Two stories come together in this new twist of Sherlock Holmes, gnome-style. MGM’s Sherlock Gnomes picks up where Gnomeo and Juliet left off with the Montagues and Capulets finally living in peace and harmony as the garden gnomes venture to new garden this time in London. Little do they know, someone is out to get rid of all the gnomes as Sherlock Gnomes and Watson seek to protect all gnomes from being smashed. All in all, the story is told in the same fashion as the original, set to the iconic music of Sir Elton John who produced both animated adventures for new eyes.
Emily Blunt and James McAvoy return to voice the star-crossed lovers in the new adventure and ultimately the two don’t disappoint with a new comic relief as Gnomeo and Juliet, now named leaders of the new garden, must figure out how to grow everything while battling their first quarrel as lovers. The dialogue is crisp and new, as the writers purposely tried to keep the story moving with the witty banter between the two, as it somewhat mirrors the same banter between our two new characters, Sherlock and Watson.
The new addition of the voice talent of Johnny Depp as Sherlock Holmes is typical as his own character illuminates the image of Sherlock. I literally felt as though the character was made for him and that I was watching the same character portrayal as seen in his Jack Sparrow role. Depp brought his own wit and humor to the character as well as his self-love that he is most definitely know for in the latest Pirates of the Caribbean films. Sherlock’s partner, Watson (voiced by 12 Years A Slave star, Chiwetel Ejiofor) also provides more serious side as Watson purposely made sure that Sherlock was always one step ahead of his notorious arch-nemisis, Moriarty (Jamie Demetriou).
The animation was lively and colorful as the scenes flowed at a fast pace, adding to the need of Sherlock, along with the help of Gnomeo and Juliet, to save the people they cared about. At times in the beginning, the fast pace was a little unexpected and one might say, “hold on,” but it also gives the audience the feeling of a new story inside another one.
Verdict: 4 out of 5
Overall, Sherlock Gnomes is a film for everyone to enjoy. There are moments when literary fans will enjoy the twist of the story, similar to how the writers of the original Gnomeo and Juliet put the beloved Shakespeare play to the rock-and-roll music. Though, one might say, the sequel isn’t quite as well done as its predecessor. The beginning kind of comes out of nowhere as they try to mesh the to stories together. That aside, one does eventually understand what the plot is and shall find the overall story somewhat enjoyable.
Sherlock Gnomes came out in theaters Friday, April 23 and is currently playing in one near you.
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