‘Enola Holmes 2’ movie review: A remarkable sequel that gives audiences a lively Holmes to excite

The sequel to Harry Bradbeer’s 2020 Netflix hit, bringing back the cheeky and lovable young-adult iteration of the Holmes universe Enola Homes, is a film that is settled in the world it is trying to create. With equal parts cut and action, Enola Homes 2 Makes for a stimulating watch that doesn’t skimp on the intrigue as the Holmes name suggests.

The game is on again for Millie Bobby Brown (Enola), who opens Enola Homes 2 With a fast chase sequence in the filthy streets of Victorian London. A detailed context is provided for the opening via flashbacks where we learn that Enola has attempted to start her own detective agency in London and takes on the case of a missing young woman, Sarah Chapman (Hannah Dodd). Is.

While Sarah’s disappearance guides the main plot of the film, the story finds itself exploring more of Enola’s inhibitions and motivations. In adapting a young-adult novel by Nancy Springer, Bradbear extends his efforts to go beyond servicing the icon of Sherlock Holmes, Enola’s older brother, played by Henry Cavill. While the film retains a captivating-enough mystery for audiences to follow, it also fleshes out Enola as she develops from a teenager who escapes from her finishing school into a formidable leading lady, Which matches the intelligence of his brother.

Millie Bobby Brown does a great job bringing Enola to life, as she enthusiastically opens her own detective agency in London. However, she finds it difficult to get clients, either taking a toll on her brother’s reputation, or being sacked because of her gender. The first film echoes loudly as Enola, now more independent, is forced to face the path she wants to take in life. Although Miley’s performance in both films leans toward a lack of subtlety, she is particularly thrilled to watch these vulnerable moments as she quickly and eagerly delve into strong feelings of fear and doubt that create a cohesive and memorable one. Builds character.

Portrait of Miley. Might also be a familiar watch for fans of killing eve And fleabag, both of which also included Bradbeer. As Enola, Miley breaks the fourth wall in a row and joins the list of women-led media, directed by Bradbeer, whose heroines are trademarked by their intoxicating fearlessness that is based on a comfortable vulnerability.

Enola’s unusual first name doesn’t burden her as much as the legacy of her family name. Holmes has also been an audience draw for the film series, but Sherlock barely made an impression in the first film. This time however, Jack Thorne’s script features Sherlock as a concerned older brother, whose latest case crosses him with Enola’s. As a result, Cavill’s Sherlock gets a lot of time off, but thankfully doesn’t steal the limelight from his sister. The film clearly wants to go the route of ‘siblings working together on a case’, but doesn’t take too long to forge that bond between Sherlock and Enola, which results in an amnesia. .

Also starring in the film are Louis Partridge as Lord Viscount Tukesbury and Helena Bonham Carter as Eudoria Holmes. As a romantic interest, Lord Tukesbury’s character checks all the necessary boxes, but it doesn’t end his existence at all. In fact, if one had removed the romantic subplot of the film, it would not have made much difference to the story. The now-empty runtime could easily be turned towards Carter who plays Enola and Sherlock’s mother. Eudoria is given more time in the flashback sequences than in the present, so another strong Holmes is wasting the opportunity for the woman to lead the film.

Following the formula of the first film, the primary case of the sequel on which Enola works is a fictional adaptation of real-life events that took place in Victorian England. While Sarah Chapman’s name bears a bounty for the matchgirls’ strike of 1888 upon which the film’s plot would rest, it doesn’t shy away from the fascinating way Enola uncovers the clues. The film is made better with the fact that this time around Enola has been assigned a singular case to work with, hence encouraging a deeper exploration of the same. Thorne’s screenplay is also a joy to follow as it avoids the Sherlockian treatment of the matter.

More than once, Sherlock warns Enola to divorce her feelings from the case in order to enrich her deduction skills, and it does. But, make no mistake, the film is not an addition to the Sherlock Holmes universe, that’s right, Enola has her own franchise where she wants to chart her legacy for the Holmes name, not only in London but for audiences to see. Too. The matter is therefore not handled with clinical swiftness, but with careful empathy.

Though in summarizing the matter, the script disappoints how it plays out in what could have been an exciting reveal. It would have been more lovely to see the Holmes siblings put their brains together, ending in a rush that could have been smarter, less expository, and less… elementary.

more focused than its predecessor, Enola Homes 2 Successfully takes its next step into a potential franchise, and serves a charming, clever and immaculate Holmes to a young, new audience.

Enola Holmes 2 is currently streaming on Netflix