Pleasantly surprised

Rating: 6/10 (28 April 2018)

Although not a patch on the 1974 original, this totally unnecessary remake proved to be not as bad as first feared. Kenneth Branaghs portrayal as Poriot which I initially viewed as hilarious in the extreme given the ridiculously comic moustache he donned for the role culminated in a rather convincing performance with me totally buying into him as Belgiums finest ever detective. The film although beautifully shot is still just a little too glossy and smooth, lacking the atmospheric tension of the original. The plot is pretty faithful with the cast doing what's expected of them, although some like Penelope Cruz had peripheral characters who offered little throughout. Remaking a whodunnit especially a famous one seems rather pointless, as most people will know who the culprit is anyway. But nonetheless I was pleasantly surprised, it is worth a watch and if Branagh returns as Poriot in Death on the Nile as is hinted at in the films finale, then those little grey cells may get another outing.