Written By: Arabella Kats, Staff Writer
INFORMATION: Rising popularity of new movies including Knives Out 2 and Enola Holmes 2 provokes the question of whether they are the effort to watch
Knives Out 2 – The Glass Onion: While this movie is technically a sequel to the popular movie Knives Out (2019), it does not reference any of the first movie, meaning it functions as a standalone. The only character that remains consistent between the two movies is the detective Benoit Blanc, played by actor Daniel Craig, known for his role as James Bond. Many other famous actors play significant parts, including Dave Bautista, Kate Hudson and Madelyn Cline, who had roles in both Outer Banks and Stranger Things; even world renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma makes an appearance. As for the plot, The Glass Onion plays out exactly as advertised, with individual layers of mystery revealing themselves one by one, like an onion, but the final solution having been clear, like glass, from the beginning. Knives Out 2 is a fun mix of comedy, mystery and drama, but the plot itself is nothing revolutionary. It has cliffhangers and plot twists, but many avid mystery movie watchers would likely find it predictable. However, quality storytelling allows watchers to immerse themselves in the mystery and connect to the unique characters as flashbacks reveal the hidden motives and intentions of each. The third installment of Knives Out will be released in 2024, so put away your prop-knives and ready your bulletproof journals for the next chapter in this sequence of mysterious movies.
Enola Holmes 2: The first Enola Holmes movie was a wonderfully unique twist on the original story of Sherlock Holmes, focusing on his sister, Enola. Movies one and two have the same intelligent and strong-minded protagonist, but with the first movie being a completely original story, and the second based on the Matchgirls Strike of 1888 and labor activist Sarah Chapman, who was an essential part of the protests for gender rights and equality, as well as fairness at work. Enola Holmes 2 features several famous actors, including Millie Bobby Brown, who was in Stranger Things, Henry Cavill, known for playing Superman, and Helena Bonham Carter, who played Bellatrix Lestrange in several Harry Potter movies. This series is unique in almost every way: from the plot, to the characters, and even the storytelling. For example, breaches of the fourth wall occur occasionally, where the character speaks directly to the viewer, acting to relieve some of the tension during serious moments. At times, such scenes can be disruptive, but in a series geared towards a younger audience, they work well.
Additionally, while the first movie was very creative and inventive, the second felt more commercial, as if it was following a formula. However, despite the movie’s slightly formulaic feel, it is still fun to see a female character as daring and capable as Enola take on many clever criminals in 1800s England, when the world was male-dominated. This crime-action drama with a touch of romance and comedy kept me on my toes as Enola unraveled the threads of mystery surrounding a missing girl, while also helping to bring the dirty secrets of the match factories to light. The genre of Enola Holmes and Enola Holmes 2 is one of my personal favorites, so I would definitely recommend this book-turned-movie duo.
Sing Street: Out of these three movies I watched, Sing Street was undoubtedly the most original, presenting a clever story set in a small Irish town. It is centered around a high-school aged boy and his family, who had encountered some financial difficulties. Throughout the story, the boy has to learn how to navigate his way around a new, strict Christian school while still expressing himself through music and his band, all while trying to win the affections of the girl who lives across the street from the school, on Synge Street. This movie features popular music from the 1960’s through the 80’s as well as original songs that take inspiration from pieces by Joe Jackson, Motӧrhead, Duran Duran, and more. If you are looking for a movie with more casual production that is less commercialized, Sing Street is definitely the one to watch. It addresses important issues regarding love and sacrifice and maintains a heartfelt story and plot that will make you cry out for more at the end. Excellent actors such as Jack Reynor, Lucy Boynton and more clearly portray just how flawed and human all the characters are, making it all the more heartbreaking when things go wrong and all the more joyous when they go right. You will end up rooting for these characters all the way to the end- except maybe the principal.
