Death on the Nile

 So, this classic 1937 book by Agatha Christie has been brought to the screen for the third time.

After the Ustinov film in the 70s, the Poirot series starring David Suchet (still "my" Poirot), there is now Kenneth Brannagh taking on the mantle of the famous Belgian detective for the second time after Murder on the Orient Express.

Now, first things first, this film looks amazing in a retro styled way, so let's put that clear first and foremost, so it is a feast on the eye to watch.

Poirot encounters his friend Bouc in Egypt, after meeting up with him in a nightclub in London before.  here, they attend the upcoming wedding of Simon Doyl, and a rather suprising bride.  Linnet, youth friend of the Jackie with whom Simon was engaged last they met.  They board a cruiseship, the SS karnak, for a the couple to escape a scorned Jackie, and Poirot also finds out that his friend Bouc is dating a girl named Rosalie, despite her mother's objections.

But Jackie has also boarded the ship, and the morning after Linnet is found shot in the head, with a precious necklace stolen, while Simon has been shot in the leg.  Poirot begins the investigation, looking into the possible motives of all those who would benefit of Linnet, a heiress's, death.

Poirot actually reveals he was hired before the trip by one of the passengers to investigate Rosalie, whom he concluded was more then worth of the relationship.  Rosalie storms off angry by this reveal, and as Poirot follows her they find the body of Louise, who distrusted Simon.

Bouc, confronted by Poirot, confessed he witnessed the murder, but is shot before he can say who did it.  All the pieces in place, he confronts all the other survivors, and reveals Simon is actually the murderer, with Jackie his accomplice and mastermind.  They are still in love, and they did it for the money.  Faced with the proof, Jackie embraces Simon, and shoots him through the back, killing them both.

So okay, this was a good movie, but for certain for me mr Brannagh isn't that good a Poirot (see intro) to me.  He plays the role well enough, but contrary to David Suchet, his accent is off a lot (and being Belgian, I can say that in all honesty).

More are rumoured to be made, and tbh, I kind of like the idea of a "Poirot franchise" to be honest...