The Game Is Afoot With "Sherlock Holmes" And It's A Fun One

Just two years after the original, Robert Downey Jr. returns to his Golden Globe Award winning role in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.  The sequel involves Sherlock hunting down the mysterious man behind all the mischief in the first film who was revealed to be Professor Moriarty, played by Jared Harris of Mad Men who looks like Conan O'Brien's twin with that red beard.  Back by Holmes' side of course, and not exactly by choice, is his reluctant yet trusty pal Dr. Watson (Jude Law) who has recently set a date for his wedding.  Luckily for him, among all the chaos brought about by his inconvenient best man, the wedding goes as planned, but the honeymoon is a different story.

Moriarty is aware that the intelligent Holmes is right on his tail after figuring out all the clues left behind throughout his various evil plans, but his brainpower just about equals that of Holmes.  With ideas of corruption in his mind and a plethora of henchmen, Moriarty always remains a few steps ahead of our hero.  At one point, we even see Holmes truly suffer and we learn that he is indeed human and not some ingenious 19th century robot.  

To reveal Moriarty's plan would give away too much of the mystery.  You may find yourself confused as hell for a while due to the Mulroneys' screenplay and Guy Ritchie's direction, but therein lies some of the fun.  Plus, when you figure it out 2/3 of the way in, you'll feel like a young Sherlock yourself.  What I can tell you is that this film is as entertaining and thrilling as the first.  It may not necessarily be superior, but it's a hell of a good time.

The chemistry between RDJ and Jude Law is still incredibly enjoyable and the action still packs a punch.  One of the only disappointments is that we've seen it all before.  In the first film, the slow motion effects and planning of every move in Holmes' head had a very unique style.  Now it's a bit overplayed and one scene even involves Moriarty doing the same thing, which is a little over the top.  The slow motion scenes outside of Holmes' mind may get a tad goofy, but they're pretty damn cool.  The entirety of the train scene as well as the one set in the forest with bullets flying everywhere (both played in multiple promotions for the movie) truly captivate the audience.  The action and the mystery will surely keep you entertained.

Besides the recurring Ritchie style in some fight sequences and newcomer Noomi Rapace's mundane performance as some gypsy woman dressed like Jack Sparrow, Game of Shadows is certainly an acceptable sequel to Sherlock Holmes.  Downey, Law, Harris, and Stephen Fry who plays Sherlock's brother, all deliver the goods.  And the comedy kept me laughing pretty hysterically during all the non-action scenes.  Brace yourself for Stanley the butler and Holmes' Li'l Sebastian-like horse.  Overall, a very pleasing film and a great start to what looks like a promising holiday season for cinema.  However, I'm glad I saw this before Mission Impossible because those stunts look f'ing intense.

Stars: 3/4