REVIEW: ENOLA HOLMES 2

3.5/5

Holmes Is Where The Heart Is.

129 Mins. Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Louis Partridge, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, David Thewlis & Helena Bonham Carter. Director: Harry Bradbeer.

The game is back afoot. The 1887 'Sherlock' mythology of the Evening Strand of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic character continues under the magnify glass. Read all about it. Even more so than the brilliant BBC Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman series. Or the Guy Ritchie 'Holmes' double with Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law that we hope sees a trilogy. Los Angeles Laker legend and NBA basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has even written a series of stirring 'Mycroft Holmes' books with Anna Waterhouse that have been adapted into graphic novels and even deserve their own, actual series. Whilst Nancy Springer's young adult fiction of 'Enola Holmes' turned into a 2020 Netflix movie, starring none other but 'Stranger Things' superstar Millie Bobby Brown. So good that, following the Eleven dialled up penultimate season of 'Things', a sequel is in order for the streaming service that studies this sleuth like scarlet. 

'Elementary' in its open to everyone world building beauty like Lucy Liu as Watson in that legendary show, 'Enola Holmes 2' out now, suffers no fools as it stands with the Suffragettes. Standing up for those Lyons match factory workers from history, exposed to phosphorus. Reminding us, even in its fiction, of a monumental moment of women's liberation that will still serve as inspiration to the young girls and change makers who run the world today. Stomping sticks until they march to their own stand of emancipation from poor pay and even more despondent working conditions. Striking a match of solidarity that will light a fire of rebellion from the evil men do that will burn forever. 

'She-Hulk' addressing us in a 'Fleabag' fourth wall breaking trend, the wonder that is Millie Bobby Brown is magnificent in this delightful 'Enola Holmes' sequel. Plucky with enough moxie to make this her new go-to character once Eleven wipes her nose for the last time. This may be far from the Upside Down, but it's the Big Smoke of a traditional London left in the fog. Funny, forthright and absolutely fabulous like Saunders and Lumley, Bobby Brown has a whole new prerogative. And it's perfect. We're with it. 

Through the thread and strands of story, you can't have a 'Holmes' story without Sherlock, though. Even if Sam Claflin's marvellous Mycroft belongs on a wanted poster, MIA due to scheduling conflicts. Iron Man. Doctor Strange. They've all worn the deerstalker. But now it's time for Superman. The same Clark Kent, whose just announced he's returning as the Man of Steel in DC's extended universe. The same week, the God's gave with one hand and took away with the other. As Henry Cavill announced that he will be leaving his own career, redefining Netflix series. 'The Witcher' now being brother of Thor, Liam Hemsworth. But at his best since the British charm of Guy's 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' (which deserves its own sequel even if it needs a sidekick recast), Cavill is the charm. Stealing scenes without unfairly doing it to the show. Now he's three legendary characters. "Witch" do you like best? As Supes as much as he is this slick sleuth. 

Pipes up to the rest of the cast too. Some we can't spoil, like who the standout Sharon Duncan-Brewster is really playing. Like David Thewlis' vile villain for the character actor's recent career turn of powerhouse performances in franchise films. Louis Partridge is also a perfect love interest and political candidate in a time when we go through prime minsters like Sherlock does opium. All for the pear tree of this holiday film from director Harry Bradbeer. But it's the absolute legend of Helena Bonham Carter that really gives this film it's full force in protest explosion. 'Tis her. And this is the season to walk the cold, cobbled streets of Baker Street and deduce even more from the clues. Far from elementary, my dear. Heroes like this used to be hidden in plain sight. Now they roll up their sleeves and get to the work we could never quite do, just like a woman. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Sherlock Holmes (2009)', 'Stranger Things', 'Fleabag'.