I did not write a review of the first Enola Holmes film (as it is neither a Star Wars entry nor Jane Austen adaptation) so I will compare the two films in this one. I gave the first movie a 4 out of 10 stars, though that is less over the craft of the film as it is over the content. I enjoyed Millie Bobby Brown as the lead and was happy with Henry Cavill's Sherlock. However, I was disgusted at the ultimate upshot the film left the viewers with, namely: "Terrorism is a-ok because we're mad". I had just watched Disney+'s "Falcon and Winter Soldier" which had a similar justification for unprovoked acts of terror including civilian victims. Bonham Carter is known for playing kooks but her all too cheerful terrorist was definitely a downer for my appreciation of the film.
Now to this one. Enola Holmes 2 is an improvement over the first one in most respects, in my humble opinion. Bobby Brown keeps her charisma going, though her attitude towards Tewkesbury ranges from realistically flustered and awkward to straight up rude. Speaking of, Louis Partridge as the young viscount has about a quarter of Bobby Brown's screen presence, and their chemistry is almost entirely carried by the latter.
The plot is admittedly on the predictable side, and I had guessed three major plot points and two secret identities before the detectives got there, and the constant flashing back to evidence reveals mere minutes after the scene occurred felt somewhat condescending to the audience, though perhaps the target demographic is too young to remember things that happened a few minutes ago? (In which case, some of the violence was admittingly shocking for what I had expected to be a more PG version of a PG-13 rating).
More pros:
-The humor worked a little better for me here than the first.
Cons:
-That. Darn. Carriage scene. How could they desecrate Handel's Hallelujah Chorus in this way? You don't do my legend like that.
Overall, a considerable improvement over the first, and quite possibly convincing enough for a third entry. I'll keep my eyes open.
Now to this one. Enola Holmes 2 is an improvement over the first one in most respects, in my humble opinion. Bobby Brown keeps her charisma going, though her attitude towards Tewkesbury ranges from realistically flustered and awkward to straight up rude. Speaking of, Louis Partridge as the young viscount has about a quarter of Bobby Brown's screen presence, and their chemistry is almost entirely carried by the latter.
The plot is admittedly on the predictable side, and I had guessed three major plot points and two secret identities before the detectives got there, and the constant flashing back to evidence reveals mere minutes after the scene occurred felt somewhat condescending to the audience, though perhaps the target demographic is too young to remember things that happened a few minutes ago? (In which case, some of the violence was admittingly shocking for what I had expected to be a more PG version of a PG-13 rating).
More pros:
- Henry Cavill's Sherlock getting more screen time, including butting heads with and collaborating with Enola on her case.
- A tone down of the "go terrorism!" subplot present in the first, although it similarly treats Mrs. Holmes' sisterhood as innocent fun. This going's focus appears to be legal means of reform, such as strike organization and political action, which are things I can get behind.
- David Thewlis makes an intimidating character, though as stated earlier, most twists were predictable.
-The humor worked a little better for me here than the first.
- The acceptance of men into life tones down a little bit of the radical feminism that plagued the first entry, and offers a more balanced viewing that made this male viewer feel a little more comfortable viewing this film.
Cons:
- The fourth wall breaking... gosh that's annoying.
- The aforementioned accepting of terrorism and similar acts.
- Predictability.
- Lack of fair play, which is awkwardly paired with predictability to make a lackluster mystery.
-That. Darn. Carriage scene. How could they desecrate Handel's Hallelujah Chorus in this way? You don't do my legend like that.
Overall, a considerable improvement over the first, and quite possibly convincing enough for a third entry. I'll keep my eyes open.