Review of 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows'

Following up on the first successful Sherlock Holmes movie with Robert Downey Jr. as the great detective this movie sees Holmes and Watson (Jude Law) uncovering a war-mongering plot by the ever-evil Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris). At the beginning of the film Watson is about to be married to Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) and we are introduced to Holmes' brother, Mycroft (played wonderfully flamboyantly by Stephen Fry - who we see perhaps more of in this film than we really should…). After foiling a bombing Holmes follows a trail leading him to a gypsy woman, Madam Sinza Heron (Noomi Rapace) whose brother is involved in some terrible goings-on in Europe.

A number of fantastic set pieces it is also the chemistry between Holmes and Watson make this movie an enjoyable romp in the ridiculous. There is an attempt at authenticity but true Sherlock Holmes devotees will likely not be terribly impressed with it's depiction both of the famous man himself but also of 19th century Paris, London and Europe.

If I have any criticism is that at times it can seem as though things are dragging - both in some of the big action sequences (where Watson is cornered in a fire-fight at an arm's factor is one) and in some of the more heavily dialogued scenes. I am sure that I would also not be the only one to get a bit confused with the sequences where a potential future or the immediate past is presented in a sort of slow-frame series of scenes - It was often slightly confusing as to whether it was actually happening or not (and, perhaps, a bit tedious to go through multiple options - I am thinking of the chess match with Moriarty as one example of this).

However, these minor considerations aside, sit back and enjoy the ride…Great, fun, popcorn fodder.

Rating: “Really good but I have some issues”

Review Date: 2011-12-27

Directed by: Guy Ritchie

Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Year: 2011

Length: 129 minutes

Genre: Action/Adventure

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1515091/

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