REVIEW: A HAUNTING IN VENICE

3/5

Death In Venice.

103 Mins. Starring: Kyle Allen, Kenneth Branagh, Camille Cottin, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey, Jude Hill, Ali Khan, Emma Laird, Kelly Reilly, Riccardo Scamarcio & Michelle Yeoh. Director: Kenneth Branagh. On: Disney +.

It's a Halloween party on Disney + this week as the streaming service gives us three summer smashes for scary season. Sure, the entertaining 'Elemental' Pixar production is more of a love story, but the first 'Haunted Mansion' reboot since Eddie Murphy's 2003 ride-adaptation is certainly one to carve into your pumpkin schedule, even if Satan has been replaced by Santa. As is Mickey Mouse's Marvel, Star Wars and 'The Simpsons' like side hustle with 20th Century Studios. One that sees the likes of Wes Anderson and Fox Searchlight classics like 'The Banshees Of Inisherin' debut on your home cinema small screens the minute they leave theatres. If you're a Poirot purist in this 'Knives Out' day and age of murder mysteries unravelling like a glass onion, then twirl your magnum Mario moustache this Movember at 'A Haunting In Venice'. The third part of Kenneth Branagh's Herculean trilogy making a killing with the classic 'Murder On The Orient Express' and the pandemic plunged 'Death On The Nile'.

Based on the amazing Agatha Christie's lesser known novel 'Hallowe'en Party' (but still straight scary for these haunting hours), this Venice tale from the Queen has a supernatural seance element to it, much like Disney's 'Haunted Mansion' plus. But one that you can still believe in like 'The Hounds Of The Baskervilles' or that Sherlock Holmes case of vampirism for your Strand. Call him by the name, Hercule, because Kenneth Branagh (who has done everything from playing Shakespeare in the park to directing 'Thor') has made Poirot his proud own like the great Sir David Suchet CBE. And in the beginning of this beautiful movie of brutality set in an inspired Italy, Branagh brings Venice to vivid life in stills that make perfect postcards look like wastepaper discards. Such is the new oiled and primed style from the black and white beauty of the brilliant 'Belfast' director, bringing it on home to you like Sam Cooke. By candlelight in your peeping rear window, it's no mystery this is all so mesmerizing in page-turning thrill and spill romanticism to one of the oldest and most outstanding genres in the theatrical book. 

Tom Bateman, Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Derek Jacobi, Leslie Odom Jr., Michelle Pfeiffer, and Daisy Ridley boarded the 'Orient Express'. Whilst, Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Ali Fazal, Dawn French, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer (which sunk the movie in controversy, but look at a few names back), Rose Leslie, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Jennifer Saunders, and Letitia Wright boarded the boat bound for the Nile. This time out on a gondola to Venice, the cast isn't as star-studded, but it still shines in the sea that twists and turns through the town. In alphabetical order like the compelling closing credits that circle around the city with a classic, standard swan song for the birds. 'West Side Story' star Kyle Allen feels like a budding one, and 'The Parisian Bitch' comedian Camille Cottin ('Stillwater', 'House Of Gucci') steals every scene she's in. 

The shades of 'Belfast's' Jamie Dornan reunite with Branagh, whilst the fabulous Tina Fey right by Poirot's side has never been better (and she gives the greatest quote about writers. Just saying). Speaking of 'Belfast', if you didn't think Jude Hill was a star of the future (like Chase W. Dillon in 'Haunted Mansion'), you will now. Ali Khan and Variety 'Brit to Watch' Emma Laird offer amazing assistance. But not like 'John Wick' villain Riccardo Scamarcio bodyguarding our sleuth like Costner did Houston. Kelly Reilly highlights this cast in this throwback like she did as Watson's Mary in Guy Ritchie's 'Sherlock Holmes' series. But it's 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh in a glorious grey that must rival the 'tache, who will have you believing in ghosts even though Halloween is now just with us in spirit. Bobbing for apples, the trick of this party doesn't stop. It haunts. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Murder On The Orient Express', 'Death On The Nile', 'Glass Onion: A 'Knives Out' Mystery'.