Alright! So today I'm reviewing Enola Holmes, Netflix's latest sizable movie. Technically it was originally going to be released in theaters by Warner Bros., but due to COVID the film was pulled, acquired by Netflix, and released last Wednesday. So I saw it today, and, it's basically average.
The very first thing I would say about this film is the sheer amount of exposition in it. Holy crap is it expository. Imagine The Office's talking heads, but they happen during a scene and through a voiceover. That's basically this entire movie. So much dialogue.
This is a good poster. |
The second thing I would point out is that under normal circumstances, I probably wouldn't review this film. It's a fairly average movie and not a big one either, so if this month was playing out like it was supposed to, I would probably be reviewing The Beatles: Get Back and the finale of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, while also hyping myself up over the newest Eternals, Godzilla Vs. Kong, and Raya and the Last Dragon trailers that have come out in succession.
Alas, what a world, what a world. Here we are with a movie about Sherlock Holmes' 16-year-old sister, whose mom was kidnapped, launching her on a quest to find clues while also being dragged into the nefarious plot of a scheming villain trying to get their hands on a seat in the House of Lords.
Overall, it's a fine plot, but the movie's two hours long. I feel like they could've shaved 15 or 20 minutes off of this thing. It might not have been better, but it would've felt more appropriate for the premise.
There's nothing blatantly wrong with Enola Holmes. I just didn't love it. |
I also found the tone of the movie pretty strange. Instead of it being witty and funny through the protagonist's demeanor like Sherlock, or completely committing to the mystery aspect like Sherlock Holmes (2011), this movie's not really either.
Basically, I thought it would be like Little Women (2019) or Sherlock, not a combo of the two combined with a dash of Harry Potter. It has both the pro-girl drama of Little Women and the cerebral appeal of Sherlock with family-friendly sensibilities of humor of Harry Potter without really making a dip in any of them.
But somehow it doesn't come off as really bad or poorly done. There's a lot of effort that went into this movie and it shows. It makes it feel less like an imitation of something popular and more of its own thing, and that's totally awesome. I really dug this new groove that Enola found itself in.
If you are looking for something more along the lines of Sherlock, this is not it. |
And I also applaud the casting in this thing. Casting's great, guys. Milly Bobby Brown kills it as Enola (Who really reminded me of Hermione several times), Sam Claflin is in here as a surprisingly mean Mycroft Holmes, and Henry Cavill as Sherlock Holmes isn't something I knew I needed but am glad I got.
Just in general, actually, Henry Cavill was awesome as Sherlock. This is definitely my highlight of the movie, although he did lack any of the negative traits of the character, as well as Watson. There was no Watson here.
This is, by far, the must buff Sherlock we've ever gotten. There's no hiding how huge Henry Cavill is. He does play Superman, after all. |
Another thing I really liked about this movie was the color and production design. I know, I know. Whenever I hear someone commend production design, color, and casting, I always think that the movie's actually bad (Mulan). But here, it really adds to it. Instead of being the sole reason I would watch the movie, it transcends the movie and the movie's style to something we don't often see.
There are all types of vibrant colors here, from turquoise, dark pink, to some tans and greys that go with it nicely. The movie looks really good.
Something about this movie just screams gorgeous. |
I also really admire how the movie is a would-be franchise-starter that actually starts a franchise. It's not like Artemis Fowl, the "Criminal mastermind" who only declares himself one at the end of the movie. Enola's a full-blown mystery/period drama/bright kid's adventure from beginning to end. Also, I realize that comparing something to Artemis Fowl sets an extremely low bar, but it's a good example of what not to do.
Overall, I liked a lot of things about Enola Holmes. I disliked a lot of things about Enola Holmes. Will I remember it a week from now? Probably not. Will I come across some random reference to it, think for a moment "That was a good movie" and move on? Definitely.
Overall, I give Enola Holmes a 6/10. " Enola Holmes is good enough without going above and beyond while also never becoming a stale imitation. It's basically what you'd expect."
If there's one takeaway from this whole thing, it's that I really want a Sherlock Holmes movie starring Henry Cavill. |
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