Sherlock Gnomes, voiced by Johnny Depp, center, Gnomeo, voiced by James McAvoy, and Juliet, voiced by Emily Blunt, appear in the animated movie "Sherlock Gnomes." The Catholic News Service classification is A-I -- general patronage. (CNS/Paramount)

By Catholic News Service

Busy but flat animated adventure in which the hero (voice of James McAvoy) and heroine (voice of Emily Blunt) of 2011’s “Gnomeo and Juliet” team with the detective of the title (voice of Johnny Depp) and his sidekick, Dr. Watson (voice of Chiwetel Ejiofor), to stop a spate of garden gnome kidnappings taking place across London that they suspect may be the work of the sleuth’s arch-nemesis, Moriarty (voice of Jamie Demetriou).

Easily satisfied kids may be willing to accept the rudimentary plot and unfocused proceedings on display in director John Stevenson’s film. But, despite a positive lesson about not taking friends or loved ones for granted, most others will be unimpressed.

Scenes of peril, some mild scatological and anatomical humor. The Catholic News Service classification is A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

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