Most of the great animated films out there cater to both kids and adults — think Inside Out, The Incredibles and pretty much everything under the Disney/Pixar banner minus the Cars franchise. The Mouse has perfected the art of churning out animated films with a fun adventure that kids can latch on to, but with complexities, layers and even thought-provoking messages brewing beneath its colourful surface to entice the adults. Those are my favourite kind.
On the other side of the spectrum, there are animated films that are apparently made specifically for kids, but in reality, are nothing but nonsensical, brain cell killing diseases that kids should stay away from at all cost unless they aspire to be the next Donald Trump. I’m looking at you Minions, and you Ferdinand.
But Sherlock Gnomes is one of those movies that is neither here nor there and that isn’t a bad thing. This is an animated film aimed squarely at kids, but it doesn’t resort to meaningless fart jokes or characters hitting each other over the head for cheap laughs. Neither does it have intricate themes to explore. This is a simple, fun adventure.
Sherlock Gnomes uses the Toy Story concept except instead of toys, we have garden gnomes. When no humans are watching, the gnomes come to life and do stuff (mostly just gardening). Gnomeo and Juliet, along with their friends and families have been moved to a new garden in London. But just as they’re about to start a new life, they go missing — did someone kidnap them? In comes Sherlock Gnomes and his underappreciated sidekick, Watson.
The journey that ensues takes a familiar route. Don’t go in expecting this to be an Agatha Christie mystery. I feel silly even typing that sentence out. Did anyone actually watch the trailer and go, “Hmm, I gotta remember to bring my thinking cap to this movie.” The film is as predictable as it gets. But I imagine kids under the age of 10 will be wide-eyed and mindblown by its various twists and turns.
Sherlock Gnomes is further bolstered by its central theme — ‘appreciation’. This theme bleeds through the entire narrative, as various characters, both central and supporting, must learn to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of those who have stood by them through thick and thin. Again, it doesn’t provide an in-depth exploration. You’re not going to watch Sherlock Gnomes and be inspired to write a 1000 word think piece. But, it will encourage little kids to do some thinking. This is a film that surprisingly doesn’t shove its messages down your throat like many so-called kids movies do. The theme is interweaved in the narrative in an organic manner, which is a welcome surprise.
The characters are fun! While they’re not fleshed out enough to the point where you form a deep connection with any of them, or heck, even give a damn if they live or die break, they will put a smile on your face throughout. The A-list actors — James McAvoy, Johnny Depp, Emily Blunt, Michael Caine and Chiwetel Ejiofor — who voice these characters bring the right amount of spunk and energy to these characters.
Look, I know I haven’t exactly broken down this movie in depth, like how I usually do in my other reviews. But it’s tough for me to be super critical of this movie since this is a harmless piece of entertainment aimed at kids. One that does not insult your intelligence. Should you rush out to see it? Probably not. Black Panther and the most recent, Lee Chong Wei film are far superior alternatives. But if your kid is rolling on the ground, crying and begging you to take him/her to watch an animated flick, this is more than fine.
