Movie review: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

 

I would be hard pressed to say Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is better than part 1. This may be one of the rare instances where I can't pick one over the other. Both have strengths the other doesn't. Part 1 for instance, has a better over all mystery, and is actually a lot more humorous. Part 2 however, features far better action sequences and a decidedly better villain. That of course, being the great James Moriarty. Holmes' deadliest nemesis. I'd say the cat and mouse game Moriarty and Holmes play against each other is the key reason to see this film.  Moriarty is the intellectual equivalent to Holmes, except he has none of the moral fissures which keep Holmes in check. This makes him not only extraordinarily intelligent, but deadly as well. He's played brilliantly by Jared Harris (from Mad Men and Fringe). Harris at no point goes over the top with the character, and manages to give him an aura of grace and class mixed in with pure sadism. He's the perfect foe for Robert Downey Jr.'s manic Sherlock Holmes. Jude Law is also excellent as the rational Dr. Watson, the anchor that keeps Holmes from ruining himself too much.

 

As stated, the action sequences in this one far outweigh the ones seen in the first one. They are filmed with a sense of true danger and a focused hyper activity that someone like Michael Bay could NEVER get right. One particular sequence set in a  forest is particularly intense. The film does as sequels usually tend to do, make everything bigger, faster, and add more explosions than are often necessary. But in this case, it doesn't feel like an exhaustion. The best scenes are when Holmes and Moriarty are face to face, trying to figure out who has just outwitted who and how. Also, the film's finale goes to a completely unexpected place, though if you are familiar with the original books, you'll recognize immediately what is going to happen and how it's going to end. It was a nice surprise, one I didn't expect the film makers to attempt.

 

So while the action is bigger and better, and the villain top notch, the film's darker tone can almost seem out of place given the comradery you associate with these films and with Downey Jr.'s take on the character.  As a result, the tone of the film sometimes seems off balance. But that's a minor gripe, and it certainly doesn't become enough of an issue to ruin anything. So if you liked the first one, you are sure to like this one. And if you didn't like the first one, you probably WILL like this one more. The faster pace and grander action sequences will keep you entertained. 

 

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is a perfectly serviceable sequel. Doesn't change the world or warrant any wards, but as mindless, fun entertainment, you can hardly do better than this one of the first one. Recommended.

 

Grade: (A-)