It feels like FOREVER since we got the first trailer for Death on the Nile, but the film is FINALLY here and not going to lie that it might not live up to the hype of Murder on the Orient Express!
While the cast for the film is phenomenal with Kenneth Branagh returning as Hercule Poirot alongside Gal Gadot, Russell Brand, Letitia Wright, and Emma Mackey, it felt like it took a while before we actually got to the main point of the film - the murder mystery.
Here are some of my initial, SPOILER-FREE, thoughts on the film and what stood out to me just in case you need more info on if you need to watch it in theaters or at home:
- Kenneth Branagh gets to explore his character of Hercule Poirot more and in doing so is the standout of the film because he actually rediscovers his emotions by the end of the film.
- The first hour of the film does set up what's to come in the back-half of the film, but it felt like they stayed in scenes for a little longer than needed.
- I'm a sucker for a good murder-mystery and the back-half of the film ramps everything up that you're not sure who to entirely blame for the film's main murder.
- I feel like the cast/story for Murder on the Orient Express was a lot stronger than this film, which isn't a bad thing, but is a telling sign about how the character-development of the first hour was a little slow/boring.
- I do hope we continue to get Branagh films on Hercule Poirot because I love his character and want to see all the Agatha Christie books adapted to modern movies.
- There are NO end-credits scenes so if you need to make a break for the bathroom then you definitely can once the credits roll!
Watch my full review for Death on the Nile below:
I'm giving Death on the Nile 7 out of 10 riverboats because while it was slow for the first half of the movie, you can't beat a mystery story involving Hercule Poirot! Death on the Nile is in theaters starting on February 11th!
Photo Credit: 20th Century Studios