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 The Fourth of July has come and gone, bringing some interesting films in theaters and on streaming. Below is a look at the new films I saw this week. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734.

Enola Holmes 3 (Netflix)
Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Helena Bonham Carter, and Louis Partridge
Synopsis: This is the third installment in the Netflix film franchise that centers on Sherlock Holmes (Cavill) and his younger sister, Enola (Brown). There are mysteries and a bit of fun, winking at the camera and often breaking the fourth wall. That’s true of this latest installment, which is the shortest of the three. It’s directed by Philip Barantini, who knows how to handle a camera, and takes place almost entirely on the island of Malta, where Enola is preparing to marry Tewkesbury (Partridge). But when Sherlock goes missing, as does Tewkesbury’s mother, Enola springs into action and the game is afoot once again. I have enjoyed all these films. I like the mystery and the humor. And I’ve often enjoyed Brown in this role, and playing off of Cavill. This film is no different. It’s a solid mystery and a fun ride, which makes for a good stream. I don’t think it’s quite as dynamic as the first two installments, but if you’ve been a fan this is worth checking out.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for some violence.
Verdict: Three stars out of five

Minions & Monsters (Theaters)
Starring: Pierre Coffin, Christoph Waltz, and Allison Janney
Synopsis: Believe it or not, but the Minions have been in our lives for the past 16 years. They were introduced in Despicable Me in 2010. They were background players in that story that soon became fan favorites. Since that first introduction, the Minions have seemingly been everywhere. We’ve seen them in four Despicable Me films and in two feature films of their own, along with countless shorts. Now, for their third solo outing, they are doing something unique—looking at the golden age of Hollywood. This film serves as a sort of origin for the Minions. As we have a story told by Olivia (Janney), as part of an exhibit celebrating classic Hollywood. It’s focused on two Minions—James and Henry—who become fast friends over their shared love of stories. All this begins as the Minions are trying to find the ultimate villain to serve. They land with several different options, but each time it goes sideways as something goes wrong and the villain ends up wounded—or worse—leaving the Minions searching for a purpose again. All this finally leads them to Hollywood, where they stumble into the motion pictures during the Silent Film era. Director Max (Waltz) finds them incredibly compelling—as do audiences. Soon, the Minions are big stars. But when the talking Motion Pictures come, they fall out of favor quickly. While most of the Minions again want to find a Villain to serve, James and Henry refuse to give up their dream. They script an epic monster movie, but they need a monster to make it hum. When they turn to a dark magic book, things go off the rails quickly. But can the Minions come together and make it a hit? I have always enjoyed the Minions best in small doses. As a sidelight, they were some of my favorite parts of the Despicable Me franchise. But in their solo outings, I’ve often found their schtick wears thin quickly. I expected it to be the same with this third outing. But I was wrong. If you are a fan of movies and the Golden Era of Hollywood, you’ll be a fan of this film. It pays homage to many classic films, from Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, to more in the talking era and even modern films like Babylon. And it’s a lot of fun. It’s a crisp 90 minutes and it has an ambitious plot that comes together in a delightful way in the third act. It’s not incredible, but it’s a fun summer outing that will likely thrill and entertain audiences of all ages for the long holiday weekend. Plus, it’s got some scope and spectacle that will make for a good outing on a big screen.
Rating: Rated PG for violence/action, language and rude/macabre humor.
Verdict: Three stars out of five

Young Washington (Theaters)
Starring: William Franklyn-Miller, Mary-Louise Parker, and Ben Kingsley
Synopsis: As the United States celebrated 250 years of independence, everyone it seemed was feeling patriotic. That included the movies, which chose to feature a wide release on July 4 weekend focused on the first President of the United States, George Washington. But this isn’t the story you’re probably expecting. We pick up in July 1755 as Washington—wearing the Crimson of the British Army—is serving as a young aide to a General in the French and Indian War. It’s taking place in the vast Ohio Territory, a part of the new world. And George Washington (Franklyn-Miller) is determined to get to his friends and fellow Virginians, despite the long odds. It’s then that a British officer asks what could make it worth this threat to his life to find other Virginians. Young Washington then spins back 12 years and shows us George Washington’s journey. We pick up with his father dead, and a very young George (Will Joseph) is frustrated. He wants to go to school. He wants to become a commissioned officer. But his mother (Parker) tells him it’s up to him to help manage the farm for his family. George’s half-brother, Lawrence (John Foss) is an officer put in charge of the militia. He helps to teach George and to train him to be ready for the world. He becomes George’s biggest advocate, so that by the time Lord Fairfax (Kelsey Grammar) commissions him to survey the Ohio territory, he’s ready. There, he spots the French, who have built a fort on lands claimed by the British. George brings a report back to Virginia’s governor (Kingsley), and soon is dispatched to help drive the French out. But it doesn’t go as planned, leaving George to consider what his role and his gifts are truly meant to help him achieve. It probably doesn’t sound incredibly American to watch a film where the British and French are fighting over future American soil, all while using and abusing Native Americans. This isn’t a truly American epic in the same way things like The Patriot are. And yet, it does end in a way that feels true to the American spirit, and to filling in the story of someone essential to the founding of the nation. There are some solid performances. Grammar, Kingsley, Parker, and Andy Serkis all appear in supporting roles. But this comes down to Franklyn-Miller, who carries a bulk of the narrative. He does a solid job in the lead role and helps create an engaging lead character. The film comes from director Jon Erwin, who has delivered other faith-based films and biopics such as I Still Believe, I Can Only Imagine, and the Kurt Warner film American Underdog. The film moves at a decent pace and the battle sequences, of which there are many, work well enough. It’s a decent watch that will likely entertain and inspire many looking for a dose of Americana this holiday season.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for sequences of strong war violence and some bloody images.
Verdict: Two and a half stars out of five