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Making a movie about common garden gnomes was sheer genius back in 2011. That alone pricked curiosity enough to watch the animation. Add some Elton John songs, and you\u2019re onto a musical winner. The first film also worked because it was set in a garden pocket of England with real-world problems that endeared the little cast to you.<\/p>\n
Fast forward seven years to Sherlock Gnomes<\/em><\/a>, and the film-makers believe our gnomes need a bigger setting and a bigger challenge to tackle. Gnomeo (James McAvoy<\/a>) and Juliet (Emily Blunt<\/a>) are moved to London with their extended families and friends, only to get caught up in a gnome kidnapping spree. Enter Sherlock Gnomes (Johnny Depp<\/a>) and his trusted sidekick Dr Watson (Chiwetel Ejiofer<\/a>) to help discover where the gnomes have gone and go head to head with the culprit.<\/p>\n There is nothing wrong with the new film in terms of providing adequate family entertainment, and the little cast have enough charisma to just about pull this through. Indeed, there\u2019s always the opportunity to have a singalong to an Elton song.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the plot that feels a bit samey. Perhaps there have been too many family-centric films recently in quaint old London-town, complete with its landmarks that end up with the standout in\/around a museum, particularly the Natural History Museum (Paddington 2<\/em><\/a> etc). The latter must be loving all the promotion.<\/p>\n This is part of Sherlock Gnomes<\/em>\u2019 problem; there is nothing of interest that really stands, even though our characters are an ensemble piece of A-list voices. Placing garden gnomes in an action adventure might sound like the next progression in the franchise, but it must be one that is well-written, rather than opting for the lazy \u2018sightseeing\u2019 option.<\/p>\n The only thing that jogs the memory is the scene featuring Irene, a spurned stage doll with a chequered history with our famous detective, voiced by Mary J. Blige<\/a>. That\u2019s when things get interesting, just for s second. The rest, although cute, is rather predictable. It\u2019s also an odd mix of a Sherlock Holmes angle interwoven with upbeat Elton songs too.<\/p>\n If there is a third outing, it does need a good screenwriting hand. These characters became little treasures out of nowhere before seven years ago, and there is still a feeling they should be preserved for future audiences to enjoy.<\/p>\n