend, heiress Linnet Ridgeway (played by Gal Gadot). The two fall in love, which makes Jackie quite bitter. Six weeks later, Poirot is on holiday in Egypt and becomes part of Linnet and Simon Doyle's group of people as they venture on the Nile. Though soon enough, something does go down, which prompts Poirot to investigate.

 This film is about the same as Murder on the Orient Express in terms of what to expect. Nothing bad, nothing good. But has a few entertaining and funny moments with a cast that perform their parts well and some great set pieces too. Very interesting to see Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders play serious roles when they are largely known for their comedy roles.