“Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” is far beyond elementary.
Starting where 2009’s “Sherlock Holmes” left off, we are immediately drawn into the world of the legendary literary detective — Sherlock Holmes (played by Robert Downey Jr.). The highly eccentric, insanely intelligent sleuth is hot on the trail of his old flame Irene Adler (played by Rachel McAdams). As with the first film, during the initial fight scene, Holmes prenarrates the move-by-move slow-mo, stop-motion action.
However, you don’t have to be well versed in the first “Sherlock Holmes” to catch on quickly to the “A Game of Shadows” plot line. The long and short of it is that there is a war brewing between Germany and France in 1891. Holmes is drawn into this due to Prof. James Moriarty (played by Jared Harris). You may remember Moriarty as the anonymous man in a carriage from the first film. Here he steps out of the shadows and takes on a more pronounced role. Too make things interesting he is able to match Holmes’ wit and strength (but not his humor).
Also back for the sequel is Holmes’ dear (and only) friend Dr. John Watson (played by Jude Law). This is an interesting character development in storytelling. Watson and Holmes meld together into one character. You can’t have one without the other in this film. Downey and Law play their characters so wonderfully off one another that they draw the audience closer to them equally. With Holmes’ eccentricities and Watson’s more down-to-earth rational thoughts, they are a true yin and yang. Moriarty soon uses this kinship against Holmes. He knows that Holmes truly cares for his friend and will go to any length to protect him.
Their mystery of who is instigating the war between Germany and France brings them to Paris where they are better acquainted with a gypsy, Madam Simza Heron (played by Noomi Rapace, from the Swedish version of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.”)
The twosome becomes a trio and discovers even more clues that drives them into a series of explosions and one helluva daring escape. The returning director, Guy Ritchie (“Snatch,” “Revolver,” “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”) loves his slow-mo, stop-motion action. And, so do we. The movie takes a break from being an intellectual who-done-it and becomes a straight-up action film where Holmes and his mystery team must out run cannons, Germans, and several bullets. All of this action without the use of 3-D. Ritchie made it work without following the current trends.
Holmes, Watson and Heron make it to a peace summit to stop an assassination and to confront Moriarty one last time. Once again we rely on Holmes’ intellect to defeat his enemy and also witness a fall to his untimely demise. Yes you read that correctly.
Should you see this movie? Yes, it has action, humor, drama and Ritchie’s ability to bring a complex story line all together. You don’t necessarily have to see the first film to enjoy this story. This film can actually stand alone if needed. For a sequel, it is a sequel in the truest sense; there is no lag in the story line from the first film to this film. It seems as if it is a long continuation setting the film up for another chapter for Holmes and Watson. Yes you read that correctly.
