A One Mann’s Movies review of “Enola Holmes 2” (2022).
I quite enjoyed the first “Enola Holmes” film, giving it 3.5 stars. And I predicted it’s success would spawn a sequel. And sure enough, here comes “Enola Holmes 2”, currently showing on Netflix.
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown) is hacked off that everyone thinks that her first case was really solved by her brother Sherlock (Henry Cavill). And her attempts to set up her own detective agency have come to nothing. But when a young girl from the match factory asks her to find her missing sister, Enola is dragged into a whirlwind of economic and political intrigue.
Certification:
UK: 12; US: PG-13. (From the BBFC: “Moderate violence, bloody images”).
Talent:
Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Louis Partridge, David Thewlis, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Helena Bonham Carter, Adeel Akhtar, Susan Wokoma.
Directed by: Harry Bradbeer.
Written by: Jack Thorne & Harry Bradbeer. Based on the “Enola Holmes Mysteries’ book series” by Nancy Springer.
Twitter Handles: #EnolaHolmes; #EnolaHolmes2.
“Enola Holmes 2” Review:
Positives:
- Once again we are pitched into Victorian London with such style and energy (hats off to the production design, cinematography and special effects guys) that you can’t help but be carried along by the story. It’s a very engaging film, made more so because some of the plot is actually based on a real-life event.
- Millie Bobby Brown once again steals the show with her self-assured asides to camera, breaking the 4th wall. Some of these, especially the bits where she is starting to fall for the dishy Lord Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge, returning from the first film) are almost subliminal and hilariously done.
- The rest of the cast also do a great job with Henry Cavill, Helena Bonham-Carter, Adeel Akhtar and Susan Wokoma also returning from the first film. (Akhtar is firmly cementing himself this year into prominent roles – most commonly supporting roles like this one, but also leading roles as in the engaging “Ali and Ava“. And he’s been really good in all of those roles). Joining them this time are the wonderfully versatile David Thewlis playing a vengeful police chief, Gabriel Tierney as William Lyon, heir to the match baron and Sharon Duncan-Brewster (last seen in “Dune“) as Mira Troy, the Lyon’s assistant and advisor. It makes for a great ensemble.
Negatives:
- A common complaint, but at 130 minutes it rather outstays its welcome by about 20 minutes or so. An ‘action’ scene involving a wagon chase left me rather disengaged and (imho) could have been chopped.
- The character of Edith (Susan Wokoma) feels like a bit of a spare wheel in the plot.
Monkeys?
There’s a nice “monkey” shortly into the end titles, introducing Himesh Patel as another well known character in this universe! Certainly therefore a promise of an “Enola Holmes 3” before too long!
Summary Thoughts on “Enola Holmes 2”
As a whimsical mystery adventure story, this movie had legs and I enjoyed it a lot. Well worth a watch
Trailer for “Enola Holmes 2”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKXNmYoPkx0 .
