Paying attention to detail has never been as rewarding as it is while watching Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. Keep a sharp eye on what’s going on, because every little detail counts if you want to try to figure out the chain of events before Holmes does, which is near impossible.
The second installment of the Sherlock Holmes film series brings back the main characters Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr), Watson (Jude Law), Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams), and Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris). This time we find the brilliant Holmes having spent a huge chunk of time tracking the machinations of the equally brilliant but super evil Moriarty. After an explosion or two, Holms, Watson, and newcomer Madam Simza (Noomi Rapace) race to stop Moriarty from exploding anything else.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows has a very strong, character driven sense of wit about it, and really top-notch character interactions. Holmes and Irene are especially amusing with their eternal competition to out thief each other. She’s the Catwoman to Holmes’ Batman. Aww. Then there’s the obvious bromance between Holmes and Watson. Watson always seems put off by what Holmes does, but deep down inside they love each other and know that there’s nowhere they’d rather be than out adventuring together. And of course, Moriarty and Holmes also have a very interesting relationship; the two titanic intellects respect each other immensely, but recognize that each of them is the greatest foe the other will ever encounter and have a level of polite animosity to all of their interactions. It’s these kinds of smartly written relationships that drive forward the story and the humor.
The action was excellent. I love the slow motion fights and the breakdown of what’s happening. There’s one scene where Holmes, Watson, and friends are running through the woods and baddies are unloading bullets and cannon balls on them, with the action pausing to zoom in and out, or to slow down or speed up, and it really gives you a sense of how much insanity is going on all around them.
One thing about Sherlock Holmes 2 is that you can put your thinking cap on and bring your A game to the theater and get an extra dose of smartypants satisfaction, or leave it all at home and not think about anything. Either way, it’s a fun, entertaining mystery that is well worth your time.
Time Until Action: ~ 1minute
Action Rating: 2 Brilliant Deductions, out of 5!
That train escape sequence was SERIOUSLY bad ass! As a stand-alone action flick I think it held its own even.
Although all of the freshness that was part of the first one is somewhat over-used, the flick is still a lot of fun with Downey Jr., Harris, and Law breathing life into each of their own characters. However, I was kind of disappointed by Noomi Rapace’s role as she just simply stands there and really doesn’t do anything. Regardless though, good review. Check mine out when you can.
Pingback: Review: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows | Absurdly Nerdly
Pingback: Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows | Absurdly Nerdly