'Sherlock Gnomes' surprisingly solid

There's a lot that people like to know about a movie going in. Some people watch a trailer, others just want to hear the basic premise. Most people flock to the silver screen, depending on who's involved. Whether it be their favourite actress or director. Every now and then, all it takes is the title. Just a few words to make sure that ticket is purchased. Box seats. Full price. No questions asked. I suspect the opposite is the effect granted by Sherlock Gnomes.

Still, the title does tell you, literally, everything you need to know. This is a film about garden gnomes that come to life and are swept up in a bona fide Sherlock Holmes mystery. After every garden gnome in London is abducted, Sherlock Gnomes, the sworn protector of garden gnomes, is on the case.

This film is also the sequel to 2011's Gnomeo and Juliet. Fans, fear not. The sequel doesn't forget its punderful predecessor in the slightest. As the world's greatest detective solves the mystery of the stolen ceramic, the Shakespearean couple show the audience why it was probably best that the original play ended in tragedy. After six years, the two seem to be gearing towards the dreaded seven-year itch. It's only when their friends and family join the list of the abducted that our two stories combine.

To be frank, this is not a very original film. It's not better than your average animated kids film, either. I suppose I'm just happy that it's not worse. It moves at a decent pace, and is well animated. Even the voice acting is better than one expects it to be, with Johnny Depp himself playing Sherlock. In fact, when the film follows the core cast of Sherlock, Watson, Gnomeo, and Juliet, it's at its best. Any other time feels like filler to a film that's as hollow as its characters. Still, at just under an hour and a half, you could do worse for your young one.