‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’ is a Good Sequel

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Back in 2009, the first film in this franchise didn’t receive accolades from purists of the Holmes canon. Most find it a degrading way to look at the sharp-witted intellectual who Arthur Donan Coyle created decades ago, and as far as critics were concerned, it’s a film not worth the effort. But audiences by and large reacted much differently. If you don’t like the first film, then chances are high you’ll detest this sequel. In a nutshell what I say is: what fun!

Sherlock Holmes, A Game of Shadows (2011) Film Review

Following the undoing of the formidable Lord Blackwood, Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) finds himself at odds with yet another frightening enemy. His ex-lover Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) is back in his life only this time her confidence may catch up with her. The man paying her has just changed the rules. Catching Sherlock’s attention is the identity of her employer is Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris). Well respected for his scientific genius, Sherlock finds himself snared in another man’s shadowed web of deceit – one that could be more dangerous than Sherlock bargains for.

Elsewhere, Dr. John Watson (Jude Law) is gone from 221 Baker Street; he plans to start a new life with his fiancée Mary (Kelly Reilly). Despite everything, Sherlock manages to sabotage his friends honeymoon when he appears on the same train as the newlyweds. Moriarty refuses to leave Watson out of the challenge he issues which in turn forces Sherlock to beg his friend’s indulgence on one last case. Along the way the sleuths pick up a stubborn gypsy (Noomi Rapace). During their race through the streets of London, Paris and Switzerland, Holmes draws brother Mycroft (Stephan Fry) into their plans in an investigation that is so much more than mere political corruption.

When Sherlock Holmes opened in theaters, I had a feeling it’d be a ridiculously good time. The casting of RDJ (mind you, all this was before I saw him as Tony Stark) in the role didn’t thrill for some reason, still the look of the film was exciting. This sequel isn’t quite as fun, and this is because of Holmes infamous nemesis Moriarty. Using a checkers game as an analogy for their intrigue, the pair of them match wit for wit; both are brilliant and therefore don’t make a move without the other counter-matching it. As a result, Sherlock’s determination becomes more of a personal battle of intellect to outdo his enemy.

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Everything about Sherlock Holmes, A Game of Shadows needs a more sinister undertone. This is something Guy Ritchie definitely succeeds in bringing out, where there seems to be a chill to the air. Filming in all other regards is much the same. Sherlock thinks through each fight or attack as it plays out in slow motion as though in his mind. In keeping true to the prior film, nearly everything is the same as far as the production values go, and there is a pretty ballroom scene with some gorgeous costuming.

‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’ is a Good Sequel. A review of the 2011 sequel with Robert Downy Jr. #Movies #SherlockHolmes #WhattoWatch Share on X

Camaraderie between the characters is hilarious, and despite his eccentric personality (possibly more strange than even Sherlock), I get a kick out of the elder Holmes, Mycroft. Likely Stephen’s interpretation isn’t exactly what the original character is like, but he makes the audience laugh and that’s worth something. The humor is witty; like seeing Sherlock “kill” Watson’s wife and the dog (again). Filmmakers assemble a great duo when casting Law and RDJ. They play off each other really well. Fleeting as it may be, I enjoyed Kelly’s bit in this film. No one ever quite seems trustworthy (with exception to Holmes and Watson, of course) and even Kelly’s Mary has a glint to her eye that makes us question her motives.

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In short, though not a “bad thing,” this film is much like its predecessor. Personally, I like consistency in film franchises. It’s these familiar bits that help glues the entire series together. Given that this is a new outlet to introduce Moriarty, it seems appropriate to take a dissimilar yet familiar approach to the material. All around, this is a fun way to spend a couple of hours. There are some sad moments (depending on your view of certain characters) but overall, the end game couldn’t be more entertaining.

CONTENT: various bombs and explosions, gunfire kills half a dozen men. There are about two or three tense scenes; two men fall off a cliff, a woman is poisoned. There’s brutal torture when someone uses a hook on a man. There is a full backside shot of a nude man and barely avoided frontal nudity; only a handful of sexual innuendoes. Alcohol consumption is prevalent and there’s some profanity. The film is PG13.

Photos: Warner Brothers