So Gnomeo & Juliet came out in 2011, and now we get a sequel?  The romantic lead duo, voiced by James McAvoy and Emily Blunt, have moved to London and now face the disappearance of their ornamental lawn family, thanks to Sherlock Gnomes’ arch-nemesis, Moriarty (v. Jamie Demetriou). Fortunately (I think), Gnomes and Dr. Watson (Johnny Depp and Chiwetel Ejiofor) are on the case as the protectors of all London garden gnomes. 

Sherlock Gnomes has to be the most unnecessary animated sequel since Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil. (Only the appearance of a Doogal 2 would be more surprising.) Even my 2-and-a-half-year-old is discerning enough to question its entertainment value. If uninspired voicework from Depp or two new songs by Elton John and Bernie Taupin—the rest of the tunes are reworked versions of past hits—is what you crave, Sherlock Gnomes is going to be your jam. Otherwise, you and your kid(s) should wait until Athens gets Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs.