Although the first part of Enola Holmes 2 confused me with its frantic pace, I tried to settle down and go with the flow. After all, Millie Bobby Brown still makes Enola a very interesting character who talks to us directly as she goes about her exciting adventures.

And this time, Sherlock (Henry Cavill) has troubles of his own. Sadly, he has no Dr. Watson to help him yet. And brother Mycroft is nowhere to be seen. But we do get a couple of scenes with their mysterious and powerful mother, played by wonderful Helena Bonham Carter. Plus, Enola’s handsome love interest Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge), now in politics, also shows up in some rom-com-like interactions as well as her accomplice.

Enola Holmes back on the screen

in second film that must be seen.

But patience needed before fun.

Enola seems to run and run.

She tries to have a sleuth business.

Too bad it may turn out a mess.

As a woman, she gets no case.

Will bro Sherlock give her some space?

Enola then gets called upon

To find a girl who now seems gone.

This leads her to a mystery

and action her fans like to see.

Romance also continues here

when Enola tries to be dear.

Unladylike she seems more real.

Her bravery closes the deal. 

Once again the costumes, sets, background music and cinematography work together to give us a “we are there” feel. Added to the fun is a surprising segment involving Enola learning how to dance. As a dancer for much of my life, I appreciated that part of the film. For comedy, watch how uncomfortable Enola looks all dressed up for a high-class ball as well as  how unacceptable her short conversations with the high society attendees end up being. Extra cheers for Millie Bobby Brown’s stellar performance in this part of the film. Don’t get me wrong, she’s also fine in the rest of this offering. But there’s something special about her here.   .     

Enola’s rough-and-tumble action scenes make us worry about her most of the time. But the mystery she tries to solve becomes more and more important, especially for women working in a London matchstick company.

If you are a Sherlock Holmes fan, you will not be disappointed about the villain behind the deadly doings in this sequel. Does the name Moriarity ring a bell? Ah ha, you may say. But who is the REAL Moriarity?

They say that genius is the infinite capacity for taking pains. It’s a very bad definition but it does apply for detective work. --- Sherlock Holmes in Arthur Conan Doyle’s A STUDY IN SCARLET

(Released by Netflix and rated “PG-13” by MPAA.)

Director: Harry Bradbeer

Writers: Jack Thorne (screenplay), Harry Bradbeer (story), Nancy Springer (based on her “Enola Holmes Mysteries” book eries)