Mystery takes far too long to play out

Kenneth Branagh once again surrounds himself with a cavalcade of familiar faces in his second outing as Hercule Poirot.

But truthfully it’s the recognisable cast and the lavish sets and production design that hold 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.

And Branagh steals the show as the charismatic and resolute Poirot.