Sherlock Gnomes is fun and engaging for the whole family

While not the most exciting sequel, Sherlock Gnomes is engaging enough to make a trip to the movies with the family worth it.

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It has been seven years since we’ve seen our favorite garden gnomes. Sherlock Gnomes picks up not far from where the original left us. Gnomeo (James McAvoy) and Juliet (Emily Blunt) are still in love, but even fresh love has its issues.

After being placed in charge of their new garden home, Gnomeo and Juliet have two very different reactions — Gnomeo is excited and eager to decorate and freshen up the place, while Juliet stresses out to do the best she can. In doing so, Juliet pushes everything aside, including Gnomeo. And the more Gnomeo tries to get on Juliet’s good side, the more she pulls away.

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There’s little time to work through their problems, as a bigger issue quickly presents itself. Gnomes all over the city are going missing. The mysterious Gnome-napper is taking gnomes and leaving clues behind for Sherlock Gnomes (Johnny Depp), protector of all London Gnomes, to find, along with his friend and partner in crime-solving, Watson (Chiwetel Ejiofor). Is Moriarty (Jamie Demetriou) up to his old games and tricks? Or is something more sinister in play?

The highlight of the film, even though the role is small, is Mary J. Blige as Irene, a Barbie doll. She’s in fact the one who helps present one of the film’s messages when she attempts to convince Juliet that she doesn’t need a man to be strong. To this, Juliet replies, “You don’t need a man to be strong, but the right partner can make you stronger.

For the young (and young at heart) there’s plenty of action and jokes, and though it’s not as heartwarming or entertaining as the first, it’s one the children will enjoy. Don’t expect Sherlock Gnomes to break any records this weekend, but don’t mistake it for a snooze, either. The sequel to Gnomeo and Juliet features laughs for kids of all ages and a solid message about independence and love.

Sherlock Gnomes is in theaters Friday, March 23.